9 Tips for Giving a Fabulous Speech

I’ve heard it said that at a funeral, most people would rather be in the casket then giving the eulogy. Speaking can be a frightening thing for almost everyone, but once you conquer that fear, the world can open up for you. Whether it be a short speech during a monthly meeting at work or a presentation that promotes you or your business, speaking is a great way to help you get noticed and move toward your goals. Here are a few tips that will help you present like the pro’s:

1. Get focused. Take time out for these 3 steps to help you focus before each presentation and you’ll notice a tremendous difference. a. Always arrive early and try to find a spot where you can be alone for some quiet time. Take 5-10 minutes to do some deep breathing or meditation before your speech. When you get nervous your breath becomes shallow and blood doesn’t flow to your brain – so as simple as it may sound, breathing is most important. b. Set your intention. What do you want people to get from this speech? (ie: my intention is to help this audience manage their finances better so that they can live with less stress). c. Visualize the outcome. What do you want people to say to you when the speech is finished? Do you want them to give you a standing ovation, or better yet, book you for a paid speaking engagement? Or will they tell you that you have changed their life? Or maybe you want to get through your toast without throwing up! Get a clear picture of the outcome in your mind.

2. Have a Plan. Never try to “wing” a speech. You can certainly make it look like you are giving your presentation off the cuff, but preparing your presentation ahead of time will increase your chances for success. Know what you are going to say and the points that you will get across – have them written down for reference. Planning allows you to edit the presentation so that your only best material is used. If you tend to ramble, or veer off topic, try using Microsoft PowerPoint (without reading word for word from the screen). It is very effective for keeping you on track and allowing the audience to experience your presentation visually as well as verbally. Remember that PowerPoint is a visual aid and should never take over, or be the focal point, of your presentation.

3. Be the expert. Someone has asked you to speak because they think you have valuable information to share. When you know your stuff, you can walk into a room with confidence and breeze through the speech. If you’re giving a presentation for work or a sales pitch, consider all the questions that could possibly arise. Use index cards to drill yourself on possible objections to your material. Preparation is the best weapon when facing a challenging audience.

4. Be Passionate and Enthusiastic. Even dry information (like say…. taxes) can me made into something exciting if the speaker is wound up about the topic. If you’re speaking about something you love, then the audience will love it with you. Speak right from your heart, with passion. Gage your energy level throughout the presentation and try to keep the energy higher at the beginning, middle and end of the speech. It should flow like a roller coaster.

5. Engage your audience. Here are a few ideas for building rapport with your audience and infusing the room with energy. Use a wireless lapel microphone and stand where people can see your entire body (hiding behind a lectern blocks the energy). Speak from your heart. Walk around, make eye contact, interact with people one-on-one, ask compelling questions and have the audience feed you the answers. Have the audience talk in groups or to the person beside them (but make sure you stay in control). Trying new things will allow you to notice the shifting energy in the room. If you are relaxed and having fun, then they will feel it and follow you. Note: Ending a presentation with Q&A can kill the energy; try to take questions throughout the speech, or before your closing story.

6. Point-story-point. Using stories to illustrate your key points is a great way to bring a message home. The more relatable to the audience, the better. Allow your body to become a part of the story. Act it out. Sitting through a presentation that is all theory makes you feel like you are back in school – and maybe a little sleepy. For instance if you are speaking about a nutritional strategy, use uplifting stories about people losing weight or gaining energy. Using humor in your stories is always a good idea if it feels comfortable to you. If you are not a naturally funny person, then make sure you try your stories out on several people before giving your speech. Select humor and stories that reflect who you are.

7. Opening and Closing. Your speech needs a beginning, a middle, and an ending. The first few minutes of your speech are most important, so your opening story needs to be solid (practice!). Leaving people on a high note is also important, so make sure you close it well. If you say the words, “in closing”, don’t take another 30 minutes to wrap it up. Find a great way to summarize what you’ve said or use a powerful story to tie it all together.

8. Know your audience. The best speakers make their presentation relate directly to the people in the audience. If you are speaking to a room full of business owners, then you would adjust your talk to meet their needs. Take some time to ask the meeting planner or members of the audience what issues are relevant for them and then customize your presentation. When planning your presentation, continually ask yourself, “How is this going to benefit them?”

9. Timing is Everything. Practice your presentation several times from beginning to end to make sure that you are staying within your allotted time. The meeting planner will not be happy if you take 15 minutes extra and throw the agenda off schedule. Be prepared to cut some of your speech, as many meetings will tend to run behind schedule. Know ahead of time which parts you can leave out if required.

Bottom line. When you speak from the heart, know your stuff, and have fun, your audience will receive your information openly. A little planning goes a long way toward giving a knock ‘em dead speech!

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