Guaranteed Ways to Succeed at Public Speaking

Deliver all oratory presentations with guaranteed success.

For as long as there have been speeches, there have been people to weigh in on how they should be delivered. Public speaking is a process that begins even before the first words of the speech are written. For guaranteed ways to succeed at public speaking, we should look to the advice of famous historical speakers whose indelible words will guide us through this process.

Speak With Conviction

Ralph Waldo Emerson stated, "The eloquent man is he who is no beautiful speaker, but who is inwardly and desperately drunk with a certain belief." The best way to make a successful speech is to start with a topic you believe in. Your convictions will be evident in your voice and body language. Stick to what you know and are passionate about and you won't easily forget the words you are supposed to say.

Be Prepared

Mark Twain said of his own public speeches, "It takes three weeks to deliver a good ad lib speech." For a speech to seem effortless and natural, preparation and practice are most important. Consider the type of venue the speech will be delivered in, and the audience that it will be delivered to. Start writing the speech early, and read it aloud as much as possible. Learn how and where to use inflection for emphasis, when to pause for dramatic or comedic effect, and where to take breaths.

Be Sincere

Sincerity can take many forms in a public speech, like when speakers make eye contact with their audience, reach out to them with a bit of humor, or throw in a personal anecdote. In the words of Jean Giraudoux, "The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made." Sincerity can be lost when a speaker's nerves cause her to be stiff and awkward. To preserve the sincerity in a public speech, remain calm and focus on the present moment. Feel each word of your speech with your mind, voice and body.

Arrive Early

This is the last leg of preparation before you take the stage, so arrive at the venue early and make good use of it. Coordinate with the organizers and arrange for some time to practice the speech, on stage and with a sound check. Take note of the seating arrangement and how that will affect your line of sight. Grab a bottle of water or two, one for before you go on stage and one to keep beside you as you speak.

End Early

Garretson Beekman Tredeau said, "Commencement speeches were invented largely in the belief that outgoing college students should never be released into the world until they have been properly sedated." You should have a very poignant way to end the speech. Finish with a brief and obvious recap of your main message that ends with a full stop and a smile, if appropriate. As John Wayne put it, "Talk low, talk slow, and don't talk too much."

References

• How To Conquer Public Speaking Fear; Morton C. Orman, M.D.; 1996
• Toastmasters: Tips
• "The Presentation Kit"; Claudyne Wilder; 1994

Resources

• Quote Garden: Quotations About Speeches