How to be an Effective Public Speaker

As a public speaker, there many different styles for you to choose from when deciding how to deliver your presentation. The style you choose should match your personality and allow you to feel confident and at ease. 

Here are some tips that can help you deliver your presentation in the most effective manner.

1. Establish yourself as a credible public speaker to your listeners.

Make your opening statement as striking as possible in order to get the attention of your listeners. Tell an appropriate joke or start your speech with a question to catch their attention. It's very important your get their before trying to make your point.

2. It is important that you use your voice to capture the interest of an audience.

Voice modulation is important in delivering a speech so you don't sound monotone. You should always sound confident by making your voice firm and loud.

3. There are times that you might make mistakes or contrasting statements.

It is important that you have the capability to know your mistakes and  how to recover from them. Make sure that you don't forget to ask your audience if they have questions or if they agree on the statements that you brought up.

4. You should use a little humor in your speech.

This will help you and your audience to feel at ease and relieve the tension that may occur during the course of the presentation. Humor will also make your speech more interesting and easier to remember.

5. Tell Stories that will directly reinforce a main point in your topic.

Stories can add spice to your presentation and they can help you relate to your audience that may have encountered the same experiences.

6. Maximize the use of your venue you are using.

It is advisable that you move around and not just stand in one location. Get out from behind the lectern and move closer to your audience.

7. It is important to focus on your audience and not on your visual aids or props.

There are instances when speakers rely mostly on their materials and forget to focus on the listeners. If this is the case for you, you have too many props. Get rid of some. The content and your audience are your top priorities.

8. Do not forget that you are the main attraction for the moment.

Your content should be credible but even more important you must entertaining and informative. Your audience wants to wowed.

9. Make your closing memorable.

The closing is the single most important part of your presentation. No matter how badly you may have done up to this point you can still have a great speech by having a great closing. Your closing should reinforce your points, engage the audience and call them to action. However, a great closing only happens with preparation and practice.

Now, if you follow the steps listed above and practice, practice, practice, you will deliver a great presentation.