byTony Hall
http://www.selfimprovementskills.com
©
2008
There is lots of advice you can gain about how to become a confident
and successful public speaker. You can learn all about preparation, style, and
content and how to get the audience on your side. These are all vital aspects
of becoming a great speech maker. But there are equally some important things
you simply must never do.
Here's a quick guide to some of
them:
#1
Don't Be Late
Make
sure you know the timings of the event and arrive in plenty of time to set up
and prepare. Ensure that you know where you are going and how long it will take
to get there. Be sure to establish the program of events and when it is that you
are scheduled to talk.
#2
Don't Overrun
Know
what the time-frame is and stick as close to it as you can. It is better to finish
a little early, perhaps allowing time for questions which you can politely bring
to a halt when your allotted time is up, rather than going on for too long.
#3
Don't
Drink Alcohol
Certainly never drink alcohol during your
speech but alsoavoid it prior to speaking. You may think it will calm your nerves
but in fact it can have adverse effects on your speech. And your audience doesn't
want to be breathing in your alcohol fumes.
#4
Don't
Slouch
Be careful how you stand and never stand with your
hands in your pockets as you speak.
#5
Don't
Act Like a Statue
It is not necessary or desirable for you
to stand still throughout your talk. In fact many accomplished speakers tend to
walk around the stage or presentation area to good effect. However don't wander
too far and certainly don't stand behind any member of your audience. And be sure
not to continually shuffle from one foot to the other or keep taking a step forward
and a step back.
#6
Don't Use Your
Mouth For Anything But Talking
It's perfectly acceptable
to take the occasional sip of water during your talk. In fact you can sometimes
use it as a means of pausing to give your audience chance to digest a point. But
that apart, don't eat or drink during your speech, and certainly never smoke or
chew gum!
#7
Don't Use Offensive Language
or Terms
Never curse or swear or use any other terms or
language that could offend your audience. Even if you are addressing a group of
people you know well keep to correct language, after all there are thousands of
perfectly good words in the English Language you can use without descending to
gutter-speak!
#8
Don't Be Critical
Of Other People
As part of your preparation you should find
out who is likely to be in your audience. But beware, because you are unlikely
to know who all of them are. So never criticize other people, such as colleagues
or bosses, and if it is a business presentation do not be critical of your competitors
or even your customers. You never know who might be watching and listening!
#9
Don't
Be Negative
People really do not want to come and listen
to someone have a good old moan. Always use positive language and seek to inspire.
#10
Don't
Be Miserable
Don't mumble or be miserable, it's a certain
way to turn your audience off. Always remember the value of eye contact and a
smile!
Your success as a public speaker depends upon you
learning the necessary skills and practicing them. But you will also benefit by
knowing just what not to do.
