Basic Speaking Skills

A few simple skills will lift your presentation

When you have mastered the 4 basic skills explained below you will be a very effective  public speaker projecting confidence.

Stand in a balanced, relaxed position

Stand in the centre at the front a few paces back from the front of the audience

Have your feet approximately under your shoulders so that you are balanced

Rest your arms and hands besides your waist

It may feel strange at first but it will become easy and natural to you

Use your arms and hands for emphasis, but return them always to the rest position

Make direct eye contact with at least 10 of the audience around the room

Direct eye contact means just that – look directly into the eyes of audience members.

Hold the glance for a brief moment and then move to the next person.

Include the persons at the front on each side and scan around the rest of the room

Use lots of pauses

Silence is powerful in a speech

Pause before and/or after important words or ideas

Start with a pause as you look around the audience making direct eye contact

End with a pause as you look around the audience making direct eye contact

Keep practising

You will improve rapidly.  Don’t worry about making mistakes.  You are among friends.
Concentrate on these skills and rapidly become relaxed and confident.