Reader questions and feedback on public speaking issues. Also refer to speeches, presentation, writing, preparation, fear, anxiety, nervousness, stuttering, Toastmasters, evaluation, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Answers to Readers' Questions on Public Speaking:
Goals
The following 15 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- Keep me informed about speaking
- What is the cost of your program?
- Want to know more about public speaking
- My mind gets empty when speaking to a group
- I need some help with a speech topic
- Wants to become an international speaker
- Wants to be a public speaker in the community
- Have to give a presentation on AIDS to get a job
- How do I make money in public speaking?
- Wants to control a huge crowd
Keep me informed about speaking
Question
June 21, 2010
please keep me inform
Samuel - South Sudan
19947
Answer
The best thing to do is to check back periodically, since we often add new lessons.
What is the cost of your program?
Question
May 25, 2010
I would like to get information on the cost of your program and the length of time it will take to finish this course
Carmen - Anguilla B.W.I
19796
Answer
Our lessons are meant to help you get started in speaking. There is no charge for them, and it was not a graded course.
You really cannot learn public speaking skills online. You need to be interacting with people and practice speaking to a live audience.
Toastmasters is a good place to learn speaking skills. See if there is a club accessible to you at: http://reports.toastmasters.org/findaclub/
Otherwise, check with your local schools to see if they have speech classes available. Best wishes in your studies.
Want to know more about public speaking
Question
January 29, 2010
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT PUBLIC SPEAKING PLS?
Amina - Morocco
19125
Answer
Feel free to go through all our lessons on Public Speaking. They will help you get started.
My mind gets empty when speaking to a group
Question
December 10, 2009
Hello Sir,
This is sohail from India, want to improve my speaking skils. how i go to speak in front of the public. when i see the crowd, my mind gets empty, i llost my enthusium, i feel shy, and body language has became poor. what can i do pls help me in this regd...
Sultan - India
18819
Answer
You should never speak in front of a group without thoroughly preparing your speech. All public speakers write out their speech and practice it several times before going in front of a group. Otherwise, it is easy to have a lapse of memory or speak in a confused manner. Even giving your speech to friends before hand will give you confidence when required to speak in front of strangers.
A good place to practice and improve your speaking skills is in the Toastmasters Club. There are clubs in many cities in India, and there is no obligation to visit and attend a meeting. See:
http://reports.toastmasters.org/findaclub/default.cfm?Country=India
Best wishes on improving your speaking skills.
I need some help with a speech topic
Question
February 9, 2009
Hi my name is kimberly thomas and i am a member of FBLA at kirby high school. I need some help with a topic that i want to talk about in my speech. I was wondering if you could help me
Kimberly - USA
17241
Answer
The topic depends on what area your teacher wants you to speak about.
If allowed to give any topic, consider what really interests you that you would like to share with others.
Don't try to get into too much detail on your topic. Just tell three things that you can remember and that others may enjoy.
I hope this helps. Best wishes in your speech.
Wants to become an international speaker
Question
June 18, 2008
I have learnt a great deal from this article. Am very happy I stumbled on this site. It's a wonderful place to be! I have been looking for resources that can help me develop my speaking and writing skills. Thank you so much for making these resources accessible.
My name is Idowu Omisore, a Nigerian and a University of Lagos graduate of Mass Communication. Am currently with an advertising agency, Novelpotta Y&R. God has been speaking to me that He has called me to be international speaker,writer and revivalist. He particularly spoke to me from Psalms 45:1"...my tongue is the pen of a ready writer".
My goal- I want to become a professional speaker and I need all the encouragement I can get. I think I need someone who can help mentor me in this area, that can help challenge me, counsel me and help me achieve this goal to God's glory. Eagerly waiting to hear from you.
Idowu - Nigeria
16101
Answer
The first thing to do is to write a 5 to 10-minute speech on a topic you are enthusiastic about. Practice the speech and then try to give it to various groups in your community, where it would apply. This could be your church, company, business clubs, schools or such. In this way, will perfect your skills and gain a reputation as a good speaker. Then you can expand your horizons.
Seek opportunities to hear good speakers. Study their techniques and subject matter. Try to meet them to get advice. Look into the following top Nigerian speakers:
Ubong Essien - http://www.mistermotivator.com/
Niyi Adesanya - http://www.niyiadesanya.com/
Sam Adeyemi - http://www.successpower.org/newsite/profile.asp
Fela Durotoye - http://www.theoutpouring.org/minister-fela-duratoye/
Richie Dayo Johnson - http://www.richmondjohnson.com/
Best wishes in your career as a champion speaker.
Wants to be a public speaker in the community
Question
March 29, 2008
I would like to be a public speaker in my community but i dont have any qualification for that and my english not very good also no basic at all only learn from the internet.
Any basic or technique or can i become the small community public speaker without experience?
I always said i must do it but become public speaker i still not very confidence.
Your opinion and help very-very appreciated
Sabah, Malaysia
Nursah - Malaysia
15624
Answer
It is much easier to become a public speaker in your native tongue. Once you become good at speaking, you can work on improving your English skills, so you can speak to those audiences.
The most important thing is that you need to have a good subject for your speeches. It must be something you know about and is dear to your heart, as well as of interest to others.
Write down your ideas for a short, 5-minute talk. Then practice giving it to friends and family to see their reaction and to improve your skills.
Then seek out small groups, clubs or organizations in your community that would be interested in your topic. You can give a 5-minute talk as a starter, but the usual speech to a group is 15 to 20 minutes long. It is better to do well in 5 minutes than to bore people in 20 minutes.
Look around in your community to find when organizations have speakers. Try to get a chance to listen to the speaker. Also try to get a chance to talk to the speaker for some advice.
I hope these ideas help. Best wishes on becoming a public speaker.
Have to give a presentation on AIDS to get a job
Question
November 22, 2007
I have to give a presentation on hiv and aids to someone who is interesting in hiring me as a health educator for schools. Send me some pointers on making a good presentation.
Desiree - Antigua and Barbuda
14829
Answer
I assume your presentation will demonstrate how you would teach that subject to students, as well as to know your knowledge about HIV and AIDS. Consider the age group that you will be addressing in the schools. Before your presentation, it would be good to tell the interviewer what age group your presentation is aimed at.
This subject can be very dry and boring if you present a lot of graphs and statistics. It is better to use stories of how ordinary people were not careful and ended up with AIDS. Then show some pictures of the results of getting the disease. That can bring the message home.
You also want to make your presentation interactive--even in your interview or demonstration. Ask such questions as, "How many of you know what AIDS is?" and "Do any of you of someone who is HIV positive?" and then try to get some explanation from the audience.
Note that you need to know ahead of time what the interviewer is actually looking for. My example is to show your skills on educating. If you find the interviewer is simply looking for knowledge about AIDS, you may need a second, more statistical presentation available.
I hope these ideas help. Best wishes in getting the job.
How do I make money in public speaking?
Question
August 15, 2006
I have the desire and the skill now how do I make money at this?
What is the first steps that have to be taken?
Donald
Donald - USA
11707
Answer
You need to have a good speech written on a specific topic that is of interest to others. Many aspiring speakers say, "I can speak on anything." But no one will pay just for anything.
A good place to develop your speech material is through Toastmasters. See www.toastmasters.org/find to find a club in your area.
Then start giving free speeches in local organizations such as the Kiwanis Club, business organizations and such. This will lead to paying speaking engagements.
You can also join the National Speakers Association. They have a good program for people wanting to become professional speakers. See: http://www.nsaspeaker.org/search/chapter_directory.xpl to find a chapter in your area.
Best wishes on your speaking career.
Wants to control a huge crowd
Question
April 21, 2005
Hi Sir,
I am really glad to see your website. I am a faculty and teaching Management and IT Subjects..All my students say i have good communication and audience control.
I have 2 queries listed below:
1)If i want to control huge crowd and senior executives,CEO's How to prepare myself for that. Please let me know
2)I dont have any problem with speaking ; but i suddenly i will get stuck in between .. How to overcome this
3)I need to improve my fluency.. please give me a solution
Thanking you,
Regards,
Hemanth
Hemanth - INDIA
6723
Answer
Write a short speech on a subject of interest and practice giving it as much as possible. Look for small groups and organizations in which to give your speech. In this way, you can improve your confidence and fluency.
One good source for practicing and improving your speaking is through Toastmasters. See:
http://www.toastmasters.org/find/default.asp?Country=India and look under Guided Source for a listing of cities in India with a Toastmaster club.
Look over our lessons for tips on various aspects of speaking.
Note that your goal is not to control the audience. Rather it is to provide them information in such a manner that they will want to listen and learn more. Often dramatics and a good presentation will help in that area.
I hope those ideas help you. Best wishes in your speaking.
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