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They help make sure your listeners stay along for the journey from beginning to end. In writing, on the other hand, repetition is usually superfluous and can sometimes even be irritating. Writing has its own conventions to help structure the progression of ideas, like subheadings and chapters. Since reading takes comparatively much more focus, repetition can actually slow things down and cause frustrated readers to put down your text altogether. When you speak, your choice of words is important, but not as much as you might think.
Listening is more about paying attention at the thought level, not the word level. This is because our brains act as editors, taking what we hear and sending it through filters based on our memories, assumptions, and biases. So in speaking, you may have more leeway in deciding which words you use to convey your message.
When you write, on the other hand, word choice is critical. That rule of course holds true for speakers as well, but it can arguably play a bigger role in writing. As a rule of thumb, you should use less complex structures in your speaking than in your writing. The biggest reason why is simple: You need to breathe.
When you speak in long, complex sentences, you tend to stuff so many words together that you end up gasping for air. And don't just stick to people in the first couple rows. Look at the people in the back too. If your goal is to become a thought leader or actually teach the audience something, only a truly authentic understanding of the material will get you there.
One thing I love about Eric is that he's a straight shooter. Now, this is not to say that you need to rival the speeches of Tony Robbins, Martin Luther King or a great political leader, but you do need to develop confidence, strength, body language and poise. However, there is a method behind giving it effectively. Establish rapport with your audience. The time for making sure you know the material perfectly has passed.
Similar to slowing things down, make a point to take long pauses. And make them longer than you even think is appropriate. It can have a great impact on emphasizing key points and emotionally connecting to the audience. Don't just eek your way through a speech using the same tone and volume. It doesn't matter what you are talking about. There is always a place for emotion or humor, or both. I once gave a presentation about data analytics at a conference -- boring! So I made sure to weave in plenty of humor to spice things up.
I find self-deprecating humor to work the best. And if you are starting to get emotional, so what?
The audience may not remember everything you said, but they will remember how you made them feel. Find time during the hour before your speech for some solitude. Get your mind right. If it's five minutes before, just relax. The time for making sure you know the material perfectly has passed. It's almost impossible to feel stress and anxiety after a good workout.
If you have the time, exercise.
The closer to your speech, the better. It's also a good time to practice. I like to rehearse while running or swimming. The more you project confidence, the more confident you are likely to feel. Get out there and own the room. Even if you are terrified. Look people in the eye and command their attention.
When in doubt, go under the allotted time. Less is sometimes more. The most important is to know and understand your audience as well as the venue logistics. To connect with your audience, you need to understand why your topic is important to them. What do they expect to learn from the presentation? Don't assume the audience is like you. They may have cultural or geographic biases and the more you understand them, the better you can express yourself to them and avoid speaking gaffes.
English public speaking doesn't have to be scary. It is always difficult to start a public talk as the audience is not always totally focused. can help you to understand a good story and apply the principles to your next public speaking event. But there are ways to overcome the fear of public speaking. "Understand that the audience really wants you to do well," says Patricia Fripp, a San Francisco-based professional She offers these tips to help you organize your next talk.
It is also important to know the level of knowledge they have about your topic, so you can present the information with the correct tone to keep people interested and engaged. There is nothing more insulting than to present basic information to a highly knowledgeable audience, and conversely, speak at too high a level for a novice audience. If you are presenting in a foreign country, it is important to understand the cultural differences of the audience. How do they dress? How is their sense of humor? How do they typically communicate? What gestures are appropriate or inappropriate?
Are there religious factors that should be considered?