Becoming a Powerful Public Speaker

Everyone has seen the person – he is the one that easily commands the attention of the audience regardless of the topic. Something about his magnetic personality draws you in when he speaks. He brings any topic to life and make even the most mundane subjects take on a new appeal. That is what happens when you have a powerful public speaker in your midst.

If you have to speak in front of a group either regularly or on a rare occasion, you want to be that person. No one wants to stand up in front of the podium and see people yawn or begin to draw on their tablets or check their social networks during the speech. Contrary to popular opinion, you do not have to be born with that talent; it is one that you can develop.

Begin with a Dialect Coach

A dialect coach, or accent or speech coach as they may be called, can help you learn how to speak more effectively. While they often focus on your ability to speak without a heavy accent so that you can be heard and understood, the dialect coach can help you develop other vocal skills that will help your presentation or speech.

For instance, a popular public speaker is often an enthusiastic speaker. She makes you believe that any subject can be exciting. You discover that you are listening with rapt attention about a topic that you once considered boring. Enthusiasm doesn't just come from a bubbly personality. It is the effect of using the right words and the right tone.

Develop Confidence

Being confident in front of an audience is not always easy. If you are not naturally comfortable speaking in front of people, it can be hard to pretend. But as it has been said in other situations, "Fake it until you make it." Pretending to be confident starts with having an erect posture with your head held high and a smile on your face.

Another way to pretend to be more confident is to learn how to speak slowly. When a person is insecure in front of an audience, he or she often speaks faster. However, if you speak slower, you are less likely to stutter and sound more confident when you talk. If you hesitate or are unsure of what you are going to say next, it will not be as obvious to your listeners. As you have more successful speeches, it will help you with future situations.

Learning how to speak well so that your audience understands you and acting confident can help you become a dynamic speaker that everyone enjoys listening to. Don't worry if it doesn’t come naturally to you now. A little practice will make public speaking easier.

As you develop a confident attitude, you will feel more confident. It will show in the way you look, the way you talk and in how your audience responds. Public speaking doesn't have to be a dreaded part of your job. You may discover one day that you are in demand because everyone is hanging onto your words.

Claudette Roche is a dialect coach who teaches accent reduction in the Los Angeles area. She teaches foreign and American accents to actors and business persons/executives. In 2010 she was named as one of The Top 5 Voice Coaches by Hollywood Weekly Magazine.