We all have our fears, don’t we? Some of us are afraid of heights, others fear being in closed spaces all alone and a few of us are terrified of being in the dark. Among the many fears that plague many of us as we get older, the fear of getting up in front of people and speaking confidently is a major one. There are tonnes of sites and resources offering tips on how to overcome the fear but, in this specific article, we want to look at some points to guide you and help you become a better public speaker.
The following list of pointers from The Art of Manliness is a superb find. It takes its ideas from the brilliant politician and orator, Winston Churchill, and we hope it will be helpful to you as you improve yourself:
1. Write our what you want to say. Much as it’s great to be able to speak without looking like you’re reading, it’s also wise to have the back up of written notes, in case things go wrong or you get distracted.
2. Craft your speech with great care. Don’t be afraid to write and re-write and re-write and re-write and… (you get the picture).
3. Choose the right words. Read widely and widen your vocabulary. This will help in having a broad choice of words to choose from specific to each speech you need to deliver.
4. Infuse your speech with a compelling and musical rhythm. The way you sound when you speak creates a certain effect on your audience.
5. Build your argument towards an inescapable conclusion. The way you end your speech matters. Do it powerfully!
6. Use rich imagery and analogy. Paint beautiful, lasting pictures in the minds of your listeners.
7. Give voice to people’s latent sentiments and ideals. If you are able to speak for people and not just to them, you will win the audience’s hearts.
8. Be sincere. Feel what you are saying and don’t just talk about it.
If you’d like to check out the full article from The Art of Manliness, click here.