Lesson 1 Criteria for Success

Lesson 2
How to prepare for a public-speaking event
Follow these steps to prepare for your public-speaking event:
1. Know your audience
Knowing your audience helps you figure out how to adjust your speech and your presentation. Considering your audience aids your decision in what kind of language you use, how long your speech is and what topics are appropriate. Make sure the experience is enjoyable and the information you provide is useful to your specific audience.
2. Familiarize yourself with the environment
Try to visualize your surroundings and how the event will look like the day of. Try to get as much information as possible about where you will be presenting. Check to see if you'll be on stage and if you'll have a podium or microphone.
Be aware of how you will need to get to the location, especially if it is a larger event. Consider spaces such as backstage or different entrances you might need to use as a speaker. Prepare materials and supplies beforehand, such as water, your computer, a notebook and a pen.
3. Outline the main points
Outlining the main points of your speech makes your presentation focused and organized. Try to use these main points as the foundation of your speech.
Consider outlining your speech with keywords. Keywords are beneficial because they are easy to remember and work well with an outline. You can easily glance at your notes and see specific keywords that help you stay focused.
4. Have someone review your speech
Once you have written down your speech, give it to a trusted friend or coworker to read. Getting another perspective can help you identify areas of improvement. Ask them to make notes or changes to help with the flow and content.
5. Practice on your own
Find out how much time you have for your speech. When practicing, make sure to time yourself from start to finish, and read the entire speech several times. For the first few times, feel free to use notecards or a script, but once you get comfortable, try only using these resources when you forget a line. This can help you make more eye contact with your audience, which helps engage them.