What are the four big secrets of public speaking you may ask?
- Preparation
- Eye contact
- Pitch, pause, pace
- Fluency
Preparation
In after dinner speaking he or she who is unprepared is nothing.
If you want to be confident and leave the nerves behind then make sure you are prepared.
Know your subject, make notes, small Q cards with headings and practice, practice, practice.
Eye Contact
Your greatest friend is eye contact. Look the audience in the eye and maintain eye contact.
If you have to glance at your notes do it at the natural end of a story or statement wulst the audience consume what you just said.
Avoid doing it in mid sentence or flow. It’s a distraction and your audience will be distracted also.
Pitch, Pause, Pace
This phrase trips off the tongue so well. Learn it and use it always, in every speech or presentation you give.
Vary the pitch of your voice according to the emotion of what you are saying. It adds feeling, depth and interest.
Pause for effect and allow the audience to take in what you say. Remember they consume information at about half the speed you would normally deliver it – so a pause helps and creates variety.
Change your pace during your speech – slower, faster – again it creates interest and prevents a monotone monologue that no one wants to hear.
Fluency
In your preparation make sure your speech is logical because it will make it fluent.
It is this seamless fluency that allows the audience to follow you without trying too hard. If they have to work at it they will start looking at texts on their smart phones instead.
These are truly the four secrets of public speaking.