Public Speaking: A How-To Guide

You Can Become an Excellent Public Speaker!

Public speaking is no walk in the park for most people. In fact, statistics show that people fear public speaking more than flying and even death!

We've all felt sorry for the flustered, nervous, hand-wringing guy (or gal) who "um's" and "uh's" his way through a speech that he's trying to read from a crumpled paper. It's worse if there's a microphone involved. Worse still if the unfortunate fellow doesn't have the crumpled paper because the boss has put him on the spot to give a report.

Yet we've also seen individuals who are able to captivate an audience with the driest of information, even on a moment's notice. What is the difference?

I have studied good speakers and have spoken in public on numerous occasions. I have found that good preparation, illustrations and visual aids, having people write things down, and simple relaxation techniques all help to make you a dynamic public speaker.

When you know that you're going to have to speak in public, start preparing immediately. Find out how long you will have to give your presentation, so you can plan accordingly. Gather any relevant materials into a folder. You want interesting, up-to-date facts that your listeners can put to immediate use. You also want illustrations - short stories and humorous anecdotes that make a point.

Remember, you are not giving a report like you did in 8th grade! Stop and think of the speakers you've enjoyed over the years. Most of them weave the facts into a series of stories that are relevant to the topic. These illustrations do just that: they paint a picture in the mind of the listener about the topic. They also alleviate boredom (who wants to listen to a speaker recite a litany of dull facts?). They also help your audience remember what you said.