How to Speak in Front of a Group

Mark Twain once said, "There are two types of speakers: those that are nervous and those that are liars." It is perfectly normal to experience some anxiety when speaking in front of a group. If you are properly prepared, know your material and have rehearsed your speech, you will greatly reduce any fear or anxiety you may be experiencing.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Be prepared. Know what you want to say. The more you rehearse your speech, the more comfortable with it you will become. Be sure you know the subject well, that is why people will be listening to you.

2. Dress comfortably and appropriately. If you are not sure how to dress, remember it is better to be overdressed than underdressed. Be sure you can move comfortably in your clothes.

3. Check out the environment. Know where you will speak from and where the audience will be. If you are using any equipment such as a microphone or projector, check to see that the equipment is working properly and the lighting is good.

4. Breathe. Nervous speakers tend to speak too quickly. Slow yourself down and breathe. Don't use fillers such as um, you know, or like. Silence is golden, fillers are deadly.

5. Be enthusiastic and friendly. Make eye contact with your audience. If it makes you too nervous to look at your audience, fix your gaze on a spot slightly above their heads.

6. The audience is there because they want to hear what you have to say. If you become confused, lose your thought or otherwise "mess up," be honest about it, take a breath and pick up where you left off. The audience will be on your side.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to breathe.
• Notes are fine, but never, ever read a speech. It will bore the audience.
• Don't give handouts out until after the speech is over. Otherwise, people will read the handouts instead of listening to the speech.
• Avoid extreme mannerisms such as constantly pushing your hair out of your eyes or gesturing frantically with your hands.

[Susanh]

on 8/21/2008 Excellent article. I have to speak in front of a group tonight and I'm sitting here feeling ill...thanks for the tips.