Impromptu Speaking Skills

© iStockphoto
fpm

Learn to speak confidently and entertainingly in front of others, with little preparation.

Your boss, Amanda, is due to introduce a speaker at a conference this afternoon. But, at the last moment, she's taken ill with food poisoning and you need to take her place.

You've had almost no time to prepare, and you're worried that your nerves will get the better of you. Your reputation and credibility are now on the line, and you're not sure what to do.

Many of us have experienced situations like this in the past, but there are a number of ways that you can prepare yourself to give an effective, unplanned speech.

In this article, we'll look at why impromptu speaking skills are so important, and we'll explore how you can prepare for these last-minute opportunities.

Benefits and Opportunities

Many people feel nervous or fearful about public speaking   . When you need to talk in front of people, and you've had little or no time to prepare, it's easy to feel overwhelmed.

Impromptu speaking might sound like something to avoid whenever possible, but it can open doors and lead to new, unexpected career opportunities. For example, impromptu speaking skills can give you the self-confidence   you need to give a last-minute presentation, sail through a challenging job interview, or win over a difficult client.

You can build your reputation   and impress leaders in your organization when you learn to speak effectively under pressure. Impromptu speaking skills can also help you deliver an elevator pitch   , conduct a successful question-and-answer session, or make important connections at a networking event.

By developing impromptu speaking skills, you can learn to speak with eloquence, humor, and confidence, and you'll ensure that you can communicate your messages clearly and succinctly.

How to Build Your Impromptu Speaking Skills

Use the strategies below to develop good impromptu speaking skills....