Do you have a job that you must speak publicly? Do you wish you could become a better speaker? If speaking in public strikes fear in your heart, you have lots of company. This article will help you. Read the following suggestions and decide which ones will help you out.

Try using a timer to time the length of your speech. If it is longer than you were expecting, take the opportunity to trim it down. Do more research to add some more material if you’re short. Pace your speech so that the audience can keep up with what you are saying.

When you speak in public, remember that people will not automatically follow what you say. You have to put in an effort to keep the audience interested in what you’re saying. To get results, you must work for it.

Prepare in advance the best that you can before a speech. Understand exactly what you are planning to say. Support your statements with facts, when necessary. Use note cards to write out anything you will be saying so that you can look over them while speaking. Take time to practice your speech beforehand until you know it easily and well. Being prepared can raise your confidence level.

Try using a timer to time the length of your speech. You’ll be able to add or subtract content to keep it in your time limit. If you find your speech is not long enough, research to find more information. Finally, don’t rush when speaking.

Understand the material thoroughly. Even if you memorize your material, it’s helpful to know other aspects of your topic that are not included in your speech. Work them in when you can to see how your audience reacts. It will also make you better prepared for any questions.

The key to a good speech is preparation. Have a good understanding of what you are trying to say. Support your statements with facts, when necessary. Use note cards to write out anything you will be saying so that you can look over them while speaking. Try practicing this speech until you know it by heart. Being well prepared allows you to feel confident when the time comes for you to make your actual speech.

Know who you’re speaking to. If you can, find out who is attending the event. Try and say hello to people as the enter the area and ask their names. When you do these things, you’ll feel a lot more familiar with the people and the room.

Keep your attention towards the audience. Do not let yourself get distracted by things in the area. You must command the attention of your audience.

Familiarize yourself with the venue where you will speak. See if you can tell how sound travels without a microphone. Use the equipment to get used to it. Make sure you know the right way to use visual aids or any relevant equipment. Figure out how much eye contact should be made.

After committing your speech to memory, practice it over and over. This is the time where you can perfect the speech with effective changes. Pay attention to your speed and to how you breathe as well. Be sure to allow time in your speaking for pauses or interruptions, which you hope to be audience applause. Use the equipment you are going to use for the speech to practice if you can.

If you realize you missed a sentence of your speech, just keep going. If you get flustered and try and go back, you could confuse your audience. In addition, others are unlikely to recognize the omission if you don’t draw attention to the issue.

You can be good at speaking in public. It just takes knowledge and practice. The information presented here will help you get started in the right direction. Practice them in all of your social interactions. Eventually, you will feel at ease when you are speaking in public. Public speaking is important in almost any career.

Never take a drink of alcohol prior to making a public speech. Though it may work to loosen you up, that might just be a bad idea. Nothing will ruin a speech faster than forgetting your lines, and that’s exactly what will occur if you imbibe in a few drinks.