Our members will share many public speaking tips with you when you visit as a guest, but if you need some tips right away, here are some of the best:

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1. Know your material

Pick a topic you are interested in. Know more about it than you include in your speech. Use humour, personal stories and conversational language. That way you won’t easily forget what to say.

 

2. Practice. Practice. Practice

Rehearse out loud with all equipment you plan on using. Work to control filler words; Practice, pause and breathe.

Practice with a timer and allow time for the unexpected.

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3. Know the audience

Greet some of the audience members as they arrive. It’s easier to speak to a group of friends than to strangers.

 

4. Know the room

Arrive early, walk around the speaking area and practice using the microphone and any visual aids.

 

5. Relax

Begin by addressing the audience. It buys you time and calms your nerves.

Pause, smile and count to three before saying anything. Transform nervous energy into enthusiasm.

 

6. Don’t apologise for any nervousness or problem

The audience probably never noticed it.

 

7. Concentrate on the message

Focus your attention away from your own anxieties and concentrate on your message and your audience.

 

8. Gain experience

Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking. 

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Come along and find out for yourself! The best way to learn to is join in and put these tips to use.