A speech is no good unless it sounds great. It doesn’t matter how good it looks on paper; delivery is key.
Here are five tips to help you deliver a killer speech.
1. Practise. Read it out loud beforehand. Make sure you are comfortable with the style, tone, and language of the speech. Make sure it sounds like you.
2. Vary your delivery. Monotonous speeches are uninspiring to deliver, and not much fun for the listeners, either. There are different techniques you can use to vary your delivery. For example, you could place emphasis on certain words and phrases. However, be judicious in selecting the right things to emphasise. It could be jarring for your listeners if words are emphasised at random. You could also insert pauses in your delivery. Here, you could rely upon the punctuation marks for guidance.
3. Breathe right. Take a deep breath, and, as you release it gently, ever so consistently speak your words. Breathe from deep within. How do you know if you are breathing right? Here is a quick test. Place your hand on your stomach as you breathe in and out. If you are breathing deep, your hand should move up and down.
4. Look at your audience. This conveys authenticity, a key factor in connecting with your audience. If you are reading a prepared speech, take it in parts. Know what is coming next in each paragraph of the speech. Look at the speech to remind you of your paragraph, and then, look at the audience and deliver it. Make your paragraphs as short as possible, to enable you to take it in easily without having to look too much at the text.
5. Use your body. Body language is important. Whether you realise it or not, your body is telling a story of its own. Even if you stand passively throughout your speech, your body language is nevertheless informing your audience of something about you and your delivery. So if your body is telling a story anyway, why not choose to direct the story your body will convey? For example, you could use your hands when emphasising your points. If space allows, you could take a few steps as well. Even standing still could be used to good effect. For example, after delivering a few sentences while walking, you could stand still to make a salient point. However, your body language must match your story, in terms of tone and pace. So use sprightly body language for a strident and upbeat message. Of course, different body language is appropriate if delivering sombre news.
Giving a speech can be nerve-wracking, but it can also be enjoyable if you relax and permit yourself to soak in the moment. With proper practice, good delivery technique, and an authentic feel for the occasion, you can achieve it!
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