Advanced Public Speaking Techniques
Advanced public speaking techniques are a great way to step up your game when you already consider yourself an above-average orator. Anyone can stand in front of a crowd and speak, but not everyone can engage the crowd and keep the attention of the audience. By using a few advanced techniques, you can separate yourself from the competition in your industry.
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Repetition
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Repeating important topics during your speech will not only drive your point home, but help your audience remember key information. Repeat your most important information at the beginning, middle, and again at the end. You can segue a repetition easily by saying, "Again, I want you to remember..." or "For emphasis, let me just say this again..."
Hand Gestures and Eye Contact
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Using hand gestures make you appear to be relaxed, even when you are not. Instead of keeping your hands in your pockets or on a podium, use them when making key points. That said, it is important not to overuse gestures to the point of distraction. Shift your eyes to different sections of the audience without looking too much at your presentation screen or at one person.
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Slow Down
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If you tend to speak quickly when you are nervous, make a conscious effort to speak slower than normal. If you are not wearing a microphone, speak loudly so everyone can hear you.
Engaging the Audience
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Encourage audience participation by asking questions or asking for personal anecdotes. The best way to keep an audience engaged is by keeping them involved. This can be done by asking them to express their own examples or by asking for a show of hands.
Eliminate Filler Words
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Make a conscious effort to decrease the use of filler words such as "um," "uh," and "ya know." Filler words can be distracting for a listener and devalue the information you are providing. Practice speaking in front of a video camera and listen to how many times you insert a filler word. A common technique is to wear a rubber band on one arm and every time you say a filler word you switch to the opposite arm. The goal is to not have to switch arms during the entire speech.
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References
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