8 Things You Should Do Before Making a Public Speech

Whether you are addressing a classroom, the nation, a board of directors, or an award show audience, making a public speech is an art based on translating your message to the audience in front of you. If you truly know your message, your audience will understand it. If you believe in your message, some of your audience will undoubtedly agree.

The topics and the audience may differ, but the concept doesn’t – at least not entirely. That core concept ensures identical preparation steps prior to making any type of speech to any audience.

Here are the before-and-after essentials of making a public speech. Everything you aim to project must be in you before starting your speech.

1. Respect your audience!

This rule applies before and during your speech. Facing your audience with the best of intentions will ensure those intentions to be successfully translated to them. Whether or not you realize it, respecting your audience will allow for your speech to be interesting, engaging, and stimulating as you will truly want to connect with them. Respect your audience for simply being there to hear what you have to say. This will automatically prompt you to give them their money’s worth. You will stand in front of them, motivated to reach them, and will ultimately connect with them even more than you’d expected.

Always start from the least knowledgeable members of the audience, when faced with a mix of people. Bring the topic of your speech closer to them by keeping it simple and working your way up to the complicated points you want to make. That way, everyone will understand you even better.

2. Locate your feelings.

Your feelings about the topic of your speech can and will influence your vocal projection. Your voice is an instrument that can evoke emotion in the members of your audience by conveying your own. Knowing how you feel about the topic of your speech and what you want to achieve with it precedes your vocal projection. Is the topic of your speech a learning experience? An experience with illness? Are you accepting an award and giving credits to those who helped you along the way? In keeping with your topic, is it your goal to inform others, raise awareness, or express gratitude? Whatever it may be, your goal and tone should align. You don’t want to give an emotionless speech!

3. Be proud of yourself!

Everyone knows that the art of public speaking simply demands confidence; however, being proud of yourself for giving this speech in the first place will boost your confidence to a new level. You have been given an opportunity to convey a message to an audience who could remember your words for a long time to come if you make it powerful. Besides, isn’t that what you really want?

4. Match your appearance to your attitude.

Whether you like it or not, your appearance can help or hinder the point you are trying to make with your speech. You’re trying to sell a conclusion. If you look great, you will feel amazing. If you manage to look appealing, tastefully striking, fresh, or styled to perfection, you will experience another confidence boost. Wowing others with your appearance, especially when standing up in front of them to speak, can only be a good thing.

5. Be comfortable with your material.

Although it sounds self-explanatory, the importance of this particular point could not be overemphasized. You must believe in the quality of your material. If you do, your audience will agree, even if they relate to your speech in the ways you never imagined.

However, what does that mean regarding the nature of your speech? If you’re giving a presentation, organize your notes as well as you can and remember every relevant piece of information. If you’re talking about yourself, be as honest as you feel comfortable being. You will achieve the desired connection with your audience in this way.

6. Relax!

Your confidence can lead to relaxation and vice versa. Use one to find the other or just enjoy them both. Relaxation leads to spontaneity when you know your lines, so to speak. Spontaneity can also add great quality to your speech. A relaxed approach will engage your audience more than you might realize before starting your speech. If you are relaxed, they will be too. They will develop an interest in the topic you are presenting and immediately have questions to ask.

7. Pick a quote.

Choosing (and using) a quote that applies to your presentation in a way that speaks to you will convey the message to your audience. Using someone else’s quote that relates to your material (or yourself) will be a striking addition to your speech.

8. Be yourself!

This pivotal idea is just as important to your public speaking as it is in your life. When it comes to public speaking, you have to know what makes you effective. Also, you must assume that you are qualified to make the speech you are about to make. Wondering if you’re good enough will only lead to more wondering instead of enjoying the speech as much as you want your audience to. Take the approach you believe in.

Do you have anything else to add?

Featured photo credit: Man Taking Photo In Crowd Of People/Ed Gregory via stokpic.com

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