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Learning Effective Public Speaking

Wondering how to be an effective public speaking expert? There are many answers. Some of you may have answered, "confidence" while others of may have said "humor". The truth is, effective public speaking comes from being prepared and keeping your message simple. Confidence, humor, and emotion helps but it's most important to be prepared for what you'll be talking about and keeping the points of your message simple and easy to understand.

Nothing makes for a better presentation than a well prepared one. Being prepared doesn't mean you have to rehearse exactly what you're going to say so you can repeat it like a recording. In order to develop effective public speaking, you need to prepare your thoughts and organize them. Don't go up there with a blank sheet in your head and expect to write as you go. You don't necessarily have to write out your speech word for word, but it is a good idea to have a rough outline ion paper and then fill in the blanks once you're up there. Just by knowing what your main points will be, you'll be more comfortable, effective, and confidence will come naturally.

After you have your main points down and are comfortable you can incorporate humor. Telling jokes and stories are a great way work in your points and have them stick in the minds of your audience. People are more inclined to remember something if they hear a story to go along with it. Having anecdotes for your key points is a great way to leave a lasting impression and achieve effective public speaking.

Once you are comfortable with what you have to say, the final key to effective public speaking comes from just being yourself. Everyone remembers watching public speakers who were so nervous or awkward that you felt embarrassed for them. Or even someone who made no mistakes, but spoke like a robot and didn't engage the audience at all. Practicing your speech in front of a video camera until you look and sound natural is a good idea for those who are struggling to learn effective public speaking.

When you boil it down, effective public speaking comes from preparation. Spend enough time in preparation to know what you are going to say and to look comfortable saying it. As long as you are organized before you go up to speak, you'll get your point across. After all, getting your point across is the real definition of effective public speaking.

So be sure to check out our pages about Public Speaking Tips, Techniques of Public Speaking, overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking, and Public Speaking Course elsewhere on this site.

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Proper Preparation Is The Key To A Successful Speech
Proper Preparation Is The Key To A Successful Speech By Peter “The Humorator” Fogel Whether I am giving a motivational keynote speech on humor or presenting a corporate comedy show for a client, I want to go the extra mile. You see, when my services are engaged one of my main objectives is to make the person who hired me thrilled with the results, because they are being evaluated based on their decision to hire me. Their reputation is on line. That's why it's important for you to always give 110% in preparation for your speech. Why Are You Giving The Speech To Begin With? Remember: when giving a speech, you are there for a very important reason. Yes, you're speaking to hopefully acquire clients and sell products or services. Yes, it's a very cool way to earn a living with attendees coming up and handing you their VISA or business card. Yes, you can make a lot of money. All that will come when you really stand-out in your audience's hearts and minds and solve their problems. When I am doing a keynote speech on humor to a specific group I use this technique, and you can do the same - to really show them that you did your homework. It takes some time on your part, but it will be worth it. Talk to the person who hired you, to management, as well as the rank and file folks at the firm. Find out what their daily challenges are then discover a solution for it. You see, once you're armed with this info then it's your job to 'find the humor' in their predicament. Humor disarms stress and problems of all shapes and sizes. Discover the common theme that every one is talking about...find out what keeps these folks up at night. Once you hear the same thing over and over again--then you know you can mine 'some gold' out of the predicament. You see, right then and there you've customized your speech for your audience. It's all theirs now. You are speaking about their problems, having fun with it, and giving them techniques to over come their challenges. How To Personalize A Story 'Hey, folks I would've been here earlier but I was stuck talking to (Insert name of problem person) in the hallway. Hey (Insert)’s a great guy...but what's the deal with (Insert problem)? He seems to be really into this...let's figure what this is all about. See how this is done? You are personalizing your speech. Do your homework on a consistent basis and you will have higher evaluation forms. Higher evaluation forms mean more money for you down the road. How will it make you more money? You can now tell perspective clients that you can deliver a customized speech for their organization--that is why your fee is higher than your competitors. Try the above techniques. They work. In the future, I will show you how to construct humor out of pain so you can deliver strong content that will give you an even more powerful presentation to your group. Peter Fogel is the creator of Peter “The Humorator” Fogel’s Guide To Effective Public Speaking. For more information on it and to sign up for his FREE 7 Days To Effective Public Speaking E-course go to www.fortune500comedy.com/PublicSpeakingEBook/index.html

Peter J. Fogel is a copywriter/speaker and the author of the book, “If Not Now… then When? Stories and Strategies of People Over 40 Who Have Successfully Reinvented Themselves.” As a comedian he's appeared on “CBS Morning Program”, “Evening at The Improv”, “Caroline’s Comedy Hour”, “Comedy Central”, and has worked on such sitcoms as “Married With Children” and “Hope and Faith.”

How To Break 'The Fourth Wall' To Connect With Your Audience
Persuasive public speaking is all about connecting with your audience.
One of the quickest ways to heighten your audience connection is to use a theatre acting technique called 'Breaking the Fourth Wall.'

One of the reasons you go to the theatre is to be transported to a different time and place and experience something magical. Of course you know it's a play (or a movie), you paid a ticket to see it, but once there you've suspended disbelief.

Picture two characters on stage having a passionate argument. All of sudden, one character freezes. The other turns to the audience and remarks: 'You think he's angry now... just wait until the second act when he discovers I'm sleeping with his wife!' The audience LAUGHS. The actor then goes back 'into the scene.'

This is called 'Breaking the Fourth Wall.' In this instance, the character is drawing the audience into the scene more by giving them information that the other character is not privy too.

You can do the same thing with your public speaking to make your speech interactive and develop a deeper connection with your audience. If during your speech you have a specific point to make-- stop!

Look out into the front row, make eye contact with an audience member and, if you can, address him by name. (He'll be surprised.) Then ask him a specific question regarding the point you're trying to make.

'Chuck, you're a bright guy - I know this because you're the customer service supervisor, right? What do you say to a customer who returns an item without a receipt he bought back when Clinton was in office--and NOW demands a refund?'

Once Chuck answers, repeat his response to the whole room. Now you've made your speech interactive and taken it to a whole new level.

You've 'Broken the Fourth Wall' by a) including audience member Chuck and b) getting a laugh (hopefully) by making fun of a targeted problem that customer service reps deal with every day.

Want an even bigger response? Throughout your speech, keep referring back to Chuck when making a point. This is called a 'recall' - it will keep your audience engaged and make Chuck feel like a company celebrity.

Use these techniques when you give your next presentation and you'll no longer be perceived as just another 'talking head.' Not only will you personalize your message, but you'll delve even deeper into the hearts and minds of your listeners.

Peter "The Humorator" Fogel is a speaker/author/copywriter and humorist. He is also the creator of Peter "The Humorator" Fogel's Guide To Effective Public Speaking. For more information on his program or his FREE 7 Days To Effective Public Speaking e-course go to www.publicspeaklikeapro.com.

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