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Publicly Speaking with Confidence

Written by: Ken Wisnefski

Article Overview: Engage your audience. That is how you will successfully speak publicly. Read about tips and preliminary steps to take before your oration.

Publicly Speaking with Confidence

Recent advents in technology has made the enterprise of presentation more diverse and not solely
based on public speaking; yet, the ‘presence’ of the speaker is always closely tied in with the
presentation’s success. All of the multimedia is ancillary in importance in regards to the whole intrigue of the event. The speaker is essentially the main event and the art of speaking in public is something to be procured. Its effectiveness should never be underestimated. There are a few things to keep in mind regarding public orations.


Do Your Homework:

While some may think that they are impeccable gurus on their speaking topic, there is always room for improvement. Even if you have been “doing it for years,” whatever the topic, it probably has seen some criticism or advancement worth addressing. Nevertheless, there is a plethora of information in libraries and on the Web in reference to any topic; utilize these resources.


Know Your Surroundings:


Along with doing some preliminary research on your topics, do some on the venue in which you are planning to speak. Talking to geriatrics in a home will differ slightly from teens at a local high school. You have to change your style and delivery of information to better suit the audience and setting. Be aware of the time of day of your oration; orating in the morning may warrant some listener participation or movement.


Commanding Voices in Demand:


Good content needs to be complemented with a voice that can carry the message. Speaking both clearly and loudly (not too loudly) delivers the message that the speaker is confident in and has a good handle of the information. This rule is golden in respects to all people, but come across as timid to a young audience and you will lose them immediately. Especially in the first few minutes of the oration, setting the tone for the rest of the oration is important. If you immediately come across as not having the elements of good public speaker, you might as well practice your miming abilities at that point.


Dress for Success:


The subheading may have delivered a connotation of a three-piece suit or the attire of a power executive; this is not implied or necessarily true. A speaker will have to keep in mind the audience and setting, but being dressed comfortably with a touch of conservatism is a good place to start. A speaker’s audience cannot help but to survey them up and down. The audience will survey hair, facial expressions, clothing, and body movement. Being too flashy or eccentrically dressed will draw attention to your attire and not your speech.


Throw in a Little Q & A:


Question and answer portions may generate some anxiety, because this is the impromptu portion of the event. Even government speakers will have ‘moles’ in the audience that will ask them questions that they already know the answers to in order not to throw their credibility off. Most of us do not have this leisure, so you will have to be prepared to expect the unexpected. Any speaker who has done their homework should be safe from embarrassment and knowing how to answer the questions will only augment the validity of the event.

Share Some of Yourself:


Anecdotal information and some comic relief are always good implementations of public speaking. People like to have a basis of relation, so providing some information about yourself that your audience can relate to is always good. Humor can be integrated into just about any topic as long as the timing and subject of the humor is tasteful. Keep things light, but do not go overboard. Your oration is based on your intellect, and not your comedic genius.

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