Most people view public speaking as a daunting task. It doesn’t have to be, though. If you take the time to prepare properly, your speech can be fun, casual, and engaging. Here is a simple, step by step framework to help you get started.
Step 1: Identify your core message
What is the one core message of your speech? What is the main point that you want to get across to your audience. Once you have identified your message, you can start to develop the content of your speech around it.
Try describing your message in 100 characters or less. This exercise will force you to get to the root of what you want to say, and will help you stay focused as you develop the rest of your speech. Treat this message as your anchor. Every story and example should ideally tie back to this core message.
Step 2: Know your Audience
Who are you speaking to? What is their age, gender, education level, interests, etc? Why should they care? It is important to tailor your message to your audience so that they can relate to it and understand it. Consider their needs, wants, and level of knowledge on the topic.
Recommended by LinkedIn
A speech is only successful if it achieves its purpose. In order to do this, the speech needs to be carefully crafted to appeal to the audience and move them to take action. The first step is to identify the goal of the speech. What is the takeaway that you want this specific audience to leave with? Once this has been determined, you can begin to tailor the speech to achieve that goal. Only by understanding the audience can you hope to move them to take action. If done correctly, a speech can be an incredibly powerful tool for change.
Step 3: Outline your speech
After you have determined your message and who your audience is, you can start to outline your speech. Begin by brainstorming the main points and sub-points that you want to make. This will help you stay on track while delivering your speech.
Any good speech should have a hook to grab the audience’s attention. The hook can be anything from a joke to an interesting fact related to the topic of your speech.
Once you have the audience’s attention, it’s important to keep them engaged by delivering a clear and well-organized body. The body of your speech should be structured like any other piece of writing, with an introduction, several main points, and a conclusion.
Finally, you’ll want to close your speech with a bang. This is your chance to leave the audience with a memorable thought or call to action.
A well structured speech is a lot more easier to remember. Spending a little extra time organizing your speech will save you time in the delivery down the road.
Step 4: Rehearse your presentation
Very few people are naturally born with public speaking skills. Like any learned skill, it needs to be practiced repeatedly. The best speakers engage in deliberate practice where they hone in on weaknesses and repeat until it feels natural.
Practice your speech between 10-15 times. This will help you to iron out any wrinkles and make sure that you deliver your message effectively. Practice in front of a mirror, or record yourself on a platform like Yoodli so that you can see how you come across to an audience. Pay attention to your body language and use gestures at the right moments. Make eye contact with your audience and speak in a clear, engaging voice. By taking the time to rehearse, you’ll be able to give a speech that is polished and professional. Time yourself. Know how long your speech should be and stay within that limit. This will ensure that you do not go over or under the allotted time for your speech.
The opening 30 seconds and the closing 30 seconds are the most important sections. The audience will remember these the most and you want to make sure it is delivered well. Most novice speakers restart the routine when they mess up. This is a mistake because they unevenly rehearse the beginning and neglect the close. Break up your outline into its individual components and practice them out of order to get comfortable with all sections of the speech.
Step 5 : Ask for Feedback
When it comes to giving speeches, there is always room for improvement. One way to get better is to ask for feedback from your audience. This can easily be done on a free tool like Yoodli. Simply record your speech and share it with a peer or mentor. They can easily give you timestamped feedback directly on the platform.
Constructive feedback will help you to see what areas you need to work on, and what parts of your speech are effective. It can be difficult to hear criticism, but remember that this feedback is meant to help you improve. If you are open to hearing what others have to say, you will be able to take your speeches to the next level.
By following this simple framework, you can make sure that your next speech is one that people will remember. A well-structured speech is easier to deliver and more likely to engage the audience. Practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to rehearse your speech before giving it. And finally, seek out feedback from others so that you can continue to improve your skills. With a little effort, you can make sure that your next speech is a success.
