How to Speak With Confidence
Confident speakers make what they do look easy. Whether they are speaking at a coffee shop, in a classroom filled with kids, to seniors at a retirement home or to thousands of people in a stadium, experienced speakers never seem to miss a beat. There is no real secret to their success other than hard work, preparation, practice and continually looking for ways to improve their speaking skills.
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Instructions
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Speak whenever you get the chance. Accept all speaking invitations and approach each one as learning opportunities. The more you speak, the more confident you will be as a speaker.
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Know the subject matter inside out. You will not be able to convey key facts and nuances to your audience if you have no firsthand experience or knowledge of a particular topic. Stay current on trends and news.
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Write your own speeches. This may not be possible if you are a busy executive or elected official, but stay involved in the drafting process. Confidence comes from being intimately familiar with a speech.
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Memorize the opening and the closing sections. The introduction is where you establish credibility and grab the attention of your audience, and the conclusion is what your listeners remember. With practice, you may find that you are able to deliver short speeches entirely from memory.
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Speak extemporaneously. Your audience will not care if you miss a word or even a paragraph as long as you are able to convey the core message clearly.
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Make eye contact. If your eyes are darting up, down and sideways, you could make your audience uneasy. Confident speakers establish bonds with one or two people in each section of the room. You will not be able to do this if you are unfamiliar with the text or are unsure of the subject matter.
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Project your voice. The person at the back of the room should be able to hear you whether or not you are using a microphone. Pause for emphasis and transition. Do not let interruptions bother you.
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Use natural gestures. Confident speakers do not have their hands clasped in front or at the back. They do not hold on to podiums for balance. They do not wander aimlessly on stage, fidget nervously with their tie, or jiggle coins in their suit pockets. Every gesture and every body movement must have a purpose.
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Practice a speech several times. If possible, make audio or video recordings. Review the tapes to identify areas of improvement. Be your own critique. Actively solicit feedback from colleagues, family members and members of the audience. Confidence comes from continuous improvement.
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References
Resources
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