SPEAKING
AT THE TOP: THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING
By
Austus Ofmat Nwanne {Mr. Tackle}
EPISODE 2
EPISODE 2
With
a lot of comments and commendations rolling in after the publication of the
first episode of this article, one thing I remember I told people then was
that, the 2nd episode would definitely be more mind-blowing than the
first. Just as I warned in the first episode, I must not fail to warn you again
that this article is not for all and sundry. It is strictly for those who are
aiming at being at the top and are ready to give whatever it takes to remain
there, and one of those things includes, learning the art of public speaking. The first episode happens to be more
theorical than practical, but in this episode, I’m going to make it as
practical as possible. We have already discussed some of the key things to note
while preparing for a public presentation. Now, let go to the presentation proper.
DURING
YOUR PRESENTATION:
***Be precise and concise*** Once you get to the podium, one thing that
should not skip your mind is that “you are on a mission”. You are to fulfill a
purpose, and at that, you should not waste too much time boring your audience with
irrelevant details or stories. If you’ve drawn and arrange your speech, you’ll
be able to address your audience without digressing from the main point. So, as
a speaker, be precise. Hit the nail on the head and get out. Another thing that
makes a good public speaker is your ability to say so much within a very short
time. That is what I call professionalism. Yes we know. The topic you’re given
is wide and enormous, and it will take a century for you to finish doing good
justice to it, but, if you’re good at what you do, you’ll give your audience a
mind-blowing presentation within the given time, and on the given topic. So, as
a speaker, you must be concise.
***Be time conscious*** One thing one should note while presenting anything in public
is the fact that one does not have all the time. So, it is not a time for you
to take things personal and pour out all you’ve been willing to say all these
while. I can’t forget a man we invited to speak in one of our events back in my
school fellowship. This man was given 1 hour 30 minutes, and being a student’s
environment, we were time conscious. Close to the end of his time, this man
announced he would soon finish, and he ended up staying for more 40 minutes.
After 40 minutes, he still announced he would soon finish, and before we know
what was happening, this man spent good 2 hours 30 minutes, leaving us to no
other option but to forgo some of the things we have on our agenda. I
personally see to it that that man’s feet does not touch our fellowship again.
You’ll say I’m carnal, won’t you? But, you should also say that the man was not
faithful to his words. Despite the numerous notes we gave him, he still refused
to leave the podium. So, as a speaker, you should be time conscious.
*** Be audible enough*** Only two things can make someone not to be audible enough
during a public presentation. It’s either the person is timid or the sound
system is not working perfectly. But, most times, the former is the case, and
that’s why you’ll see/hear of instances of people addressing a crowd and the
audience would shout at interval, “we can’t hear you”, “speak louder”, etc. The
disadvantage of this is that the audience would be so distracted and
disconnected from your speech, and even if you surface before them for just 10
minutes, it would look like a life-time to your audience.
** *Be mobile*** Another thing that looks alike to being
audible enough is that one should not be stagnant during a public presentation.
It is totally wrong for one to remain static while presenting in public because
it would bore your audience and make them doze, that’s if they don’t even sleep
off on you. Imagine how you would feel if you’re in church on Sunday, and all
what your pastor does is to just stand behind the pulpit and read out things
from his note and his Bible, you’ll agree with me that, if you find yourself in
such situation, sleeping off would be the only option for you. So, as a public
speaker, here is a clue for you. If you don’t want your audience to switch off
on you, try to move around the stage. While you move round, your audience would
also follow you with their eyes, thereby reducing their chances of sleeping
off. If you have enough boldness, you can even move round among your audience.
*** Practice*** I’ve heard people say
things like, “practice makes perfect”. But, I stand to edit that quote by
saying, “practice makes you”. Join me as we examine a footballer, David Beckham.
The fact is that, during his time, he happened to be a specialist at kicks and
passes. Free kicks, corner kicks, counter attack passes, any form of kick, and
he was celebrated for this. My point here is simple and clear. “You can’t
remove the secret place of practice from the podium of success”. For you to deliver
a great and marvelous speech, you must not rule out your secret place of
practice. So, before you climb that podium to present, practice, practice,
practice and practice.
*** Don’t be too fast*** You might not understand
this point if you’ve not seen or experienced someone with hot yam in his mouth
and at the same time, talking. Such a person is always faster than Usain Bolt
in whatever he/she says. Some speakers fall to this category too. During their
presentation, they are so fast that you won’t hear them, and if at all you hear
them, it is simply because you stressed you ears to hear them. As a speaker,
this is not good enough for you. Your audience need not to stress themselves to
hear you. You should not be too fast that your words would be jam-packed like
Nigeria’s JAMB applicants. Lolzzz… So, take your time. Even when you don’t have
much time, don’t rush. Just say the little you can say and get out. It is
better you don’t finish and you are heard than for you to finish and not be
heard.
Stay in touch for the EPISODE
3 of this article where I’ll be revealing some other great secrets of public
speaking.
For comments and
questions, feel free to drop it under this post, and you can as well reach me
via
+2348072970850{Whatsapp and call} or 22600ce0{BBM}
COMING SOON TOPICS:
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· **Image Is Everything: Business Branding And Packaging
· **Eating With The Plate: Nigeria’s New Car Plate Number
· **This Church Is Too Big To Be Pastored.
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