Tip #1. If They Can't Understand You, They Won't Hear Your Message - If you talk too quickly, mumble or slur your words, the audience will not understand you and your message will be lost. If they cannot understand you or worse, cannot hear you, you will not make a positive impression on your crowd.
Tip #2. Keep Them Awake And Alert - Nothing puts an audience to sleep faster than somebody who speaks in a monotone voice. Learn to use pitch for variation and accent your power words. Project your voice clearly and strongly. It is also appropriate to use hand gestures for emphasizing a particular point. Occasionally ask the audience a question - this helps keep the audience involved and on their toes.
Tip #3. Your Tempo Matters - Don't speak in a slow, drawn-out manner for your whole speech or you will likely lose your audience's attention. Also, be aware that the speed of speech affects how your message is interpreted. Talk fast when you wish to convey excitement or urgency. Slow down when you want your words to sink in.
Tip #4. Use The Right Volume For Your Audience - Project your voice so people can hear you easily, especially if you are speaking in front of a small group with no microphone. Conversely, if you are using a microphone, don't shout into the microphone or your audience will want to cover their ears. Practice the art of emphasis through raising or lowering your voice to get key points across and keep your speech interesting.
Tip #5. Don't Use Unnecessary Words To Fill Silences - Some people use words such as "um, ah and okay" while they are thinking of their next sentence or if they are nervous about giving a speech. Doing this will dilute your message and you will lose your impact as a speaker. Learn to either keep your conversation flowing or be comfortable with an occasional brief pause for transitions.
Tip #6. Increase Your Credibility - You will increase your credibility if your listeners feel that they can relate to you. Tell stories that will pique your audience's interest. When you do present your success or outcome, keep it simple. You can always go into detail with handouts.
Tip #7. Connect On A Personal Level With Your Audience - When possible, use the names of people from the audience. Doing this will draw more attention to you and cause your voice to become embedded in the audience's mind.
Tip #8. Rehearse Your Speech Out Loud - It can be difficult to know how your speech will sound unless you rehearse aloud. Consider recording your presentation before you deliver your speech. Play the recording, listen to how you sound and make positive changes. If possible, do a dry run in front of someone and let them critique you. But don't get offended by any criticism they give you - use their feedback to improve your speech. And if they tell you that it was perfect, find someone else to critique your speech because there is always room for improvement.
Summary - When giving a speech, be prepared and make sure your voice sounds interesting. Use the voice techniques listed above to keep your listeners engaged. After you give a speech your audience should feel empowered and know that they learned something useful.
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