July 2003 Features e¢ the other press © (~ ~\ 10 Tips for Successful Public Speaking Feeling some nervousness before giv- ing a speech is natural and healthy. It shows you care about doing well. But too much nervousness can be detri- mental. Here’s how you can control basement of the Santa Ana YMCA. oa your nervousness and make effective, This time, the concept caught on and : . memorable presentations: soon Smedley was helping those in other communities organize their own 1. Know the room. Be familiar with Toastmasters club. When a club was he place in whict ill speak. established in our very own New me Place in wire you wilt spea Westminster in the 1930s, the federa- tion became known as Toastmasters International. Soon, clubs began appearing in other parts of the world and now Toastmasters has nearly 190,000 members in 9,000 clubs in over 70 countries — from Antarctica to Zimbabwe Now, after two months of Toastmasters, Mary and I are hooked. ee . 7 familiar with your material or are Toastmasters has surprised eee When a club Was established in uncomfortable with it, your nervous- ways. “I didn’t think it would be this ness will increase. Practice your much fun,” says Mary. “It’s a hoot. ; | You laugh a lot. I didn’t expect that in our very Own Ne ew Wes , m1 nster 1 nN speccts auch revise ir ecaaty | Arrive early, walk around the speak- ing area, and practice using the microphone and any visual aids. 2. Know the audience. Greet some of the audience as they arrive. It’s easier to speak to a group of friends than to a group of strangers. 3. Know your material. If you're not the context of becoming a public j speaker.” the 1930s, the federation became 4. Relax. Ease tension by doing exer- As for me, I’m getting the hang of aie chip rotocol thing. Tm getting better k nown as Toas tmasters 5. Visualize yourself giving your at standing up and talking — or shut- ting up, as the case may be — in front of people. I'm becoming a more | focused speaker, a better listener, and I’m learning interesting facts and triv- ap pe ar. 1 ng 1 nN oth er pa rts O yf th e at eee ia from other members’ speeches. I’m aso learning how ro evaluate others’ §—- WOLA and today, Toastmasters has as y ede meee par : , succeed. Audiences want you to be - — a ae ee wd . interesting, stimulating, informative, Se enc nearly 1 9 0, 000 me mbe 1S 1n 9 000 and entertaining. They don’t want in you to fail. And who knows, maybe one day I'll do a speech on belly dancing. Ladies clubs in over 70 countries — from and gentlemen, fellow toastmasters, look out! An td rcti Ca to Z1 m b a bw é. a your nervousness or apologize for any problems you think you have with your speech you may be calling the audience’s attention to something they hadn’t noticed. Keep silent. : speech. Imagine yourself speaking, International. Soon, clubs began yout voice loud, clear, and assured, When you visualize yourself as suc- 7. Don’t apologize. If you mention 8. Concentrate on the message — not the medium. Focus you attention away from your own anxieties and outwardly toward you message and your audience. Your nervousness will dissipate. 9. Turn nervousness into positive energy. Harness your nervous energy and transform it into vitality and enthusiasm. 10. Gain experience. Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking. A Toastmasters club can provide the experience you need. Reprinted with permission of Toastmasters International KY A http://otherpress.douglas.be.ca © Page 23 Pe.