Are You A Public Speaker?

Do you consider yourself a public speaker?

Most people don't, but I have learned that everyone is a public speaker. It doesn't matter whether you are speaking with one person or thousands of people.

We all think of getting up in front of a group and giving a speech as public speaking. However, there are times every day you are a public speaker.

Your ability to speak effectively can impact your life in areas including your health, wealth, and relationships.

Enjoy Public Speaking

Don't let this video describe your future of speaking in public! You can do something about it.

I Hate Public Speaking

Sometimes humor helps! This clip is a lighthearted look at the common fears and anxieties many of us share when giving a presentation or a speech. Can you relate? The song was written and performed specially for Spoken Impact by singer/songwriter Barbara Mcafee. The video was originally a PowerPoint presentation, captured with Camtasia Studio.

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Your Health Is Affected

You are very sick. Parts of your body hurt that you didn't know could hurt. You're at your doctor's office, sitting in the examination room. The doctor walks in and asks, "How are you?" You answer, "Fine." He asks, "What seems to be the problem?" You reply, "I don't feel good."

The doctor has many patients he needs to help each day. He only has a few minutes to spend with you to find out what your symptoms are, diagnose what the cause is, and then determine how to medically treat you. If he has to spend most of his time trying to get you to tell him why you are in his office in the first place, his ability to treat you might diminish because of lack of time.

Your ability to speak effectively can affect your health.

Your Wealth Is Affected

You successfully completed a major project at work. The result of your efforts increased the profits of the company substantially. You feel you should be compensated with a pay raise.

You walk into your boss's office. He asks what he can do for you. With hands in your pockets, eyes staring at the floor, feet shifting back and forth, you say "I ...um, ah... think I should... um... get a... raise."

You may or may not get the raise, but it certainly wouldn't be due to the way you asked your boss to consider it. In fact, you may have hurt your chances of getting that raise you deserve.

Your ability to speak effectively can affect your wealth.

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The Best-Kept Secrets of Great Communicators by Peter Thomson

Gain the advantage in any verbal encounter by learning the secret language of covert communications.0 points

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Your Relationships Are Affected

You are at home, reclining in your favorite chair and reading today's newspaper. Your spouse walks up to you, touches you on the shoulder and asks, "What would you like for dinner tonight?"

Your response, without moving your eyes from the newspaper, is "I love you." Can you think of anything that would start a fight faster than to speak without listening?

Your ability to speak effectively can affect your relationships.

Public Speaking Is More Than Words

To be effective at public speaking means more than knowing what words you are going to say.

Some studies have shown that the words you use only account for about 7% of what you actually communicate.

Other aspects include:

vocal tone
facial expression
body gestures
eye contact
your appearance
how your talk is organized and focused

More Public Speaking Resources

Public Speaking - 3 Products: Breakthrough Public Speaking System That Will Have You Speaking To Thrilled Audiences Without Being Terrified!
Stress Free Public Speaking: The Stress Free Guide to Public Speaking and Presentations has helped more speakers than any other course to overcome their fears, and present a powerful, motivating talk in front of any audience.
Speaking For Millions: How To Make Really Big Money As A Professional Speaker.

There Are Ways To Reduce Your Fear Of Public Speaking

There are methods you can use to reduce your fear of public speaking. The biggest one is to put adequate time into preparing and practicing your speech.

There is another technique that I learned from Toastmasters that helps me relax before I give a talk. Do these steps:

Sit comfortably with your back straight
Breathe in slowly
Hold your breath for 4-5 seconds
Slowly exhale

It is recommended that you repeat these steps about 10-20 times. However, without doing them for 10 times, didn't it still help you to feel more relaxed?

Toastmasters has provided me many tips like this one that has helped me to be more effective in my public speaking. It has also provided me the opportunity to practice using those tips in a supportive environment.

Improve Your Public Speaking Ability

Pursue ways to improve your public speaking.

Getting involved in Toastmasters is a great way to do that. It not only will improve your ability to make a speech in front of a group of people, but it will also have a positive impact on key areas of your life including your health, wealth, and relationships.

Your Turn To Write About Public Speaking

Do you have a public speaking experience you would like to share? Do you like this lens? Write a comment here and let the world know!

driewe

Nice Lens, I gave you 5 stars
Secrets To Keynote Speaker Success!

Posted December 20, 2007

Christopher_Scott

I love to speak in public. I like it a lot better than writing grants!

Posted November 16, 2007

kellermedia

Roger,

Thank you for creating such a helpful lens on public speaking.

Wendy Keller
http://www.squidoo.com/famefinders

Posted June 25, 2007

Squidoo

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Are You A Public Speaker?

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