Public speaking skills
Oratory, the art of speech and persuasion, is as valuable today as it was when the ancient Greeks began to write about it. Public speaking skills make you a better salesperson, leader, and diplomat. If you are interested in self-improvement and growing as a person, you must invest time and energy in developing your skills in this area. In this article we will elaborate you the Public speaking skills with development
Public speaking skills represent your ability to speak to a group of listeners in an engaging and comfortable way.
The type of skills needed to be a good public speaker ranges from technical skills, like clear diction, to personality-based skills, like being comfortable as the focus of a group.
You can develop these skills using various methods, depending on the type of skill you want to improve.
Public speaking skills are those that allow you to present information clearly and effectively. It is a key skill in conveying a message or opinion, and these kinds of skills are required in almost every field today.
As a speaker, you have to show your message clearly and effectively. This is why it is important to focus on the following key points:
- Accent. Don’t try to speak with a foreign accent when you have a native audience.
- Voice modulation. You must make sure to make the necessary variations in your voice. There are certain words and sentences in which the tone of your voice plays a vital role. If you have great content but your voice modulation skills don’t match, the whole speech could go to waste.
- Facial expressions. Without expressions, the audience will not find your speech interesting. If your expressions are correct, then you have the ability to influence the mood of your audience.
- Hand movements. Many speakers simply keep their hands on the podium and speak. This is never a good idea. Always use hand movements. If these movements are well coordinated with your speech, it is like a bonus!
- As for the content, make sure it’s not just facts and other boring stuff. Make sure to brighten the mood every now and then.
- Respect your audience. Try to interact with your audience, make them feel comfortable. Never make fun of your audience if any stupid questions come up! Rather make them feel that it is common to ask such a thing and it is not a big deal. This will encourage them to interact more, resulting in a more responsive and attentive audience!
Qualities of a Good Speaker
There are different qualities that every good speaker must-have. Here we list these different factors that form the basis for good public speaking skills.
1-Confidence
It takes a lot of inner strength to get up and face several pairs of eyes that are eager to hear what you want to say next. Without a shred of confidence, you can start to stutter or you can forget the chain of your thought that you want people to hear from you.
2-Good content
The content of the speech is also very important. The content must be accurate to the point that it must also convey your thoughts, opinions, or points of view to the audience. Just beating around the bush will not make your speech interesting. A little humor, instant jokes, a little anecdote, quotes from famous personalities, or the use of buzzwords can help you in this context.
3-Good structure
The structure of your speech is also a very important factor. It should have a short introduction, an interesting body, and a good ending.
4-Tone
The flat, monotonous tone really puts the audience to sleep. Actually, I have been sleeping soundly many times while listening to the talks. The hours after lunch are the difficult enough time to conduct a talk or speech. A slight variation in your tone of voice can wake or avoid an audience that is about to fall asleep. Sometimes it is also possible to make the session interesting by asking questions or seeking some opinions on the topic so that you can even take a break.
5-Memory
This is the most necessary property for a good speaker! The person must never forget what he really wants to deliver to the people. Glancing at the small notes can help you remember the points for you to refer to during prayer. But constantly looking at the notes or reading the entire speech may not amuse the audience or seem to lose interest, which is not affordable if you want to make the speech really interesting.
6-Practice
To acquire a decent amount of focus, optimal speed of speech, good pitch fluctuation, good body language takes a lot of practice. Stand in front of a mirror and start practicing. You should also watch her body language, it should not look like she is about to dance or look like a statue. Use audio recording devices for your mock speeches and review them yourself. Write down your flaws and work on them.
How are public speaking skills developed?
Many people feel terrified when asked to make their first public talk, but these initial fears can be reduced with good preparation that will also lay the groundwork for an effective presentation.
Great public speakers are not born learned; most have to practice and hone their speaking skills. The best-known speakers are Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, and Adolf Hitler. His speeches carried his message in a powerful and articulate way that resonated with his audiences.
Below is a list of public speaking skills that you can train yourself to make your speeches more clear, confident, and successful.
- Boost your confidence
- Use appropriate content
- Know your audience
- Take advantage of your tone of voice
- Consider the duration
- Memorize the key points
- Practice in realistic environments
6 must-have tips to improve your public speaking skill
1 – Master the subject
First of all, to speak well in public, it is important to master the content. Keeping the information in mind will help you feel more confident and ready to tackle any question from the audience, including. Studying the subject that will be presented well, there is nothing to fear. You will have authority on the subject in front of others and will be able to interact with security.
2 – Train first
Another fundamental item is to train before the official presentation. Thus, your speech will be better articulated and will guarantee the attention of the listeners. Do this as often as you can and need to. Reading aloud also contributes to this process, as you will have an idea of your tone of voice and whether the words are being spoken clearly. It is also worth training with trusted people, such as family and friends, and asking for their opinion on what needs to be adjusted.
3 – Control your breath
If you feel very nervous, try to control your breathing and lower your heart rate. This is essential for concentration and staying calm. So, before the presentation, take long breaths, holding them for a few seconds and then slowly release all the air. This technique also helps in controlling anxiety and will bring more tranquility to the moment of your speech.
4 – Change your thinking
You know those negative thoughts that something could go wrong during your speech? Try to change them within you. Remember that the audience is there to listen to you because they are interested in the topic and you can help them to have contact with a new story that can generate reflections or change someone’s professional path. Transform your look. No one will be there for judgment or performance evaluation. And, it is worth mentioning, you are the one who will be in charge of everything.
5 – Pay attention to the rhythm of speech
A technique that helps a lot during public presentations is the alternation of intonation and speech rhythm. If you keep your tone of voice, for example, your explanation may become too monotonous and this will disperse the audience’s attention. So, try to emphasize a few moments, increasing the volume of your voice, changing the speed of the words and taking brief pauses to organize your thoughts. This way, you will involve the participants even more.
6 – Take advantage of opportunities
Experience is key in this process of overcoming the fear of public speaking. So take every chance you have to expose yourself and challenge yourself. If that’s your goal, practice will improve you even more. With each new speech, you will be able to correct what needs to be improved and you will gain more self-confidence with this skill. That way, don’t miss the opportunity to give a lecture, teach a class or make a presentation, even if for a few people.
8 tactics for public speaking
1 – Study hard
This is the main tip for anyone who wants to do well when speaking in public. Mastering the subject, having all the information in mind and knowing the issues well makes you prepared to face the audience.
After all, there is reason to be afraid: you studied, you know. During your surveys, also prepare yourself for any questions the audience may ask.
2 – Bring support
Nothing like having support with you right now. According to the situation, prepare a power point presentation, a banner or simply a guide paper for yourself.
In these, put the main topics that you will cover and, in case of nervousness, refer to them to remind yourself of your line of reasoning.
3 – Practice speaking
An articulate and well-pronounced speech captivates listeners much more and is much better understood. So train your speech daily!
A good technique is to read aloud from newspapers or magazines. In this way, you learn to control your breathing and make your words as clear as possible.
4 – Breathe properly
Fundamental for concentration and for maintaining calm, breathing is very important at this moment. Before starting to speak, take long breaths, releasing the air slowly.
Think that you have a candle in front of you that you need to blow out, draw in all the air and then let go. This way you will feel calmer to start the presentation.
Then, while speaking, also maintain your breathing rhythm to convey confidence.
5 – Switch the speech
The intonation, volume and rhythm of speech are crucial for a good presentation. When a person always speaks in the same tone of voice, it becomes monotonous and the audience’s attention is easily dispersed.
Therefore, alternate between faster and slower speaking times and always try to get the listeners’ attention by emphasizing important points in the speech.
6 – Train with trusted people
Once you have your speech prepared, it’s time to really train it. Call people you trust, family , friends or colleagues, and make the presentation in all seriousness. If you make a mistake, correct yourself and move on!
Then ask them what you can improve and practice again!
7 – Get ready for the day
On the day of your presentation, choose an outfit suitable for the occasion, that is in keeping with the environment and doesn’t draw more attention than what you have to say.
Make sure you have everything you need with you and arrive a little early to get to know and familiarize yourself with the place. Think positive and everything will be fine!
8 – Find a psychologist
Depending on the level of shyness, these tips just aren’t enough, you need help from a psychologist .
He is the most suitable professional to help you overcome insecurity, discover the origin of your fears and help you deal with exposure situations, such as public speaking through psychotherapy .
