How to write and deliver a speech or a presentation for beginners.
You can buy and download my e-book on public speaking from my website www.PublicSpeakingEbook.com
Step 1: Analyze the setting for the speech or the presentation.
Think about the speech situation and ask yourself some basic questions.
What is expected from you? What do the audience want to hear?
Should you only inform them or should you also need to persuade them?
How formal is the setting? Is it a friendly, neutral, or hostile audience?
Hopefully not the latter. Do you want to read word-for-word from a manuscript
or speak from memory? I often use notes and that is what I recommend
to all. Step 2: Think about what you want to achieve
and start brainstorming. In terms of the end result, what you want
the audience to know and feel afterward? What you are going to inform the audience
about. What are you trying to persuade the audience
to think or do? Then, start brainstorming and capture your
best ideas. Be creative and do not self-censor yourself.
Build on your experience, interests, and skills, and the things that motivates you and what
makes your angry or happy. Is there a problem somewhere and what do you
propose to solve it? Write down some words and phrases.
Spelling errors and grammatical mistakes are okay because it is only for your eyes.
Step 3: Start drafting your main idea. Write a sentence about what you want to achieve,
for example: "I will inform my audience about the new
laws that govern their business." "I will inform my audience about being a
safe driver." "I will convince my audience that it is
a good thing to invest in Bitcoins." "I will convince my audience that anyone
can become a better public speaker." Just put down a line for yourself to capture
and articulate the big picture. You are not yet writing your actual speech.
Step 3 is all about brainstorming and being creative.
Step 4: Start writing and structuring your actual speech.
Write a sentence with your topic and your vital points, in the third-person perspective,
for example: "To be a safe driver you pay attention to
the vehicle, other cars, and plan your next moves", if it is an informative speech.
For a persuasive speech, it can be, for example, "You can become a better public speaker
if you plan, practice, and use handouts." This sentence is the basis for your continued
writing process. Do not write to detailed, just aim at making
it as clear and structured as possible. Your introduction should be short, grab the
audience's attention, and tell them about your speech's main idea.
The middle part of your speech, expands your main idea and the vital points.
You might have to do some research, i.e., read articles and books and collect some data
to use in your text. The ending should also be short, just like
the introduction. You can use the standard words "In conclusion"
or "In summary" and briefly restate your main message.
Anticipate the questions that you will get from your audience.
Address the most relevant ones in your speech text.
Be ready for the rest during or after your speech.
During this writing, your speech or presentation does not have to be perfect because it is
still work in progress. When you have have a pretty detailed outline,
you can also start practicing your speech. Test-deliver the speech at least a couple
of times, with our without some friends or colleagues as a test audience.
Re-write the parts that are too complex, long, or unclear.
Always strive for simplicity. Clarity is king.
Step 5: Write out your manuscript, create your notecards and/or create your PowerPoint
slides. If you want to use slides, create a logical
flow between the slides. Do not put too much information on each slide.
Further, if you want to, you can also create a paper handout that you distribute to your
audience on the day of the speech. It can be a copy of your slides or a one-page
summary. Step 6: How to deliver your speech or presentation.
On the day, get there at least one hour before to load your presentation, test the technology,
and fix any technical issues. During the presentation, talk to the audience
with a relaxed voice, make eye contact, and stand up straight.
Do not speed up and avoid turning your back on the audience when looking at your slides.
As I said earlier, I do not read word-for-word from a manuscript, unless I really want to
get everything exactly right. Instead, I use an outline with keywords and
make my speech sound as natural as I can. Do not tense up your shoulders, and do not
forget to take some deep breaths now and then, without your audience noticing it.
If you get a question, always start with "Thanks" or "Good question."
If you do not know the answer, it is acceptable to reply, "I do not have a good answer to
that question here and now, but I can get back to you later."
Keep the time and end with confidence. Perhaps you can end with a call to action
where you encourage them to do something specific. Or end with a question for the audience to
think about, on their way back home. Thank you for watching this YouTube tutorial.
Let me end with my own call to action. You can buy and download my e-book from my
website www.PublicSpeakingEbook.com You will be able to download the e-book in
different file formats. The PDF file format works on all computers
and most tablets and mobile phones. The e-reader file format works on most e-readers
and most tablets and mobile phones. The Kindle file format is just for Amazon's
Kindle e-reader. Please note that my second e-book, how to
pitch ideas, products, or yourself, is included together with my e-book on public speaking.
Thank you so much for watching this tutorial video.
My Best Wishes as you write and deliver your speech or presentation in the near future.
Good luck!