Are you worried of how to prepare for a speech on stage. Leave that anxiety and read on the 12 Golden tips on how to present a speech beautifully and confidently.
1. Know Why You’re Giving That Speech
First, ask yourself this: “Why am I giving this speech?” (If your answer is “Because I have to,” find yourself a better answer.) You give a speech to inspire, entertain, persuade or provoke. If you don’t have a clear, compelling reason to GIVE that speech, your audience won’t have a reason to LISTEN to that speech
2. Know Your Audience
Next, ask yourself. “Who’s my audience?” Do your research. Visit with or make phone calls in advance to learn about the group to whom you’ll be speaking. That way, you’ll be able to speak directly to their interests, needs, goals and dreams,
3. Stop Procrastinating
The longer you wait to prepare that speech, the greater your anxiety. So don’t jam yourself up by waiting until the last minute, when all you can do is panic or pray for Instant Inspiration. Instead, be ready to “Grab those speech ideas!,” collecting them in the weeks, even MONTHS before the big day. Meanwhile…
4. Learn to Be Open to Everything Around You
Whatever happens in your personal or professional life, be on the lookout for a potential story you can use to illustrate a point – from the time you almost drowned. to how you finally landed that mega-bucks contract. And read everything you can – scanning books, magazines and newspapers for “stuff you can use.”
5. Organize Your Speech
Be sure to have a beginning, middle and an end. (Hopefully, in that order.) Consider, for example, the “radio writing rule”-Tell them what you’re going to tell them (beginning) … tell them (middle) .. tell them what you ‘ve told them (end).
6. Hook ’em Quick!
Soon as you can, work to “hook” your audience. Start with a brief story, quip, or teaching example, something that “hooks ’em” right from the start. Then you can lead them wherever you want. A word of caution: If you’re not very good at telling a joke, respect your limits – and your audience.
7. Involve Your Audience
Ask a question. Pose a problem. Instead of an unremitting monologue, from time to time involve your audience with an active give-and-take. (Just be sure not to lose control. Remember: You’re still the person running the show.
8. Practice
Practice your speech in front of someone you trust. SEE where their eyes glaze over… and where they light up. And be alert for sections where you feel awkward or uncomfortable, working to make your talk feel natural throughout. In other words…
9. Be Yourself
Actors are always advised to “be yourself”- regardless of the role they’re called on to play. In giving a speech, let the same rule apply. Remember: They came to see YOU – not a mannequin who looks like you.
10. Don’t Memorize
Instead of memorizing your speech, create a series of “sign-posts”- points or stories you plan to discuss. That way, your talk will appear more natural – which it will be-as you spontaneously broaden or expand on each point.
11. Use PowerPoint or AV Support (Or Don’t)
Creating slides that “outline” your talk is a great way keep you on track-and keep you spontaneous. But don’t let anyone -even yourself – insist, “You must use slides!” Me? I use index cards – much like a game show host. They’re low tech, always reliable and easy to update.
12. Be Vulnerable
Allow your audience to hear how you’re not so perfect after all. Imagine you’re giving a speech about how to be a great or why they should Let them know how you’ve screwed up in the past. But you learned from those mistakes and that’s why you’re here today – to share your knowledge and help them avoid making the same kind of errors. Not only does it reveal your humanity, it makes you CREDIBLE- someone who’s telling the TRUTH, warts ‘n all. (“Wow, he’s telling us the TRUTH!”) No audience could ask for anything more: And by all means … be brief.
As the old saying goes: “Stand up, speak up, shut up, and sit down!” Shri. Shampa Sadhya says writing a good speech is great form of communication. Here is what she says about giving a good speech.
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