Relax and Engage With Your Audience

We used to be told that to avoid nerves when public speaking, we should not look at the audience, but rather just over their heads. That way we would not see anyone and could just concentrate on what we had to say without the risk of being distracted.

I beg to differ. I find it most important to look at my audience. I scan the room holding eye contact for a brief couple of seconds with an individual to give the impression that I am really talking to that person. I see public speaking as having a chat with people I know. I want to be relaxed, loose and fluid on stage. I don´t want to stand behind a lectern, reading notes and avoiding my audience. That gives a boring type of lecture rather than an animated conversation. The people in my audience want to hear what I have to say so I want to talk to them, rather than above them. Rather than move from left to right and then back again, I scan the room holding the attention of someone in the left, the right and the centre. My eyes move from front to back. Of course, in a large auditorium, the people at the back may be too far to engage with personally but glance in their direction and they will feel that you are looking at them one-to-one. Watch a stand-up comedian working an audience. He might pick on a few individuals at the front for improvised repartee but will also look at all areas, even up above in the dress circle.

I always say to my students, "Imagine a room of smiling eyes." Your audience have come to be entertained, or at least informed. They do not want to be bored. Even a boring subject can be made interesting with some energy and creativity. Your audience want you to succeed in your communication so that their time is not wasted. Engage with them, make them feel as if you are talking to them alone. Really communicate rather than just speak. Yes, it is a monologue and not a verbal dialogue between two or more people but give them the impression that you are communicating with them one-to-one. It is most encouraging to see someone smile back or nod their head in agreement with something that has just been said. In that respect, it becomes a dialogue as people communicate back with their eyes and body language. In a training or workshop environment, they might be encouraged to participate, to contribute to the discussion or share their experience. Your audience has to feel comfortable with you to be able to do that.

The more you interact with your audience, the more non-verbal feedback you will receive making the stage a less lonely place for you. You will need to practice this as reaching out to touch a stranger with your eyes can feel awkward but with practice, it will become more natural and rewarding.

©Antonia Harrison 2011

Antonia Harrison at Venus Speakers trains women in the art of public speaking and better communication.

Stepping stones to effective public speaking

Public speaking is a great catalyst of influence. For you to be influential as a speaker, you have to set your targets in your mind and be sure to hit them as you deliver your speech. There are weapons you could use in order to achieve your aims and they are as follows: •

The power of eye contact

Sincerity is a great element in public speaking. No other part of the body could show it best but the eyes of course. As you speak in front of people, it helps to look at them. This is a way of establishing rapport to your audience and showing them that you are honest in what you are sharing with them.

• The power of visual aids

Not all people are willing to listen that long so, in order for you to retain their attention, it would be great to have visual aids like charts or others. Besides beating the boredom, visual aids could also help your audience understand your speech or your topic being discussed.

• The power of handouts

For your audience to remember what you have talked about, it would be a great move to give away handouts so that they could review what you have discussed and they could clearly understand the key points in your speech.

• The power of confidence

No matter how detailed your prepared speech is, ifyou do not have the guts to deliver it in front of an audience, it would only be a mere speech. When confidence is there, it would definitely boost a person’s heart though. When you have the confidence, you have belief in what you do and it would be sensed by your audience.

• The power of references

As you present your speech, it would be very effective if you cite names of dependable people and of course references like reading materials. These would strengthen the quality of your speech whatever your purpose is.

These are some of the stepping stones for you as a public speaker.

Venus Speakers specialize in helping women to improve public speaking, presentation and communication skills. Visit http://www.VenusSpeakers.com for more information and tips.

©Antonia Harrison 2011

Antonia Harrison at Venus Speakers trains women in the art of public speaking and better communication.

Who Are Venus Speakers?

There are many public speaking/communication courses available but sometimes women feel intimidated by working in a group with men. Sometimes the men take over. The women feel they cannot find their own style, volume, tempo, humour etc. VenusSpeakers are women who understand only too well how men can monopolize a training room, the stage, the conference room. Women need to find their self-confidence and marry this with public speaking skills. Just as some women prefer to exercise in the gym in a “ladies only” session, some women prefer to develop presentation and communication skills in a “ladies only” environment. Your VenusSpeakers trainers are women with public speaking training through Toastmasters and other presentations skills courses. Once scared to speak up in a meeting, they can now command an audience and share that knowledge with other women. Training is available in English and Dutch. Speaking well is a skill, comprised of several ingredients, which can be learned by anyone who cares enough to succeed. Antonia Harrison at Venus Speakers trains women in the art of public speaking and better communication.