Public Speaking Tip: Know Your Audience - The first step in being an effective public speaker is to know your audience. Charlie Nielson, president of CM Alliance International, Inc., advises those who need to make a presentation to a group of any size to consider the needs of the listener first and then write the speech or plan the presentation around their needs. Nielson's web site, HouseofSpeeches.com has recently launched an e-book designed to help anyone who needs to address a group of people do so with confidence.