Different Types Of Public Speaking

It may seem obvious to state but there are different types of public speaking and it follows that the different types of public speaking will require different techniques – for instance a wedding speech may require the ability to make the audience laugh whereas a business presentation is more of a type of public speaking which requires a good grasp of the material and content. An after dinner speech depends on your ability to engage an audience, an awards presentation the ability to deliver a message with sincerity. Whatever the type of public speaking involved, it is my belief that the ability to deliver it effectively is not only dependant on your grasp of the content, but also on your ability to deliver it in an interesting and relevant way.

As a starter, when preparing for a public speaking engagement it is always a good idea to ask yourself ‘Who is the audience?’ It is no use doing a business presentation at a wedding – an extreme and obvious example, but so many speeches have ended up in disaster because the speaker has somehow insulted, alienated or not engaged the audience just by failing to answer this simple question and addressing which of the types of public speaking is required

A great public speaking technique to develop is to give your speech some personality. This can cover a multitude of elements – from body language to including ‘real life stories’, analogies, anecdotes (watch out for jokes though unless you are 100% sure they will go down well!). Giving your speech some ‘personality’ will really help you engage with your audience and get them ‘on your side’

Another important public speaking technique is simply to know your subject or at least know enough to be able to deliver the speech confidently and effectively. If you are the sort of person who can deliver almost anything ‘off the cuff’ this isn’t so much of a problem, but many of us are a bag of nerves and the better we know our material the more confident we will be. If you can, anticipate questions, do a ‘dry run’ in front of friends, family, colleagues if you can and gauge reaction – rehearsal and fine tuning may be the most important public speaking technique of them all!