Afraid
to Speak Up?
Battling
the
Public-Speaking Jitters
Public-Speaking Jitters
According to Peter Urs Bender,
author of the bestseller Secrets of Power Presentations, the thing we
humans fear the most is speaking in public. Close behind on the list of fears
is death. (Speaking and dying in front of a group ranks third...)
As frightening as public speaking can be, good oral
presentation skills are worth pursuing…Armed with such skills, you will be more
likely to seize upon any speaking opportunities that come your way…moreover,
you will be more confident (and effective) when you do so. Even experienced
public speakers … should put a fresh polish on their presentation skills from
time to time.
There are many excellent books on
the subject of public speaking. Here are a few tips to get you started, gleaned
largely from Bender’s book:
Anatomy of a Good Speech
The ideal after-dinner speech is
fifteen minutes long: one and a half minutes for an opener, thirteen minutes
for the body, and one minute for a summary at the end.
Strive for a minimum of two points
and a maximum of five. A much longer presentation may have up to seven points.
Your extra efforts will pay off if
you prepare a good beginning, or "hook" for your speech, to get the
audience’s attention. Aim, too, for a powerful ending, perhaps tying everything
together with a quote.
Put your most important material in
the last portion of your speech, and the second most important material in the
first.
Use short words and phrases. Be
willing to express a clear point of view, and not just a list of facts:
otherwise your speech will be too dry.
If you decide to use humor in your
speech, be careful. Any jokes must be tasteful and appropriate for the occasion
and the audience. It is not true that every good speech must start with a joke!
Know Your Audience
Research your audience beforehand:
background, affiliation, main interest in attending. With preparation you’ll
avoid slipups and bond more easily with your audience. An added plus: you will
enter the room feeling invigorated rather than intimidated by your audience.
Ask several questions when you are
first asked to give a presentation:
· How long will I speak?
· Should I thank the person(s) who invited me
to talk?
· Where will I sit before and after my
presentation?
· If I’m not the only speaker, where will my
talk fit in?
· Will the audience contain any special guests?
During your speech, be sure to pay
attention to the audience. Watch for people’s expressions and play off of them.
Adjust your speech if necessary: good preparation will make it much easier for
you to be flexible if necessary!
Easing the Jitters
The name of the game is to be
relaxed, comfortable, and prepared. Practice, practice, practice! Try using a
friend, or a tape recorder. Listen for filler words ("You know,
Uh...Uhhh...Umm.) Dead air, or silence, is better than babbling. Avoid clichés,
as well. Even for a short, 2-minute talk, you must take the time and practice
to organize your thoughts before you speak.
Dress for success. Wear clean and
polished shoes, with heels in good repair. A good rule is to dress the same way
as your audience. Try to wear dark blues or red. Stay away from jewelry that
might make noise while you speak. Anticipate problems and be prepared: bring an
extra pair of nylons, a spare tie in case of spills, etc. Avoid the temptation
to wear a new outfit for your speech, nor is this a good day to get a new
haircut!
Give yourself lots of time. Don’t
set yourself up to arrive out of breath or with clothes and hair all askew.
Relax and deep- breathe.
Mingle with guests 10-15 minutes
before giving your speech. This will make everyone much more comfortable, you
included. During your presentation, spot people you’ve mingled with in the
audience, and smile at them from time to time.
Prepare for your own comfort in
advance. Have a glass of water and a handkerchief close by as you talk—but not
so close that you’re likely to spill! Don’t drink liquor or caffeine, or eat
any unfamiliar foods or foods likely to cause headaches, etc., the day of your
speech.
While you are giving your talk,
remember not to put your hands in your pockets or slouch. Never fidget. Don’t
talk on your way to the podium. Giggling is out, too: that tells everyone you
are nervous and don’t know what to do about it. Use a watch if it makes you
more comfortable, but try to only glance at it once, to see whether you need to
wrap things up quickly.
Know what you know. Unclear thoughts
remain unclear even when said in public. Have something to say and be prepared
to say it. (in other words, if you truly know what you think you will be able
to find the words to express it.)
Above all, be positive! Your
audience is here because they want to be. Believe in your ability to improve.
For better or worse, this will be a learning experience for you.
In General
Use index cards. On the first card,
write down the name of the group for which you’re speaking as well as other
incidentals. Jitters can make you forget even the obvious! First write your
whole speech, then pare it down to essentials for your cards. Don’t break
sentences or paragraphs between cards. Use large type, double-spaced and with
wide margins. Highlight key words and sentences. Number your cards
sequentially, in case they are dropped or accidentally shuffled! Bring extra
blank cards for last-minute changes or additions.
If index cards are not suited to the
occasion, memorize your speech. If you memorize, make sure also to know the
topic well enough that you’ll be able to improvise if you have a memory lapse!
Prepare extra material in case you need it. An important point to remember: if
you want to look as though you’re speaking spontaneously, you will need much more
preparation, not less.
Remember that verbal content
accounts for only 7% of your presentation. 38% is vocal (how your voice sounds)
and 55% is non-verbal content, Therefore, pay attention to your voice (don’t
speak in a monotone!) and use open body language (do not cross your arms or
hold your hands in a "fig leaf" position in front of your pelvis.)
Remember to make eye contact, and smile! Avoid abrupt gestures, such as
grabbing at your collar, ears or nose, or incessantly smoothing your hair.
Breathe slowly. Banish negative
thoughts and images. Your extra efforts will be highly rewarded. Remember you
are here because you have something to say, and the audience wants to hear it!
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