Speak confidently and deliver your message clearly

Recently, I gave a speech at the TPJC Annual College day as the Guest of Honour and someone came up to me and asked me, 'How do you give a speech like that?'

The trick I have learned is to focus your thoughts and energies into what you are currently doing, and in this case to speak confidently to the audience and to deliver the message in a clear concise manner.

The hardest part of giving a speech is in the beginning, when you are up there on the stage and all the eyes are glued on you to say something smart. I always focus on getting my opening remarks right. This sets the tone of the entire speech. I have also found it to be effective to make a positive remark or comment about what was said by the previous speaker. Adding humour to the opening remarks helps break the ice.

Public speaking is about both form and substance. You need to connect to your audience and establish rapport with them almost instantaneous. Lets face it, you are not going to win them all. There will definitely be a group of people who will be against whatever you say. Therefore coming across as someone who is friendly, humble and approachable helps you connect to the audience better.

The funny thing about public speaking is that people focus on what you're saying while you are saying it, but days or weeks later, when they have forgotten about what was said, how you said it becomes the primary focus.

So make an impression in your speeches and you'll be alright. All the best!