Before you do anything else, memorize your speech when you are getting ready to deliver a presentation. Once you are able to give your speech without looking at your notes, you can start to perfect your delivery. This will help you to be relaxed in front of the crowd.
To help boost your confidence level imagine giving your speech to a crowd who is anxious to hear your speech. Imagine the audience standing to their feet giving you a standing ovation when you complete your speech. This will help you feel confident when the time comes to deliver your speech.
Become familiar with the venue in which you will make your speech. Find out how far your voice goes in the room without amplification. Try out the equipment to see how it works. Use visual aids effectively. Make eye contact with the audience as much as you can.
Some people prepare their notes for speaking in public by using a tablet or other device; however, this is not necessarily a good idea. Murphy's law is sure to strike and leave you with a dead battery, a stolen device or some other catastrophe. Be safe and write your remarks on index cards as well as keeping them on your mobile device.
Project your voice when you speak in front of an audience. This is particularly true if you do not have the benefit of a microphone. You want everyone in the room to be able to hear you, so do not be afraid to speak as loudly as necessary to accomplish that. There is no point in making a speech that most of the audience cannot hear.
Statistics
To effectively communicate key data points, supplement your oral presentation with visuals. Reciting numbers and figures is more difficult than conveying words and concepts. Many audience members have trouble visualizing statistics and appreciate simple infographics, such as charts, tables, and graphs. You can also print this data and distribute copies to audience members beforehand.
Supplement your oral presentation with printed materials. Before you begin, distribute these materials to each audience member. Include a brief outline of key points, infographics, and statistics. This allows audience members to follow along with your presentation without getting lost. They can also refer to the document afterward, and the information will be fresh in their minds.
If you are going to quote statistics in your speech, make sure that you check your sources and that you quote accurately. You want to be a credible speaker. When your facts are wrong, someone in the audience will catch it and might correct you. By verifying your data, you will avoid these embarrassing situations.
As this article has shown you, speaking in public does not have to be hard for you. Whether you have done it before or just want to prepare yourself, having this information will prove to be of great help. Be sure to use these tips when you next have to speak in public.