Preparing for a speech—any kind of speech—is something that is conceived of as so challenging that very few want to do it.
But here’s a few tips to get started:
Don’t start with the speech.
Instead, start blogging. Once you get into the habit of publishing written content everyday (or every other day) then you’ll be able to work through arguments that you may want to use for developing a speech later on.
Listen to podcasts from people in parallel industries.
You know who are good presenters?
Comedians.
Forget the funny jokes for a moment.
There is nothing more nerve wracking than standing in front of a crowd of intoxicated people at nine o’clock at night and having to tell them jokes.
Podcasting is a way to discover beats, pauses and the power of the human voice. Also process and procedures. Jay Mohr’s podcast as well as Marc Maron’s are good ones to begin with.
Write the way that you watch a movie or a TV show.
Your speech should be in the form of a three act structure. Just like a film or a TV show:
- Act One: Introduce the problem.
- Act Two: Expand on the problem.
- Act Three: Offer the solution and summarize.
Don’t give it all away. Lead your audience into the problem, but know what you’re speech is for.
A call to action should be obvious, but should also exist in the “white spaces” of people’s perceptions about what you said.
The best orators, from dictators to corporate titans, allow the listeners in the crowd to “fill in the blanks” and empower them to take the action that the speaker wants them to.
-Peace Be With You All-
Jesan Sorrells, MA
Principal Conflict Engagement Consultant
Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT)
Email HSCT: jsorrells@hsconsultingandtraining.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HSConsultingandTraining
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Sorrells79
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesansorrells/
