Where Should You Look When Giving a Speech?

When you give a speech its hard not to look at your notes, you don't want to forget any information so naturally looking at your outline or guide is perfectly acceptable. Just don't spend too much time reading and forget about speaking. Making and keeping eye contact with your audience is very important, it tells them that you want to have a conversation with them.

If you are able to get a general idea of the room size then you will have an advantage of where you need to be looking. If there are bright lights in your eyes the whole time its hard to get a bearing on where to look. Arrive a few minutes early so you can view the viewing area, it will help you connect with your crowd, even if you can't see them.

Some people find it easy to talk in front of people, others might be terrified. If you have never given a speech in public or to the public then use a few tricks to get them attentive on you first, then you can relax and talk to them instead of at them. Start with a joke or funny saying or your favorite quote. It will get the audience to feel more relaxed and will give you an opportunity to follow up with your speech.

Its best to focus on what you want to say, treat it as a conversation between two people where you give information and pause for their response. Although giving a speech is not like a question and answer session you can still deliver it with steady free flow of thought on their part. Make sure to look around the room, you can scan people without looking at them. Keep your notes in order so if you do get off track you can flow right back into your thoughts.

Even though the audience cannot see your notes they can follow along with you and anticipate what you might say next. Write your speech in an outline format, have an introduction, use the words "first", "second" or "next" and conclude with stating the words "finally" or "in closing". These are trigger words that give the audience the notion that things are flowing along, when you say these trigger words look out into the crowd.

Keeping eye contact with a crowd or group allows them to be involved in the speech. You can study those who are master speakers, they scan the room, and they might even gesture with a sweeping hand as not to single out anybody but include everyone. They don't look down but project their chin upward so they can speak out to the crowd. The also have a presence about them, they are not nervous but look at ease behind a microphone or podium.

If you are giving less that enjoyable data then add a visual or picture so that people are required to look up at you. Don't leave it as a crutch but know that it's very important to use aides to help the audience follow along with you. You can use them as breaks from the information so that you don't loose your audience. When making eye contact with people make it subtle. Don't stare at them, glance their way and keep your eyes moving without actually hitting on one target too many times. Move your head as your move your eyes, you maybe reading your notes but you are speaking to a room full of people. They will appreciate the attention from the podium as much as you do from the audience.

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