Browse Public Speaking

Do you know the difference between projecting your voice and yelling? The latter hurts your throat and can be painful to your listeners’ ears. The latter also does not make your children sit up and take notice of what you are saying. Instead, they either cower in fear or stop listening to you.

While many public speakers ideally want to speak to the masses and are looking for large audiences with which to market their knowledge, their opinions, or their products, there are definite rewards in addressing small groups. And while your format will be the same, your delivery will be slightly different because with a small group, you have the ability to become much more personal with your listeners, even to the point of learning their names.

So much time is wasted worrying about what could go wrong in public speaking that the tremendous opportunities provided by speaking to an audience are often overlooked. No matter what your reason for speaking – be it a requirement of your job; be it the chance to introduce your new business, service, or product to the community; be it a requirement of your presentation skills class; be it an occasion to present yourself as a political candidate – public speaking is a golden opportunity.

I was an "only child" with five siblings. My two brothers and three sisters ranged from seven to twenty-one years old. Even though we are a very close family, I grew up during my teenage years almost as an only child. I was never lonely because I had two wonderful parents. They spent their ...

Speaking voices come in all shapes and sizes – literally. And, while you can attribute your vocal apparatus to genes, it is not just your genetic makeup that entirely determines the quality of your speaking voice. Your environment helps shape the sound of your voice as well. If you study twins living in different parts of the country, for example, both will have the same vocal apparatus and possibly the same quality; but, what they do with it will vary according to the area in which they were raised and how they are using their voice.

I am not an advocate of memorization in public speaking except for your opening and possibly your closing. Because the opening is the most difficult part of the delivery, I recommend memorizing the first 3-4 lines. If ever there was a time when I wanted you to be flawless and smooth, it is then. It will bolster your confidence and make the rest of your delivery that much easier to control. [You may want to memorize your closing as well, but that aspect of your delivery does not conce me as much as having a very strong impact when you first begin.]

So many people tell me that they feel “yucky” when attempting to close a sale. They don’t want to feel that way and they don’t want their prospects to feel yucky either! The key to erasing that conce is what you do before you make your irresistible offer. And this is: Give them a ton of value that they can immediately apply, but not so much that they are overwhelmed. It’s all About Balancer

Have you ever considered opening your speech or presentation with a story? If done well, a true story is an attention-grabber. It can be humorous, suspenseful, thrilling, provocative, or dramatic, any of which immediately lends credibility to you as the speaker. Don't stop there, however: good presentations have true accounts woven throughout the development. They add interest as well as validity to your topic or your subject.

I have belonged to a public speaking network for some time now and it never ceases to amaze me that the members do not talk about the actual sound of the speaking voice. From topics covering the value of content versus delivery to the elimination of nervousness and even ways to find speaking engagements, they never discuss the image of the voice and what it says about them.

There are three things that all young people strongly dislike. 1. Being preached to 2. Being put down by others, especially parents and teachers 3. Being yelled at As parents we know how difficult it can be to refrain from doing all three. When we’re angry things just come out and we regret them right after the deed is done. Thank God for the phrase “I’m sorry.” We all seem to have a strong tendency to preach at our kids. And why shouldn’t we? We were on the receiving end of preaching for a long time when we were kids. Now it’s our turn. Tr

Have you ever been to a business meeting in which all in attendance had to stand and introduce themselves and you heard basically the same thing from each and every individual? One of the worst things we do as a people is our personal introduction. While the names and the businesses will be ...

Nervousness is wonderful. In fact, I will take that one step further and tell you that nervousness is a blessing. How can it be a blessing, you ask? Because that rush of adrenaline can give you an edge. It can take your presentation to an entirely new level if you learn how to control it. Articles today talk about eliminating, stopping and ending your nervousness and I disagree. I want you nervous but I want you to learn how to take control of that nervousness. If you think the ‘greats’ in public speaking are not nervous, then you are wrong.

While the phrase ‘you know’ has not yet replaced the verbal tics ‘um’ and ‘ah,’ it is gaining momentum both in the delivery of presentations and in normal conversation. If you are aware that you use one of more of these fillers, it really is not difficult to eliminate them if you willing to practice and record yourself.

Have you been told that you speak in a monotone when delivering a speech or presentation? You may have been surprised to hear that description about yourself because in normal conversation you are quite animated, displaying a lot of emotion. What happens at the lectern, however, is that you lose all sense of self as you spit out a pile of words in the hopes of getting it over with as quickly as possible.

One of the secrets of good public speaking is to know your material very, very well. You may not think it a secret but you would be surprised how many people approach the lectern, the stage, or the boardroom table and do not know their script. And, the only way that can happen is if you practice it out loud over several days or maybe even a few weeks in advance. How much practice you need is entirely dependent on how quickly you learn.

This might be the biggest conce of would-be speakers: "What if I forget what I was going to say?" The horror! Imagine: You're standing in front of a room full of people. The seconds tick by loudly as you frantically search your memory for the next point in your talk. You clench the lectern, ...

It's okay to use notes when presenting, especially if you're speaking on a new topic or to a new audience. The key to using notes effectively is what is included in your notes and how you use them. The following ten tips will help you use notes effectively to remember the key points of your presentation so you can deliver your message to your audience clearly and within the time limit. 1. NOTES ARE NOT A FULL SCRIPTr

Talking to the Bureau in Person or On the Phone Before you call a speaking bureau, do some research to figure out which ones match your goals. Just as two snowflakes aren't a like -- it's the same with speakers bureaus. Your best plan (and you'll discover if they are truly interested in you) is to Invite the right bureaus to come to a program. Afterwards, go into schmooze moan take their representatives for lunch or a drink afterwards. Each of these bureaus is a way for you to get more paid bookings. So the trick is to get deal with bureau individually.r

When Jane came to see me, she was terrified. She was a living example of that old saying “I’d rather die than speak in public.” For a minute I wondered if she really would die before she gave her speech. She could not look me in the eyes. She turned bright red. There was sweat on her brow. She stammered, and that was all before she gave her one-minute presentation. I loved her! I just knew she would be my greatest success.nnJane was a receptionist for a large company wi

Many years ago when I first started my business, my husband commented on the ‘before & after’ video clips of my clients, remarking that he could understand everyone in the ‘after’ takes but none of the speakers in the ‘before’ takes. All the speakers were Canadians in which English was their first language. What my husband, Alexis, was noticing was the clarity of their speech in the ‘after’ videos.

As a voice coach, the first thing I teach my clients is how to breathe with the support of the diaphragm. The reason is because you cannot discover your ‘real’ voice until you learn this simple technique.

Sometimes it appears that there is just too much to think about, to be aware of, and to focus upon in public speaking. While that may seem true at first, if you allow yourself to pause during your delivery, you will discover one of the most important aids when delivering a speech or presentation.

There is no doubt that public speaking is a battle, a battle often lost because the speaker is trying to be something or someone he is not. What is interesting about public speaking is that you stand a much better chance of winning the battle if you would stop trying to impress your audience. Instead, you should express to your audience. Good public speakers talk to their audience, not at them. They treat their audience just as if they were having a conversation in their living room. For some, however, that is the battle.

In today’s fast-paced business world, speaking in a soft-spoken voice is definitely not to your advantage: you need to be heard the 1st time you say it. While softer levels of volume may be culturally correct in some countries, here in the States, we tend to talk in a volume that is comfortably heard by all in the same room.

Sometimes we get so caught up in the idea of public speaking – be it from nervousness or excitement – that we often do not have a clear idea about those to whom we will be addressing. In truth, you cannot even begin to create your presentation until you know about your audience. And, the best way to gain that information is to ask.

Before your give your next presentation or speech, can I make a suggestion? Why don’t you video-record yourself, study the playback, and watch your facial expressions. Are they in line with what you are discussing? Does your face display enthusiasm if you are excited about your message? Does it show worry, for example, if you are conce ed about the serious nature of your remarks? - While color deals with the vocal variety of your voice, it also includes your body language and your facial expression.

When I teach public speaking, one of the tips I offer is to learn how to stop connecting your sentences with verbal tics, such as “um” or “ah.” There is a word, however, that is that is sometimes abused in speaking as well. Many people connect their sentences with the word and. After some time, this verbal faux pas becomes very obvious especially on stage. What it means for the speaker is that he/she is delivering one huge compound sentence. What it means for the audience is verbal tedium.

It does not seem possible that this one commonality exists among so many people in public speaking. Whether it is for the presentation or the speech, it happens quite frequently and is both visible and audible to an audience. It may only occur in the opening; although, it often continues throughout one’s delivery. Without it, it is sometimes difficult to be heard. Do you have an idea what I am talking about?

One of the secrets for becoming a dynamic public speaker is to make eye contact with your audience. While there are some courses on presentation skills or public speaking that teach you to stare at an object on the wall in order to eliminate your nervousness, I couldn’t disagree more. Forget ...

Volume is an aspect of your personality that can say a lot about you. Yes, there was a time when women spoke in a very soft voice. It was considered a feminine trait: demure, coy, flirtatious. It was also a time when women were treated as 2nd class citizens. In today’s highly competitive business world, however, there is no room for the voice which is difficult to hear. Your volume, or lack of it, may be saying something about you which is not correct whether you are male or female.

With all the articles about public speaking, few ever talk about knowing your competition. If you are a novice and planning a career at the lectern, part of your homework is to listen to as many speakers as you can and get to meet them in the process if at all possible. Words cannot say how valuable this can be for your future and is one of the great public speaking tips that you would be wise to heed. There are 3 reasons why you should take this advice.

Today, unemployment is higher than it has been for quite some long time and, in many cases, older workers are looking for a job after years of security in their former positions. For some, just the idea of being interviewed is a frightening experience. With the high number of applicants seeking the same job, older workers may feel quite daunted in their search. What can you do if your experience is excellent but your interview skills are less than stellar? Without a doubt, good interview skills are one of the most important characteristic for those obtaining employment today.

I remember when one of my sons was in 2nd or 3rd grade and was practicing reading out loud. He would take a breath after almost every word. Teachers explain to children in that age group that they should wait to take a breath until they come to the end of the sentence. At that age, there are only 6 or 7 words in the sentence!

Smart marketing starts with asking the right questions and uncovering the answers that will help you build your business. If information is power, how much do you know about your customers? Try this quiz. 1 Who are your three best customers? 2 Why do they do business with you? 3 What is their competitive edge? 4 What are their greatest challenges? 5 Who are their chief competitors? 6 What significant trends are impacting their industries? 7 What do your best customers have in common? Marketing intelligence doesn’t need to be expensive.

“Our action speak louder than our words”rnThe above said statement is true to its every word. Good communication skills are the foundation of any successful relationship, be it personal or professional. Body language is one of the most important aspects of non-verbal communication. The ability to understand and use nonverbal communication, or body language, is a powerful tool that helps one to connect with others, express what one really means and build better relationshi

Everybody’s talking about the need to be leveraged, but most people aren’t making the distinction between leveraged selling and leveraged delivery. Therefore, they’re missing half of the picture.

Listening is a crucial skill for professional and personal success. Yet it seems like such a basic skill - we all know how to listen, right? But although this skill is basic in theory, it's difficult to execute. Yes, everyone can listen, but how many people can listen well? Communication is ...

Dialogue: Its Component Parts The first step in dialogue is balancing Advocacy and Inquiry. Instead of making statements about what we believe, begin asking questions about what others believe. This is in accord with a principle articulated by Saint Francis and popularized by Stephen ...

The other day I received an email from a young man who told me that he was getting a sore throat by speaking loudly at the clubs and wondered if my training dealt with volume. I had to smile when he said that he had read several books on voice and none of them talked about how to increase or decrease the amount of sound you use. They also didn’t discuss projection which involves speaking in a bigger voice without shouting or yelling.

In the past, you could afford to speak with a Brooklyn dialect because your business probably dealt with those who spoke the same way. Today, however, no matter where you live, business is global. What this means is that your clients and associates need to be able to understand your words. If not, your message is lost. With the lightning quick speed available because of the internet, prospective clients can come and go in the blink of an eye. If they are unable to understand you when you speak, then they are more likely to go and find someone else whose diction is clear and concise.

Admittedly, part of the difficulty for many in presenting is just this fear. It happens to lots of speakers; it has certainly happened to me. Even with notes or some form of visual aid upon which to refer, however, you may find yourself at a total loss as to how to continue. What is the answer? Total honesty.

Yes, I want you nervous for your upcoming speech or presentation because nervousness is good. I do not want your audience to see it however. Great public speakers are nervous. As many times as they have spoken, as many times as they have delivered the same presentation over and over, their adrenaline is in high gear when they enter the stage.

TEN TERRIFIC SELF- MOTIVATING TIPS By Mike Moore No one can motivate anyone to do anything. All a person can do for another is provide them with incentives to motivate themselves. Here are ten very effective strategies to help you get up and get moving toward actualizing your enormous, ...

When I attended James Malinchak’s BootCamp a few months ago, one of many things he did to grab our attention was to ‘cast the net’ during the introduction. Those are his words. His introductory material was designed to bring the audience into the fold and immediately build a rapport with us. And, there is no doubt that it worked. - When you create your introduction, do you consider your audience in your opening remarks? - Do you tailor your material around their needs as you ‘cast the net’ to become more intimate with them?

(Written for Toastmasters, but applicable to all local clubs in civic and service organizations.) “But Wait. There’s More!” Our excitement and anticipation would peak every time we heard those four simple words by the late TV pitchma Billy Mays. We knew what would come next. More products (“not one, but two”), bonus products (“you also get”), free shipping or other amazing offers that left us wondering not only how could they make a profit, but also how could we turn it down! Of course, this was followed by the caveat, “for a limited time” and “Order Now.”r

If you are soft-spoken, there is a right way and a wrong way to increase your volume. Just speaking 'louder' is not the answer. In fact, the difficulty for those who speak softly is that when they do try to increase their volume, they think that they are shouting. As a voice coach, I don’t teach people to speak loudly; I teach them to speak with a bigger voice. There is a big difference between the two. Loud hurts your throat and your listeners’ ears. A big voice is more volume but it is neither ‘painful’ for you or your listeners if it is produced properly.

It is sad that Mariano Rivera underwent surgery on his vocal folds (cords) recently. The Yankees’ closer was diagnosed with severe vocal abuse in which polyps had developed on his vocal folds. A month prior to his surgery, he noticed a decrease in his ability to speak which was characterized by a raspy, whispery quality. What is interesting is that, with the right training, he could have prevented it.

Many people suffer from chronic hoarseness, sore throats and even loss of voice; and, most of these people do so because of misuse of the speaking voice. It is common; it is world wide; and, it is a growing concern. Through the years that I’ve had a website on voice improvement, 40% of those ...

In order to establish yourself in the business of public speaking, you should begin contacting local clubs and organizations in your area as soon as possible. It is important to understand that the majority of those engagements will not be paid. In fact, at this stage, I would doubt that any of those invitations will offer you any monetary gain. Therefore, if you already have a job, it would be a good idea not to quit your place of employment just yet!