Getting started in any field of endeavour is often the most difficult part. The tips given here outline an approach to getting started in public speaking that have proved successful in developing self confidence in speaking either in public or in conversation.
Your First Appearance
Your first appearance in public need only brief. No more than a few words is all that is required, e.g. stating your name and occupation. If you are tempted to fidget or wring your hands, clasp your hands behind your back.
You can still be a hit with your audience by acknowledging the fact that you are new to public speaking. Just avoid using the clichéd "unaccustomed as I am to public speaking." Instead say something like "This is my first appearance before an audience and I am very nervous. My name is ...... and my business is ........., and some day I hope to tell you more. Then sit down.
Practice Fields
To find somewhere to practice will require a little initiative. When practicing swimming you will need to find a swimming pool and when practicing public speaking you need to find a meeting. Fortunately there are thousands of meetings held every day that will give an ambitious speaker ample opportunity to be heard. Also there are two organisations that are great places to help you to become more confident speaker. They are Toastmasters International and the Dale Carnegie Institute.
Persistence
A little and often is the key to building confidence and improving your performance. A brief speech delivered often is more effective than a longer speech given infrequently. More than any other human activity confident speaking is learned by doing and improved by practice.
Preparation
Thorough preparation is of key importance. Self confidence will develop as a result of full preparation for your speech. With a full understanding of your topic you will radiate confidence.
Overcoming Stage Fright
Unfortunately there is no silver bullet to over the normal human anxiety of nervousness before speaking. There are techniques that can help with this such as - positive mental attitude, visualising success and deep breathing etc. In the end it comes down to exercising a little courage to make the decision to start and then stepping out and doing it. Your first appearance will open a bud of confidence that with proper care and attention, you can flower into being an effective confident speaker.
It is worth noting when making your initial appearances in public - that a part time speaker that knowing their subject fully and having something worthwhile to communicate can outshine the seasoned professional from the audience's viewpoint.
It is normal for people to be anxious before they speak. By persevering, practicing and preparing thoroughly the huge rewards of public speaking can gained, especially self confidence and recognition.
Even politicians ? those great natural orators ? have all undergone public speaking training. In the UK Margaret Thatcher was known to use speech coaches. In the US President Bush has consulted actors to help improve his speech delivery.
Whatever your level of public speaking you can improve with a little help from the professionals.
If you do a quick search on the internet for public speaking training you will get thousands of hits from sites promoting everything from self study e-books to 14 day residential courses. It is difficult to decide which is right for you.
Here are six things that you should look for when selecting the training or help that is right for you.
1. Principles of public speaking
Everyone has their own ideas of the basic principles of public speaking. As a minimum look for some mention of defining your goals, researching and deciding on your content, and understanding your audience and their needs.
2. Body language
Body language is at least as important as the actual words you use in your presentation. Some experts claim that the way in which your words are delivered ? your posture, stance, gestures and animation ? does more to convey your meaning than any words that you actually say.
Body language is a huge subject. A course on public speaking must cover the basic principles.
3. Use of words
Having said that body language is more important than the actual words it is a fact that without the words there is usually no message. Obviously, researching and creating the content of your speech are vitally important. How to create and craft your content are essential in any training.
4. Preparation
If there is one key to success in public speaking it is ?preparation, preparation, preparation?. How to prepare is pretty simple. Learning how to do it well and quickly is a key skill. Some topics to look out for include questions such as:
Should you write and use scripts? When should you use notes and how should you prepare them? Can you rely on your memory alone? Should you use audio visual aids?
5. Delivery
Most public speaking training concentrates on telling you how to deliver. And this is probably the right emphasis. Just make sure that the principles of public speaking have been well covered so you know just what your delivery has to achieve.
Most physical courses well video your performance for you to review and critique. It's a technique that has stood the test of time. If you put your faith in an e-course you should also look for mentor on whom you can practise your public speaking.
6. Conquering nerves
Show me someone who doesn't feel some degree of nervousness before speaking in public and I will show you someone who doesn't care about their performance. Nerves are natural and even help to improve our performance.
For many people there is little more stressful in life than the prospect of public speaking. I have known highly confident, articulate people be physically sick before speaking in public. Any course on public speaking is incomplete without some help and guidance on controlling or conquering nerves.
There are literally thousands of topics that could be covered in a course on public speaking. Depending on your own particular circumstances and needs the overall emphasis will change.
Ensure that the training you select covers these 6 fundamental pillars first. You will be surprised how much sub standard training it will help you filter out. You can then select the training that most closely m atches your needs from those that remain.
Both Edward Hope & Keith Longmire are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Edward Hope has sinced written about articles on various topics from Public Speaking, Public Speaking and Guide Guitar. Edward Hope is the editor and publisher of the recently published resource "". To claim your free preview visit. Edward Hope's top article generates over 2900 views. to your Favourites.
Keith Longmire has sinced written about articles on various topics from Nokia Phones, Internet Marketing and Boating. Keith Longmire specialises in helping small businesses achieve rapid sustainable growth. Public speaking is a pivotal concept. See more at