Image
Besides
verbal and body language, the speaker transmits a personal image that
will be either valued positively or negatively by the public.
You need
to try and project a positive image.
A friendly
and open image (although you may be a shy person), attractive, etc.
it is favourably valued by the public and helps gain respect.
A
careless, bad-tempered, unfriendly image makes the public against
you (although they might share the ideas displayed).
The speaker
should dress appropriatly for the ocassion:
If it
is a formal act, you should wear a suit.
If
it is an informal act, you should be wearing comfortably clothes,
sporty, etc.
You need
to try and not be out of place with the public.
The speaker
should find out how he should be dressed. If there is a doubt then
you should always go for the more conservative option.
Once you
have defined the style (formal or casual), the speaker should try
and dress somewhat better than the audience (you are the protagonist
after all).
You need
to feel comfortable and happy with your appearance. This will increase
your confidence and allow you to fight against feeling insecure.
However,
you should avoid being excessive (you shouldn't go looking like
a state). The image should enhance your figure, but without outshining
it (the audience needs to pay attention to the speech and not be
distracted by your spectacular outfit).
You image
should also go with the message that you want to transmit:
For example,
if it is a celebratory meeting to celebrate the brilliant results
of the exercise, the speaker can dress excessive (although with
order).
If
on the other hand, the director of the company is going to communicate
a staff cut back he should dress in a more elegant way.
Details
that one looks after in their ordinary life, should receive special
attention when you are going to talk in public:
Hair
well looked after, shaved, clean teeth, clean shoes, buttons done
up, tie in place, etc.
Before
you go onto the stage it is a good idea to carry out a last revision,
just in case (is you zip undone?)
You need
to avoid any detail which can negatively effect your image.
For
example, if the speaker is short he should make sure that the stand
he uses is an appropriate one (that he is not hidden behind it).
If
two people are speaking at the same time and they are of considerably
different heights, it is a good idea that they are separated to
avoid pointing out the contrast.
