Find your unique voice
Three key elements in speaking to an audience:
PREPARE YOURSELF
PREPARE YOUR MESSAGE
PREPARE FOR YOUR SPEAKING SPACE
Two things people love to hear – laughter and the sound of their name!
1. PREPARE YOURSELF
§ Find a routine that you know relaxes you
§ Diaphragm Breathing relaxes your body and puts your voice in good shape. The "production area" of your voice is in the core of your body – your diaphragm; and is the very basis of your speaking voice.
§ Confirm to yourself (Self Talk) that you know the PURPOSE of your talk and you know the main facts. Being familiar with your speech will negate any nerves.
§ You are going to do a fabulous job!
§ Believe in yourself
§ Be friends with your voice – do some yawns, hums, KA, GA ,HA , and deep breaths to release any tension in neck and shoulders
§ Grab that spotlight! Enjoy and have fun!
2. PREPARE YOUR MESSAGE
§ Who is your audience?
§ What do they know about the subject of your message?
§ What is the relationship between you and the people you are talking to?
§ What’s in it for you?
§ What’s in it for them?
§ Connect with them in every way you know how – pose questions – have them answering “yes or no” or at least nodding, wherever appropriate. Once you have the audience’s attention – try not to let it go.
3. PREPARE FOR YOUR SPEAKING SPACE (ENVIRONMENT)
§ Get a feel for your speaking space
§ Make sure all your technical equipment is working before you start
§ Avoid getting rushed or stressed into answering questions on the spot. Maybe delay until a better time for you? Better still, learn the art of answering questions
§ “Walk through” your performance which starts from when you rise from your chair to go to the speaking space.
§ Rehearse in the speaking space if possible
Two things people love to hear – laughter and the sound of their name!
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