3 Steps To Speak With Confidence

When you are thoroughly prepared it is easier to speak with confidence in public speaking. A well prepared speaker can say it with confidence because they have mastered their subject, know their speech well and how they will deliver it.

If a speaker hasn't prepared properly they can be uncertain about what to say next and start stumbling for words. This not only undermines their confidence but also the audience's confidence in the speaker.

There are 3 steps to being well prepared that builds self-confidence in the speaker:-

1) Research

Get to know your audience. Ask yourself - What are they interested in? What type of organization are you to speak to? What is the occasion? etc. Knowing your audience is important to determine how to speak to them, the type of speech to give and also in the selecting of your topic.

The primary source of material for your speech is your personal experience. But where there are any gaps in your knowledge, fill them in with research from sources available to you. If you haven't mastered your subject it is difficult to master an audience.

2) Developing Your Speech

The first act is to prepare an outline of your speech and sort it into the main components of the speech i.e. introduction, main body, conclusion. The main body of the speech normally needs further organization into a normal way of thinking about a topic, e.g chronological, geographical, problem-solution etc. A speech organized in this way makes it easier to recall. The next act is to write out the speech word for word. Review it and edit as necessary. This ensures that the speech is fully thought through and it flows naturally.

3) Practice

Prepare a speakers outline of your speech containing the main ideas only and use this to practice your delivery. A speech delivered from notes (or with the main ideas remembered only) gives the speaker more flexibility and leads to speaker being able to speak with confidence. The other methods of delivery such as reading a speech or a memorized speech are not usually as engaging as the speech delivered by a well prepared speaker. However, if you are going to use these methods make sure you practice them so you are confident in delivering them that way.

Being prepared does take a little more effort than an impromptu speech. But the results are worth it. It makes it easier to speak up with confidence because you are more sure of yourself through the mastery of your speech and the knowledge that the audience is listening to a speech that is of benefit to them. You will be a more effective public speaker.

Be better prepared and you can soon be able to improve your ability to speak with confidence. And be respected for having this skill.

If you want to know more visit http://www.artofgreatspeaking.com for a free online speaking course on speak with confidence skills.

Speak With Confidence - Managing Public Speaking Anxiety

To be a persuasive and effective speaker a person needs to speak with confidence. Where anxiety and nerves overtake the speaker, the listener will not be confident in what they have to say. If the speaker can't manage themselves, how can they be effective and persuasive?Public speaking anxiety and fear is one of the most common fears. It is regularly rated higher than death in surveys of people's fears. But, it is learned response, because at birth we only have 2 fears - the fear of loud noises and falling. Therefore, it is possible to manage and overcome public speaking anxiety with some application and the right attitude. Here are 8 techniques that will help you overcome stage fright.

1. Visualize a successful outcome. Visualize yourself on stage successfully delivering your speech with as much intensity and passion as you can muster.

2. Speak about something you really care about. Do it from the heart not the head. The more you care about something the easier it is to talk about it.

3.Thoroughly prepare and practice. Know your topic thoroughly and practice frequently. Practice in front of the mirror and friends to get used to speaking. The more prepared and the more practice you do the more you will build self confidence and belief in yourself.

4. Perform the following speech drill. Choose your favorite hobby. Demonstrate and describe it to an imaginary audience. Put as much zest and passion as you can into your speech. Go completely over the top. Express your feeling in your face, eyes and gestures. Believe that your imaginary audience must share your passion now! Repeat often. This is also a good drill to do with a friend.

5. Many speakers who speak with confidence today suffered from stage fright when they were starting out. They overcame this by speaking at every opportunity. Develop a short speech and deliver it as often as you can in as short a time as possible.

6. Adopt the attitude that you are giving your audience your best. It is the best you can do at the time. When you have finished the delivering your speech, put all your energy into thinking about and practicing your next speech rather than the one you have just finished.

7. In your mind, down play the importance of your speech. Who will remember it next year or in a hundred years? Most people find it difficult to remember something as important as last year's football scores.

Public speaking anxiety can be overcome. Confident public speaking is an attainable skill for most people. By having a positive attitude, and thoroughly preparing and practicing it is possible for the nervous speaker to speak with confidence.