Speaking with Confidence: How to Dazzle an Audience with Your Speech

During the Presentation

Posture

Your posture should always be upright. Do not hunch your body, or slouch. Your legs should be slightly shoulder-width apart. And your head should be maintained at “eye-level” when you are speaking. Keeping an upright position would give you the attention you need, since it shows that you are speaking and therefore people should hear you out!

Eye-contact

Throughout your speech, always remember to remain eye-contact with your audience. Do not stare at the screen, turn your back on the audience, or stare at your cards when you are presentation. Always remember that you are “commanding” an audience now. Do not let them perceive as if you are reading directly off the slides or speech cards. You can shift your glance from left to right, or vice versa if you want, depending on how comfortable you are. Alternatively, you can choose to fix your sight on a particular person.

Body gestures

Do take note that it is understandable and perfectly alright to move your hands when you are speaking. It is a form of gesturing and it can actually help with the flow of the speech. Sometimes, a speech requires you to get emotional, thus you might need to move your hands to convey a particular message. This form of non-verbal communication, if done in moderation, can actually facilitate your speech well. However, do not overdo it. Also, you need to avoid on gestures like swaying your body from side to side when you are speaking, or putting your hands in your pocket. Little minute details like scratching your head, or adjusting your tie can be distracting, and the audience can see your actions clearly! You are under the “limelight”, remember?

Voice tone

The most important instrument of all during a speech is your voice. If you speak too softly, the audience cannot hear what you are trying to bring across. If a microphone is available, use one. During the speech, do not sound like you are just reading. Your voice should not be monotonous. Depending on the speech content, vary your voice tones. For example, you might want to raise your voice if you want to emphasize on a particular point. Just don’t make the speech a boring drone.

Before you end your presentation

Question & Answer

You can opt for a “Q&A” session, depending on the relevance of your topic. If a question is posed, try to answer it to the best of your knowledge. If you are in doubt, you might direct the question to another person(or the lecturer for instance) to help you out.

In any case where there are no questions posed by the audience, you can direct a question to them instead. This is to check if they are familiar with your topic after your speech, and ensure that they were paying attention when you were speaking!

Thank the audience

Last but not least, thank the audience for their kind attention and for hearing you out. This is just some basic courtesy. And it is a must. You might also add that they are welcome to talk to you should they have any issues with regards with your topic.

In a Nutshell…

With proper preparation before the speech and things to take note of during the presentation, you should be ready as a confident speaker. Remember that what separates the speaker and the audience is that you as the speaker have control over the stage. Should you be able to convince your audience with your speech? It is really your call.

Other articles by me:

• Irresistable: Eight Ways to Make Anyone Like You
• Five Simple Words You Need to Live Life to the Fullest
• With Love: Five Ways to Show You Love Someone