EFFECTIVE SPEAKING

Speech is like a baby -- easy to conceive, hard to deliver. Yet it is a fact that every day of your life you are speaking without preparation. So why get flustered when asked to speak in front of new people?

Learning to speak effectively is useful not only for giving speeches, but to get your way anywhere anytime. Remember that first opinions are formed within 10 seconds, and final opinions are formed within 4 minutes. Also, every individual, however shy and reserved, CAN build up communication, presentation and speaking skills with a little training and lots of practice.

Effective speaking needs the following qualities:

Generating interest
Giving information
Explaining
Ending with goal, summation, question, etc.

The most important factor is to relate to the people who are listening to you, generate their interest, make them feel that what you are saying is beneficial to them, and to get the pulse of the audience and their expectations.

To be an effective speaker you need to understand how people listen.

People WILL listen to you if:

You make a good beginning
You are animated and graphic
You have enthusiasm, sincerity, vitality
Your voice is modulated, and at right speed
You maintain eye contact
You are interested in your own talk
You in turn listen to others
Smile warmly, without pride or fear
Break monotony with joke, anecdote, even silence
Involve the listeners with questions
Pause for dramatic effect after making a point
Summarize, ask for action, and end on a high note

People will NOT listen to you IF:

They anticipate what you are going to talk
They are planning what to say when it is their turn
They are tired or worried
If the voice of the speaker is dull and monotonous
Topic is difficult to understand
Topic is too simple and basic
Speaker lacks credibility or confidence
Environment is bad -- uncomfortable chairs, too hot, noise disturbance, etc.
If you start with a long resume about yourself
If you are reading out from prepared text or narrating memorized paragraphs

A mother has trouble putting one child to sleep, but a bad speaker can easily put a hundred persons to sleep.

REMEMBER THE PITFALLS:

Writing cannot be converted into talking
Be clear whether you want to inform/motivate/persuade/explore or entertain
Be sure about the background of the audience
Mould your thinking and ideas to the audience
If you start by saying "I am going to convince you about..." you defeat the very purpose
Unlike in reading, listeners cannot rewind, fast forward or change the speed of intake
Do not try to take others' proverbs/anecdotes as your own, except in a lighter vein.
Avoid jargon, detailed figures (eg: 48.27%), technical abbreviations
If your voice drops at the end of every sentence, it shows your lack of confidence & clarity suffers. Voice modulation is a skill that needs to be inculcated systematically.
When interrupted irritatingly, scold, smile and continue

Be aware when questions should be encouraged

-- do not allow interruptions to disturb your flow

-- answer may be contained in latter part of your talk

-- only one person may be interested in that question.

Don't allow one person to interrupt, and you also do not interrupt a question midway

If attention is slipping, CATCH ATTENTION of audience by:

Asking a question (start with very easy questions that most can answer)
Calling out someone by name or by pointing out
Using quotes and proverbs (which are topical and relevant)
Jokes (it must be funny!) -- of the level of listener
Telling them something personal about yourself, or an interesting anecdote
Changing your position, moving around, using your arms
Doing something unusual and unexpected (think, be creative about what you can do)

BODY LANGUAGE: plays a vital role

The way you enter or get up to talk, how you face audience in the beginning
Give a warm smile, indicating -- "I am happy to be here with you"
Maintain eye contact -- many emotions are expressed by eyes
Avoid eye contact with one person or segment in a group, let your eyes roam
Hands should avoid -- fiddling, patting, clutching, scratching, hiding, pointing, resting on table by leaning down
Hand gestures should be moderate, from arms, relaxed, and not half hearted
Do not hide your body behind lectern, bag etc. Be visible
Feet -- do not shuffle, shift from one to another, rock to and fro, rise on your toes

The best way to get attention span in a long talk is to say:

"Finally let me conclude by saying......"

The best tool that ensures that you make an impact and leave a lasting impression is – be genuine. Speak only on topics you actually believe in, be passionate about the topic, talk from your experiences and beliefs, respect the audience and their sensitivity. And – adhere to time limits, be brief and complete before they expect you to close.

You too can be a good speaker!

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