Do's and Don'ts of Public Speaking

Speaking in public gives you the opportunity to put a new idea into someone's head. The biggest fear associated with public speaking are:

- Going Blank
- Dry Mouth
- Damp Palms
- Insomnia the previous night
- Panic
- and many more

Fear of public speaking comes at the top of the list of personal fears miles ahead of going to the Dentist , despite so many people have to do this regularly within their job.

Here are a couple of pointers to assist you to getting across your point to your audience:

THE DONT'S:

- Dont tell jokes unless you are normally a witty person
- Don't wear something that's louder than you are
- Don't use cliches.
- Don't learn it off by heart as this will come across as boring to your audience
- Don't imitate other speakers, their quotes nor their gestures
- Don't hand your speech out in advance as the audience can read faster than you can speak
- Don't keep talking if there is a distraction. If people come late then welcome them and wait until they are seated

THE DO'S

- Do have a look over the venue in advance
- Do turn off your mobile phone
- Do use pointer cards but only a few otherwise you can get confused
- Do trust that your audience is there to listen to what you have to say. They are not a lynching mob.
- Do look straight ahead at your audience whilst making a speech
- Do have a glass of water nearby to clear any frogs in your throat
- Do make your speech anyway and you will find that there really is nothing to be afraid of