Mastering the art of public speaking is no easy feat because it involves serious effort and practice. As a public speaker who wants to master the art of public speaking, there is a lot of work to be done and a lot of things to learn.
In this article, renowned public speaker Chris de Diego will share some of those tips on how to be a master at public speaking.
Chris, do you think public speakers are born or made?
Like every other skill, there are those who would seem more naturally inclined to public speaking than others. However, I wouldn’t say public speakers are born.
Public speakers are made through practice and training. It doesn’t matter if you find it easy or tough, you still have to go through the process of developing yourself to a become public speaker.
What qualities do you think every public speaker should have?
Without doubt there are many qualities a public speaker should have but I’ll just mention a couple. As a public speaker, you have to be bold and confident because you’ll need to face a crowd.
You should be articulate and fluent in whatever language you make your speech in, as this is necessary to help make sure that communication with the audience is not strained.
The use of Body language is also important. It is a way of communicating without using words that involves the use of facial expressions and gestures. You need to have a strong body language when speaking.
How should public speakers, aspiring or established, beat stage fright?
Stage fright is something most people experience when they have to face a crowd, so it is quite normal. However, you need to overcome it if you don’t want to sound jittery while speaking.
To do that, you should adequately prepare for your speech. Also, while speaking, try to look above the heads of the audience if staring at faces may distract you or cause you to fret.
You may not be able to defeat stage fright entirely, but you can learn to properly manage it.
What are your thoughts on audience relations and feedback in public speaking?
Audiences are one of the most important factors in public speaking. Positive audience feedback is a validation for any public speaker. Keep the focus on the audience and gauge their reaction as you proceed with your speech.
You should also learn to understand and adapt to the type of audience you are speaking to. Always engage and acknowledge your audience as you carefully but graciously give your speech.
What practices would the famous Chris de Diego advise public speakers to engage in so as to adequately hone their skills?
Basically, any public speaker willing to get better should focus on continuous research to come up with detailed speech contents. Most importantly, you should train as often as you can by holding mock public speaking sessions with your friends and family.
Finally, remember to try out various techniques, create your own identity as a public speaker and watch yourself develop into that spectacular speaker you have always wanted to become.
Want more simple and effective public speaking tips? Connect with Chris de Diego on Twitter!