Making an effective presentation to a large number of people can be difficult, even for the most skilled speakers. The key to public speaking is being confident in yourself and the material you are presenting. What follows are some tips to help you do that.

Organization and Preparation

Your speech should have structure so that it makes sense and flows smoothly from point to point. This will require you to outline your speech on paper. It is always a good idea to support your main points with definitions, examples, first hand testimony, or statistics. Also, visual aides and graphs can be helpful when you wanting your audience to understand a concept or process.

Some professional speakers have staff members who perform the organizing tasks for them. Regardless, once the speech is outlined practice giving it to work out any rough spots, add more information, and to familiarize your self with the structure. Even if you have given the same speech several times you should take time to practice it each time before actually presenting it. Doing this will help you make the speech better.

Connect With The Audience

At the beginning of your presentation you want to get the audience’s attention to establish a connection with them. Here are some ways you can get their attention:

• Make  a startling statement
• Use statistics
• Tell a personal story
• Introduce a current event
• Present a question

Be Energetic

While giving your speech deliver it with energy and just don’t stay in one place behind the podium, move around but with confidence and calmness. As you speak put variety in your voice and avoid speaking in monotone as this is a quick way to loose the attention of your audience. When you come to key or dramatic points slow down so your point is clearly understood. Don’t be afraid to use hand gestures to show the size of an object and if you are trying to encourage your audience step toward them. Smile and use other facial expressions to show emotion as you speak.

Make Eye Contact

One of the most important things you need to do anytime you are speaking, whether it’s to one person or many, is make eye contact. Making eye contact demonstrates your confidence and sends the message of sincerity to the listeners. When speaking to large numbers of people shift your visual focus around the audience pausing here or there to make eye contact with individuals.

Give The Audience Something To Think About

Most people remember what was said last the best. As you summarize the main points of your presentation try to include something that is simple but has impact, a statement that gives your audience something to ponder and remember.

Develop Your Speaking Skills

An important point to realize about being a speaker is that no one is a perfect speaker. Even the best speakers are not perfect. Developing speaking skills requires continual practice and improvement, built from one speaking engagement to the next. However, if you use these tips and other suggestions you will be well on your way to becoming a good speaker.