Public Speaking Series - A Basic Guideline

Want to improve your public speaking skill? We will tell you how... just follow these 8 simple steps:

1. Find out who your audience are and what they want out of the speech. Understanding your audience will help you to prepare your speech to suit their interests.

2. Whether you are a new or an experience speaker, it is good to have your speech written in full. Structure your speech such that it is easy for your audience to follow. A good and simple structure is to have an introduction, a body and a conclusion.

3. The introduction does not necessarily have to be dramatic but it must be compelling enough to capture the attention of your audience and make them want to stay focus on what you have to say.

4. The body is where your main message will be delivered. Organise it in a logical manner. Use short sentences and simple words that can be easily understood. This will also help you to remember what you want to say and to avoid mispronouncing the words.

5. A common and proven technique used to conclude your speech is to give a brief summary of the key points of your message. You want the audience to remember what you have said and to take action where relevant.

6. Remember, practice makes perfect. So practise your speech at every chance you get, prior to the actual delivery. Rehearse it with your family, friends and colleagues. Have them give you honest feedback so you can fine tune and improve on it.

7. On the actual day, ensure that you are dressed appropriately and arrive early at the venue. This will help you to relax and feel confident. It also gives you time to check that all equipment such as microphone and audio/visual aids are setup correctly.

8. When called to deliver your speech, walk confidently and position yourself so that your audience can see you. Pause for a few seconds then begin your speech and while you are speaking remember to maintain eye contact with your audience. At the end of your speech, thank your audience and address any questions they may have.

These 8 steps are the basic guidelines you need to make a good speech. There are a lot more that you can learn to help you become a superb speaker.

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