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

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Dr. McGowan's
SIMPLE STRATEGIES TO
Preparing and Giving an
Awesome Speech

www.MartinaMcGowan.com

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.

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1. W
RITE IT DOW
N.
Many people sit down to write a speech and get
so caught up on trying to make it sound p e rfe c t
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.

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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.


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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.


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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.

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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.


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5. Use descriptive phrases.
Instead, perhaps, talk about what the groom was
wearing, about ho w he fixed his hair, and ho w
much time he spent on it.
The audience will appreciate it because they will be
able to “see” what you mean.


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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.


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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.


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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.

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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.


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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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13. Control the volume.
Usually, speaking just a bit louder than
normal conversation is a good measure
to use.


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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.

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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.


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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.


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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.

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16. Avoid fidgeting.
But it d o e s mean you should avoid
playing with your collar or twisting your
body when you speak.


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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.

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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.

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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.


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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.

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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.

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20. Stay positive.
Staying positive will also help keep your
audience interested and motivated.


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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.

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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.

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23. W
rite 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.

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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.


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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.


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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!

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“You were born to win,
but to be a winner,
you must plan to win,
prepare to win,
and expect to win.”
Zig Ziglar

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To Your Continued Success!!!


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

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