Public Speaking Essentials

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By Teresa Palmer, Toastmasters International

People do not remember you by what you say, they remember you by how you make them feel

– Unknown

I joined the Experience French Toastmasters Club and was excited and eager to present my first speech. Having been a Toastmaster for twenty years I had given hundreds of speeches, but this would be my first in another language.

Image: Yay Images

I was well-prepared, checking my pronunciation and grammar. Memorization is not something I am good with, nor do I consider it helpful in giving a speech. However, since I was presenting this in French, and not my native English, I thought to try it. Spoiler alert: it was not a good idea and increased my anxiety. My speech started well, but within a minute or so, I could sense my audience was struggling to stay engaged. Very soon I had completely, and irreversibly, lost my connection to the audience. What happened and why?

Complexity

My speech was too complex to give in a language that I did not have full command of. My French was simply not good enough, and therefore I was unable to resonate with it in French. This left my speech void of any emotion because I was thinking in English and translating to French. My speech was a well-choreographed collection of words. It looked good on paper but was missing substance. I was Google Translate! I had talked for five minutes, yet, I said very little and more importantly my speech had no resonance with my audience. They were as happy to see me end my speech as I was to end it.

Emotion

Although it is beneficial to present a speech in another language to build confidence, it is important to present a topic that lends itself to the speaker fully understanding and being able to resonate with what is being said. That allows the speaker to be emotionally invested in the speech and able to change course if the audience is not engaging, for example, by using techniques such as adding humor or a personal story to pique the audience’s interest. I was unable to do that as I was not spontaneous in my thinking in French.

The opportunity to present a speech in a second language was the catalyst to remind me of the essential speaking elements that Toastmasters has taught me over the years: People do not remember you by what you say, they remember you by how you make them feel. My audience felt nothing because I was feeling nothing and therefore failing to deliver any emotion.

There are basic essential elements of engagement for effective public speaking and when these elements are present, a speech in any language whether in person or online becomes a memorable, engaging speech that leaves the audience wanting more.

What the audience sees

Visibility is the initial impression you give to the audience, and this first impression is crucial for audience engagement. What does the audience see?

• Are you dressed appropriately? Clothes do not make the man (or woman), but people judge by appearance, and sloppy or inappropriate dress gives the impression that you do not care about yourself or the audience.
• Are you poised and confident? When you give a speech, you are the authority, and you command attention. Slumped posture or continuous nervous movements or standing in the background pulling away from the audience conveys fear and lack of self-confidence. It gives the impression that you really do not want to give the speech and would prefer to be elsewhere.
• Do you use the space well? When a speech is given in person, do you stand in a spot where you are visible to the entire audience? Online, are you centered in the middle of the computer screen with adequate lighting and a background that is not a distraction?
• Do you maintain eye contact? In my experience it is difficult to maintain eye contact while using notes. I am not suggesting that notes never be used. But, if it is necessary to use notes, be sure to maintain eye contact with an audience. Never read your speech.
• Are your facial expressions and hand gestures visible? These are both important because they are the speaker’s nonverbal communication with the audience. Does your facial expression change to convey a point being stressed, or a humorous story? Are hand gestures used appropriately and are they visible when presenting a speech online?

The way we present visibly is so important and it is the first impression that the audience has of you. Referring back to my speech, my focus was on what I was saying, not on how I was making the audience feel. Since I was not fully competent in what I was saying, my focus was on me not the audience.

What the audience hears

Just as essential as visibility is what the audience hears. To convey your message, you must not only be heard, but you should encourage active listening by keeping the audience engaged. How do you do this?

• The quality of your voice – is your voice loud and clear? If you are presenting a speech in person, check that everyone in the audience can hear you. If not, then a microphone is needed. For online presentations, be sure to use a headset or ear buds and make sure your audio is without feedback or other distractions. In a hybrid situation, make sure the audience in the room and the audience online can both hear the speaker clearly.
• The pace or cadence of speaking. Is your speech too rapid? A rapid pace of speaking denotes a lack of confidence in your ability to ‘talk’ to the audience. For the listener it is difficult to comprehend what is being said (as the brain takes a moment to catch up) and the audience therefore ‘tunes out’ and disengages. On the other hand, a very slow cadence can put an audience to sleep as they tire of waiting for what the speaker has to say.
• Vocal variety. Pace or cadence is the rhythm of speaking and acts in conjunction with vocal variety – the subtle change of speaking more rapidly or slowing down slightly in relation to what is being said. For example, speeding up to denote excitement, or slowing down to hammer home a point. Vocal variety is also the change in pitch and tone of voice. Think of it as being on a roller coaster with the twists, turns, highs and lows of the ride. The climax builds as the roller coaster ascends higher and higher and then plunges downward. Giving a speech is similar as the speaker engaging the audience on a ride to reach an exciting climax.
• Pausing. A pause is not an interruption; it’s a moment to take a breath – for you and the audience. It’s a moment to digest what has been said. Use the pause to avoid using filler words, to regroup and collect your thoughts, to give the audience time to reflect after a major point is made, and when telling jokes or injecting humor into a speech. The pause is a powerful and essential element that is often overlooked.

What the audience feels

In preparing and presenting a speech how do you want the audience to feel? If it is something you have not thought about then you need to do so. A speech is not about the speaker; it is about the audience. It needs a clear (and relevant) message delivered in a way that keeps the audience engaged. Ultimately, it is about audience satisfaction.

My speech at Experience French was the most important speech I had ever given because it afforded me the opportunity to be reminded that the speech was not about me. It was not about my ability, or not, to talk in another language, it was about the basics, following the essential elements of Public Speaking. Had I not presented a speech in a language other than my native English I never would have given it a thought. I had fallen into the trap of speaking automatically and assuming I had it all ingrained in me. No matter how good you are public speaking, everyone needs an occasional ‘wake-up call.’ Mine was that speech in French. It failed the most important test of all; it failed to leave the audience feeling engaged.

      Teresa Palmer is a member of Toastmasters International, a not-for-profit organization that has provided communication and leadership skills since 1924 through a worldwide network of clubs. There are more than 400 clubs and 10,000 members in the UK and Ireland. Members follow a structured educational program to gain skills and confidence in public and impromptu speaking, chairing meetings and time management. To find your nearest club, visit Toastmasters International.

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