About Public Speaking
Public speaking is an important tool for marketers to get publicity for their company and their products. Entrepreneurs can especially benefit from giving speeches in public. Because products typically fulfill a public need or desire, the topics from these speeches can be informative. Because many groups such as local chapters of Friends of Libraries look for speakers for their meetings, marketers who can excel at public speaking can propel their products to high sales.
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Function
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Public speaking serves the function of entertaining and informing an audience. The audience and the sponsor of the presentation need to have this function fulfilled in order to consider the speech a success. Public speaking also serves the function of publicizing and promoting a product or business that the speaker represents. Although the audience doesn't necessarily need to be entertained to serve this function, an entertained audience tends to think more favorably about the product or business.
Considerations
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A public speaker needs to understand the needs and expectations of an audience before the speech. The speech should then address those needs and expectations. The speaker's body language should be confident with a strong, projecting voice. The speaker's timing is important. There should be pauses, allowing for words to sink in and audience reactions. Humor is helpful when appropriate. Questions should be taken at the end of the speech.
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Time Frame
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The length of time for a speech is important in public speaking. Forty-five minutes is a good length for a speech, because this allows enough time for questions afterward. If a speech is going to run longer than 1 hour, a break should be considered to allow people to stretch and use restroom facilities. If the audience begins to fidget and look bored, experienced public speakers know how to cut short their speeches by omitting some of the speech's text.
Warning
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Fear of public speaking is rated as one of the most common fears in the general public. Before embarking on the path of a public speaker, practice with local community organizations such as church groups. New public speakers often are not aware of tics or hand gestures they do subconsciously. Videotaping a practice session can reveal these and allow the speaker to correct any distracting hand movements.
Effects
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Public speaking can result in a dry mouth, so public speakers often carry a bottle of water with them. Experienced public speakers know, too, that eye contact is important. By continually scanning the audience and making eye contact with individuals, a speaker keeps the audience engaged and interested. Handouts are important in giving an audience the perception that the presentation was rewarding.
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