4 Fool Proof Tips To Improving Your Speaking

A great speaker can change minds and hearts.  He can capture the attention of many to create change.  Unfortunately, mastering the art of speaking isn’t a priority when it comes to ministry.  It’s often an afterthought and it shows.

Courtesy of evanforester/Creative Commons License

Maybe you’ve told yourself, “I’m confident and I can wing this.”  And while you might be a talented speaker you need to make it a priority.  No matter your level of speaking you need to make sure you improve it by:

STUDYING OTHER SPEAKERS

While some people are more natural than others there is an art to it.  And sometimes the best way to learn is from other professionals.  Go to other churches, watch sermons on youtube or download podcasts.

Don’t be afraid to go outside the box of ministry and watch comedians, inspirational speakers and business gurus.  At first try out their styles and then as you get more comfortable embrace your own voice.

PICKING A TEMPLATE

There is nothing worst than listening to a speaker with no bottom line or direction.  It leaves the listener frustrated and feeling like their time has been wasted.  A template will help you avoid this situation.

While there are different templates you can choose from you want to make sure you pick one that fits your style.  It needs to be one that helps you stay on track and speak efficiently.

A book that I definitely recommend is Communicating for Change by Andy Stanley and Lane Jones.  It gives you a great framework for presenting your message.  While that’s one style there are many out there.

WATCHING YOURSELF

One of the best ways to improve your speaking is by watching yourself.  Athletes watch game tape, musicians listen to their own recordings and speakers need to analyze their own:

• Body language

• Tone and Pitch

• Content and Delivery

Make notes and ask others for opinions.  Find out if you are talking to fast or using too much body language.  Ask questions like, “Am I smiling enough?” and “Am I reading too much from my notes?”

DEDICATING THE TIME

The more time you spend on your message the more your delivery and content will improve.  You’ll find that new ideas will develop.  You’ll discover better ways of clarifying a point.  The time you pour into it will matter.

To make that time means scheduling it into your week.  Speaking should not be an afterthought.  If you need assistance ask someone to remind you and hold you accountable.

If you want to create change and move people into action it take intentionality.  While we all have the ability to speak we need to work on mastering it.