1) Know your subject. The first thing you have to do when preparing a public speech is to make sure that you know your subject. If you do a slapdash job on the research, it will be very apparent in your speech, and no one will take you seriously. So take the time to research your topic so thoroughly that you will know more information about it than you will actually include in your address.
2) Utilize your nerves. Even experienced speakers get nervous before giving a speech. The difference between the pros and the novices is that the former utilize their nervousness while the latter tend to get nervous about being nervous. Realize that a bit of nervous energy is a good thing because it can be converted into enthusiasm.
If you find that you've got a major case of the willies, take deep breaths, listen to some soothing music, and calm down. Remember that the audience wants you to succeed, as they're not any more interested in hearing a boring speech than you are in giving one.
3) Practice makes perfect. We've all heard that at one time or another in our lives, but it's true. The more you rehearse your speech, the more naturally it will flow and the better you'll sound.
4) Speak with feeling. While rehearsing your speech, don't forget to pay attention to the way you use your voice. Employ inflection, tone, and pauses to achieve the right mood.
Avoid speaking in a monotone - your audience will lose interest before you hit your third sentence, and it will be virtually impossible to recapture its attention.
5) Check out the podium. Make sure that the podium you'll be using suits your needs, as it is a very important component in the success of your speech. Assess whether you'll be better off with a standing floor podium or tabletop lectern. Whichever you choose, check that the height and weight are comfortable for you.
If possible, put your notes, pens, dry-erase markers - anything you're planning on using - into the podium or lectern before you walk on stage, as it is easier to assume a confident, relaxed gait if your hands are free.
If you are using a sound or multimedia equipped podium, test everything to make sure that the microphones and any other electronic equipment are all in perfect working order. And speaking of microphones, many audio-equipped podiums and lecterns come with a variety of microphone capabilities - hand-held, attached, tie-clip, headset, etc. Decide which you prefer before the time of your speech arrives.
No matter what, though, don't just stand stiff behind your podium or lectern. Walk around a bit so that you'll be able to stand in front of all segments of the audience; lean forward on the podium to create a greater sense of closeness between you and your audience; and occasionally, feel free to bang on it for emphasis (not too hard, though).
6) Use visual aids. Visual aids such as flipcharts and PowerPoint displays have become the norm in presentations and speeches. Flipcharts are best for smaller audiences, while PowerPoint can be used for audiences of any size. As with your podium, make sure that all electronic devices, including computers and projectors, are in perfect working order and won't disappoint you in the middle of your speech.
Make all displays somewhat colorful, but not so much that they are visually dizzying. Don't forget that these visual aids are just that: aids to help you get your point across. The main focus should be your words. So don't get carried away with technological devices to the extent that they become the end rather than the means.
7) Be humorous. Unless you're delivering a eulogy, there is nothing like a bit of humor to help keep the crowd's attention. Humor creates a bond between speaker and listener, and helps the audience open its mind to what you have to say. Bearing that in mind, there are a few points to remember when including humor in your presentation. The first is, know your audience. If, for example, you're addressing the teacher's union, utilize humorous anecdotes about the issues educators face. If you're addressing CPA's, do the same for accounting.
Beware, however, of telling jokes that even remotely smack of antagonism or condescendence toward any religion or ethnicity. This will turn your audience off faster than you can say "racism." Incidentally, humor doesn't have to mean telling actual jokes. A gently sarcastic phrase, dry comment or humoristic metaphor will all do the trick.
8) Don't plagiarize. Never, but never, use someone else's material and claim it as your own. For one thing, it's dishonest. For another, chances are very likely that at least one person in the audience will pick up on it, and you will lose your credibility. This rule applies to more than literal plagiarism.
If you're telling a story or relating an experience that happened to someone else, don't retell it as if it happened to you. It will come off as fake. There is nothing wrong with saying, "My neighbor's first cousin had the following experience," and telling the story from there.
9) Avoid "filler" words. Filler words are words and phrases that we insert almost automatically into our sentences while we are thinking of the next thing we want to say. While extensive use of phrases such as "like", "um", "you know" and "whachamucallit" can be annoying in everyday conversation, they are taboo in public speaking as they are extremely unprofessional.
If you have to think for a couple of seconds, then do it. Even if the pause seems a bit too long, it is definitely better than saying, "So, um, the fiscal year of 2008 was, like, a very critical one for the industry."
10) Be positive and smile! You've researched thoroughly, you've organized your thoughts, you've practiced well and checked everything out. All that's left for you to do now is be positive. Believe in your ability to present your case and present it well.
Walk on stage with a confident smile, and prepare yourself mentally for success. The more positive an attitude you project, the more positively your audience will feel toward you and your message.
Lee Griffin is a writer for Hertz Furniture, a company dedicated to helping educators succeed by creating an atmosphere that enhances the educational experience. Hertz Furniture offers a wide variety of podiums to maximize the effectiveness of every speech.
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