Leading ladies share tips on how to speak confidently in front of a crowd

Speaking in front of an audience is a fear that affects most people. Whether it be addressing colleagues at a work conference, being called out in front the class or having to speech at a function.

Standing in front of a room of people, with all eyes on you can bring on a kaleidoscope of feelings that well up in your stomach. These are called butterflies.

Dr. Melané de Villiers a professional speaker and Irene Schempers, Mrs Polokwane 2017, both deliver speeches at a variety of events every month. With today being Professional Speakers Day, Review asked both ladies for a few tips on how they prepare before a speech.

Tips from Melané:

• Do breathing exercises a few minutes before starting your speech. Take a deep breath and blow slowly out.
• Know your topic, do research and make sure you know enough about the topic you are going to talk about.
• Make sure you are dressed appropriately and comfortably, there should be no irritations.
• Eat properly before you leave for the event, it will prevent your stomach from turning.
• Lastly, tell yourself over and over that you are an excellent speaker and have good self-confidence with words like: I’m the best speaker ever. I have supernatural self-confidence and am comfortable talking to any audience.  This one you can start a week or so before the big day.

Irene added the following tips

• Take deep breaths, visualise the speech you are about to give
• Be prepared, know your topic.
• Hearing your voice amplified on a microphone may be disconcerting. Before you speech for the first time, practice with a microphone.
• Keep in mind why you are on stage giving this speech

Lastly remember to be yourself when you are on the stage. If you make a mistake, it is not the end of the world, she said.

maretha@nmgroup.co.za