Fearless Public Speaking Lessons Chapter 1 Getting it right ps1-0. Introduction ps1-1. Fearless public speaking ps1-2. Remember why ps1-3. Have something to say ps1-4. Know your time limits ps1-5. Research your topic ps1-6. Write your introduction ps1-7. The leave behind ps1-8. Review Chapter 2 Preparing your speech ps2-0. Introduction ps2-1. Create your title ps2-2. Start with your ending ps2-3. Find your opening ps2-4. Don't memorize, outline ps2-5. Show, don't just tell ps2-6. Hands on training ps2-7. Speaking, not just words ps2-8. Review Chapter 3 Making your presentation ps3-0. Introduction ps3-1. Room setup ps3-2. Schmooze your audience ps3-3. Get the right light ps3-4. Silence is loud ps3-5. Gaze not glance ps3-6. Dress for success ps3-7. Review |
Lessonps3-4. Silence is loud
If your audience laughs at your jokes, keep quiet and enjoy the laughter. That is a sure sign you have successfully connected with them. Continue holding your silence as long as they continue laughing. If they constantly interrupt your speech with applause, fantastic. Consider the applause part of your presentation. Let them keep going. Wait until the applause dies down before continuing. However, cut down your speech from the middle part so you can still deliver your conclusion in full and end on time. Under no circumstances should you stop your speech to answer questions. This will destroy your momentum and annoy everyone other than the speaker. Here is an example of Nikki Haley, former US Ambassador to the United Nations, introducing Congressman Ralph Norman, the main speaker for a campaign in South Carolina. See how she moves on the stage, speaking to all sides of the room. Notice how she stops speaking when the audience laughs. She waits for them to quiet down before continuing. And several times after that, when the audience applauds, she stops speaking. She picks up where she left off as soon as the room quiets down. This way, the audience hears every word she says. Never compete with the noise, and never rush through your speech. PracticeWe are going to simulate a loud audience. First, practice without recording a two-minute talk on a subject you enjoy and know well, so you do not have to write a speech. Just practice keeping it under two minutes.
Play the audio or video when you are ready to talk for the video. Once you start it, you will have 10 seconds before it begins, so you have time to get it in place. When the audience makes noise, stop talking until it dies down. The noise will interfere with your speech, so you need to shorten it because your talk must end after two minutes. Good luck! |