I am involved in many social and business groups, locally as well as nationally such as the Direct Selling Women’s Alliance, where leaders of the group or invited guest speakers address the members. Additionally, in a home party business such as the one I represent, Story Time Felts, we speak to groups every time we conduct business – through our interactive home parties. Although I am not a professional speaker, I’d like to share some tips to help improve your public speaking efforts:
- Most people should speak louder than normal and use larger gestures than you are accustomed to using in smaller interactions.
- Take some time to analyze your audience before you speak and be prepared to tell them something they don’t already know.
- Do not read a speech to the audience. Prepare a brief outline and trust yourself! Remember, reading to people puts them to sleep (just like when you were little!).
- Move away from the podium as much as you can, this will help establish rapport with the audience.
- Practice, practice, practice! In front of the mirror, in front of your kids, or in front of a camcorder. Video recorded practice is the most valuable in showing you areas for improvement such as little mannerisms that are distracting to the audience that you weren’t aware of.
- As you speak, move from person to person after spending 5 or 6 seconds looking at them. If you move your gaze too often, you risk appearing nervous or desperate.
- Delete the “ums” and “ahs” from your speaking. Pauses, even long ones, are much more welcome by the audience. Give yourself, and your audience, the time needed to think.
Good luck!
Independent Story Time Felts Director