I'm trying to decide if I want to join one of my local toastmaster's groups this year. I do want to but I'm not sure if I will be able to be committed to it. That's the problem. Yet I do really want to become better at being a public speaker. It's something I have always wanted to do.
This article gives you 10 tips for public speaking.
1) Know your material. In other words, you have to speak on something you are familiar with or at least do your research so that the listeners will know that you know what you are talking about.
2) Practice, practice, practice. I can tell you that Steve Jobs is a really great example of this.
3) Know the audience. You should greet them when they arrive, talk to some of them, get to know a little about them.
4) Know the room. Get to the room early and do a walk around to familiarize yourself with how much room there is to move in, where the steps are, etc.
5) Relax. Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Don't seem tense.
6) Visualize yourself giving your speech. Imagine out the whole process and imagine your audience loving it.
7) Remember that your audience wants you to succeed. They want you to be interesting, entertaining and they are on your side.
8) Don't apologize if you feel nervous; your audience probably doesn't even notice it, so don't draw attention to it.
9) Concentrate on the message; not on the medium. Your message is the important thing, not your own anxieties.
10) Gain experience. Every speech gives you experience and gives you something you can learn and grow from.
