What is the most important thing in public speaking?

W: In public speaking, the watchword is preparation. Most of us tend to put things off, at least occasionally. It’s so easy to put things off, especially those things we do not look forward to doing. So if a speaking engagement is several weeks off, we may feel we still have plenty of time. But as the day draws closer, we begin to panic. Do not let this happen to you. Start preparing as soon as you are given or accept the speaking assignment. You have much to do and to do it right will take time. How much better your speech will be and how much better you will feel, if you have taken the time to do it right.
     When you are prepared, you have gathered the needed date, determined what is appropriate to the listeners’ understanding and acceptance levels, organized the ideas so they flow logically, selected examples and other support for your ideas, and made them interesting to your listeners. Develop a great opening that you know will catch that attention of even day dreamers in your audience. Check out the room you will be speaking in. Request any feasible changes which you wish in the set-up of the room. If you are prepared, you are confident you can best convey your message to your listeners. If you have waited until a few days before your presentation to begin to prepare, or worse, yet, the day before, no doubt you will be anxious, and with good reasons. Now there is out enough time to engage in more than a superficial attempt; both you and your audience will feel uncomfortable. Like retirement planning, it is never too early to start preparing for your presentation. So start preparing right away.