Speech Help

For the vast majority of us when we think of having to speak in public we begin to develop feelings of nervousness and panic. We create anxiety and have visions of ourselves in front of an audience and screwing things up. But public speaking anxieties can become a thing of the past if you follow these simple steps; know your subject, imagine yourself giving a great speech, and never apologize. By following these three tips you will have the tools to give a great speech and gain the confidence to accomplish your public speaking goals.

Know Your Subject and Your Speech

A sure way to overcome nervousness is to know your subject and your speech so that you understand what you are going to talk about. When you accomplish this you will have an easier time giving a speech because you will have enough information in your mind to know exactly what to talk about. Read as much information as possible in order to become an authority on what it is you plan to present. If you know the subject the audience will want to learn what they can from you and you will not struggle delivering your message because you will know it well. Once you have mastered your topic the next step is to master the presentation. You should rehearse your speech in its entirety so you can become comfortable presenting it and make sure to practice all the difficult parts repeatedly so they can flow smoothly. Lastly make sure you know the order of your messages, you can even begin your speech by talking about a subject you know well, yourself. Knowing your subject and your speech will allow you to give a great speech.

Imagine Yourself Giving a Great Speech

Imagine yourself giving a great speech; give yourself enough time for this important form of preparation work. See yourself making important valid points with appropriate gestures and body language that connects you to your audience. Once you see yourself using what works you will start to feel more relaxed and with new found confidence. At the finale do not forget to imagine yourself pausing for your audiences applauds. So imagine yourself giving a great speech and you will turn your imagination into a reality.

Never Apologize

If you do make a mistake never apologize for it because your audience most likely will not know. It may come as a surprise to you but an audience misses a lot during a presentation. Minor mistakes such as skipping a portion of your presentation or forgetting a few words can be handled by going to the next point and soon enough you will find yourself on track again. If you draw attention away from your presentation by apologizing for a mistake you will call attention to the wrong part of your presentation and it will take away from the important points you want to make. Remember advanced speakers know how to guide the audience’s attention toward the important parts and away from the minor details. Even if you find yourself making a mistake do not forget that people only want you to succeed, after all we are only humans and mistakes are a part of the learning experience. So the next time you are giving a great speech and make a mistake never apologize for it because chances are no one noticed.