So you have to give a speech - now what?

Prepare, prepare, prepare…but don't over-prepare. While that may sound contradictory, you do not want to come off as scripted, cold, and calculated, which over-preparing can sometimes do. 

Taking some time to prepare will manage your stress and anxiety (especially if you’re new to public speaking). I know that it's painful, but, you should record yourself and watch it back.

The audience will always be able to tell whether the words you're saying seem authentic or if someone else wrote each line. Don't read a script verbatim, even if you wrote it. Engage with the audience and make eye contact. If looking at the audience isn't comfortable for you, look just above the crowd.

What to consider:

• Body language and facial expressions

• Eye contact

• Tone

• Audience feedback - what is your timing like? Are you taking the appropriate pauses? If something that just happened in the audience, don’t ignore it, go with it.

Practice is the only way to get better. Keep doing it and know that it's a process. Asking for feedback can be helpful, but, seeking counsel from too many people will only muddle the process and confuse you. Find one or two confidants.

Have questions? Feel free to reach out and ask me.