Public speaking is about building connections. Whether it is a sales pitch or a training session, conveying the message effectively is the key to engagement, education, and motivation. An impeccable knowledge of the products, tools, and industry jargon means little if you don't have the ability to deliver the message to the audience. Learning the art of public speaking will give you an advantage over the competition and help you build connections that can take your business to the highest heights.

Engaging the Audience

A good speech is one that engages the audience. It uses language and terminology they understand and relate to. Any speech should be delivered in a tone that recognizes their knowledge and experience. It's peppered with jargon and seasoned with information that is easy to digest. It is never monotone or bland as speeches like this are forgotten quickly.

Engaging the audience starts by studying the people receiving the message. The more you know about them, the more you will know about their interests and needs. Incorporating this information into your speech will make it easier for them to connect what you are saying to the benefits they can achieve by listening. Most importantly, it shows that you respect them as peers which builds a subconscious connection between you and the audience which makes them more receptive to your message.

Educating the Audience

Educating people is what public speaking is all about. It is about organizing the speech so that the information required to master a skill, product, or technology flows smoothly. The most effective public speakers are those who can break down complex ideas and transform them into easily handled building blocks.

When done properly, listeners walk away from the speech with a solid understanding of everything they have just heard. Most importantly, a good speech is one that answers more questions than it raises. The best speeches are those that anticipate the listener's questions and answer them before they are asked.

Motivating the Audience

You want listeners to walk away from the speech with fire in their bellies. They should leave the room thinking not about the speech, but how they can apply what you told them to their business lives. Motivating people is a fine art that depends upon the proper use of tone, the right use of jargon, and the ability to use language to inspire ideas.

You will know that you have motivated the audience by the types of questions they ask. For example, "You said ABC during the speech, and I wonder what you think will happen if I apply it to XYZ problem at my company." When the audience asks questions like this, you know they are motivated to take action using what you have told them as a guide.

Formal Training is the Path to Success

Mastering public speaking requires more than just practice. It is not enough to feel comfortable in front of a crowd or to learn how to edit a speech for time and content. Public speaking is as much an art as it is a science. Formal training helps break down each element that goes into a memorable speech and helps you understand how to utilize language, psychology, humor, and knowledge to your advantage.

Professional public speaking classes can help you fill in the gaps between what you know and what you need to know. As your training progresses, you will be able to practice what you learn in a realistic setting. This gives you an opportunity to receive direct feedback on what it is you are doing right, and the skills you need to improve upon.

Receiving formal training from qualified professionals makes it possible to understand the intricacies of a memorable speech. Through the combination of course materials, one-on-one instruction, group practice, and self-study, you will develop a thorough comprehension of the communication skills you need to succeed. Throughout the training, your instructors and peers will provide feedback and suggestions that can help you fill in the gaps in your knowledge and your application of the principles you are learning.

With practice, you will be able to chart your progress and see significant improvement in your ability to engage, educate, and motivate your audience. When your training is complete you will reap the rewards of your efforts from the first time you use your newfound skills and abilities to persuade your colleagues, clients, and contacts.

Take the First Step

We encourage you to contact Infotec today to learn more about the methods we use to hone your employee's public speaking skills to a fine point. Our goal is to teach your employees the communications skills they need to help your organization achieve your goals.

For more information about Infotec or any of our programs click here: http://www.infotectraining.com/ or https://ops.infotecpro.com/course_schedule/course_schedule.cfm.