So you want to be a speaker?
Is there something within you wanting to become a public speaker? Do you feel you have a pertinent message for women today? Do you watch public speakers and say to yourself “I think I could do that”?
When I was a teen girl, the thought of public speaking terrified me. On the list of terrifying experiences, public speaking is at the top! As a shy, introverted young woman, I never dreamed that the desire, call or gift to speak publicly was lodged within me. Yet in time, God used circumstances, situations, and people to draw this gift out.
Sometimes the gift of public speaking is naturally expressed even in childhood but for most others, it is a gift buried deep within waiting to be released and needing the opportunity.
My development in this area came the hard way because the biggest hurdle I had to overcome was my fear of people. Learning to speak publicly was yet another development process.
Here are some things I’ve learned about public speaking:
1. Be well prepared. Learn how to prepare a message/talk that has content, humor, stories and life applications. In every presentation there should be 4 legs – Information, entertainment, passion and a call to action.
2. Ensure that there is a good flow in your material because you are taking your hearers on a journey. Review your material so that you are not rambling or disjointed in the flow. Have a strong beginning and a strong ending. Bookend your presentation.
3. Listeners today have short attention spans so you must have variety not only in material but in tone and pause points. Listeners come from the perspective of “what’s in it for me.” So the focus is on giving to them. Too much material can be overwhelming….even in public speaking, ‘less is more’.
4. Ensure that you have enough material to fill your allotted time. Respect the time given to you.
5. Don’t use too many ‘big’ words – be ordinary in your use of grammar. Remember the point is to be clearly understood. Stay away from “Uh…Uhhh…Ummmm” and comments such as : “I haven’t really prepared anything…” Women want content or they feel that their time has been wasted.
Is there something within you wanting to become a public speaker? Do you feel you have a pertinent message for women today? Do you watch public speakers and say to yourself “I think I could do that”?
When I was a teen girl, the thought of public speaking terrified me. On the list of terrifying experiences, public speaking is at the top! As a shy, introverted young woman, I never dreamed that the desire, call or gift to speak publicly was lodged within me. Yet in time, God used circumstances, situations, and people to draw this gift out.
Sometimes the gift of public speaking is naturally expressed even in childhood but for most others, it is a gift buried deep within waiting to be released and needing the opportunity.
My development in this area came the hard way because the biggest hurdle I had to overcome was my fear of people. Learning to speak publicly was yet another development process.
Here are some things I’ve learned about public speaking:
1. Be well prepared. Learn how to prepare a message/talk that has content, humor, stories and life applications. In every presentation there should be 4 legs – Information, entertainment, passion and a call to action.
2. Ensure that there is a good flow in your material because you are taking your hearers on a journey. Review your material so that you are not rambling or disjointed in the flow. Have a strong beginning and a strong ending. Bookend your presentation.
3. Listeners today have short attention spans so you must have variety not only in material but in tone and pause points. Listeners come from the perspective of “what’s in it for me.” So the focus is on giving to them. Too much material can be overwhelming….even in public speaking, ‘less is more’.
4. Ensure that you have enough material to fill your allotted time. Respect the time given to you.
5. Don’t use too many ‘big’ words – be ordinary in your use of grammar. Remember the point is to be clearly understood. Stay away from “Uh…Uhhh…Ummmm” and comments such as : “I haven’t really prepared anything…” Women want content or they feel that their time has been wasted.
This is Part 1 of a 2-Part Blog in our "So you want to be a..." Career Series.
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1 comment:
Great advice. Also, Toastmasters International is an ideal place to get started and practise for a speaking career.
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