V is for Volume.

The volume at which you speak is rather important to your speech giving. It’s one of the “have to get right” factors when you speak in public. Your audience won’t be able to get all the wondrous words you have to give to them if they can’t hear you or if you blow their hair back with excessive amplification.

Think about your voice. Are you a loud talker or soft spoken? If you have a booming voice then you’re in luck. Your audience will hear you loud and clear. Just be mindful to not blow them away, especially if you’re using a microphone.

Read here to find out the three ways to get your volume set to just the right level.

O is for Gaps.

The O is for gaps, not because of the letter, but because of what’s INSIDE the ‘O’ – a gap!

The use of gaps is what makes all the difference between newbie public speakers and pros.

Rookies often talk quickly and are in a hurry to get off the stage, while pros use considered and powerful pacing.

If you want to impress, few things are more powerful in public speaking than learning to ‘mind the gap’.

I is for Intonation.

How do you use your voice for good in public speaking? The difference between a gifted storyteller and a monotonous robot is all about the letter “I”: Intonation; the rise and fall of the tone of voice, and Inflection; the emphasis you place on words.

Audiences thrive on messages that sound interesting, so put your full belief behind whatever you’re saying.

C is for Clarity.

How clearly do you speak? Is clarity in pubic speaking an issue for you? You might be surprised at the answer.

There are times when even the most experienced speakers can fall victim to unintentionally cluttering up their speeches.

Four top tips for a clutter-free presentation.

E is for Energy.

Energy is the verbal ‘oomph’ or self-belief you deliver in your performance. It’s the degree to which you’re willing to ‘stand up and be counted’. Your energy will be determined by many things: intonation, gaps and volume, but there is just something special that’s added to the mix when you focus on your energy.

Having energy as a speaker is all about being yourself but deliberately amplified (based on the audience and room size). So until you can get your energy under conscious control, you’re not going to be as good a presenter as you could be.