The FAQ’s of Public Speaking
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It doesn’t take too much browsing to realize FAQ’s (frequently asked questions)are an important part of the communication strategy of goods and services websites. Certain questions emerge as being common to a large number of users/consumers. Rather than creating a new response each time one of these common questions is asked, it is more efficient to create a page of answers to these frequently asked questions.
Here are mt FAQ’s for public speaking:
Q: How do I control fear, stage fright, anxiety, etc.?
A: With practice and experience. Few speakers ever completely lose their fear of speaking in public. Increased nervousness a speech is the a natural coping response of the body. The more experienced you are, the more prepared you will be and good preparation helps you feel more comfortable in front of the audience. Here are some tips for reducing anxiety when giving a speech.
Q: How do I grab and hold the listener’s attention?
A: Use the following:
- Establish eye contact with the audience.
- Do not talk if someone is walking down the aisle or if there is audience movement.
- Make appropriate pauses for the audience to catch their breath.
- Use interesting and powerful visual aids.
- Talk from personal experience and tell stories.
- Make your speech concise.
Q: How do I know when the listeners are bored and inattentive?
A: Watch for the following:
- Listeners sitting with their arms folded.
- Vacant looks - no smiles or nodding of the head.
- People yaming
- Polite coughs which are more than usual.
- Nonverbal gestures like audience frequently looking at their watches, biting their nails, shuffling their feet, looking at each other and worst of all, leaving before you’re finished speaking.
Q: How do I develop my self-confidence?
A: Three words: practice, practice practice!. Look for opportunities to give speeches. The more you are in front of an audience, the more self-confident you will be. Begin with short speeches that last three to four minutes. Always bear in mind that a short speech can barely go wrong. Impromptu speeches make good practice. Concentrate and be yourself. Don’t try to be someone else. Master your topic. Believe in yourself.
Q: How much preparation do I need to give a speech?
A: Use experience as your guide. Whatever you do, be thoroughly prepared. The more prepared you are to give a talk, the more confident you will be. Prepare by writing out your presentation. Convert that to an outline and rehearse it frequently. At the very least, practice your stories and be sure to have stories every time you present. Try to memorize your opening, your stories, and your closing. It’s o.k. to use notes, flip-charts, power point, etc. for the rest of the presentation.
Q: Can I memorize a speech?
A: Yes, you can, but don’t. Don’t read or memorize your speech. Be yourself; speak naturally. Whatever your natural self is: formal, “laid back,” understated, or hyper, use those traits. Talk—don’t lecture—about the material.
Q: Can I read a speech?
A: Yes, you can. But don’t. That is the best technique to bore a listener. The only instance you read a speech is when you do it on behalf of someone else. Even when you do that, make it brief or summarize it. At the end of the summary, give out the entire speech in the form of a handout. The written language and the spoken language are different forms of expression. What is beautifully written may not sound beautiful when it is spoken.
Q: Can I use notes during a speech?
A: Yes, you can. But be sure that they don’t appear bulky. The worst thing a speaker can do is to pull out pages and pages of notes before a speech. Preparing 3″ x 5″ index cards is all right. Be sure your entire speech does not go beyond seven cards. A single sheet of paper with an outline of your speech is still the best. Be sure the letters on that single sheet are big enough to read.
Q: How do I develop my speech?
A: Never talk about one idea too long. If you have three ideas, allot equal time to each. The transition from one idea to the next must be smooth. Listeners must not wait too long for the next idea.
Q: During an open forum, what do I do when a person gives a speech rather than a question?
A: It is your responsibility to interrupt and say, “Excuse me, what exactly is your question?”
Q: What do I do when I get a hostile question?
A: Use these tips:
- Don’t respond in kind
- Be courteous
- Don’t take it personally
- Don’t expect to change the person you’re dealing with
- Think positive thoughts
Q: What do I do when someone has many questions in one question?
A: Answer them one by one beginning with the easiest.
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