You're invited to be a guest speaker at the local High School to explain to the students the importance of hand-washing in preventing the spread of a highly-contagious staph infection that's invading the country.

During your talk, you notice that, despite your level of expertise and the importance of the subject matter, your audience seems uninterested or even confused. It's at this point you realize there is a big difference between knowing a subject well and communicating it to others effectively.

These 10 helpful tips will help you the next time you need to get your message across.
1. Know your audience
Take the time to learn the demographics of your audience. You'll need to design your speech to the appropriate age and education level of the majority of listeners. A doctorate-level thesis won't mean anything to the group of high school students waiting to hear from you. On the other hand, a simple, plain-speech presentation won't interest a group of graduate school students. Tailor your speech to the audience, and provide them with information at a level they can relate to.

2. Start strong
At the very beginning of your speech, spend some time introducing the subject matter defining the terms and acronyms that you'll be using during your talk. Use this opportunity to assess how aware your audience is about the topic. You can do this by asking “How many of you have heard of…” This interaction will also help you to engage your listeners.

3. Use appropriate visual aids
You know that a picture is worth a thousand words. In some cases, you might want to use photos or other images to demonstrate important facts about your topic. This is especially critical when you're discussing abstract ideas. When you use visual aids, be sure to allow a slight pause so that the audience can absorb the impact. Once they’ve had a few seconds to take it in, they’ll be better able to mentally connect the visual aid with your point.

4. Don't Memorize
Use an outline to organize your speech, but don't memorize it word-for-word. It may be earsier to keep track of where you are if you put your outline on small note cards instead of whole sheets of paper. You want to strive to memorize ideas and concepts rather than sentences and paragraphs. Your presentation will be much more natural that way.

5. Be careful with humor
If you like to use humor to connect with your audience, be aware of appropriate points in your speech where humor will add to your message instead of detracting from it. Always refrain from using off-color jokes, especially those that apply to a specific group of people such as jokes about blondes or Hispanics or men. Timed correctly, a little humor can help you build rapport with your audience.

6. Look 'em in the eye
Your message will be more readily-accepted by the audience if you're able to connect with them both visually and verbally. Focusing on one specific person or area of the group might make the listeners uncomfortable, so be sure you gaze moves around the entire room. Making appropriate eye contact will keep your audience involved during your speech.

7. Use your voice well
When you know the subject matter well, you might have the tendency to talk very fast. Keep in mind that your audience may not be as well-versed on the topic as you are. Speak clearly and at a pace that allows your audience to absorb the message. Be sure everyone in the room can hear you without straining, and use brief pauses and repetition to emphasize key points.

8. Know your stuff
It's essential that you know your facts when delivering a presentation. Make sure you understand any issues or controversies involved in the topic. Spend some time brainstorming on questions your listeners might have, and be sure that your speech answers those questions.

9. Interact with your audience
Once your presentation is complete, encourage your listeners to ask questions and take enough time to provide thorough answers. There should be a set time limit for this Q&A period that you've agreed on with the event hosts. Giving the audience the ability to ask for clarification leaves them with a lasting impression of you and your message.

10. Drive it home
Before you leave, reiterate the most important points of your talk. Repetition will really help the message sink in for your audience. Deliver your summary in such a way that your audience is left wanting more.

Keep these thoughts in mind as you prepare for your next public speaking engagement. With these techniques, you will find yourself in very high demand. There is always a need for a dynamic, effective speaker, and practicing these skills will help you become an expert at communication.

What about influencing people with public speaking? We’ve talked about being prepared and the actual delivery of a speech, but what makes you an influential and effective speaker?

* A good speaker has a sense of responsibility. Thus, he is careful with the things that come out of his mouth. He doesn't bite more than he can chew; nor is the information he is supposed to impart spread thin.

* A good speaker is enthusiastic and alive. He is aware that he is speaking to a group of people with diverse interests and moods. He catches the audience's attention by being himself, genuinely enthusiastic about the topic he is discussing.

* An influential speaker is one who keeps his head. He doesn’t let the opportunity to own the limelight as a chance to grandstand everyone else.

* An influential speaker has a sense of leadership. He speaks with authority, stands up straight, makes eye contact and speaks in a concise and straightforward manner. He injects humor into his speech, but doesn't get carried away with just making small talk.

* A good speaker has a sense of timing. He knows that the people had set aside a part of their lives to listen to what he has to say. He does not waste his and everybody else's time by engaging in empty topics.

Of course, nobody’s perfect. If you, as the speaker, make a mistake, acknowledge the error and make the correction right away. Don't continue apologizing, just move on to the next point immediately after you've made the correction. Apologizing incessantly will do little more than reduce your credibility in the eyes of your audience.

The chance to speak in front of an audience is a gift that you should take very good care of. You have been given the power to influence others by gaining their confidence and respect. Don’t waste this opportunity by beating around the bush. Offer them something of value that will have some effect on their lives.

Maybe this has happened to you. Someone introduces you and you walk up to the podium. You look out on that sea of unfamiliar faces, and your heart starts to pound in your chest, your mouth goes dry, your palms begin to sweat and your stomach gives a lurch. You had a speech prepared, but every bit of information you had intended to share just flies out of your brain. The butterflies in your stomach have become iron pellets. Everything seems to be moving in slow motion, and you imagine that the audience is now pointing at you and laughing.

Stop right there, take a deep breath and relax. Every public speaker has these feelings at least once. But it doesn’t have to be that bad, and there are several ways to make your next public speaking experience less stressful, maybe even fun. The good news is that public speaking won’t kill you. You just have to be prepared.

The first thing you need to do is know your audience. Speaking to a convention of bankers or investors is completely different than speaking to a group of construction workers or giving a toast at a wedding reception. Know who it is you’re speaking to. If you’re giving a speech at a seminar, you have information to impart to your audience; they’re there because you can teach them something. Keep in mind – they WANT to hear from you.

Once you’ve determined who your audience will be, it’s time to prepare your speech or presentation. The more you know about your topic and the better prepared you are, the less nervous you’ll be, so really get to know your material. Practice your speech or presentation in front of a mirror and pay attention to your body language.

Should you bring notes or depend on your memory? Because it can be so stressful, most speakers bring notes with them. How awful would it be to become so nervous, you forgot everything you were going to say, and you just stood there, trying desperately to remember your speech? Always take notes with you. But just use them as a guide; don’t recite from your notes, unless you want to put your audience to sleep.

The first thirty seconds are the hardest to get through, but they the most important. During the first thirty seconds, you have to grab your audience’s attention and get them interested in what you have to say. You’re probably asking, “How exactly do I do that?” Well, you could start with a joke, depending of course on your audience. Humor might not be appropriate for some gatherings. You could ask a provocative question, or quote a famous person. One of the most powerful techniques is to begin with a story that everyone in your audience can relate to.

Watch your body language. If you’re using a podium, stand naturally behind it; don’t grip the edges, as if you’re afraid of being blown off the dais. Place your notes on the podium, smile at the audience, and while maintaining eye contact, begin your speech or presentation. Hand gestures and facial expression are important. Moving about a little is okay, but try not to pace back and forth across the stage or dais. It can make your audience nervous.

Remember to take it easy and not rush through your presentation or speech. Pause now and then, consult your notes when necessary and try to relax. Remind yourself to speak slowly and clearly, avoiding slang. Stick to your speech or presentation; try not to go off on tangents that might confuse your audience.

Know when you’re done. Avoid rambling on, repeating yourself, or going off topic. Tell them what you need to tell them, give them the information they came to hear, then wrap it up. If you planned on a question and answer period, let them know you’re ready for their questions. When you’re done, say thank you and walk off the dais.

Dales Carnegie was quoted as saying that, “Great speakers are not born, they’re trained.” That means that, as with most things in life, preparation is the key.

Just imagine how it will feel when you walk up to that podium, look your audience in the eyes, smile, act like you own the place, and begin. You will be dynamic and the audience will love you.