Our voice is our best tool when it comes to communication, it allows us to share ideas, communicate effectively with others, or even sing. Whether it’s a work presentation, a presentation in front of an audience, or simply a conversation with friends, we need to polish our ability to deliver a clear and confident speech.
In this article, we’ll learn why it’s important to develop our public speaking skills, as well as how to deliver better public presentations.
Why Is It Important to Speak Well?
Believe me, if you have solid communication skills, you will be much more likely to be successful in every aspect of life, here are some examples of why improving our speech is important:
- Better Career Opportunities: If you polish your ability to articulate ideas and communicate them effectively, you will reach better opportunities in your professional life. Any employer will choose someone who can effectively communicate and be persuasive over someone who does not have those skills.
- Increased Confidence: Delivering a successful speech in front of a public is a huge confidence booster, we all feel empowered when we conquer our nerves and receive a positive reaction from the audience.
- Stronger Relationships: When you have a good communication with others you can achieve stronger personal and professional relations because you can build trust and make others feel understood.
- Leadership: People who can effectively communicate ideas, be persuasive, and convincing are seen as thought leaders, because they can represent a general idea.
10 Yes or No Questions to Improve Your Public Speaking
Should be a YES!:
- Does everything I’m saying in this Speech enhance my main point?
- A good speech has one main focus
- Everything you say has to circle back to the point, and make it stronger
- Don’t waste your audience’s time with unrelated stuff
- Will this leave my audience with next steps?
- A good speech drives people into action
- Make sure you give concrete ways for your audience to apply the insights you’ve shared
- Make it CLear
- Will people outside of this specialty understand what I’m saying?
- A good speech is not overly filled with technical jargon
- Use industry specific words/acronyms sparingly
- If they are needed, explain them briefly before moving on
- Have I practiced this enough?
- A good speech is rehearsed!
- Make sure you run through your speech with people prior to the big day
- Ask these people for feedback
- Do I like this speech?
- A good speaker is a passionate speaker
- It’s hard to be passionate about things you aren’t even interested in
- If you’re bored by your own speech, your audience will be too
Better a NO
- Is this an appropriate amount of content for the time I have?
- A good speech doesn’t drag or rush
- Use a word-to-time tool like Script-Timer.com to be sure you don’t have to
- Edit down or up accordingly
- Will I be talking non-stop the entire time?
- A good speech leaves room for pause
- Give your audience time to react and time to think
- Take pauses into consideration when asking yourself the previous question
- Does this sound like anyone else could have said it?
- A good speech has personality.
- Telling an interesting related story in your speech makes it less generic
- Less generic = More memorable
- Do I sound like I’m just making things up?
- A good speech is based on evidence
- Make sure any sweeping statements you make are backed up by research or experience
- Be believable
- Do I sound out of touch?
- A good speech doesn’t exist in a bubble
- There’s nothing more off putting than a speaker who is completely out of touch
- If there’s big news at the time of your speech, mention it
Tips and Reminders for Effective Speaking
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind while you work on improving your speaking skills:
- Practice Makes Perfect: Not only practice by reading your script over and over again, try to practice it out loud in front of a mirror, or ask a friend to listen to you and give you feedback, then use that feedback to improve.
- Know your Material: The more confident you are with the content of your speech the better, but don’t just memorize it, try to really understand the topic you will talk about so you can be more confident when you have to deliver it.
- Use Pauses: By allowing yourself some pauses through your presentation, you can stop to think better about what you’re going to say next, and at the same time this allows your audience to absorb the information you’re delivering.
- Breath Deeply: You can control your nerves by taking slow and controlled breaths during your speech, and this also makes you look more confident and prepared.
- Body Language: It is really important to practice body language, just think about all of the famous speeches, the person who delivers them is always confident and showing good oratory skills.
- Visualize Success: Before your public speaking event starts, try to imagine yourself doing a great job and connecting with the audience effectively, because positive visualization can boost your confidence.
If you want to learn more check this professional speaking training:
https://ripmediagroup.com/professional-speaking-and-training-2
In summary, everyone should improve their ability to speak in public properly, and it is also something that anyone can develop. After finishing reading this blog, it will be easier for you to understand the importance of developing your public speaking skills, and better understand the key areas of a speech such as content and delivery. You can also incorporate the tips we reviewed into your practice routine so you can transform yourself into a successful communicator.
Remember that the most important thing is to define your own voice, and speak with passion to effectively communicate in front of a public.
Now is your time to take action! Start by choosing a topic you’re interested in, and start creating your next captivating script. Do this with the assistance of our AI script coach, AI voice actors, or any of the dozens of cool tools we have for you! Just sign up to Script-Timer.com and start creating the best speech your audience will ever see.
