How to improve your speech – so you don’t crash and burn – in 5 minutes.
Very, very few speeches are successes. Most are mediocre or full-blown cringe disasters. This is a crib sheet if you are put on the spot at short notice and for those too lazy to prepare. (You shouldn’t!)
First, ask yourself:
- Why are you standing up and putting yourself through this?
- Do you want to inform or persuade?
- What must you achieve?
- What defines success?
- What do you want them to do or do differently?
Answer these questions first, and it will focus your thoughts and your words.
- If persuasion is your goal, compare the current with the desired future and use “we”.
- If you want to inform, identify and tell one “take away”.
- Use fresh (i.e. unused) examples and avoid tired metaphors.
- Use the language you would in a 1-2-1 with a friend.
- Use short sentences and words. Maximum 15 words per sentence and two syllables per word. (A tip: maximum means you can use less!!!!)
- Narrow your message to 3 points. They won’t remember any more anyway. And you probably can’t either!
- Identify and repeat the few words that summarise your message.
- Never, ever speak for more than 20 minutes. Five is better. Three is even better.
- Breathe slowly and deeply from your belly.
- Speak slowly and confidently. It is almost impossible to speak too slowly. And even if you aren’t confident – pretend you are!
- Stand up straight and smile.
And there we have it, in just five minutes, you can turn your speech from a potential business or life-altering disaster to a triumph. By following these simple tips, you can inform, persuade, and succeed. Remember to use fresh examples, keep it short, and focus on your message.
Speak slowly, stand tall, and smile. You’ve got this!
Still feel you need some help?
Ever thought about hiring a speaker coach?
Hiring a speaker coach is like having a personal trainer for your public speaking skills. Just as a trainer helps you develop your muscles and reach your fitness goals, a speaker coach helps you develop your speaking skills and deliver a memorable speech.
With the right coach, you can identify your strengths and weaknesses, learn new techniques, and hone your message for maximum impact. If it really matters, if your job or promotion or business deal is on the line, is it worth leaving this speech to chance?
Can you really wing it this time? Should you?
