When I was living and acting professionally in New York, I took a course on meditation at the Himalayan Institute. Casually one day, the teacher expressed an opinion that has stayed in my mind ever since.

“We don’t have an epidemic of heart disease in this country,” he said. “We have an epidemic of breathing disease.”

You could call that a “breathtaking” statement in itself. It certainly resonated with someone for whom — as a stage actor — breathing and breath control were central to my art. What the teacher was saying was that, typically, our heart isn’t given enough oxygen because of poor breathing habits. A heart continually deprived of an adequate supply of oxygen will naturally fare poorly over time. Interestingly, the same careless breathing habits will negatively affect your performance as a public speaker.

Why? Well, an interesting fact about public speaking is that breathing for speech is different from breathing for life. The latter is sometimes known as “vegetative breathing,” meaning that it is passive and not aimed consciously at a goal. In speech, however, breath not only is the energizing force which powers our vocal cords. It must also be controlled to achieve the effects a speaker desires. Chief among these is sustaining the sound, since in English the most important words-the ones that need to be “punched”-usually come at the end of a phrase or sentence.

This means that as speakers, we use controlled exhalation that is much longer than the “quick in and out” inhalation-exhalation cycle of breathing for life. We must control our exhalation, and that means taking full breaths that form the reservoir of air that powers our speech. Speakers therefore must breathe more deeply than in everyday vegetative breathing. This is often a particular challenge in public speaking, when self-consciousness and adrenaline are enticing us to breathe shallowly and rapidly.

Getting a full reservoir of air that allows us to sustain our vocalization is only one benefit to slower, deeper, relaxed breathing for speech. A full rush of air that fills our lungs actually slows our heart down, calming and centering us. Try this exercise yourself: Get a baseline pulse rate at your wrist, then take a huge intake of air, pause for a few seconds, then “whoosh” it all out in a big exhalation. You should feel a distinct slowing on your pulse rate in the first few seconds afterwards.

Another reason to breathe fully and deeply is that it oxygenates our brain. And the brain needs this precious fuel oxygen if it is to function at top efficiency. In the speech environment where thinking on one’s feet is paramount, this is no small benefit. So, try some relaxation exercises–lying down or sitting, it really doesn’t matter–that teach you to breathe slowly and more deeply. You’ll feel good, and you’ll be more centered and ready to speak. Equally important, you’ll look good by avoiding a “caved in” appearance. Best of all, you’ll be able to vocally support your crucial points as you talk.

One other suggestion: As you do your relaxed breathing exercise, try to get your inhalation and exhalation to be continuous. That is, there should be no starting or stopping point where the inhalation ends and the exhalation begins, and vice versa. Think of your breathing rhythm as a figure “8″ on its side, which is actually the symbol for infinity: there is no break anywhere. Unobstructed breathing like that helps loosen the mental blockages that are so often part of our trepidation about speaking in public. All in all, not a bad package of benefits from the simple art of learning to breathe properly, is it?

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GARY GENARD is an internationally known speech coach and corporate trainer. A former professional actor, he is the founder of Boston-based Public Speaking International, one of the world’s premiere presentation skills and media training companies. PSI offers communication skills improvement including public speaking training, executive speech coaching, speech improvement training, presentation skills and using PowerPoint, sales presentation training, and media appearance training. Public Speaking International can be found online at http://PublicSpeakingInternational.com

Humor is a tool to that can be used to create interest and connection with your audience when giving a presentation. There are various ways that you can introduce humor into a speech. You may be able to successfully include a funny story or some humorous public speaking quotes in your talk to make your audience laugh and warm to you. But before you decide on this approach, make sure that it relates to what you are going to talk about, and that it really is funny. Test the idea on other people ahead of time and see if they laugh.

Humor is often a great way to break the ice when you introduce your talk. It could be a personal anecdote, or a simple (tasteful) joke. Otherwise you might find a humorous quote that you can use at the end of your speech that will leave the audience with smiles on their faces, feeling warm and fuzzy, and positive about you.

Both the introduction and conclusion of any speech is important, so either way you will need to be sure that what you say is appropriate to the occasion. And if you use humor elsewhere, do so to help make a point, not just to make people laugh.

Sense of humor is a very personal thing; not everybody will necessarily laugh at every joke or funny line. But if what you have said has some meaning, it doesn’t really matter. For this very reason, it is also not a good idea to try and prompt your audience into laughter by stating that you are about to tell a funny story or a joke. Pause before the punch line and then pause (and smile) to give them a chance to laugh. But if they don’t, move on to the rest of your speech without dwelling on the fact that they didn’t respond.

Before you decide to try using humorous quotes or funny stories, you need to find something that is relevant. Well chosen, short quotes are usually effective, but very short stories or quick anecdotes can always work quite well. If you are using a visual screen, cartoons and drawings can also be effective. Long, drawn-out stories, however funny, should generally be resisted. Likewise, stay away from “blue” humor — keep it clean.

If you do, or plan to do, quite a lot of public speaking, keep a constant lookout for humorous quotes and stories that you may be able to use at a later date. You will find them in books, magazines, on the Internet and in everyday life. Remember that speeches are always easier to make if they are relevant to you — the speaker. It is no different when it comes to humor. If you can use a story about something funny that happened to you, or quote something funny that you have said or have heard, then do so. You may find you’ll remember it better than something you merely read somewhere, and it will resonate more personally when you deliver it.

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Tim Ackerman is an author and public speaking enthusiast whose mission is to help people enrich their lives through more skillful communication. Check out his website at http://www.publicspeakinginsider.com for more info on using public speaking quotes, and a FREE email mini-course on effective public speaking.

In any presentation, there are basic bits of info that a consultation should receive from their presenter. You are the issue solver presenting a solution that will benefit your audience. Even though you are merely blessing the newly weds at your foremost friend’s wedding, you will still have wonders that have to be answered. The presentation should answer who, what, when, where, why and how regarding your topic. In giving that info, your presentation will have clarity and will be on course and on target to give the detail necessary to your listeners.

1. Who – Who is your target audience?

What would they love to comprehend regarding your presentation? Do they have any preconceived notions about your material? What are their fears? Are you addressing the “who” you targeted in your studies? When you address the “who” of your message, you are better in a position to relate with your guests. They’ll feel like you are speaking straight to them. They’ll give you their attention because they feel like their needs are being addressed.

2. What – What is the message you would like to talk?

What are the issues? What are the solutions? The “what” in your warning is the backbone of your presentation. It is your purpose of your moral and the reason you are speaking. It is in addition the excuse why people come to hear you.

3. When – When is the recommended time to take action?

Is there a sense of urgency in your presentation? Stressing the “when” aspect of your experience is especially important when you like your guests to take action right away following the presentation – i.e. – enroll at a class, sell promotional materials, implement what was heard)

4. Where – Where is the trouble located?

Where can your listeners find the help they need? “Where” signifies direction. This leads your guests somewhere in your presentation. Where would you like to take them? Frequent “where” statements incorporate “across the US nowadays,” “in school campuses nationwide,” “in the construction industry,” and “in families in California.”

5. Why – Why should they take action?

What are the motivating reasons in prompting your guests to take action? The chief focus here is inspiration and motivation to take action. Not just have you ever wanted them to pay attention to you, but you would like your audience to take action on what you’ve said. You like to somehow grow their lives and honing your lesson on the “why” is a critical necessity.

6. How – How can they react to your message?

How can they take action dependent on what they’ve heard? This is the studying and teaching portion of your experience. This can be the “how-to” section telling them how they can simply improve their lives. This section often incorporates steps to follow.

There are still a good many more calls into question that your presentation should answer. As you piece all of these pieces of details together, you’ll be giving your guests the detailed answers they’re looking for. You likewise present yourself as the credible source of info you like to present yourself to be!

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Gilberto Reed has been writing articles online for nearly 3 years now. Not only does this author specialize in weight loss,fitness and diet, you can as well check out his latest website on low voltage outdoor lighting and Outdoor Cat Enclosure

Before writing a speech, you must first determine the topic on which you’ll be speaking. Often when given a speaking opportunity, you’ll find yourself in one of two positions: searching desperately for a topic or choosing from a myriad of topics. These simple questions can help you find a topic or define your choices.

Question #1:

Who is your audience? Will you be speaking in a corporate setting or a more relaxed atmosphere? Think of what will be most helpful and valuable to your audience. Think of what will connect with them.

Question #2:

What is your field of expertise or experience? Are you a scientist, doctor, lawyer, author, analyst, project manager, athlete, actor, world traveler? Draw on your vast knowledge and narrow your focus to one particular topic.

Question #3:

What are your areas of interest? Think of topics you’d like to know more about. Then research, do your homework and develop your speech. Share with others what you’re passionate about. Take them on your journey of discovery.

Question #4:

What interesting people or places are in the locale of where you’ll be delivering your speech? Think of ways you can choose a topic and work a local angle into your speech.

Question #5:

Will you be giving your speech near a holiday? Pair the holiday theme with something of interest to your audience. (Note: Best for non-corporate audiences).

As an example, I’ll show you how I picked a topic for one of my speaking opportunities. I considered the following: I would be speaking after dinner to a group of 30 couples near Valentine’s Day. As an author of a book of romantic poetry, I used that as a platform to brainstorm. The venue was a local restaurant and, while we would have a private dining room, space was limited.

As I would be part of a program, I knew that the mood would be light and fun. I chose my speech, ‘Living a Passionate Life,’ to incorporate the romantic holiday theme and created a display using heart-shaped knick knacks, stuffed animals and my poetry books. While the topic could be broad (life could equal family, health, career, spirituality, etc), I narrowed my focus to ‘family’ with a splash of ’spirituality’ as this was a church group.

Remember that a good topic has a narrow focus. If you feel you’ve chosen a broad topic, find something specific within it. Then build a topic ‘tree’ with the remaining subtopics. You may find that you have not only an idea for this speech but one for your next one as well. A narrow focus on your topic will save time in research and developing your speech.

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Jean Bailey Robor is an award-winning author and speaker. She is available for business, church and civic organizations. Motivation and inspiration with a splash of humor is Jean’s specialty. Visit her website: http://www.jeanbaileyrobor.com.

Looking for a way to ruin that perfect speech? How about a tried-and-true method to disengage with your audience? Tired of people asking you to speak again? What if I told you that following just one bad course of action could help you with all of these goals? How much would you pay for that advice? $12.00? $17.94? One Million Dollars?

Well here it is… free of charge (shh!):… wait for it… Give out too much information. <– That’s the ticket. Now you’re probably wondering, “Hey Rob, what are the 3 best ways to do that?” I’m glad you asked!

First… cram too much material into the time allotted… Imagine the perfect mutual fund speech: First point, the entire history of mutual funds. Second point, what mutual funds are. Final point, how to invest in mutual funds for your future. Time? not just 5-7 minutes… no… no… you extend this gem out to 6-8 minutes. Sweet!

Seriously, don’t be afraid to just talk about one fraction of one topic in your presentation. i.e. Pick history, and just talk about how the mutual fund got its start in the ’70s (or whenever they came into being). Now, people will be able to absorb what you’re talking about and understand your points. Bonus! You can talk about the current state of mutual funds in a future speech, and your audience will remember that you were informative last time, so they’ll listen this time too.

Second… Keep talking until you’ve said everything you can think of, no matter how long it takes. This is the best idea, because your audience is trapped! They wouldn’t dare walk out while you are speaking about this topic! You are the King, or Queen, or Jack… whatever. The point is you own the stage Ace, so they need to pay that rent and listen until you’re done, right?

Seriously, your audience is probably expecting a set time presentation, and a reasonable amount of information to be provided in that time frame. Make your promise, i.e. “You’re going to learn the 2 steps to investing in mutual funds”. Then don’t blabber on about anything that doesn’t meet that promise. Even if it makes you cool. When in doubt… drop it out. No audience ever gets mad at a speaker who finishes early. Ever!

Finally… Look at your watch in the middle of the presentation, and just stop talking! No conclusion. Or better yet, just say “Thank you.” and step off the stage. Victory!

Seriously, you should open your presentation with your second strongest material, and close with your best material. You can’t do that properly if you just stop before you get to your conclusion. You should practice your conclusion, watch your time, and avoid “added” extra content in the middle. Don’t set yourself up to drop it off of the conclusion.

Now! You know my secrets to less communication! Talk more… say less! It’s a winning combination. Take the time to add useless drivel and pointless content to your next speech, and your audience will be sure to ask for me to speak in your place next time! Victory!

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Rob Christeson is an IT Project Manager, freelance writer and speaker based in Wichita, Kansas. His Talk to the Human™ blog is based on the premise that while on-line social networking, e-mail and text can be very useful for building contacts and staying in touch, nothing beats real live human communication when you need to get stuff done.

Visit his professional website using either of the links below:
http://www.robchristeson.com
http://www.talktothehuman.com