32 Basic Public Speaking and Communication Skills

 by Ed Skurka  DTM   www.PublicSpeakingWorkout.com

Mastery Makes a Difference

Voice:

  1.  Speak with confidence.  Project a bold, powerful and confident voice.

  2.  Control your volume for the situation — audience, room size and ambient noise.

  3.  If using a microphone — arrive early check out the equipment and your sound.

  4.  Pitch — is the pitch of your voice too high or too low?  Squeaky or guttural?

  5.  Variety — vary your voice.  Don’t be monotone.  Speak with interest and passion.

  6.  Vitality — life, sparkle enthusiasm.

  7.  Rate — too fast or too slow?  Take a deep breath and relax.  Control nervousness.

  8.  Articulation — pronounce every letter of every word — clearly.  Don’t mumble.

 

Remember:

 

  9.  It is your responsibility as the speaker to give the audience a good performance.

10.  The audience is there to hear you speak.  Take command of your audience.

11.  Content — Remember WIFM  (what’s in it for me) for the audience.

12.  Dress appropriately for your audience.  Take pride in your appearance.

13.  Eye Contact — connect with your audience.

14.  Gestures — help to illustrate what you say.

15.  Movement — move with purpose or stay at the lectern with poise. 

16.  The lectern is a tool — not a crutch.  Don’t freeze up.  Don’t hide behind it.

17.  Think of your audience and your content — Not of yourself and your fears.

18.  Punctuation — The audience has to hear periods, question marks and

       commas in your voice just as if they were reading your presentation.

19.  Emotion — Let your audience hear – happy, sad, excitement, anger.

20.  Body language — project a confident manner.  Control nervousness.

       Take a deep breath and relax.  You can do it!  How you appear is important.

21.  Facial expression — reflect your emotions in your speech.

22.  Be honest with yourself and your audience.  Your audience will know.

23.  Ums and Ahs — these are crutch words control them.  Also:  OK, like,  

       you know, you know what I mean and certainly no vulgarities.

24.  Poise and pride.  Let it show in your performance.

25.  Keep things simple.  More than 3 points are seldom remembered.  Repetition helps.

26.  Be as natural as you can be in front of the audience.  Goal — to be yourself.

27.  Prepare and practice, practice, practice.  Know your material.  Do your homework,

28.  Notes — however you make notes, be familiar with them and your content.

29.  Time yourself repeatedly.  Be within your allocated time.

30.  Ask for helpful evaluation and accept help.

31.  Anyone can learn these skills.  You can learn to enjoy public speaking.  Have fun. 

32.  Knowledge and  Experience build Confidence.  Practice, coaching and evaluation

       are necessary to build these skills (just like academic, sport and business skills.)

           Public speaking skills are a very important tool in your career skills toolbox.

Support Public Speaking Advocate by attending this training, bringing it into your business or (*very important) provide it to your kids or students.

Contact: EdSkurka@PublicSpeakingWorkout.com    401-828-1625 Skype: Ed.PublicSpeakingAdvocate

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