When it comes to addressing a group of shareholders or an audience, public speaking is challenging. Even the most confident and expert PR managers can find it intimidating at times. However, the good news is that you can improve your public speaking skills with practice. Besides, there are many excellent media communications training programs in Toronto that can help your company’s employees enhance their speaking and message delivery skills.
Here’s some advice from PR industry veterans on improving your public speaking expertise:
1. Know Your Audience
Identify the likes and interests of your audience before writing your speech. Depending on your audience’s cultural and professional backgrounds, tailor and fine-tune your message, language, and tone. Your speech should resonate with the people in the room. Make sure to maintain eye contact with your audience, so they feel like you’re talking to them and not talking at them.
2. Follow the 5 Ps of Public Speaking
Always remember the 5 Ps of public speaking - pronunciation, pace, pauses, pitch, and passion.
Pronunciation
Pronouncing every word correctly is the key to effective public speaking. Practice pronouncing every word, including its first and last letter. Maintaining clarity is necessary to deliver the intended message. So, practice is key.
Pace
If required, change the pace of your speech delivery to make a huge impact. For instance, if you want to express your excitement, speed up. And if you like to emphasize a vital point, slow down.
Pauses
Add breathable pauses to your speech at intervals to show the audience you are in control. Besides being a much-needed punctuation, a pause can also create interest among the audience. Moreover, pauses also encourage audience participation and engagement.
Pitch
Apply the necessary changes in your pitch to convey the meaning you wish to deliver. Add fun to your pitch to make the speech more interesting, and accompany it with occasional fits of laughter.
Passion
While presenting in front of an audience, your speech delivery and body language should reflect the passion within you. This passion alone can influence innumerable people, especially when the speech is centered around uplifting others and helping the listeners succeed in life.
3. Prepare. And Nothing Else!
The key to delivering an effective speech that has a lasting impact on the listeners is by preparing and practicing regularly. It is the secret ingredient to conveying your message with confidence. Before writing your speech, structure your thoughts well and brainstorm the ideas you like to deliver.
Without practice, there’s a high chance you will stumble and hesitate. Practice speaking in front of your family, friends, and peers. If nothing else, speak in front of the mirror. If you can’t face yourself, you won’t be able to face others. Practice will help to set your speech in a rhythm. You can take help and guidance from a professional virtual media training program to learn the secret formula for preparing a more effective speech.
4. Maintain the Right Posture
Your posture matters a lot and conveys a lot about how you’re feeling. Avoid jumping your eyes rapidly while speaking, staring at an inanimate object, or worse, looking up at the ceiling, as it is a sign of uncertainty or lack of confidence. While conveying a message or explaining a point, keep your eyes locked on someone else’s.
Repeat the process for as many people in the audience as possible. Make the listeners feel that you are talking to them and you empathize with them. Also, don’t be a statue all along. Feel free and keep things natural. You can participate in a media communications training program to learn about the appropriate postures and gestures to maintain while speaking to the public.
5. Practice Non-Verbal Communication
Your body language should exude confidence and poise. Stand tall with an upright posture, shoulders relaxed, and avoid slouching. A strong posture conveys authority and engages the audience. Move purposefully on the stage, using deliberate steps or gestures to emphasize key points. Avoid crossing your arms or legs as it can create a defensive or closed-off impression. Instead, keep your body language open and welcoming. Face the audience directly and use natural, relaxed gestures to emphasize key points. For instance, use your hands to illustrate concepts or make sweeping gestures to capture attention. However, be mindful not to overdo it, as excessive or repetitive gestures can become distracting.
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