How to Be an Effective Speaker

¶ … public speaker, one must be able to relate to his or her audience, so that an intrinsic relationship is created. Otherwise, without this bond, the audience is most likely to feel neglect and neglect the speaker as well. Looking at the audience and the way this is done is crucial for the connection to be formed. If one stares at certain persons from the audience or choose predominant areas in which to look, the effect is lost, because parts of the audience will feel neglected. Instead, it is advisable that the audience is divided into quadrants and that each quadrant is equally covered. This type of approach has several important advantages. First of all, each part of the room is looked at and, second of all, the visual impression created is that ten or more people are looked at.

Another important component that helps establish a relationship with the audience is the visual aids one aims in using in a presentation. Moderation is a key word here: too many visual words will somewhat dilute the presentation, but if there is no use, the audience is likely to get bored. The visual aids are the most important auxiliary tool that helps in a presentation. They can be used to express an idea that cannot be expressed in words or to capture the audience's attention. In many situations, the audience can be easily taken into a visual aid.

As for the speech itself, it is advisable that this is not written down and thereafter read. Such an action would usually tend to crate the worst impression within the audience, as it may point out towards the fact that the speaker is not prepared well enough on the subject to speak from notes and, additionally, the bond with the audience is inexistent.

One of the best methods to use in terms of speech is to use the presentation slides and other visual aids as key notes for the speech itself. There are several advantages here. First of all, the relationship between the visual aids and the speech itself is crated, without the possibility of the audience to lose interest in one or the other. Second of all, it is physically easy to follow through on a presentation and speak from the slides.

Body language is often essential for the success of a presentation. The speaker needs to adopt a poise that will help create a sensation of confidence and relaxation, of being at ease with the subject and being able to deliver a good presentation. Further more, a proper body language will create the interconnectivity between the audience and the speaker.

Every part of the body is important here, from the posture itself to the ways the hands are held and used. For example, gestures that are repeated over and over again will tend to annoy and emotionally upset the audience. The hands cannot be placed inside the pockets either, because, in many formal situations, this is considered inappropriate. The solution depends on the type of audience and the response the speaker is willing to create. The hands could go alongside the body and be used when the speaker intends to make a point, cover a certain issue and emphasize it with a gesture. Otherwise, the hands can be placed on the table or desk in front of the speaker and, in certain situations, they can also be used to explain the different slides and visual aids, although it is better that a pointing rod is used in this case.

It is often the case that many of the things discussed previously cannot be applied because of the speaker's nerves. These can actually be controlled so as to ensure the success of the entire public speaking activity. In terms of body language and body postures, the Alexander Technique, used by musicians and speaker alike, helps impose a certain posture and trains the speaker how to use the body correctly.

On the other hand, from a physical perspective, breathing and relaxation techniques are important in order to induce physical relaxation, but one should never ignore the psychological difficulties and nerves that may appear before or during a presentation.