Do you fear having to speak in front of a group?\u00a0 It is a natural but unnecessary fear. \u00a0 Over the years I have learned some simple things that you can do to ease those fears.\u00a0 <\/p>\n
1.\u00a0\u00a0 Know what you are going to say.\u00a0 Just jot down 2 or 3 things, if possible include a story.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0\u00a0 Slow down.\u00a0 When in front of a group you speak 30% faster than when you are speaking face to face.\u00a0 To you it may seem as if you are dragging out your words, but to the audience you will be speaking normally.<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0\u00a0 Speak face to face.\u00a0 Engage your audience. Nothing will give you more success than to speak to each person in the group.\u00a0 Work with at least the first two rows.\u00a0 Make a point of speaking directly to people in these seats.\u00a0 You might speak to two on the left then work to the right.<\/p>\n
4.\u00a0\u00a0 Avoid the temptation to find one person that seems friendly and speak only to him or her.\u00a0 Your audience will sense it.<\/p>\n
5.\u00a0\u00a0 Finally, Learn to use the pause.\u00a0 Pause for effect or waiting for a point to sink in.\u00a0 This will raise the interest level of your audience.\u00a0 Give them time to respond.<\/p>\n
Speaking TIPS – Hands. Once a person gets over the initial fear of speaking publicly, the next obstacle to overcome is what to do with one’s hands. It will help you to be aware of what you do with your hands when you are speaking with a friend. Don’t you just rest them at your sides until you need to make a point? Men are often more animated, having to use their hands to show the “exact” size of that fish they caught last weekend. Women may use their hands in a bouncy sort of way, palms up as if offering you something. Follow these simple guidelines for creating interest in your talk and avoiding potentially threatening behaviors.<\/p>\n
This will get you started, you will improve as you become more aware of your hands and the important part they play in a successful presentation.<\/p>\n
Do’s<\/strong> Dont’s<\/strong> Relax before you Speak<\/strong> Do you fear having to speak in front of a group?\u00a0 It is a natural but unnecessary fear. \u00a0 Over the years I have learned some simple things that you can do to ease those fears.\u00a0 1.\u00a0\u00a0 Know what you … Continue reading
\n1. Know what you are going to say. Spend time researching and writing a speech that you know will knock their socks off! Include a stories! Go over your speech until you’re familiar with it.
\n2. Take your time. Slow down. Most people speak 25% faster when in front of an audience. Don’t read your speech word for word. Instead, try to imagine you’re having a conversation with your audience. Better yet, speak as if you’re having a conversation with a group of friends.
\n3. Be natural, be yourself. Don’t stand there like a mannequin and don’t clutch the sides of the lectern until your knuckles are white. Be natural and animated. Use hand gestures and facial expressions.
\n4. Make eye contact with the audience. You want to connect with them, get them nodding their heads in agreement. Make them pay attention to you.
\n5. Vary your voice pitch and speed during your speech. Do this so you don’t sound dull and lifeless. Know when to rev up the excitement and when to slow down to make your points. <\/p>\n
\n\t1. Never STOP! If you make a mistake it is unlikely that your audience will know if you don’t stop.
\n\t2. Never APOLOGIZE! Not for your voice or dress, not for your preparation.
\n\t3. Never FEAR, instead turn your nervousness into ENTHUSIASM! <\/p>\n
\nRelaxing your body, face, and voice – find a place alone for this exercise.
\n\t1. Stomp one foot then the other.
\n\t2. Shake your arms and hands.
\n\t3. Open your eyes and mouth wide, then stick out your tongue.
\n\t4. Pull your whole face back into a ball.
\n\t5. Take deep breaths and make a humming sound while letting them out.
\nNow you are ready. Knock it out of the park.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"