by Victor Usifo

Created on: August 27, 2011   Last Updated: May 24, 2012

Delivery method

There are various techniques of delivering a speech. As a beginner it is advisable to use the K.I.S.S method. This mean you should keep it short and simple.

Follow a simple method of delivery. List your major points on a sheet of paper and follow it step by step till conclusion. Open with an introduction build on this by taking the points you covered in the introduction as the body of the speech and end with a conclusion that restates all you talked about. This method will ensure you do not get lost in the middle of your speech. However when you become better you can adopt other methods which I will not treat in this write up which is purely introductory.

How to start

Start with humour to put a little flavour in your talk. Make the audience laugh to loosen them up and warm up to you. You can ask questions to shock your audience and get them ready to listen to you with rapt attention. You can also draw their mind to something you all share in common, like the apprehension you felt the first day you drove a car or spoke to that lady you later married etc.

How to end your speech

Let your ending be memorable. It may be a simple question, a call to action, appeal to their conscience, or just a restatement of a fact.

Containing fear

The only thing that can reduce the effectiveness of your speech is fear. Ensure you create an attitude of fearlessness when you face the audience.  Banish the fear that you are not worthy to be heard by imagining you are the postman delivering a letter that would change their life for the better.

Just deliver the letter (speech) and receive a thank you (applause or a standing ovation) thereafter and enjoy the moment.

Suggestion

Whatever you may be feeling, please understand that every human being fears something they have never done before. Even for those that have delivered a speech before, there is usually that increased pumping of the heart as you are announced. There is a rush of adrenalin into your nerves to create the push you need to launch into action be it fight or flight. Please note that it is a natural way of your body preparing you for the occasion. Please manage this extra energy well by either running to the stage or taking ten quick deep breaths to calm your nerves before you get to the lectern. 

It is important that you start with a relaxed mind so that every other part of the show will be a success. Don’t take yourself too seriously and become overtly self conscious.

Believe you have something worth hearing, deliver that speech with gusto and receive the applause you deserve for a job well done. When this happens don’t just stand there smile and take a bow before leaving the stage.

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