Leaders create followings when they speak, and speak well. It takes time, preparation and good writing. Here are four easy hacks that will help you leave your next audience wanting more.
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Focus
Remember why you’re there
Focus on why you were invited to speak in the first
place, your purpose for being there.
If you are invited to speak before a community group to
talk about your organization’s social responsibility
activities, the bulk of your preparation should be to
gather all of the information on what your organization
is doing through its social responsibility program, and
then organize it in coherent fashion.
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Getting Started
Once you have the substance of your
speech in place, and you completely
understand your purpose for being there,
the craft of speechwriting can begin.
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Identify aspects of the topic
and the material you plan to
cover which tap your own
personal passion. Reveal this
in your words and in your
demeanor when you
speak. Use personal examples
or stories that illustrate your
passion.
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Make every word
count. Even if you don’t
script your speech, make
sure your reference notes
are well organized and
follow a precise flow that
carries you smoothly from
beginning to end. Don’t
deviate spontaneously.
Stay on message.
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Not every speech requires
a prop. There are times to
use something as simple
as a dollar bill to illustrate
a point you want to make
about profits, economics
or incentives. Don’t
belabor use of a given
prop. But one will help to
get and keep your
audience’s attention.
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Take time to set up your
remarks. Your audience
wants to listen to you and
will be patient as you get
to your main point. Don’t
rush through it so that
some in the audience have
no idea what you just
said. Don’t force the
audience to play catch-up.
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Wrap-up
In the end, don’t be redundant, but recap
your main points. The purpose of your
conclusion is to leave people with that
singular thought you want them to take
when they leave the room.
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