For many people, public speaking is a gift – either you’re born with it or you’re not. This, however, is a grave misconception. The truth of the matter is that public speaking is not an acquired skill, it is a developed skill that can be mastered through proper training and practice. Case in point: did you know that the best public speakers of today started out as shy lads and lasses who often stuttered when they were on the stage and who have lost track of what they had to say many times during their first few public speeches? Martin Luther King, Jr., for example, didn’t start to develop his charismatic presence until the age of 25 when he was forced to speak in public by virtue of his position as a pastor. David Bowie, one of the world’s most influential rock star, once feared that he would grow up to be anti-social because of his phobia with regards to crowds. Even Abraham Lincoln had difficulties addressing a big group of people during the earlier years of his life. Public speaking is something you can learn. Here are some tips that will help you succeed in making an impact when addressing a crowd: - Remember, substance over style. A speech is not a rant. It is a delivery with a purpose. Make sure that your speech intends to convey something valuable for your audience. - Prepare an outline of your speech. Your speech must build up to a particular direction so that it can deliver its promised goal. To ensure this, you will need a solid outline for your speech. Not only will this outline guarantee that you will not deviate from the points of your speech, it will also guide you during your delivery of the same and such will make it difficult for you to forget your lines. - Practice, practice, practice! Practice makes perfect, so the saying goes. Practice in front of the mirror. Practice in front of friends and family. Practice in a small venue. Always remember that even the best public speakers take time to practice their deliveries to perfection. Extemporaneous speaking is well and good, but it is not necessary. Make sure all bases are covered by practicing your speech beforehand. - Prepare some stories, anecdotes, jokes or other lines that you can use just in case an emergency arises. You may forget what you’ll say next, or something might distract the audience and take their attention away from you, or you might suffer a sudden influx of confidence issues. Regardless of the contingency, having some backup lines to use will help you maintain the flow of your speech until you regain your bearings. - Experience is the best teacher. The only way you can become a good public speaker is by speaking in as many occasions as you can find. Treat every public speaking engagement as an opportunity to improve such a craft. Debra Freligh is a well-known Marketing expert and the owner of DMF Media: Head over to her Website and finally discover your success http://www.dmfmedia.com Your Chance Has Finally Arrived!
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