I love speaking. For the past 17 years I've had the honor of standing in front of small groups, large groups, teenagers, adults and leaders and talking to them about Faith, God, Christianity, Love, Leadership and more. To me there is nothing like standing in front of a group of people opening my mouth and letting my heart speak out. I love to speak.
Over the past several years, I've really began to study the art of communicating. While watching and listening to great communicators deliver their talks, I've picked up several things that have helped me hone in on what it takes to be a really good speaker.
Here are some things I've learned over the years.
Hear from God on what to speak.
With all the great speakers and messages floating out there on the internet today, it is very easy to hear a message from Ed Young, Andy Stanley, Mark Driscol or my Pastor, Pastor Willie George and just take their stuff, reshuffle it a little bit and call it our own.
Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with listening to other speakers, getting ideas and points for messages. However, when you stand before a group of people, you need to know that you have heard from God on what to speak about.
If listening to someone else's message stirs something up inside of you that is great. Don't be afraid to use that information as a catalyst of creativity and content for what your going to say. However, before you get up on stage, make sure that you have heard from God on what to speak, not just from another wonderful communicator.
Pray.
If the first time you've prayed over your message is when you get onstage to present it...you could be in trouble. Spend time praying over your material, your delivery, your audience and things will go much much smoother.
Prepare.
Take time to make your message the best it possibly can be. Get out your bible, your commentaries, your computer and prepare. Get more information than you need, then start to widdle it down to what you are going to present.
Practice.
Athletes and Dancers practice for hours before the game or performance. You need to practice too. This looks differently for everyone but you need to do it. I write out my message, do a read thru of my message with a few trusted staff members, then get alone and read thru it quietly 5 times or so, then I start reading it out loud over and over again until I really get the feel of the message and the flow of the talk.
Speak on what your passionate about.
Are you excited about what your going to deliver to your audience? If your not, how will they be excited about receiving it from you?
Speak to the back of the room.
When you speak, speak to the people in the back of the room. Watch their eyes, their body movements, are they with you, are they listening, are thy engaged. If you are owning the people in the back of the room, I guarantee, the people in the front, are 100% with you as well. So speak to the back of the room.
Be you.
What is your name? Say it out loud. If you did not say Ed Young Jr, Pastor Willie George, T.D. Jakes, Mark Driscol, Andy Stanley or Ewrin McMannus, then don't be them on stage. Be you. God made you with a unique speaking style that matches perfectly with the people you are suppose to be reaching. So be the very best you, you can be.
Well, those are a few tips for speaking. Hope that helps.
