3 tips on the art of public speaking
DESCRIPTION
This mini ebook will place you on the correct path to Public Speaking success. Giving you the three core principles upon which competency is built.TRANSCRIPT
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The information found in this eBook is of a general nature. It is not intended to be a
comprehensive treatment of Public Speaking.
For more information and help with Public Speaking you can go to my website
www.publicspeakingscourse.com I do hope you enjoy reading it and gain some valuable skills from it. If you found it useful
then I’d appreciate it, if you would share it with your friends.
Cheers Vic Matthews. - B.A, B.C.Studies, B.Optom
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PUBLIC SPEAKING TIPS
How to overcome your FEAR of Public Speaking
It’s very normal to be anxious about speaking in public, the fear of public
speaking can be palpable. Shaky hands, knees knocking and our voices
quivering are all common symptoms of the fear that we experience when asked
to speak before an audience. So take heart, you are not alone.
Everyone experiences this fear, not
just you (some are better at concealing
it than others) – consequently don’t
think that you are a failure, you are not.
You are a mortal just like the rest of us.
There are more antidotes which claim to
cure public speaking anxiety than you
could possible learn in a lifetime.
Everything from self-hypnosis, to
personal psychotherapy, from deep
breathing to holding your breath, or
pushing against a wall or even wearing
an elastic band around your wrist. You
name it, there is somebody out there
advocating a fail proof method. Some are credible, some ridiculous and some
with merit and some with none whatsoever.
I am little old fashioned, so I prefer working with the known and the obvious. So
in this eBook I will introduce you to a few obvious but essential principles you
need to apply in order to speak well in public.
TIP 1: PREPARE YOUR SPEECH
If you fail to prepare, then you have prepared to fail. What I mean is that’s not
simply a matter of stage fright, rather it’s what work you have done, writing
your speech before you give it, that is of extreme importance. Speech writing
or preparation is vital.
Anyone can write a speech but not everyone can write a good speech. Your
speech must be cogent and structured in a form that is designed to be spoken as
a speech and not an essay.
So when you write your speech you should spend time, assiduously and
meticulously structuring it. Make sure you have an introduction, body and a
conclusion.
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Also ensure that your speech is logical, that it moves forward seamlessly.
For example; a logical structure for a speech would be like the one below
John wants good eyesight
For good eyesight the retina needs Vitamin A
Vitamin A is found in carrots
Therefore john eats carrots, which are rich in vitamin A, in order to have good
eyesight
An illogical arrangement of the same information
For good eyesight the retina needs Vitamin A
John eats carrots
John wants good eyesight
Vitamin A is found in carrots
Therefore John eats carrots
The difference is clearly apparent, it’s the same information set but the sequence
of information in the first enables the audience to follow you, you take them with
you.
The latter is confused, on account of the shambolic arrangement of information
and as consequence would lose the audience’s attention.
I can guarantee to you, that every enthralling speech that you have heard or
has been given was fastidiously prepared beforehand. It was no accident, the
speaker did not arrive at the podium and say the first thing that entered his or
her head. On the contrary hours were spent vetting, scrutinizing, editing and re-
editing their speeches before they were given.
Speech writing is fundamental skill which can be learnt and will make the
delivery of your speech easier. Consequently because it’s well written, then it’s
easier to deliver. So the preparation you have made will certainly reduce your
stress levels when speaking in public.
If you would like to write captivating and entertaining speeches, then my online
Public Speaking Course can help you. It has both a comprehensive eManual
and Video Classroom Lessons which will empower you to write stunning
speeches and deliver them with style. The course will take you step by step
through the speech writing process, from start to finish. Revealing the Rhetorical
techniques used by accomplished speakers which will elevate your speech from
good to brilliant.
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE
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TIP 2: PRACTISE YOUR SPEECH
Those who are not afraid of speaking in public, before an audience are the
exception to rule. Speakers who were born for the stage are rare, but if you are
like me and the rest of humanity, then speaking in public can be nerve racking
(and for some crippling).
There are all manner of cures being peddled for overcoming public speaking
anxiety. An interesting one is self – psychoanalysis. The basis of this cure is
founded upon self -examination of your past, in order to determine why you are
afraid of facing an audience. The method is looking for the reason why you are
afraid of failing or appearing stupid, or suffer from self- doubt or lack confidence.
It could be that your mum or dad, told you that you were hopeless and that you
would never succeed or perhaps you were put down by your teachers or friends
at school or whatever. The theory contends that once you have understood the
source of your fear, you can deal with it and as a consequence never be afraid
speaking in public again.
Perhaps self diagnosis is applicable and carries merit in some cases.
Nevertheless in my opinion the theory misses the point. For there are plenty of
us who had fabulous parents and great school teachers, all of whom supported
our awkward passage to adulthood, but yet we still experience a debilitating
attack of nerves when on stage.
In my opinion there is one cardinal RULE in public speaking which is
preeminent if you are to overcome your anxiety (and psychoanalysis pales
before it). The rule is ‘practise’. Hours of self – analysis is no substitute for
rehearsing your speech before you give it.
There is not one successful performer who does
not practise their art, every day and spend hours
refining and perfecting their performance. Every great
singer or actor knows their script so well that they could
repeat it in their sleep. If want your speech to be well
received, then you too must practise, there is no
substitute for practise.
There are plenty of opportunities to practise public speaking, you can enlist your
family or friends to be your practise audience or if they are not available an
imaginary audience in your lounge room would suffice. Moreover if you are
fortunate enough to have Toastmasters club in your local area, I can assure you
that you’d be warmly welcomed there, it is the ideal place to practise your speech.
Finally, If you have a well crafted speech which you’ve spent time preparing so
that its easy to follow and listen to and if you practise it then I am convinced that
you are well on the way to conquering your fear of public speaking. The
combination of just these two aspects: speech preparation and speech rehearsal
will place you on a solid footing for the day you deliver your speech. You will be
pleasantly surprised, in the days preceding your speech event and at the time you
deliver it, how your confidence in yourself has grown and your nervousness
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placated because you know your topic and your speech, inside out. It’s a great
feeling.
The course that I offer takes you step by step through both the speech
preparation process and its delivery. Teaching you techniques and skills that will
lead you to the point of confidence in yourself and your talent as a public
speaker.
TIP 3: RELAXATION vs MEMORIZATION
To overcome the fear of public speaking, no small emphasis has be placed on
relaxation techniques, especially breathing exercises. Advocates of this
technique, variously offer a set of breathing exercises which they aver will calm
your nerves before and during your performance.
Although it sounds good in theory, there is a not so obvious flaw in their
solution. The flaw is that in order to speak well in public we need every unit of
cognitive/brain power available, but our brains are not capable of doing two
things at once (except if you are female, of course). Imagine trying to
concentrate on breathing correctly while concurrently concentrating on the
delivery of your speech. Obviously one of the tasks is going to be done poorly.
We cannot do both well.
Admittedly the anxiety which we experience on stage, can be
so great that all our remaining mental energy is consumed by
it. This not a good place to be. So obviously we need to be relaxed as possible,
freeing up our cognitive power in order for us deliver of our speech clearly and
confidently. But how is this achieved?
Firstly have a speech which was written to be spoken and not read.
Secondly practise it plenty of times before you give it.
Thirdly memorize it. You are probably thinking ‘you have got to be kidding!’
How can I possibly memorize my speech it’s too long, it’s too hard? In response,
I contend that you are underestimating your ability of your memory. Jewish and
Koranic scholars memorize large portions of their sacred texts and can recite
them verbatim. So can you.
Keep reading !
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE
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This explains, how to memorize your
speech and to recall it on the day of your speech event (but still with the
assistance of your notes). As well as a
Video Classroom: The Video Classroom gives you the chance to watch and
listen to the method used for writing a speech. And then to actually hear
firsthand, the voice variety techniques, which will make your speech interesting
to listen to.
Audio download lessons: Similarly, the audio lectures will allow you to listen
to the method used for writing a speech and again hear the vocal variety
techniques, from the convenience of your portable device.
eManual: The eManual takes you step by step through both the speech writing
and delivery process. It has been written succinctly to avoid being bogged down
in too much detail and yet comprehensive enough to cover the essential
principles. Furthermore there are plenty of exercises for you to practise
contained within the course.
But is that it also has facility to
, then to have them reviewed by
your peers online. No other course on public speaking offers this service. This is
the closest thing to attending live coaching sessions, without the inconvenience
of having to travel to a distant location, so that you can learn from the
convenience of your own home.
http://www.publicspeakingscourse.com/
CLICK HERE TO BE DIRECTED TO OUR
ON LINE PUBLIC SPEAKING COURSE