Whether it is a presentation at work or a toast at your best friend’s wedding; addressing a live audience can be a daunting experience for many. Here are some time-tested tips to master the art of public speaking.
 

Know your audience

Ponder over the purpose of your message and who it is intended for. Put yourself in your listeners’ shoes to know what’s expected of you. Then, draft a message that might interest your audience as well as meet their expectations.
 

Structure your material

Have a riveting intro, a steady middle and an intriguing epilogue. Jot down the key points you wish to include in your speech and sort them in relevant sections.  Arrange these sections in a coherent sequence.

Rehearse

Practice relentlessly! Practice with the equipment you plan on using. Once you get comfortable with your material try rehearsing in front of a mirror or videotape yourself and review it. Adjust your body language and facial expressions if necessary. Once satisfied with yourself, ask a friend to critique your performance.
 

Be candid

Pioneer your unique style of oration and let your personality shine through. This will help build a personal connection with your listeners. Avoid mimicking others’ styles or showing off. The audience will be able to see through your facade and you will lose your credibility.

Be funny and tell stories

A run-of-the-mill narration will make your listeners lose interest in your speech within the first 5 minutes. Incorporating humour, metaphors and anecdotes in your material is a great way to keep your listeners hooked up till the end.  Besides, it will get your point across to the nth degree.

Maintain eye contact

The best way to engage your audience is to look them in the eye, preferably one at a time. Don’t just stick to the first few rows rather make eye contact with people in the far back too. Assertive eye contact enables you to revamp your talk into a conversation.

Don’t read

Reading from a script is a no-go! It degrades your speech into a stilted conversation. The tedium of reading can incite nonchalance in the listeners. Refer a brief outline or a few pointers to jog your memory.

Pause, every now and then

Adding occasional pauses in your speech favours spontaneity and emphasises on pivotal points. They also make an effective transitioning tool from one section of your speech to another and give you time to gather your thoughts. 
 

Ask rhetorical questions

Cause a stir in the audience by asking a rhetorical question or use it to stress on a point. You can choose to open your speech with a rhetorical question to capture your audience’s undivided attention or conclude with one for a dramatic effect.
 

Work on your feedbacks

Be open to constructive criticism from your listeners and pay heed to their advice. Refine your skills and content accordingly. Consequently, you’ll do better the next time. Make it a habit of practising this religiously every time you address a crowd.

Learn with FinkUP

There’s no age bar for learning new things. Have a laid back learning experience with FinkUP.  It offers you access to a variety of workshops organised by experts working in the field. Visit our website for effortless booking of your passes to the workshop of your choice.