Business

Giving a successful speech requires a combination of certain skills, quality support equipment, preparation, and a central theme. Public speaking is a major phobia for millions of people in all walks of life. Many people with such fears suddenly find themselves in positions where they must start making regular presentations or speaking at special events. Training in public speaking need not consist of courses lasting weeks or months.

Some weekend workshops are quite good at developing solid speaking foundations for first-time and beginning speakers. There are also many books and articles in business publications that focus on speaking for a business audience. (Knowing your audience is always preferable to going in cold.) With the right support equipment, you can alleviate concerns that something will go wrong, or that you will forget something. Equipment entails more than just a notebook, a PowerPoint presentation, and a laser pointer, however.

If appropriate to the situation, you could also use slides, physical graphs and samples, portable speakers, crib notes, a long-range keyboard, and a long-range mouse. Before you go stocking up on comfort gadgetry, though, you should remember that simplicity is a virtue. Do not belabor your points with lots of pretty pictures and colorful charts. The substance of your speech should be clear to all who hear it. Support equipment can help you look like a pro, but remember that it is a support, not a crutch.

Keeping Your Audience Captive
The best speakers seem to mesmerize their audiences. They can speak for extended periods without losing an audience and never go on so long that an audience grows weary of them. The best ways to impress your audience are to present vital information in a clear and concise manner, relate the topic in such a way that the audience understands how they are affected by it, and know when to stop speaking. Charts, graphs, and notes should only help you make your point, they should not make it for you.