NFIB

Tips for Public Speaking Success
01/ 20/ 2003

by Vicki Gerson

As a small business owner, you will probably be invited to speak before a group in your community if you haven't already. Maybe the thought of standing alone before an audience scrutinizing your every facial expression and listening to your every vocal inflection sends you into a panic.

To help alleviate your fears, you need an awareness of a few basic rules of speaking. Here are some techniques to use so you can get your message across in a calm and effective way.

Prepare and practice.

If you are giving a speech, research and understand your topic. Prepare a speech with a beginning, middle and end. Make sure your information is to the point and clear. Practice what you are going to say. You might want to tape yourself so you can make sure you are enunciating clearly and not speaking too fast.

Anticipate some of the questions that the audience might ask and prepare answers in advance. If someone asks a question you can't answer, don't bluff. Say you currently don't have that information.

Dress for the occasion.

The key is to dress professionally and comfortably. Make sure you check your appearance in a mirror right before you go on. Take a few deep breaths while you are being introduced, then greet your audience with a smile. If you stand there looking dour, your listeners may be less receptive to what you have to say.

Gesture when it's appropriate.

Gesturing is a great technique for emphasizing a point. However, if you constantly move your hands or tap a pencil, it will distract your audience.

Don't lecture.

An audience doesn't want to be preached at or listen to someone droning in a monotone. Keep your speech conversational, and use a few amusing anecdotes if possible.

Maintain eye contact with your audience.

Don't address the ceiling or the podium. Instead of reading your speech word-for-word, jot down the important points on note cards. Don't fix your gaze on one spot. Look at your audience and move your eyes around the room. If direct eye contact makes you nervous or throws your concentration, looking at the tops of the audience member's heads will still give the impression that you are looking directly at them.

Pause when necessary.

Don't say " "uh" or "um" because listeners will assume it means you're nervous. Instead, take a pause for a second or two, giving the audience a chance to absorb your material.

Don't argue with your audience.

It happens. Sometimes there is someone in the audience who wants to argue with what you have said. Don't argue with that person in front of a room full of people. Tell the individual you'd be happy to meet with him or her at the end of your presentation for further discussion.

Last but not least...

When you are standing behind the podium, stand tall. Look like you're in command, not trying to hide. If you are speaking from a seated panel, sit up straight and tall in your chair. The more confident you appear, the more your audience will be interested in what you have to say.

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