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One of the best skills you can develop in life is public speaking. Many of us dread the thought of standing in front of a room of people and giving a speech, but it will be necessary in your role as chapter leader. Here are some tips from Toastmasters, International on successful public speaking.
- Know your material – If you’re able, pick a topic you are interested in. Know more about the topic than you present. Use personal stories and conversational language – that way you won’t easily forget what to say.
- Practice, practice, practice! Rehearse out loud with all the equipment you plan on using. Revise as necessary.
- Know the audience – Try and greet the audience as they enter. It’s easier to speak in front of a room of friends.
- Know the room – Do a walk through of the room you will be giving your presentation in, check out the audio-visual equipment and any visual aids you may be using.
- Relax! Ease tension by doing exercises, deep breathing, or anything else that helps you relax.
- Visualize yourself giving the speech. Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud and confident. Visualize the audience clapping – it will boost your confidence.
- Realize that people want you to succeed. Audiences want you to be interesting, informative and entertaining. They do not want you to fail.
- Don’t apologize for any nervousness or mistakes – the audience probably didn’t notice it anyway
- Concentrate on the message – not the medium. Focus your attention away from your own anxieties and concentrate on the message and the audience.
- Gain experience – The more often you give presentations, the better you will become.
Check out your local Toastmasters chapter. These groups get together to help each other with their public speaking skills.
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