We are talking and listening throughout the whole life. Do we, however, really know how to do it? Can we talk engagingly and to the point? Are we able to express ourselves and fight the stage fright? We can engage and persuade listeners? These are questions asked by Alena Horáková, Managing Director of AHA PR Agency, in her article on public speaking that was published on HRNews.cz.
Good news is that our communication and presentation skills can be improved. Alena Horáková explains that if you learn how speak in front of people, you can:
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increase your self-confidence,
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convince them of the benefits of your services and products,
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defend your ideas and opinions,
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present your achievements,
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attract and retain customers,
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strengthen your position,
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get your dream job and earn more money.
Brief principles of public speaking
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Choose a topic and prepare your speech.
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Greet the audience, introduce yourself and establish contact.
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Familiarize the audience with the topic you are going to speak about.
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Speak to the point, be brief.
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Choose the right words.
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Speak politely and clearly.
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Work with your voice.
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Use body language.
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Present arguments and persuade.
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Speak with passion and concern.
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Motivate and inspire the audience.
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In conclusion, summarize the most important ideas.
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Answer questions and say goodbye.
What else to focus on?
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Knowledge of the topic
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Adaptation of the communication to the audience's needs
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Simple and clear formulation of important ideas
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Captivation of the audience, keeping attention and persuasion
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The art of listening, understanding verbal and non-verbal communication signals
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Responding to people's reactions, accepting the arguments of others and handling objections
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First impression - how to encourage tha audience
Evaluating criteria for public speaking
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The speaker is able to establish and keep contact with the audience.
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The audience understands the speaker clearly.
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The main idea is clear for the whole time.
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Examples are compelling and well-chosen.
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The speaker's vocabulary is rich.
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There are no language mistakes.
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Length of the speech is reasonable and gathers momentum.
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The speech can be a challenge to debate.