Sunday, July 22, 2012

What is the hardest thing about public speaking?

For some people, public speaking is their number one fear. But some people have no problem speaking in public. A lot of people are in the middle. Some are comfortable speaking to small or medium-sized groups but not large groups. Some do well if they have time to prepare their speeches but not so well if they have to speak impromptu. Many could benefit from incorporating techniques such as vocal variety, more eye contact or energy during their delivery but they're scared to step outside of their comfort zone. No matter how much practice or experience you have speaking publicly, you can always get better. I watch for audience feedback when I speak to help me to get better. I never get bored with the process because every audience is different. One audience may love your presentation but another audience may get bored with you. This keeps me on my toes and ensures that I never take any speech for granted. Some people may think the unexpected of public speaking--not knowing what to expect from an audience--is the hardest thing about it. I would love to hear what you think is the hardest thing about public speaking.

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Welcome

Hello, I invite you to join this blog and share your thoughts, experiences, and fears about public speaking in the form of comments, questions, advice, etc. I teach a public speaking class at a community college and have enjoyed meeting and hearing the speeches of my students throughout the years. So many people lack the confidence or the skills to speak comfortably in front of others. I believe that when people share their concerns, experiences, and suggestions for improvement, they learn to overcome their fears and tools to become better speakers. Even those who are good public speakers can find ways to improve. I look forward to everyone's contributions to our blog discussions.