Story: My life topics, communication.

I’d never considered to learning public speaking skills until 2018. I didn’t have a chance to speak in front of people. I didn’t necessary in my job. My whole life didn’t relate to public speaking.

However, through working as a freelance graphic designer since 2016, I gradually realized that I have to be a better communicator. At the same time, I watched the presentation of Steve Jobs and Barack Obama. They inspired me a lot. In addition, TEDx became popular year by year. I was willing to overcome my weakness somehow.

I was chatting with my fellow Canadian in 2017. He mentioned about Toastmasters. I didn’t know what Toastmasters is. I was quite busy at that time. I just memorized the name. Then, I returned to my daily life.

In 2018, I had some turning point in my freelance work. I made time to invest myself, acquire new skills. I attended a local Toastmasters club in June 2018. There were around 50 people. The organizer spoke in front of the audience confidently. I decided to join it right after next month. Since then, I speak my story or research in front of fellow Toastmasters once a month.

Public Speaking For Beginners

Tips:
1. Organizing speech.
You have to prepare a speech before a speech. You picked up the theme at least 1 week ago. Always think about the theme. Gather information and example as much as possible. Then, delete unnecessary information. Organize and concise.

2. Eye contact.
Even during speech, it’s about communication. Try to engage with audience. I know it makes you nervous. Practice.

3. Script.
You have to speak in your voice. You should not read notes. The audience feels bored. Preparation.

4. Simple, clean slide.
Don’t focus how to make a slide when you start to practice public speaking. Visual aid is useful, but it’s not first priority.

5. Don’t fidget. Posture.
Show your confidence. Use stage effectively. Everyone afraid to stand up in front of audience. Pretend.

6. Vocal variety.
Put your emotion on your voice.

Pretty much I learned above at Toastmasters. You might know them. However, knowledge and what you can do are totally different. I know how much nervous once I stand up in front of people.

It’s great feedback if you can take a video during a presentation. You may feel embarrassed. You will realize how awkward your act and voice are. It’s absolutely you. You cannot be a good speaker without practice. Which means you can be a good speaker if you practice.

How to NOT Get Nervous Speaking in Front of People

Tips:
1. Speak one to one(not 1 to many)
2. Slow down
3. Structure(video says 3 to 7 points, but 1 or 2 are also okay)
4. Act as if(imagine positive future)
5. Learn from How to Win Friends and Influence People

I could remind myself about #2 and #4. I’ve tried to speak at Toastmasters once a month since July 2018. I’ve done a speech 7 minutes each, over 10 times. I don’t get used to it. I always feel nerves. Video said that we cannot get rid of it, but reduce it. The speech sometimes brings delight when I could speak well. That’s why I cannot stop it even it’s harsh sometimes.

The Toastmasters Club Experience

I understand knowledge, itself, doesn’t change my life. I’ve joined Toastmasters in July 2018. I’m committing every Saturday morning for Toastmasters since July 2018. I depressed a lot even though fellow Toastmasters don’t say unconstructive opinion. One time, I couldn’t speak in front of an audience for 1 min. I forgot my script. It was miserable, but this is a process of becoming a cognitive person abroad, I told myself. I can see progress, but my goal is still far away.

Toastmasters mission:
We provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth.

Dananjaya Hettiarachchi World Champion of Public Speaking 2014

©️Dananjaya Hettiarachchi

When I learn Base Camp(online study system of Toastmasters), this speech is utilized as a model. This speech includes all speech techniques in 7 minutes. Please find what makes this speech great.

12 Igniters of Sales Leadership (Dale Carnegie Training Japan)

©Japan Dale Carnegie TV

NAU-FCB: Dale Carnegie Training 1

Conclusion: Not required about talent

I have two translation books here, How to Win Friends and Influence People, How to Develop Self-Confidence & Influence People by Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie. He passed away in 1955, but his method still alive and influence a lot of people. I am one of them. At the beginning of the book, it mentions how to inprove public spearking. You don’t need talent for public spearking. That’s great advised.

– Keep a strong desire for public speaking. The pace of progress is a proportional depth of aim.
– Enough preparation.
– Be confidence.
– Be practice.

Reference:

Medium: 8 Tips to Start Speaking at Conferences and Trade Shows
Ideas.Ted.com: How to talk to strangers
Lifehack: How to Talk to Strangers Without Feeling Awkward
Fast Company: Three Scientifically Proven Steps For Talking With Strangers