Be yourself. Never imitate
someone else. Don't try to sound professional. Sound like yourself.
Being yourself makes it
easier to relate to the audience, and more importantly, easier for the audience
to relate to you.
Enjoy yourself. An audience
will feel any discomfort you are feeling.
Dress appropriate to the
occasion.
If the topic is serious, be
serious. But also be enthusiastic, lively, relaxed and confident.
Confidence is crucial.
Seriousness without enthusiasm and confidence almost guarantees boredom.
And, yes, humor will work
with serious topics.
Humor without confidence is a
killer.
Look at individuals in the
audience. Make eye contact. Speak to them like they are old friends.
Try to start a speech with a grabber, an ice-breaker. This
can be as simple as presenting the topic (visually, if possible), and asking the
audience what they would want to hear about it?
An appropriate joke or story
or one-liner that illustrates the topic is great -- if you think it's great. If
you have any doubt about any type of humor, you likely will lack the confidence
to deliver it naturally and effectively.
Pause for effect. Let the listeners reflect and absorb. But
only briefly, then hit them with your next point.
Audio-visuals are great to enhance a speech, not to help you
remember it. We've all been bored by speakers who simply read their PowerPoint
outlines.
If you use audio-visuals,
always have a Plan B, in case something goes wrong.
Time is important. Keep track
of it and never go beyond the allowed limit.
The old teaching advice still
works well for public speakers: Tell 'em what you're going to tell them ... tell
them ... then tell them what you told 'em.
Closing on your main point is
always best.
Enjoy the whole experience.
When you enjoy your speech, odds are the audience will enjoy it, too. And you
will have met their need, so they will remember you.
