#01 MAKE ORATORY MEMORABLE
The situation could be a meeting room with 12 sales-people picking their teeth after lunch or 40,000 waiting for the person who's going to lead them out of poverty. Making any speech is straightforward, but requires effort — not just PowerPoint concoctions. Making a great speech is straightforward, too, but needs effort and a desire to get the audience to think differently.
#02 LOCATE YOURSELF IN HISTORY
The 'history' can relate to a relationship, a business or a time. Barack Obama, in his presidential campaign, urged crowds to recognise that "this was the moment when..." Such use of the past tense gives us the sense of already looking back at the moment. You could start with something like, say, "This was the moment when the campaign to deliver profits began..." It gives your message depth and weight.
#03 GREAT SPEAKERS REHEARSE
There's no shame in this. You're performing, taking the stage, acting something out. But an actor can't act without rehearsals and neither can you, no matter what your PA or colleagues say about your speaking prowess. You haven't got time? Then why should we spend time listening to you?
#04 TELL TALES
"'Thou shalt not' is soon forgotten, but 'Once upon a time' lasts forever," wrote Philip Pullman. Storytelling is the basis of great speech-making. Not convoluted stories, but stories that reinforce a message. Stories have been engaging audiences since the year dot. You hear stories on trains, on the radio, on television, over lunch, at water coolers. Blogs and tweets involve storytelling. Newspapers call their content stories. Stories give us insights.
#05 MAGIC MOMENTS
Recall your favourite moments in the theatre, film, books or on television. How did such moments make you feel? What do they illustrate? Why are they inspirational, funny or exciting? Those scenes that you like are probably those that many in your audiences will like too. Use such moments to illustrate your points. It brings people onside.
The situation could be a meeting room with 12 sales-people picking their teeth after lunch or 40,000 waiting for the person who's going to lead them out of poverty. Making any speech is straightforward, but requires effort — not just PowerPoint concoctions. Making a great speech is straightforward, too, but needs effort and a desire to get the audience to think differently.
#02 LOCATE YOURSELF IN HISTORY
The 'history' can relate to a relationship, a business or a time. Barack Obama, in his presidential campaign, urged crowds to recognise that "this was the moment when..." Such use of the past tense gives us the sense of already looking back at the moment. You could start with something like, say, "This was the moment when the campaign to deliver profits began..." It gives your message depth and weight.
#03 GREAT SPEAKERS REHEARSE
There's no shame in this. You're performing, taking the stage, acting something out. But an actor can't act without rehearsals and neither can you, no matter what your PA or colleagues say about your speaking prowess. You haven't got time? Then why should we spend time listening to you?
#04 TELL TALES
"'Thou shalt not' is soon forgotten, but 'Once upon a time' lasts forever," wrote Philip Pullman. Storytelling is the basis of great speech-making. Not convoluted stories, but stories that reinforce a message. Stories have been engaging audiences since the year dot. You hear stories on trains, on the radio, on television, over lunch, at water coolers. Blogs and tweets involve storytelling. Newspapers call their content stories. Stories give us insights.
#05 MAGIC MOMENTS
Recall your favourite moments in the theatre, film, books or on television. How did such moments make you feel? What do they illustrate? Why are they inspirational, funny or exciting? Those scenes that you like are probably those that many in your audiences will like too. Use such moments to illustrate your points. It brings people onside.
#06 YOU ARE A LEADER
Let your experience, values and character permeate what you say. Tell your audience what they may not know. Lead. Take your audience with you. You're not on stage for you. It doesn't matter whether you're a bridegroom or a CEO or a sales exec on a wet Wednesday. You are there because you (apparently) have something to say. Think like a leader. Then speak like one.
#07 MAKE MISTAKES
At least one poor speech is inevitable. When the time comes, and it will, you'll need to step back from your emotions and begin to ask yourself questions. What was it exactly that made the speech ineffective? (Don't use the word 'bad' — it's subjective). You can't rewrite history, so move on. But learn. Arrogance has no place in public speaking.
#08 POWERPOINT IS A NUISANCE
People are tempted by, or coerced into using, PowerPoint. If you or your presentations are boring, PowerPoint won't make them or you interesting. Just because you can do things with a device doesn't mean that you should.
#09 TIMING
Nothing kills a presentation more than going on and on. Twenty minutes is good. Honestly. Leave people wanting more. Imagine what it would be like if there were ten of you speaking at a conference. How would people remember what you said if you were speaking at number nine? A great presenter is more than just a fact dispenser — become someone to whom people will listen.
#10 AVOID JARGON
Jargon is an irritant that can become an audience's open wound. Avoid it — unless you're an expert talking to experts. You don't have to say things like 'helicopter view', 'mission critical', 'incentivise' or the ghastly 'going forward'. These never won hearts and minds. Just speak using sound arguments. People will listen.
Let your experience, values and character permeate what you say. Tell your audience what they may not know. Lead. Take your audience with you. You're not on stage for you. It doesn't matter whether you're a bridegroom or a CEO or a sales exec on a wet Wednesday. You are there because you (apparently) have something to say. Think like a leader. Then speak like one.
#07 MAKE MISTAKES
At least one poor speech is inevitable. When the time comes, and it will, you'll need to step back from your emotions and begin to ask yourself questions. What was it exactly that made the speech ineffective? (Don't use the word 'bad' — it's subjective). You can't rewrite history, so move on. But learn. Arrogance has no place in public speaking.
#08 POWERPOINT IS A NUISANCE
People are tempted by, or coerced into using, PowerPoint. If you or your presentations are boring, PowerPoint won't make them or you interesting. Just because you can do things with a device doesn't mean that you should.
#09 TIMING
Nothing kills a presentation more than going on and on. Twenty minutes is good. Honestly. Leave people wanting more. Imagine what it would be like if there were ten of you speaking at a conference. How would people remember what you said if you were speaking at number nine? A great presenter is more than just a fact dispenser — become someone to whom people will listen.
#10 AVOID JARGON
Jargon is an irritant that can become an audience's open wound. Avoid it — unless you're an expert talking to experts. You don't have to say things like 'helicopter view', 'mission critical', 'incentivise' or the ghastly 'going forward'. These never won hearts and minds. Just speak using sound arguments. People will listen.
Simon Maier is a corporate and public event director and author of Speak Like a President: How to Inspire and Engage People with Your Words (A&C Black, £9.99)
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