When a good speech is over and the applause echoes through the room it all seems so fluent, so easy but nothing could be further from the truth.
We are all different as individuals and every speaker has a different style but all good speakers have one thing in common – they are good at it because they pay attention to detail.
Preparation and Planning
These are the elements that need to be considered when preparing a speech. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first speech or your one hundredth speech – the same rules apply.
- Content
- Structure
- Fluency
- Research
- The Room and Speech
CONTENT
It might be you have a standard entertainment speech or it may be your first ever speech. Whatever it is you need to work out what you are going to say.
You have to weave your speech AROUND the occasion or organisation for who you are performing.
Make no mistake – performing you are! and they want to be entertained – not bored to death.
If you wish to appear confident you must do your HOMEWORK. Make your content relevant. Research the occasion / the organisation / the history etc and use it to your advantage.
Do not give a speech that is emotionally neutered that does not pay some homage to those who have requested your presence.
The best way to get them on side is to INCLUDE them!
STRUCTURE
This is simple but many fail to pay heed to this advice.
Structure your speech so that it has a beginning, a middle and an end. I know that sounds obvious but it is critical to the flow of the speech. If you jump about and are illogical the audience will switch off.
Just throwing a joke in because you think it’s funny will fall fat – because it’s irrelevant and ill timed.
Make sure your speech is easy to follow.
One great opening method is to signpost the speech so they know what to expect and then deliver! e.g. “tonight I’m going to let you know who our greatest ever Prime Minister was and the answer may surprise you” and then off you go.
We all know what we are in for and we are intrigued to find out the speaker’s conclusion.
FLUENCY
This is so important and I hinted at it above.
The logical, fluent, easy development of a speech that simply flows naturally, then the audience’s thought process and expectation, should be matched by your speech progression.
Cover the pro’s, the cons, the reasons, the history, the future, the benefits and whatever else may be relevant to your speech but make it balanced and make it flow.
RESEARCH
Wherever you speak and to whom make sure you take the time to research your potential audience.
- What is the occasion?
- Who EXACTLY is engaging you to speak
- What is actually happening on the night – ask to see the programme of events and timings
- Who are the principals of the organisation?
- What do they want you to do – anything or something specific?
- Is it mixed company, men or ladies only
- Are you the only speaker?
- Are you a supporting act to a celebrity – if so check them out
If in doubt remember
- Who
- What
- Why
- When
- Where
- How
That should generate some good material for starters!
If you take the time to do the above there will be no nasty surprises.
THE ROOM AND SPEECH
If you are unfamiliar with the venue check it out if possible a few days before or look it up on the internet. Just get some background where you can.
As soon as you arrive – slip away and check out the room and place settings.
- Where are the toilets?
- Who are you sat next to?
- Is there a lectern or are you speaking at a table?
- Are there any toasts?
- Drink minimal alcohol
- Do NOT drink red wine – it can stain the teeth
- NEVER wear light trousers – if you have to stand in front of an audience and there are any dribbles or damp patches of anything down your front that is all they will see!
Have a great time out there!