We all have to speak in front of others at times. Here are some tips to be more powerful, memorable and successful.

1. Don't read your speech. Write key points down on note cards. Speak spontaneously and use the cards as reminders.
   
2. Have your hands visible to the audience. Keep them out of your pockets, and use them to communicate.
   
3. Wait 3 to 5 seconds before you begin, then speak more slowly than normal. This will feel uncomfortable, but it helps you focus and makes you look/sound more powerful.
   
4. Smile, Smile, Smile. An audience always reflects the speaker!
   
5. Watch you listeners for their feedback. If their body language says "Borrring" do something different!
   
6. At a personal moment in your talk, wink at your audience. (left eye to people on your left, right eye to those on the right. It makes people feel like you're speaking to them.
   
7. Make your speech live. Put your heart and soul into it. If it doesn't live, you die as a speaker.

Peter Urs Bender is author of the best-selling book Secrets of Power Presentations.
His listing appears in Sources. Visit www.PeterUrsBender.com for more tips.

See also:
7 Tips for Effective Speeches
Review of Your Guide to Public Speaking
Secrets of a Worthwhile Presentation
Don't Neglect Your Presentation Skills
Going to the Public: Ten public speaking tips
The HotLink Resource Shelf: Going for Gold!
Smooth Talking! Explore the Paid Speaking Market
Speaking to the Media