I Have to Give a Speech - Now What

By Larry B Gray

job, jobs, career

"I have to speak in front of how many people?" This statement will send chills through the toughest and smartest people. The fear of public speaking is real and we all face it at one time or another. I often speak in front of others and I still have panic attacks.

I have read books and attended seminars on public speaking and there is no "one size fits all" method to prepare for a speech. I have found that I will use tidbits from all the methods I have studied and vary them depending on the topic and venue.

There are a few points I always use:

• Know your topic.
• Know your audience.
• Be prepared.

These can be applied to every situation I find myself having to speak about.

One of the most important parts of speaking on a given subject is to know the subject you are talking about. I don't mean you have to be an expert on the topic but you have to do your research and preparation so you understand the basics of the topic. It is painfully obvious to the audience when a speaker is speaking about something they have no idea about. Even if they are reading verbatim from a script you can usually tell how much the speaker knows and understands by the inflections he puts into the words. Do your research on the topic before you are scheduled to talk. You may not be the expert but you will sound and appear confident.

You also need to know your audience. Who you are speaking too makes a big difference in how you present the subject matter. How you dress, the props you use, and the amount of detail you give can all be affected by the type of audience. Whether you are talking to a class of six graders, a working group of engineers, a professional seminar or a top level executive committee, who are only interested in highlights, will determine the type of speech, the content of your speech and props and handouts you will need.. By researching your audience you can be prepared to handle their questions and cover what they hope to get out of your speech.

Be prepared when you take the stage. Have all your notes arranged in order and easy to access. Have your props ready and available. A quick way to turn an audience off is to fumble around with your notes and props. I have seen speakers who I have wonder if they had ever seen their notes before the speech. Review your notes and props before you give your speech. Practice your speech using your notes and props preferably before someone you trust to give you and honest critique. Practicing it several times will pay dividends when it comes time to talk.