Public Speaking Meaning

Diversify your income

By IFY MBUK

Budgets and penny-pinching are all well and good, but if you’re looking to give your income a serious lift, there is no substitute for entrepreneurial grit.

Many turn talent and expertise into a second source of income, providing consulting services on the side, for example, while maintaining their full-time jobs. Others put more skin in the game, making major investments to start local franchise operations or purchase rental property in pursuit of passive income.

But all who call themselves successful share similar character traits: a rock-solid work ethic and a willingness to roll up their sleeves. If you count yourself among them, the following money-making opportunities might help give you the raise you deserve.

Share knowledge for profits

The obvious first step is to use what you know to create part-time gigs you can do on nights and weekends. Speak a second language? Offer classes at your local library or community center.

Are you good at math? Start tutoring, which can command up to N2000 per hour for specific aptitude tests. Start a home decorating service, become a fly-fishing guide, offer workshops on creative writing, cake decorating, wedding photography — the opportunities are limitless and those who differentiate themselves can generate an extra N100,000 per month.

You can double that figure if you’re handy with computers. IT consultants charge a lot per hour or more, while Web designers charge anywhere from N50,000 to several thousand naira to create company Web sites.

Franchise to freedom

You could also make a bundle by buying a franchise, in which you pay for the right to use a company’s trademark and name. That includes food chains, health clubs, hair care studios, cleaning services and financial support service firms.

Typically, the franchisor provides startup expertise, marketing strategies, management guidance, financial assistance and training — making it easy to hit the ground running. But most also require minimum cash on hand to even start the discussion — which can come from savings, home equity, or stock portfolios.

Investment to establish a restaurant ranges from N5million to N15million depending on the size and location. This can come from cash and business loans. Some franchises, including Fast food chains, even cater to the home-based crowd.

Just be sure to do your homework before signing on and find a product you can sell. It’s hardly a sure thing, but successful franchisees can easily clear six figures a year.

Body Language, And Other Public Speaking Essentials | THG Formulations

Every public speaker has to keep in mind that it isn’t just a speech that is being given. Someone is giving it. You. No one can avoid portraying themselves in some way during a public speech. Even doing nothing but standing and reading words still shows one style (a dull one). Perk up your body language and delivery and you can wow them every time.

It’s possible to go overboard analyzing the meaning behind every gesture. But it’s still true that the way you move, the gestures you use and the way your voice projects says something. You want that something to add to the speech, to keep it engaging for the audience. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a professional actor or take years of lessons to develop the needed skills. A little common sense and a fair amount of practice will take you far.

One of the most important elements to good delivery is to project confidence. That comes more easily to some than to others. But it’s important for all public speakers. A figure of authority is accepted as one and confidence is one of the best ways to convey that.

A certain amount of nervousness is natural, especially for beginners. But even experienced speakers will sometimes have a little bit of stage fright before a speech. For some, the feeling never goes away completely no matter how many speeches they deliver.

Not to worry. Just focus on the speech and the audience and not on your internal state. Keep your concentration on the job at hand and any feelings of fear you do experience will not interfere with your delivery.

Move about the stage if you can. Avoid simply standing behind a podium like a cardboard cutout. You don’t want your movements to distract, but a little motion keeps the audience following you. It also gives you a chance to observe whether they’re paying attention. As you watch the audience you can note whether they’re watching you intently, or drifting off.

Whether you inject humor, personal anecdote or keep the speech light will depend on the occasion. Most speeches will give you the opportunity to inject some meaningful story that helps you make the point. But match your body language and your voice to the style of the story, and the speech overall.

Some subjects don’t lend themselves readily to lighthearted humor. War, child abuse and other topics are most often taken seriously, and appropriately so. Matching your movements and gestures, and especially your tone of voice to the subject will create an integrated delivery. Talking about a subject the audience finds very personal and serious by cracking jokes will jar them. It will tend to alienate them. You want your movements and voice to help you keep them on your side and listening attentively.

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