Ah, the agony of enduring a dreadful speaker! We’ve all been there. Trapped in the purgatory of seminars, conferences or workshops, feeling an intense burning desire to escape the torturous monotony as soon as those first wretched words leave their lips. The delivery that tells you … this is going to be awful. Eyeing the escape routes. The uncomfortable upright chairs. The mauled food and thin coffee. And now this droning noise. You open your phone to check how long this version of hell is scheduled for. It’s longer than you remembered. And they are still introducing themselves. Why? Why did you turn up?
We’ve all suffered countless corporate events where we reach for our phones or close our eyes in desperate attempts to salvage our precious sanity. Or fake food poisoning. Your animosity towards the speaker is real.
If you have an event coming up or a big career or business-defining speech or pitch on the calendar, here are a few ways you can transform your presentation and leave your audience wanting more. And, above all, not be THAT person.
Crafting a Captivating Opening: The Grand Entrance
Imagine attending an event where the speaker timidly mumbles through their introduction, instantly numbing your enthusiasm. You don’t need to imagine, though, do you? You can remember so many of those instances. Now, envision a speaker who steps onto the stage with the grace and confidence and energy of a seasoned performer, commanding your attention and interest from their very first word. A speaker at ease with themselves, who is having fun on the stage and who instantly reassures you – this is going to be worth it!
The difference starts with the power of a captivating, confident opening. (That’s the outward manifestation of a mountain of work on content and delivery – but the opening line is how you know… “It’s going to be alright.” )
Much like the unveiling of a masterpiece, a strong opening sets the stage for an unforgettable experience. Try to begin with a compelling anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or even a daring statement that challenges conventional wisdom. With this literary wizardry, you will instantly captivate your audience, leaving them hanging onto your every word. I have written a whole blog on ways to start a speech. It’s really, JOLLY good. You should read it.
Developing a Clear and Memorable Storyline: Weaving the Tapestry
Imagine attending a conference where the speaker jumps from one unrelated topic to another, leaving you feeling lost in a sea of confusion. Now, picture a speaker who seamlessly weaves their ideas together, creating a narrative tapestry that runs through the whole speech and leads you and the audience on an enchanting journey. The difference lies in the art of developing a clear and memorable storyline.
Think of your speech as tales that need structure and purpose. Every story requires a beginning, middle, and end. The beginning introduces the conflict or challenge, the middle builds anticipation and provides insights, and the end concludes with a satisfying resolution or call to action. We would work on this together If I were your speaker coach.
Using Imagery and Metaphor: Painting the Canvas
Monotonous facts and unconnected figures will leave you glazed, dazed and disinterested. Instead, use imagery and metaphor to breathe life into your ideas, painting vivid pictures in their mind. The difference lies in the art of using language to ignite the imagination.
Sprinkle your speeches with vibrant imagery and powerful metaphors. By doing so, you will transport the audience into a world where concepts become tangible and ideas take flight.
Whether it’s describing a complex process as a thrilling roller coaster ride or comparing success to conquering a mountain, the use of imagery and metaphor will leave a lasting impression on your audience.
Are You Ready to Unleash the Power of Storytelling?
Armed with these strategies, you could possess the keys to unlocking your true potential – a power shared by some of the world’s greatest public speakers. By infusing your speeches with captivating openings, clear and memorable storylines, and the magic of imagery and metaphor, you can create a truly transformative experience for your audience.
But as with all things, this is easier said than done. If this next speech really is career or business-defining, my advice to you is – don’t wing it. Work with a speaker coach. It doesn’t have to be me… (although it should)… but don’t wing it.
Now, effective speaker coaching and storytelling coaching aren’t for the faint-hearted if done well; it’s robust, it involves (loads of) homework, and you’ll learn things you may not know about yourself. Or want to. But…
If you really want to invest in yourself and learn and develop, you will learn to confidently captivate and inspire an audience; whether it’s an AGM Speech or an after-dinner speech, you’ll learn how to leave an indelible mark on your listeners.
If you want to rewrite the narrative and shy away from boring corporate events to leave behind a legacy and lasting impression – coaching is definitely worth it.
Read: Imagine what you could achieve…if ONLY you could persuade the people around you?