Unlike a lot of people I've met, I've never had a problem getting up in front of people and speaking. I guess I just like the attention. This doesn't necessarily mean I've been very effective a it, in the past. Wanting to do it is only half the battle. I had to work on my speaking skills through practice and use of good speaking techniques.
But what if you'd rather eat dung beetles then get up in front of people and deliver a presentation?
No problem, the techniques I'm about to review with you can help anyone be a more effective speaker.
1) Talk to a group like you talk to an individual. Be informal, yet polite and professional. An easy way to do this is to make eye contact. Not general eye contact, but with one person at a time. If the group is small, move back and forth connecting with each individual person. If the room is larger, divide it into sections and make eye contact with someone in each section, being careful not to duplicate until you've made the connection with everyone.
2) Start with a story. Tell your audience something that will loosen them up, help them learn something about you, and maybe even get them laughing. Self-deprecating humor works fine for this. Remember, your audience needs to know you are a real person. It's just another way to make a connection.
3) Find your voice before you get up in front of the group. Good vocal inflection is an outstanding way to connect with your audience and get them into your speech. Before your speak, practice varying your volume by counting from one to ten. One will be a whisper, while ten is a shout!! Four to six is your ideal range for most audiences. If you can conceptualize the difference between a soft two or three and a loud, forceful eight, you will find it easier to use that inflection in your speech.
What's the theme running through all of these tips? Connecting with your audience. One of the biggest reasons why people get so afraid to speak is fear of the disinterested audience. Nobody wants to get up in front of people, deliver a speech and get no response, whatsoever. Take the first step and use these techniques to connect with your audience. Once they like you, they'll listen to you.
Good luck in your next speech!