A Public Speaking Guide from Cassidy Fitzpatrick Carlson:

Volume

• If you are not using a microphone, project more than your speaking volume, but don’t shout
• If you’re using a microphone, try to use your normal speaking voice
• Ask the audience if they can hear you, if you’re not sure

Filler Words (uh, um, like, so)

• Know your filler words and do your best to avoid using them. Even if that means taking a pause. Silence is not the enemy!

Gestures

• Know your quirks. If you talk with your hands, make sure each gesture is important, or work on eliminating some of the extraneous movement.
• Practicing in front of a mirror or filming yourself can help

Eye Contact

• There are many different techniques you can try. Generally, let your eyes meet another person’s for about the length of a single thought or sentence and then move onto a new person with the next thought. In a large space where individuals are far away, you can take the same approach with a part of the hall or space.

Q&A

• Repeat the question that is asked:
  • 1) To confirm that you understood it
  • 2) So that the other audience members know the question that is being addressed
• Don’t lie! If you don’t know the answer, just say you don’t know.
• Remember that you are representing yourself, sometimes an organization, so be thoughtful about your response. 

Practice Practice Practice!

• Record yourself, audio and video
• Rehearse in front of a friend or a small group
• You don’t need to memorize a script, you do need to know your talking points by heart

From AudienSync:

Audience Engagement tips

• When seeking responses from your audience, use questions with multiple possible answers and be sure to validate all audience responses, especially if they are unexpected

• The audience goes off of your energy! Let your enthusiasm inspire the audience.
• Always face your audience and stand clear of any music stands or other obstructions.
• When using a microphone, hold it in a relaxed hand and keep it close to your mouth.

• See Education guide, but speak to audiences more maturely than you think you need to. 
• If you’re not getting responses from the audience, turn to your colleagues on stage for interaction and answers. 

Further Resources

• David Wallace – Engaging the Concert Audience: A Musician’s Guide to Interactive Performance
• Eric Booth – The Teaching Artist’s Bible
• The Connected Musician