While most don't realize it, the #1 fear of a majority of people is public speaking.
However, like most other things public speaking is simply a skill and should be viewed as such.
Doing so helps to relieve some of the anxiety associated with it and will help you improve with time.
There are a few basic things that you can do right now to become and more relaxed and effective speaker.
Tip #1 - Know your subject matter.
This should go without saying but one of the biggest keys to being an effective public speaker is a having a thorough knowledge of your intended topic.
This goes beyond simply "memorizing" your material because really an effective speaker will come across as almost conversational in their tone.
Only someone with considerable knowledge and experience about a topic can do that so you want to convey that as much as possible.
Tip #2 - Learn to make eye contact with your listeners.
People want to trust the person who is speaking to them.
If you manage to sound convincing and authoritative on your subject you will need to enhance the level of trust your audience has with you by being able to look them in the eye as you speak.
Now don't go staring at people but making succinct, yet meaningful connections with people can go a long way so be sure and strive for them.
Tip #3 - Have others listen to your speech beforehand to ensure that you are speaking too quickly or too slowly.
To some extent, this tip is related to the first one in that if you really know your material, you should be able to speak about it in such a way that conveys authority and knowledge.
Any rapid change in speech, whether too fast or too slow, can communicate nervousness or uncertainty so you want to do your best to speak at an even pace.
The best way to do this is to practice in front of someone first.
If this isn't possible, consider picking up some kind of recording device and play your speech back into it.
However, like most other things public speaking is simply a skill and should be viewed as such.
Doing so helps to relieve some of the anxiety associated with it and will help you improve with time.
There are a few basic things that you can do right now to become and more relaxed and effective speaker.
Tip #1 - Know your subject matter.
This should go without saying but one of the biggest keys to being an effective public speaker is a having a thorough knowledge of your intended topic.
This goes beyond simply "memorizing" your material because really an effective speaker will come across as almost conversational in their tone.
Only someone with considerable knowledge and experience about a topic can do that so you want to convey that as much as possible.
Tip #2 - Learn to make eye contact with your listeners.
People want to trust the person who is speaking to them.
If you manage to sound convincing and authoritative on your subject you will need to enhance the level of trust your audience has with you by being able to look them in the eye as you speak.
Now don't go staring at people but making succinct, yet meaningful connections with people can go a long way so be sure and strive for them.
Tip #3 - Have others listen to your speech beforehand to ensure that you are speaking too quickly or too slowly.
To some extent, this tip is related to the first one in that if you really know your material, you should be able to speak about it in such a way that conveys authority and knowledge.
Any rapid change in speech, whether too fast or too slow, can communicate nervousness or uncertainty so you want to do your best to speak at an even pace.
The best way to do this is to practice in front of someone first.
If this isn't possible, consider picking up some kind of recording device and play your speech back into it.
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