How to make spectacular speeches:

Have you ever heard the advice for public speaking: “Imagine the audience in their underwear”? Don’t do it! The thought of speech making to a bunch of folks in their undies can ruin your presentation.

There are better ways to make a great presentation.  Here are ten tips for successful speech making that allow you the freedom not to think about underwear.

1) Consider the worst that can happen. The people you are speaking to aren’t going to begin booing loudly and escort you bodily out of the building. Realistically, the worse-case scenario is that your audience will just sit there politely and not respond. So even the worst isn’t that bad.

2) Be an ‘inverse paranoid. Believe that most people want you to succeed! Realize that your audience wants you to do well.

3) Fears are produced when we anticipate negative results, so instead, anticipate positive results and envision your presentation a success.

4) Focus on communicating the whole message instead of just saying the words correctly. Use your notes or script as a road map, but keep in mind that you’re trying to communicate your ideas instead of trying to look good.

5) Speak as though you’re talking to one person. Speak naturally, be sincere and passionate and speak from your heart.

6) Know your material so well that talking about it just comes naturally.

7) Practice your presentations out loud in an empty room in front of a mirror. Record your presentations and listen to them.

8) Look away from negative people who are manifesting negative body language. Don’t make eye contact with people who are sitting with their arms crossed and frowns on their faces. Make eye contact with people who are smiling and nodding.

9) Have fun with your presentations and let your personality come through. Keep in mind that, in this busy world, it’s an honor and a privilege to have a group of people willing to listen to your ideas. When you get past the fear, presentations are fun.

10) Presentation skills grow over time. Don’t be discouraged if your next presentation doesn’t result in a standing ovation. What’s important is how well you communicate. You may not be elegant in your presentations, but if they make people think, then you’re a success. That means that you’re communicating and connecting with your audience.

Use these ten techniques and you will be amazed . . .