What are the characteristics of a good Speaker?

Characteristics of effective public speakers: Characteristics of effective public speakers that you should emulate to become an influential and inspiring speaker.

(i) Confidence: Be certain that you will give a spectacular presentation. Your audience wants to root for you. Give them a reason to do so by being secure in your abilities. A study published by the University of Wolverhampton stated that a highly confident speaker is viewed as more credible than a less confident speaker.

(ii) Passion: You need to exude a level of sincerity in your emotion when communicating to your audience if you want them to be moved by your presentation.

(iii) Practice, don’t memorize: Memorization can set up a barrier between you and your audience so practice with the full expectation that something unanticipated will happen.

(iv) Speak in a natural voice: In general you should try to speak in a conversational tone. Any connection you’ve made with your audience could be broken by tones that seem ‘fake' or ‘too perfect’.

(v) Authenticity: Be vulnerable and open about your life, this will give your audience permission to listen with their hearts as well as their ears. Research indicates that there is a strong correlation between commitment in organization and the proceeded authenticity of the leader. When you are authentic more people will follow through with your call to action.

(vi) Keep it Short and Sweet: You want to make sure that your presentation is easily digestible for those listening to you. If you can complete your speech in 15 minutes, do so, and leave any remaining time open for questions and comments. No matter what, don't fluff your audience.

(vii) Connect with your Audience: A skilled presenter knows that public speaking is a conversation with the audience and navigates the energy of the room with material that best connects his message with the audience. Don't speak with your audience, speak with them.

(viii) Paint a Picture through Storytelling: Humans are wired for stories. This is why the best presentations don’t feel like presentations, they are simply stories told by people with interesting experiences. The latest brain research demonstrates that even the simplest stories can reshape our neurology and body chemistry.