You may have to give a speech in front of other people. No matter who you are addressing, your speaking can potentially impact the audience you have. The following advice will help you speak well in almost any situation.

Utilize a timer to determine the length of your speech. This ensures your speech fills the time you have. If you find your presentation is short, get some more material by doing more research. Never rush when you are delivering a speech publically.

In order to make the best presentation when speaking publicly, you must prepare thoroughly. Know what you’re going to say. If you’re unsure of a fact, do your research before adding it to your speech. Jot down the things you wish to convey. Practice until you know the speech by heart. Being well prepared allows you to feel confident when the time comes for you to make your actual speech.

Learn the material the best you can. Regardless of whether you have the words memorized, it is still important to know random facts about the material. Insert them and gauge how your audience reacts to them. This can also reinforce your speech when answering questions or providing follow up conversations.

Be as familiar as possible with your material. It is useful to know all the facts, figures and a few jokes or stories relating to your topic, whether your speech is memorized or not. Work them in on the fly depending on how you gauge your audience. Also, use them to answer questions and back up the substance of your speech.

Practice your speech more than once after you memorize it. Rehearse your speech often to make needed corrections. You should also practice breathing and the pace of your speaking. Ensure your speech time can include time for interruptions, which will be applause, with any luck. If you can, go over your speech where you will be delivering it.

Practice makes perfect. Work on issues where you lose your flow. You need to work on breathing and proper pacing. Be certain your speech timing allows for potential applause or other interruptions. If you can, try to practice using the podium and other equipment you’ll be using when you make the real speech.

A good way to become a great public speaker is to tell true stories when possible. Before you give a speech, make an outline. A well-rounded story will have the audience know when you begin and when it ends. If the story you tell is based in reality, it will sound natural.

Gain an understanding of the audience. If you can, try to learn who will be listening to you. If it’s possible, try greeting them as they arrive and take the time to learn their names. You will feel more comfortable, and so will your audience if you are engaging them on a personal level.

Keep moving if you suddenly realize you skipped something in your outline. If you go back in time to try to cover something that isn’t fully necessary, you could find yourself becoming confused and lost in the speech entirely. Plus, people are less likely to realized you skipped a sentence if you do not bring any attention to the matter.

You needn’t be a politician or a gifted orator to deliver an effective speech or presentation. If you know what you are talking about and who you are talking to, you will do well. Even if you’re not behind the podium, using these tips can benefit your overall speaking abilities.

Try some deep breathing exercises to get over nerves when speaking in public. Before you start to speak, breath deeply a few times and then exhale. Breath in and out very slowly, counting to four or five on each inhale and exhale. Repeat this process six times, and soon you will feel more at ease.