It’s Friday but I can’ say TGIF yet. This is because we have a reporting/learning activity at the office today and I am one of the reporters. I am a little nervous because as a writer, it’s been ages since I last did a reporting in front of many people. I think I am more used to communicating with my PC (laughs). The report will tackle the basics of copywriting for the web and hopefully we can apply it in our jobs. Aside from me, other writers and sales people in the office also has a topic to report.
What’s makes this reporting even more challenging is that there will be six topics and each of us need to study the entire material because we will only know the topic to be assigned to us on the day of the reporting itself. It’s like an on the spot reporting. Well, I studied the whole material and made some notes. I just wish I can deliver my report properly later. Wish me luck J By the way; here are some tips on public speaking:
Know your material. Pick a topic you are interested in. Know more about it than you include in your speech. Use humor, personal stories and conversational language – that way you won’t easily forget what to say.
Practice. Practice. Practice! Rehearse out loud with all equipment you plan on using. Revise as necessary. Work to control filler words; Practice, pause and breathe. Practice with a timer and allow time for the unexpected.
Know the audience. Greet some of the audience members as they arrive. It’s easier to speak to a group of friends than to strangers.
Relax. Begin by addressing the audience. It buys you time and calms your nerves. Pause, smile and count to three before saying anything. Transform nervous energy into enthusiasm.
Visualize yourself giving your speech. Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud, clear and confident. Visualize the audience clapping – it will boost your confidence.
Concentrate on the message – not the medium. Focus your attention away from your own anxieties and concentrate on your message and your audience.
