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TEN TIPS FOR PUBLIC SPEAKERS -- CHARLES COE

Know what you're getting into. What's your audience's background or interests? How long are you expected to speak? Will there be a question and answer period? A reception after the event?

Know the room. Get familiar with the venue. Arrive early, walk around the speaking area. If there's a microphone do a sound check if possible.

Know your material. The more familiar you are with your material, the more comfortable you'll be when speaking. Practice your speech and revise it if necessary.

Know the audience. Greet some of the audience as they arrive. It's easier to speak to a group of friends than to a group of strangers.

Warm up. Ease tension by doing stretching and vocal exercises.

Remember that people want you to succeed. Audiences want you to be interesting, stimulating, informative, and entertaining. They don't want you to fail.

Don't apologize. If you mention your nervousness or apologize for any problems you think you have with your speech, you may be calling the audience's attention to something they hadn't noticed.

Always be positive. If there's a problem with the sound system or the room, the turnout's disappointing, or something else doesn't go exactly as planned, NEVER GET UPTIGHT ONSTAGE. If you get uptight it makes everyone uncomfortable. The audience will follow your lead; if you handle problems with grace and humor they'll relax.

Concentrate on the message − not the medium. Focus your attention away from your own anxieties, and outwardly toward your message and your audience. Your nervousness will dissipate.

Practice. Look for opportunities to read your work in public. Experience builds confidence.

WARM-UP EXERCISES FOR PUBLIC SPEAKERS

Stand with feet together and slowly bend over, keeping back straight. With fingers out straight, try to touch your toes. Go as far as you can comfortably; DON'T STRAIN.

Standing straight, put your palms together a foot or so in front of your face. Slowly bring your elbows together (as close as
you can comfortably). Hold that position for a half minute, with your breathing deep and even.

Standing straight, feet apart, swing back and forth from the hips, letting your arms swing free.

Vocal warm-ups:
  • "BA-BAY-BEE-BO-BOO" (with exaggerated diction)
  • Repeat with other consonant sounds (D, K, P, T)
  • Shake head back and forth gently with lips relaxed so that they start to "flop"
Visualization: Remind yourself −
  • "I have something important to share"
  • "These people want me to succeed"
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