How to give a compelling speech and not just make noise
Too often speakers and presenters fail to be compelling. Instead they make unmemorable, unremarkable and uninteresting noise. Dull. There is a better way.
Keep it simple
Some believe the only way to make a speech memorable is to make it complex, using long sentences, big words, and complex ideas. If an idea cannot be reduced to a couple of lines, explaining it in a speech or presentation is near impossible. A concept that cannot be explained in two minutes is very unlikely to be successfully explained in two hours. You don’t need big words for big ideas.
Be authentic
Connecting with your audience is not an easy task. Listing facts and figures, sales targets and projections will not engage an audience in the same way as telling a personal story or explaining your individual experience. Telling stories is far more powerful and memorable than pages of stats or lists of data.
Knowledge is key
Being able to to speak fluently on a subject comes with knowledge of the subject and relevant experience within it. Before the big speech, brush up on your area of expertise, read the latest industry news, and make sure your familiarity with the topic is on point. Let your experience speak for itself. Blaggers get found out.
Practice is not an option
Even the most knowledgable, experienced and charismatic speakers cannot walk straight onto a stage and give a compelling speech. No matter how much you know, practising your speech or presentation is not optional – it’s an essential. There is no definite number of times you should practise your speech or presentation, or how many hours you should spend agonising over it. Practise it until you feel comfortable and confident with your speech. It’s you on show after all.