Public Speaking: 6 Simple Tips for Getting Control of Your Audience In Seconds

Your moment of truth is about to arrive. You are being introduced. Your name is being announced as are your qualifications and the reasons for being invited. You are naturally apprehensive. You want to do your best. The opening moments of your speech are critically important. A strong opening will go a long way in making your speech a success.

The important steps to incorporate into your first moves are:

- Act confidently - Before you are introduced and while being introduced act confidently. Showing any apprehension only makes your audience become less confident that you know your subject

- Be positive - overindulge in your positive self talk. "Go over the top." This will boost your self-confidence. Your audience will see this confidence and respond accordingly.

- Be purposeful in getting to the podium - once you have been introduced, take a couple of deep breaths to relax any tension. Rise naturally but do not push yourself up with your arms. Stride purposefully to the podium. Once there plant both your feet firmly on the floor and fairly close together. Stand straight and tall. This conveys confidence and will prevent teetering and swinging. Some experienced speakers will lean on the lectern or the back of chair as they have a certain "aura" about them. However, when you are starting out it is best to avoid leaning as it may be interpreted as nervousness.

- Pause - Do not rush into your speech. Take another couple of deep breaths to stave off any stage fright. The pause should only be for a moment to give you a chance to quickly survey your audience. This will give the audience time to settle down. It will also give you time to ensure your brain is engaged before you start to speak.

- Acknowledge and Respond to Your Introduction - A common way to start your speaking is to acknowledge the leaders, the introductory speaker and the audience. Then move onto a complimentary comment concerning the introduction or a quick comeback if the introduction indulged in some kidding. It is an opportune time to add a bit of humor at your expense, especially if over introduced. This has two benefits - it helps the audience to like you as the speaker, and it loosens up and brings the audience together.

- Plan your opening - The opening is the ideal time to use humor to relax the audience and yourself. All your quips should be rehearsed and planned. Start off slow but not too slow that you start to drone on. Your lines should be short and quick. This is not the time for long involved stories. Your remarks should be planned but do not read any humorous lines as this makes it almost impossible to deliver life into them.

The opening "moves" of your speech are critical in setting a successful tone for the speech that follows. The opening should be carefully planned and practiced to gain control of your audience in the seconds that follow your introduction.

Article Source: http://articles.directorygold.com

Edward Hope is the editor and publisher of the recently published e-book "The Art of Great Conversation". Claim your free preview at www.SelfConfidentSpeaking.com

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