Over previous weeks we discussed how to make a presentation with reference to the “opening body and conclusion” and “preparing yourself”. This week we look at presenting your talk or preparation.
Now, regardless of your preparation beforehand, nervousness, to varying degrees is inevitable….and natural. Even the most experienced of speakers are nervous before a speech or presentation but they know how to control that nervousness and indeed turn in into positive energy that adds to their presentation.
If your palms sweat and your knees shake, let them. Focus on your material, you have it prepared and rehearsed and very soon into your delivery you will find that your nervousness will dissipate.
When you are being introduced or just before you start, take a deep breath and slowly exhale. This will make your voice sound resonant and natural.
While speaking, make eye contact with as many members of the audience as possible so no one feels left out of your talk.
There are of course many more skills to be learned in making a presentation such as, how to use hand gestures, when to use humour, body movement, voice projection etc and these are learned and practiced at every Toastmasters meeting.
Remember that Toastmasters is about people developing their public speaking and leadership skills by practising in a comfortable sociable environment with other learners.
Why don’t you come along to any one of our meetings and see for yourself?
You will be delighted that you did and we would be delighted to meet you.
Speech Contests.
On Monday night last in the Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, members of the Toastmasters Clubs in North Cork gathered for what was described as “a fun night of friendly rivalry”.
It was the Area 17 final of the Humorous Speech and Table Topics Contests.
Congratulations to Margaret O’Regan who won the Humorous Speech Contest with her speech entitled “The Greatest” and to Richard Coughlan who won the Table Topics Contest.
Margaret and Richard now compete in the Division Final (Cork,Kerry and West Limerick) which will take place next Saturday night, 20th in the Radison SAS Hotel, Cork Airport at 8pm sharp with the winners competing in Harrogate, England in Movember.
The very best of luck to you both.
Tonight’s meeting.
Speak Easy Toastmasters meet again tonight,18th, in the Hibernian Hotel Mallow at 7.50pm for an 8pm sharp start.
We will be in the capable hands of Toastmaster for the evening, Noel O’Connor, Topicsmaster, Jerry Mulcahy and speeches will be by Liam Flynn, Joe Hassett, Loretto Barry and Mary Buckley.
Why don’t you come along and join us for a great evening? You will be glad you did and we will be delighted to meet and talk to you.
Further information on Speak Easy Toastmasters can be had from our website www.speakeasytoastmasters.com
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