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How to Give a Good Speech
What are the key elements to giving a good speech? How can you get rid of pre-speech jitters? How do you tell a compelling story?
We all have to speak and be persuasive in our day-to-day jobs and sometimes you have to give a speech to a couple thousand people. Share your tips and questions here.
Photo Credit: Wa-J
Network Leader: Rebecca Thorman
William Bryan
To all you speakers, my question is how do you prepare for a speech? What steps do you take to make your speech the best it can be?
Rebecca Thorman:
The best speech advice I've ever gotten is to practice in front of people you know. For whatever reason, this is harder than strangers, and if you ...MoreThe best speech advice I've ever gotten is to practice in front of people you know. For whatever reason, this is harder than strangers, and if you can rock your speech in front of your girlfriend or best friend, you probably have it down :)
95 weeks ago
95 weeks ago
Francesca Vanderwall:
I'm a big fan of just memorizing your "outline" and then speaking extemporaneously from there. That way you minimize your attachment to particular ...MoreI'm a big fan of just memorizing your "outline" and then speaking extemporaneously from there. That way you minimize your attachment to particular words and focus on the ideas.
38 weeks ago
38 weeks ago
Diana Antholis
We just did a book review of "Speak With Courage" http://bit.ly/hwdtp2 Great information for public speaking!!
Sabera (Kapasi) Photographer
Have any of you taken formal Public Speaking classes / training? Was it worth it? What did you learn that you otherwise wouldn't by reading books or plain practice?
96 weeks ago from Slash Jobs, How to Give a Good Speech, Personal Development and Personal Branding2 more
Rebecca Thorman recommended this
Sophie Carter:
I too did a toastmasters course before I even started uni and it has definitely paid off! The improvisation section that Jean-Victor mentions is ...MoreI too did a toastmasters course before I even started uni and it has definitely paid off! The improvisation section that Jean-Victor mentions is fantastic, and the small tips on presentation, pace, pitch etc that you can learn best in a face-to-face setting are invaluable. I still reference things I learnt in the Speechcraft course, and it was nearly 10 years ago!
96 weeks ago
96 weeks ago
Sabera (Kapasi) Photographer:
Looks like Toastmasters is THE place to go. I'll certainly check out my local chapter.
96 weeks ago
96 weeks ago
Josh Allan Dykstra
Great article I just read on how to give a stellar presentation. "Thought Leaders Now Being Replaced By Feeling Leaders" http://bit.ly/982e5a Hope you enjoy!
William Bryan
William Bryan I am so excited for this Saturday. I am going to be speaking in front of 60 high school students about making career choices. I love the opportunity to do something like this. One of my career goal is to be a motivational speaker. My question to all of you professionals is how do you make career choices? What do you do and who do you contact?
Gauri Nawathe
Hi everybody!
I’ll be giving a ten minutes speech tomorrow as a part of my final exams. I have my ideas in place but I’m not allowed to carry notes, which is freaking me out. And I know that if I get all nervous I’ll tremble and stutter and forget stuff.
Do you guys have any advice on combating stress before/while speaking?
102 weeks ago from How to Give a Good Speech and Ask Penelope Trunk!
Sharalyn Hartwell:
@Angela, I forgot about that trick entirely! I use the same philosophy when writing essays in college. It's a great rule of thumb and is ...More@Angela, I forgot about that trick entirely! I use the same philosophy when writing essays in college. It's a great rule of thumb and is applicable for literally every speech situation, not to mention it helps keep it in a natural flow. P.S. Good luck @gauri! I'm sure you'll do great!
102 weeks ago
102 weeks ago
Dain:
The greatest sense of relief I got before I did my first presentation was knowing this: THOSE WATCHING WANT YOU TO SUCCEED. I use to imagine ...MoreThe greatest sense of relief I got before I did my first presentation was knowing this: THOSE WATCHING WANT YOU TO SUCCEED. I use to imagine giving a speech was like some TV episode where everyone would boo me if I didn't do well. That's not true at all. Everyone watching wants you to succeed at your speech and will be there to support you. Knowing that makes things much easier.
102 weeks ago
102 weeks ago
Pat Adkins
Today, many speeches are given via live meetings. Most of my experience in giving speeches has been in person. I would be interested in hearing how others read response from their audience.
Barbara Healy
Funny you talked about not looking people in the eyes, some of the best advise I ever got (workshop at Tai in NYC) was to look one person per thought in the eyes and then move to someone else. But you need to give a full thought. It is very engaging for the audience. Takes practice!
Josh Allan Dykstra
Here are the two articles I've found most helpful on this topic:
Steve Jobs' Presentation Secrets - http://bit.ly/mgiNA
-and-
Chris Anderson: The Art of the TED Talk - http://bit.ly/c0VYgS
Dean Soto
I know the network is "How to give a Good Speech" but you can't give a good speech if you have nowhere to speak. What are your tips for getting speaking engagements?
Rebecca Thorman:
Great suggestions! For speaking engagements that are not just local, I recommend putting yourself out there through Brazen, Twitter and your blog ...MoreGreat suggestions! For speaking engagements that are not just local, I recommend putting yourself out there through Brazen, Twitter and your blog and letting people know you've done speaking engagements before. Also, make sure you apply to speak at conferences - opportunities won't just fall in your lap! And finally, build relationships with other speakers and let them know you'd like to start speaking. When they can't make a speech, they'll refer you.
106 weeks ago
106 weeks ago
Dean Soto:
These are seriously really good. Thanks guys! Joined up with the local chamber, contacting other speakers that I know. Great stuff!
106 weeks ago
106 weeks ago
Chris Hughes
Starting off with a question or a statement that captivates the audience has always worked pretty well for me. Too many people are boring with their speeches and it loses the attention of the audience before a message can even be shared. Taking the time to make the speech fun and memorable as well as educational is difficult, but worth the time.
If you've got any sort of talent, that helps as well. I juggle so often include that in speeches and relate it to what I'm speaking on :)
Dean Soto recommended this
Sara Gallagher
I am writing a series of posts about slideware (powerpoint, keynote) in the workplace. It's called "Backsliding." I've noticed there are a number of great "how-to" manuals about building a great presentation, but very few "why-fors." We take it for granted that slides and presentations are always the best way to communicate. http://gearsandshifts.com/blog/2010/04/backsliding-the-devastating-effec...
Mazarine
Make it funny. Then make them cry. Then tell them what you want them to do. Keep it short. Don't be self-indulgent. And don't rely on Powerpoint. I actually have a whole chapter in my book about how to give a good speech. http://wildwomanfundraising.com
Mehul Kar
A lecture and speech and presentation are all different things.
To give a speech, you need passion and purpose (think MLK)
To give a presentation you need to appeal to a specific audience. The vibe in the room plays a big part.
To give a lecture, you need to know your subject extremely well to be able to handle questions and to maintain authority and remain in control of the situation.
There's a lot of overlap in all of these, but the emphasis is slightly different I think.
Sara Gallagher recommended this
Ty Unglebower:
All true. Lectures are boring to attend in most cases, so I imagine, though I have never given one, it would be boring for me to give a lecture too.
105 weeks ago
105 weeks ago
Rebecca Thorman
So, I was just in San Francisco last week and gave two speeches that received great feedback and ratings. Some of the best advice I've ever received is to practice your speeches in front of people you know well. Like your boyfriend or best friend or mom or colleagues or boss. It's often harder to give a speech in front of people you know so if you can do that, you'll be set for the real thing. Even though my speeches went well, I can always improve - do you have any speaking tips to share?
Rebecca Thorman:
Yeah, I don't look people in the eye - it throws me off. Luckily, my audiences were big enough that I could just look over their heads.
On ...MoreYeah, I don't look people in the eye - it throws me off. Luckily, my audiences were big enough that I could just look over their heads.
On practice, I practiced my five minute "Ignite" speeech - 20 slides in 15 seconds each that advance automatically, which was a very good thing. I didn't really practice my other speech, because it was okay to be more conversational, which also turned out great. So I think it's a lot to do with the format. Engaging the audience is key, no matter what.
106 weeks ago
On ...MoreYeah, I don't look people in the eye - it throws me off. Luckily, my audiences were big enough that I could just look over their heads.
On practice, I practiced my five minute "Ignite" speeech - 20 slides in 15 seconds each that advance automatically, which was a very good thing. I didn't really practice my other speech, because it was okay to be more conversational, which also turned out great. So I think it's a lot to do with the format. Engaging the audience is key, no matter what.
106 weeks ago
Jonathan Chin:
I was actually at one of these speeches and I thought it was great. I think what made your speech compelling was your understanding of the line ...MoreI was actually at one of these speeches and I thought it was great. I think what made your speech compelling was your understanding of the line between where we as your audience understood Social Media and where your professional understanding was. Although I have not done much speaking myself, being a member of the audience I am always wanting to learn something new. That new knowledge a speaker can introduce almost always stirs up deep though and revelation. It's great!
106 weeks ago
106 weeks ago
