Most Americans fear public speaking more than dying. It is an event that can paralyze the most confident and best communicators. Extroverts and introverts alike struggle with public communication too often falling trap to the infamous Um... or Uh.

Consider these basic principles before the next time you step up to the podium. They all start with C so they should be easy to remember:

Cultivation

Dont expect the audience to hang on to your every word. You need to earn their respect and attention. Be innovative. Be creative. Cultivate their interest with carefully chosen words, gestures, visuals and actions.

Communication

Communicate dont talk. Every word you choose needs to have a purpose. Use them wisely. In addition, make sure every thought and new idea has a transition. Dont jump from concept to concept. Simply, dont make the audience think. Do the work for them.

Captivation

Wow them with visual aids, audio samples, storytelling, etc. Go the extra mile to win them over.

Credibility

Always provide evidence with your facts. Research and do your homework. Remember developing trust with your audience is the hardest, but most rewarding thing you can do when communicating with a group.

Confidence

Someone once said, Success comes when opportunity meets preparation. The lesson here is to prepare and then prepare some more. The more you know your material the more confident you will be. Knowledge is power.

Puts these into practice and you will succeed with your next presentation. I promise.

Scott Schwertly has loved giving and hearing presentations since he gave his first big speech in the 7th grade. Scott has spent the last eight years working for television network affiliates helping them create story-telling visuals and working in marketing for both the private and public sector. He has a B.A. in Communications and an M.B.A. from Harding University. Helping you design and deliver captivating presentations is his passion. He currently serves as both Founder and CEO of Ethos3 Communications (http://www.ethos3.com) and is the author of the blog PresentationRevolution.com (http://www.presentationrevolution.com).

2007 Ethos3 Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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