Delivering a Sparkling Speech

I'm lucky, certainly in the context of one thing.  I enjoy standing up and delivering speeches to groups of people.  Old or young, 2 or 200, business or pleasure I love it.  I know for many of you reading this you'll have just caught yourself saying 'I knew he was weird', but for me public speaking holds no fears.

That isn't strictly true.  I still have fears over fly's being undone, unscheduled swearing and being booed off, but sharing a story with a group of people I don't.  In fact totally the opposite, I get a peverse pleasure from putting myself out there.  For those of you who do enjoy it, I'm sure you'll agree that there is no better feeling than your first joke or audience interaction gaining a better than anticipated reception.  The term 'feel 10 feet tall' was made for such moments.

Let me share with you my secrets for delivering a sparkling speech.

Stay Calm

Something that is regularly talked about by athletes/sportspeople in particular is that 'butterflies' feeling you get in the run up to the off.  It is the same for actors and performers of all kinds, indeed it can effect some people to the point of saying hello to the porcelin telephone.  I'm here to tell you - that is a great sign and something to look forward to.  So many people I've talked to about public speaking see this nervous feeling as something to fear and will often build themselves to a frenzy of panic on the back of this trigger.  Look forward to this feeling.  It keeps you focused, reminds you of the task in hand and gives you a fantastic burst of energy to deliver to your audience.  So use it, enhance it, just don't fear it.

Know your Audience

One speech always stands out in my mind to remind me of this point.  It was the one time I didn't know who the audience was.  Correction, I was actually fed a curveball by the organisers and instead of speaking to a group of students I was speaking to a group of regional co-ordinators.  No problem in the end with a quick edit, but knowing just who you are speaking to is key.  It has an impact on frames of reference, language and key points.  After all you wouldn't sit down with a group of friends in the pub and speak to them in the same way you'd hold a boardmeeting. 

Have a Story

Are you sitting comfortably, then I'll begin.  As human beings we are taught language in the form of stories.  We are an intelligent and dreamy bunch, we like to make pictures up in our minds to interpret the words we hear.  And it is for these reasons that it is crucial to have a story.  Think of whatever you are speaking about as having a beginning, a middle and an end.  Bring the story to a conclusion, and if you are really good - make it a Hollywood impact ending.

Make it Personal

Engaging with your audience is vital to delivering a great speech.  Most audiences are looking for a reason to like you, they want to hear what you have to say.  Talk to them as if you are talking to each one of them individually and be honest.  I was taught as a youngster to talk as if you were talking to the back of the room, which has helped my self-amplification tremendously, but it also means I spend most of my time talking to the whole audience (especially the friendly faces).  By including personal feelings, challenges or events you are able to show a vunerablility that will help the process of connecting.  In my speeches I like to give some personal stories of my challenges and how I've overcome them...obviously as long as they are relevant.  I will also offer my contact details so anyone who wants to can contact me.

Know your Material

Quick tip here.  The audience is there to hear you not spend 10 mins being read to from a powerpoint presentation.  Know your material well enough that you have no need for such things and you'll instantly create a natural style that is all your own making.

Get a Great Ending

Every great story has a great ending.  I've spoken to many public speakers and for many of them the key to their speeches is to leave the audience on a high.  For many of us who've sat through a 10/20 min speech it is often the end we will remember first (hopefully for the right reasons and not because it was finally over!).  So make this memorable.  You don't have to suddenly perform a triple pike with tuck and roll, but equally the final 'thank you for listening' should indeed be a natural end or even not required.  Building your story to this final climax means the audience know they've come to the end and can (without fear of premature applause) reward you for your efforts.

And finally I'll leave you with my two best tips for delivering a sparkling speech everytime. 

One - practice.  The more you talk in front of groups of people, the more comfortable you will feel with it - there is no better way to deliver than by putting in the practice time. 

And finally my last tip, believe in yourself.  You have that sparkling mouth and the wit and story to share with the world so go and do it - I believe you can.