Public speaking is one of the scariest things in the world.  It takes guts and it takes confidence. Luckily these are things that we can teach ourselves.  Here are a few important steps you need to take before you ever deliver a speech:

The first and most important step is to know your topic. Even if you are giving a speech on snails and don’t know anything about them, do your research! You need to become an expert on any and every topic that comes your way. Use your research skills.

Use the Internet or your local library. Knowing your topic will give you confidence. Cheat a little. No don’t cheat by going online and typing your speech topic into Google. After you have done your research you should have a list of points you want to talk about. Do your best to memorize your key talking points, but it does not hurt to make yourself a cheat sheet. You are going to be a little bit nervous, so having note cards or a PowerPoint presentation to look on or follow along with will do wonders for your speech and preparedness.

Imitate great speakers. In your research you should look up a speech of someone you admire. Perhaps Winston Churchill or think back to a wedding toast you liked that your friend gave. What made them come across as confident public speakers? If you can try to find video of someone you admire speaking and do your best imitation. Of course, make it your own; you don’t want to be obviously doing an impression.

Look the part. You may have the next “I Have a Dream” in your hands, but who is going to take you seriously if you are wearing a Hawaiian shirt? Try to look your best on the day of your speech. If you don’t have to worry about what you look like, well that’s one less thing to worry about.

Dale Carnegie Training offers 2 day training course titled ”Getting Rid of the Fear and Horror of Public Speaking“

Dear Carnegie Coach,

I have just started working on a project where it is necessary for me to communicate with members of a company outside my industry. The information that I am providing seems to be going over the heads of the individuals I’m working with. These individuals are not as familiar with how I’m expressing my ideas as someone would be who is working in my industry. The problem seems to deal with how clearly I express myself. Are there any tips you can give me that will enhance my ability to clearly express my ideas.

David

Dear David,

In day to day communication there are countless opportunities for miscommunication and misunderstandings. Thus, regardless of what we do we must clearly inform others. Here are some tips that will allow you to express your ideas clearly.

1) Language easily understood- Remember that the language you use every day may be confusing to others. Simplify anything you can in order to find a comfort level for your listener

2) Illustrations- Research has proven that over 60% of those listening to us are visual learners. An illustration may engage your audience, and help stimulate learning.

3) Organize Thoughts-This will allow those listening to you to remain on the same level because people enjoy order and clarity.

4) Narrow subject to key points-Discuss what you feel is most important, don’t overload your listener with unnecessary information.

5) Summarize- You will further clarify your point, and your listeners will have another chance to retain the information you have provided them.

The effective speaker should have a clearly organized and purposeful presentation. Here is the basic structure of a successful presentation:

• Opening – Favorably attract immediate interest from the audience
• Message – Clearly state your message or theme
• Evidence – Establish credibility and inspire respect and confidence by using convincing evidence
• Closing – Leave the audience with a favorable, memorable impression

Before presenting, make sure that you are familiar with your topic and are comfortable with the information you are about to present. You should also know the purpose of your presentation. Some of the most common purposes of presentations are:

• Convince/Persuade to get action
• Inform
• Motivate
• Entertain

Keep this in mind as you prepare your presentation.

Working to enhance your communication skills will add impact to your presentations.

• Develop increased flexibility through the use of expression, gestures, and voice modulation
• Demonstrate ownership of unfamiliar material
• Present written material in a captivating manner
• Improve your delivery of written material
• Overcome barriers that restrict your flexibility
• Use evidence to prove points (i.e. statistics)

The end result of giving a powerful presentation should be that your audience comes away with useful information. Here are some guidelines on communicating with greater impact:

• Have energetic body language and an upbeat tone of voice
• Maintain eye contact with your audience
• Avoid being tied to a script or lectern
• Get your audience involved by using examples and holding a Q&A session