If you are somebody that already does a lot of public speaking, you will know what works well and what doesn’t, but for somebody that is just starting out, it can be stressful trying to make sure that your speech will keep your audience’s attention.
Whether it is online or in person, there are 5 top tips to help make your speech not just informative, but memorable.
- Start on time – People have come to hear you speak, they know that what you have to say is important and will help them, and have made sure that they are there on time. Being punctual and starting when you said you would, shows your audience that you take their time seriously.
- Finish on time – Similarly, finishing your speech on time is also important. Sometimes you can get to the end of your speech and realise you have a few minutes left. Use this time for any extra notes that you have prepared or a Q&A to engage with your audience some more. If your speech is running over time, wrap it up. People have plans for the rest of the day!
- Tell personal stories – Using personal stories in your speeches really helps to make you relatable to your audience. Studies show that telling people a personal story about yourself (especially if it is a little embarrassing) allows them to feel that they can trust what you are saying.
- Communicate a message – You want to make sure that your audience comes away with a message. What that message is, depends on the nature of the speech but it is important to keep reinforcing your message throughout the entirety of the speech. A short and sweet saying or phrase usually sticks in people’s minds.
- Max 3 points– Give your audience 3 key points to take away. Any more than 3 can be hard to remember so be careful not to overdo it. Like your message, you want the key points to be short and memorable so make sure you are not making them come across as confusing.
Check out my other Blogs for public speaking tips and tricks that will help you to deliver your best speech yet.