How do we make our speech effective? Why do we sometimes remain misunderstood despite our efforts? What prevents us from being heard? Some people believe that effective communication is something from the arsenal of business psychology, and people who do not need to conduct business negotiations do not need to learn to express their ideas effectively. Others consider effective speech something inherent to great speakers such as Martin Luther King or Mahatma Gandhi. While most people are not born true orators, they can learn to master the ability to speak effectively.
Here are some tips to consider while delivering your speech:
Knowing Your Audience
It is critical to grab your audience’s attention. Do you remember how in the “Wall Street” movie, a young stock broker played by Charlie Sheen received only five minutes to convince the “shark” of the exchange market (Michael Douglas) to take him on as a member of his team? The success of a speech depends largely on how much you can interest the audience in hearing what you have to say (North, 2016). You need a strategy for increasing the importance of the speech to the audience, conveying its paramount idea, and turning a listener into a follower of your views. We all consider ourselves unique and want to be interesting to others. Being sincerely interested in your audience and knowing their expectations comprise the key to effective speech delivery.
Verbals and Vocals
Voice and speech patterns, speed and volume are important for a speaker because, according to numerous scholarly studies, up to 60 percent of all information is transmitted to the audience through these aspects of speech. Any report should be expressive and include some emotional aspects such as quietness, solemnity, reproachfulness, beseeching, etc. By varying the tonality, speed, and volume of the performance, you can align your speech to the general theme and the overall aim. Verbals and vocals may be determined by the composition of the audience (for example, the average age or their careers) as well as its general mood for receiving the speech. The proper choice of this or that voice or volume in the process of speaking leads to more vivid presentation of the main idea put forward by the speaker in various parts of the performance.
Non-Verbals
The way you speak non-verbally also matters. Behavioral techniques that focus on posture, gestures, mimicry, and eye contact may attract your audience and help listeners to perceive the key idea. For example, psychological research has found that smiling speakers seem to be considered more attractive as people tend to ascribe to them the best human qualities (Bonaccio, O’Reilly, O’Sullivan, & Chiocchio, 2016). Smiling shows the audience that communication with the speaker is pleasurable.
Stand straight! During the performance, straighten your back and take your shoulders back as well. A slight smile, a glance at the far wall of the room, and your posture should express confidence and openness. Gesticulation should be synchronous and consonant with what you say. By making movements with your hands, you emphasize the main thoughts and add confidence to your words. Choose one of the listeners and make eye contact as if you were telling your story to him or her and then move to another person. This will increase your concentration and prevent the so-called wandering look.
Visual Aids
Illustrations, tables, charts, and infographics are powerful instruments to supplement your words. Visual aids are useful to help the audience remember information and increase their interest in the topic of the presentation. Simplicity and the size of the visual aids comprise two issues to be kept in mind while preparing and displaying them. Another benefit of using visual aids is that one can use them as speaker notes to be sure that every topic was discussed. They may also help speakers to cope with nervousness before delivering the speech, as a speaker would know that he or she can always refer to the prepared materials. The visual aids should help you to organize the speech in the most effective manner possible.
Coping with Nervous Energy
Nervousness is normal for all people. The adrenaline rush makes you more alert, yet this feeling should be controlled. Coopman and Lull (2015) state that “concentrating on your speech anxiety distracts you from what you want to say and makes you more nervous” (p. 36). Instead, practice your speech, learn everything about your topic, and be ready for questions. Once a speaker becomes comfortable with the topic selected, he or she becomes less prone to nervousness. It is also useful to record your speech or videotape yourself in order to take a look at your presentation from the audience’s point of view.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Communicating with people, especially delivering speeches, is an art. To master it, it is necessary to gain competence in many subtle effects and possess special skills, many of which are seemingly unrelated to communication. However, it is their presence that makes people brilliant speakers and interesting interlocutors. Tell stories and be positive while practicing your speech. Call your friends or family and ask them to listen to your speech and comment on your presentation in general, and also on how well you use the tips listed in this blog in particular. Practice, practice, practice!
References
Bonaccio, S., O’Reilly, J., O’Sullivan, S. L., & Chiocchio, F. (2016). Nonverbal behavior and communication in the workplace: A review and an agenda for research. Journal of Management, 42(5), 1044-1074.
Coopman, S. J., & Lull, J. (2015). Public speaking: The evolving art (3rd ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.
North, M. L. (2016). 10 Tips for improving your public speaking skills.