To establish credibility as a public speaker, one should earn the audience's trust and respect. This can be done by properly dressing, making eye contact with the audience, and stating one's credentials and connection to the topic. Additionally, speakers should establish their authority by clearly communicating the source of their expertise, referencing outside authorities, and putting their perspective in context. Returning to shared goals and understanding opposing views can also help gain credibility with a skeptical audience.

1. PUBLIC SPEAKING
First Positive Impression and Increasing Credibility:
How to Become a Reliable Speaker

2. Earn trust and respect
By:
Self-represention
Authority

3. Self-presentation

4. Dress the part.

5. Look at the audience.

6. State your credentials.
Reveal a personal connection
to your topic.
Establish common ground
with your audience.

7. Establish authority.

8. Establishing authority.

9. State the source of your authority.

10. Refer to outside authorities.

11. Put your perspective in context.

12. Gaining credibility with a
skeptical audience.

13. Find common ground
Appeal to shared beliefs and
values
Identify a shared goal
Return to this shared goal
throughout the speech
Demonstrate that you have
considered other perspectives on
the issue
Show that you understand the
appeal of opposing positions

14. To establish credibility, public
speakers should earn the audience's
trust and respect by presenting
themselves as authorities on the topic.

15. Reference
Boundless (n.d.) Establishing Credibility. Retrieved on July
21, 2014 from
https://www.boundless.com/communications/textbooks/b
oundless-communications-textbook/organizing-and-outlining-
the-speech-10/introduction-53/establishing-credibility-
212-10648/