Prepping for a speech? 25 Tips on how to be awesome!

Dr. McGowan's

SIMPLE STRATEGIES TO

Preparing and Giving an

Awesome Speech

25

www.MartinaMcGowan.com

2

Did you know that giving a speech stands

at the top of the list of most common fears?

Standing in front of a group of people,

hoping that you do not screw up, and

praying that the words will come out right

can be daunting.

Here are 25 strategies that will help you

keep yourself calm and give that awesome

speech that you are fully capable of giving.www.MartinaMcGowan.com

3

1. WRITE IT DOWN.Many people sit down to write a speech

and get so caught up on trying to make it

sound perfect that they never finish it.

When you sit down to write your speech,

just write.

Write down whatever comes into your

mind and save perfecting it for later.


4

2. Rewrite It.Now that you have gotten your

thoughts down, change it as much

as you want to or need to.

Rewriting is easy once you have

gotten your initial thoughts down

on paper.

A word processor on your computer

with “copy and paste” function

makes this a snap.www.MartinaMcGowan.com

5

3. Create an outline.

Arrange the key points in the order they

will need to fall into the actual speech.

This will help ensure that you do not

leave out any important or crucial

points and that you touch on

everything that you need to say.


6

4. Use everyday

language.

Using words that your audience will

understand and relate to is very

important. Do not use unnecessary

jargon.

Otherwise, the audience will lose

interest because they cannot grasp

what you are trying to say to them. www.MartinaMcGowan.com

7

5. Use descriptive

phrases.

The audience will be able to follow along

more easily if they can visualize your

words. If, for instance, you are giving a

speech at a wedding, consider

replacing: “He got all dolled up to take

her out” with more descriptive

language.www.MartinaMcGowan.com

5. Use descriptive phrases.

Instead, perhaps, talk about what the groom was

wearing, about how he fixed his hair, and how

much time he spent on it.

The audience will appreciate it because they will

be able to “see” what you mean.

8www.MartinaMcGowan.com

9

6. Use statistics carefully.

Instead of rattling off a bunch of statistics, only use the most important ones.

Audiences struggle to relate to spoken numbers.

Your listeners want to get to the heart of the matter.


10

6. Use statistics carefully.

If you need to include statistics, give a few at a time and always include a real-life anecdote to go along with them.


11

7. Use Humor.Injecting some fun into your speech is

a great way to get people relaxed and

interested.

Start off with a small joke relating to

the events of the day.

Use small (clean, of course) jokes

throughout the speech to keep the

audience involved and alert.www.MartinaMcGowan.com

12

8. Keep the jokes to a

minimum.

Yes, humor is great for speeches.

But do not let your speech turn into a

stand-up comedy routine.


13

8. Keep the jokes to a

minimum. If you are giving a speech, it is probably

because you have something to say and

a specific point to drive home.

Get to the point of the speech and use

humor sparingly.


14

9. Include pertinent

information.If, for instance, the speech is for a

fundraiser, include how the audience

can donate money, the organization’s

website, and any other ways they can

help.

Strive to anticipate all of the

audience’s questions within your

speech. www.MartinaMcGowan.com

15

9. Include pertinent

information.

If you are giving a speech about a

cause, an issue, or an organization,

include all of the necessary information

the audience may need to make

contact.www.MartinaMcGowan.com

16

10. Rehearse, rehearse,

rehearse.The best speeches are the ones that sound

natural.

So, practice your speech aloud several

times. Then, when it is time to perform,

the words will come out sounding much

more natural and automatic.www.MartinaMcGowan.com

17

11. Practice your

speech in front of a

mirror.

Saying your speech in front of a

mirror will show you how you will

look to the audience.

Do you look nervous?


18

11. Practice your

speech in front of a

mirror.

Are you staring down at the

paper?

Seeing what you are doing wrong

will help you to fix it before the

speech.www.MartinaMcGowan.com

19

12. Practice in front of

a friend.

After you have practiced in front of a

mirror several times, get the reaction of

an outside party.

Ask a friend or family member if they

will listen to you give your speech.


20

12. Practice in front of

a friend.

They may notice things you did not

while practicing alone, and be able to

offer valuable advice.

Typically, they want you to look good

almost more than you do!


21

13. Control the

volume.

You want to be sure that everyone

in the room can hear you, and not

the participants in the front row.

Be careful not to shout into the

microphone, but speak loud

enough so that no one will miss a

word. www.MartinaMcGowan.com

22

13. Control the

volume.

Usually, speaking just a bit louder

than normal conversation is a good

measure to use.


23

14. Use visual

aids.

Have charts, flyers, or brochures

printed up to hand out before

starting your speech.

These allow your audience to

follow along with you and keep

on track with what you are

saying. www.MartinaMcGowan.com

24

14. Use visual

aids.

Visual aids also provide a good

memento for people to take

home to remember that speech

that you have worked so hard

on.www.MartinaMcGowan.com

25

15. Speak from your

heart.

The most powerful speeches are

those in which the audience can tell

that the speaker has a vested

interest in what they are saying.

Allow your passion to shine in order

to have the greatest impact on your

audience.www.MartinaMcGowan.com

26

16. Avoid fidgeting.

There is nothing that shouts out a

‘lack of confidence’ quicker than

someone who cannot stand still

while giving a speech.

This does not however mean that

you have to stand like a robot. www.MartinaMcGowan.com

27

16. Avoid fidgeting.

But it does mean you should avoid

playing with your collar or twisting

your body when you speak.


28

17. Pause

appropriately.

Allow some short breaks in your

speech to allow people to absorb

what you have said.

This works best after each main

point you wish to drive home. www.MartinaMcGowan.com

29

17. Pause

appropriately.

Do not, however, let the pauses go

on for too long or use them too

often.

This makes it look as though you are

struggling to find the next words.www.MartinaMcGowan.com

30

18. Visualize.Before you give your speech, visualize

what the room and the stage will look

like, and how you and the audience

will look.

Visualizing is a great help when it

comes time to deliver.

It will feel as though you have already

“been there,” which will make you feel

more confident.www.MartinaMcGowan.com

31

19. Time it.When you are practicing, time your

speech so that you know exactly how

long it will take to deliver.

If you go over the time limit, trim some

of the unnecessary sections.

And if you have too much time left

over, add more information or stories.www.MartinaMcGowan.com

32

20. Stay positive.

Even if you are giving a speech on a

sad or unpleasant topic, it is important

to find a way to put a positive spin on

it.

Let the audience know that there is

something that can be done, that

there is hope, or that something good

came from it. www.MartinaMcGowan.com

33

20. Stay positive.

Staying positive will also help keep

your audience interested and

motivated.


34

21. Ask questions.Involve your audience.

This is a great way to keep them

interested and alert.

Ask questions that require a show of

hands. This is a great way to warm them

up and it will lead naturally into the

speech.


35

22. Move Around.

Moving around is different than

fidgeting.

Walking around the stage can help keep

your audience interested and help you

reach out to different members of the

audience because of your close

proximity to all of them at some point

during the speech.www.MartinaMcGowan.com

36

23. Write only your

outline and main

points. Of course, writing your entire

speech for practice is helpful.

But on the day of your speech,

bring only an outline with a few

key points for greater spontaneity.www.MartinaMcGowan.com

37

24. Make eye contact.

Connect with your audience by looking

into their eyes.

Look at audience members in different

parts of the room throughout your

speech.


38

25. Thank your

audience.It is important to remember that every

person in your audience took time out

of their lives and their busy schedules

to come and listen to you.

Thank them for listening and for being a

good audience.

They will appreciate it and will

remember your speech with a smile.www.MartinaMcGowan.com

39

With planning and preparation, you can

deliver an awesome speech with

confidence.

Practice, know your subject, and go for

it.

Before long, you will confidently deliver

speeches that your audience will be

thrilled to hear!www.MartinaMcGowan.com

“You were born to win, but to be a winner,

you must plan to win, prepare to win,

and expect to win.”Zig Ziglar


To Your Continued Success!!!


Prepping for a speech? 25 Tips on how to be awesome!

Business

Transcript of Prepping for a speech? 25 Tips on how to be awesome!