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Some people who are normally colorful in conversation find their delivery skills lacking in expression. And then there are those who lack color both in conversation and at the lectern. There is no doubt that one of the quickest ways to put your audience to sleep is to speak in a monotone and talk at a rate of 100 mph with no acknowledgement of your audience. Does this sound familiar? Yes, you may wish to get your speech or presentation over with as quickly as possible, but your audience doesn’t. They came to hear your message; thus, it is your responsibility to make your message as interesting as possible – not just with the words you use and the ideas you share – but also in your method of delivering that message. 1. Make eye contact with your audience. Trying to avoid the eyes of your audience immediately tells them that you would rather be anywhere than on a stage addressing them. 2. Smile. Certainly not all the time but a face that shows joy is much more interesting than one that shows fear. 3. Temper your speed. There are times you may speak a little faster; there are times you may slow down a bit for effect. 4. Pause. Briefly pausing allows you to breathe and allows your audience to organize what you have been saying. 5. Speak with color by means of your vocal variety, facial expression and body language. Make sure your face and body are expressing the same message as your voice. 6. Move. If you have a stage, move on the stage but do not pace. If you are standing behind a lectern, switch your weight from one foot to the other. A body rigid in stance is inflexible which may be the message you are delivering. 7. Breathe. Something many people forget to do. Without breath, there is no voice hence the increase in speed and the dropping of the voice by the second half of the sentence. 8. Know your material. Practice your speech/presentation out loud, over and over and over again. If you really know your topic, it will be that much easier to ‘let go and deliver.’ 9. Be passionate about your topic. Great speakers enjoy what they do and the message they deliver. If your audience sees your passion, they will be that much more enthusiastic about you and your subject. 10. Be yourself. They came to hear you, not someone else. What these steps are ultimately saying is to treat your audience like you were having a conversation in your living room. You will be surprised how much easier it is when you talk to your audience and not at them. The Voice Lady Nancy Daniels offers private, corporate and group workshops in voice and presentation skills as well as Voicing It!, the only video training program on voice improvement. Visit Nancy's Voice Training Website and discover the best means of adding some life to your voice and your delivery.
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