Want to enhance your persuasive
public speaking skills? Perhaps you have already spoken
before an audience, have given a great speech, have influenced
them considerably to your point and have received a standing
ovation a few times. Now you wish to improve that foundation
you have in persuasive public speaking.
Here are three ways that can
help you to become a more influential speaker.
One, body language. Majority
of human communication is done nonverbally, and people commonly
respond and understand it very well, having said that we primarily
did not have formal education on nonverbal language. In order
to effectively connect with your audience, mean what you're
saying through nonverbal cues.
These include eye contact, hand
gestures, pacing and the like to stress your words and statements.
For instance, if you're trying to imply a very important point,
you may point a finger up. If you're telling a story, pace a
short distance citing you're bringing them to a certain point.
You would be surprised what difference as an audience it would
make if the speaker simply went through his speech purely verbal.
Two, study. Influence
is your main concern when speaking before an audience so you have
to know what you're talking about. You have to persuade them into
considering the point that you're trying to make by citing facts,
accepted truths and sources to show that your speech is actually
based on something relevant.
Realize that there is no debate
or an exchange between you and them so you have to be very mindful
of every single aspect of your speech or they may find you stereotypical;
or worse, they may see you contradicting your own statements.
Do some research and be open about new ideas and opinions before
speaking; this will further guide you how to be a more persuasive
speaker.
Three, connection. Treat your
audience, no matter how great or small in number, as your utmost
concern. They are the reason you are speaking, so feel for them
as if your message and efforts will be in vain if you cannot
convince them to your point of view.
You have to create a link between
you and your audience to successfully deliver your speech. This
connection can be made through personal anecdotes, humor or
even asking an audience to speak a little.
The goal is to be able to create
feelings between you and your audience where they will know
that it matters to you that they listen. This will be the basis
for a smooth flow for the duration of the speech and probably
the key to persuasion.
In a persuasive speech, you as
the public speaker should know how to persuade and convince.
The audience should be driven to a point of influence that your
message will successfully be delivered and received. Repetition
of ideas, facts and opinions will bring them to your point and
positively boost your persuasive public speaking
skills.