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Here now are the Top Ten Speech-Masters
Tips on Public Speaking. Stick to these and you won't go far wrong.
1 Get Yourself Properly Introduced Guests at every function love to exchange gossip and greetings, so when the time arrives for you to speak, it's likely that there will generally be quite a lot of noise in the room. Before you speak, you will need to attract and retain your audience's attention. Everyone will have to settle down. And the person banging the toastmaster's hammer, or the silver spoon on the tabletop, should never be you. Find someone else to introduce you, preferably a friend or a colleague who speaks with authority or has a big voice. When the noise has died down, stand up. But don't rush it. Take a few extra seconds for the noise to dip right down. Begin speaking when you feel ready to do so - not when the audience wants you to! |
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Know Your
Audience - and Speak To Them! Your Speech-Masters writers once scripted a famous BBC TV entertainment show. Guests included acrobats and ice skaters from a world famous Soviet circus. The producer decided it would look good if the performers joined the audience on set. We all looked forward to the big laughs and surprises. The show began, cameras rolled, the dancers came on and sat down. The presenter read out his script - but nobody laughed. Oh dear! Why hadn't the Soviets found the show the slightest bit funny? The answer was ... None of the entertainers understood English! So the moral of the story is: Know Your Audience. When you speak, make eye contact with people. Move your head round the room, from left to right. People listen if you address them in person. |
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Brevity
- Leave Them Wanting More A famous actor, who made it big in Britain and Hollywood, was noted for enjoying his privacy. And anyone calling his telephone number at home was left in no doubt that he'd rather not have been troubled at all. When his answerphone clicked in, callers were greeted with a simple message: 'I'm out!' Then the tone. That was it. He kept it brief - and everyone got the message! It's a discipline that's well worth remembering when you come to deliver your speech. If you are being asked to speak for a set time, practise your speech in advance, read it out loud and time it. If you're speaking for too long, cut the text back to make it fit. Your guests are human - their attention span is limited! |
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4
Make Yourself Heard And Don't Race
Before you open your mouth, look up and cast your eye around the room. Pick out one or two people in the very back row - and then start talking to them. It doesn't matter whether you're at an intimate family reception, or addressing the Trades Union Conference. Always make sure the members of your audience at the back are receiving you loud and clear. This is especially important if you are trying to raise a few laughs. If they can't hear you at the back, they won't laugh! Never gabble or canter through your text. Always speak clearly and slowly. And don't be afraid to use the pause. On your memory jogging cards, write the word 'Pause' for yourself, to act as a reminder to yourself to stop talking. |
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5
Cards and Notes You Can Read
If your speech has been written by Speech-Masters, which obviously we hope it has (!), paste it up on cards. Two tips here: make sure the lettering you use is sufficiently large for you to be able to read the text at a glance. Avoid scribbling re-writes or arrows around the page. Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to practise your speech in advance of your big day. And even if you think you know it off by heart, make sure you keep your cards handy at all times and keep up with your text as you read aloud. Audiences are always most forgiving when they see reference being made to notes. The only person who thinks it looks bad is you. |
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6
Structure
It's not a bad idea to carry a notebook, so that you can jot down ideas that come to you for your speech. Collate these in the run-up to your speech day and then plan yourself a structure for what you want to say. You don't have to write your speech all in one go, but it's a good idea to section off the various points you want to make and then write them one at a time. |
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7
Confidence And Breathing
One of the knacks involved in delivering a speech in style is being able to keep a secret. What secret? The secret is that you're feeling nervous! And it must remain your own little closely-guarded secret. Before you stand up to speak, concentrate on steadying your nerves and breathing deeply and easily - and, above all, keep smiling. If you haven't spoken in public before, then practise with your friends before you have to deliver your speech. Many first-time speakers become flustered when they are called upon to give a public address. But if you have planned a few rehearsals with some friendly faces in advance, then the day won't seem quite so daunting when it finally arrives. |
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8
Research In Time
No matter what subject you're speaking on, your audience will always respond well to what you have to say if your speech appears to them to have been well researched. If you have done your homework and have discovered some interesting and informative data, then don't be afraid to tell your audience that you have been busy researching. Say: 'Last week, I did my research and I found out so-and-so'. They will appreciate the hard work you've put in. Remember also: you are creating a speech for your audience's enjoyment, not really for your own. So take your friends' comments to heart and don't be afraid to make changes to your text. |
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9
Nerves
Everyone suffers from nerves but the way to beat them is to remember that practise makes perfect. If you have read through your text, practised with individual friends, and in group session, if you have made changes and feel that the final draft you have prepared now incorporates your colleagues' suggestions, then there is no reason why you should suffer from nerves. |
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10
Fluffs
Don't worry if you fluff your delivery, lose your place or find your mouth going dry. Your speech isn't a race against the clock (even though that's how you might feel and want to get it over with as soon as possible!). Your audience will be patient, so have a sip of water, take a deep breath and repeat the line. Don't worry about the expectant silence. It only feels like a long time to you. People sometimes welcome mistakes and will be more on your side if they see that you are only human! Above all, try to enjoy it. It really is surprising how getting a good laugh can inspire confidence. |
Good luck and have fun! Richard Parker and Alec Lom |