Making Appropriate Choices for Your Speeches

The following article appeared in the January version of my Successful Speeches newsletter. Have you subscribed to the newsletter yet?

The key to making your speeches successful is not found in any one
system. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach that will work in
every situation.

Every speech is different. Every situation is different. Every
audience is different.

And since there are so many differences, the question to ask
yourself as you prepare your speeches is:

“What is appropriate?”

When you ask and answer that question for every area of your
speech, your odds of developing and delivering a successful speech
will surely increase.

Words

Words are important. The right word can hit the mark and the wrong
word can miss the mark. Certain words resonate while others
irritate. Sometimes a $20 word will work wonders. At other times,
the same word could confound and confuse.

Mark Twain has been credited with saying, “The difference between
the right word and almost the right word is the difference between
lightning and the lightning bug.”

Ask yourself the question … “Am I using the appropriate words for
this audience and occasion?”

Length

For some topics, five minutes is more than enough to achieve the
purpose of your speech. In some cases, 60 minutes will only break
the ice. Even before you accept an invitation to deliver a speech
somewhere, ask yourself if the amount of time being allotted for
the speech is appropriate to convey your message. If not, it’s best
to decline the invitation.

Humor

This should go without saying, but experience tells me I should
“remind” everyone about humor.

Humor is tricky. It can make a speech as easily as it can break
one. And while laughter is the shortest distance between two
people, humor that offends can create a great gulf that can’t be
crossed. You’ll never be able to please everyone, but if you think
there’s a potential for offense in your joke, don’t use it. It’s
not appropriate.

Stories/Statistics/Examples

We all have signature stories and favorite statistics we like to
use in our speeches, but they may not be the best ones to use for
certain audiences. Take a look at the examples you’ve been using
and ask yourself if there are more appropriate ones that would be
easier for the audience to relate to.

Based on the background of your audience, ask yourself if the
stories, statistics and examples you’ve chosen are appropriate ones.

Tone/Mood

I’m often amazed at the far-reaching desire that speakers have to
motivate and inspire audiences when that’s not what the audience
needs.

Sometimes the audience needs to feel understood before they can be
inspired or motivated to take on a new task.

Sometimes the audience needs to be convinced on a level of “logic”
rather than a level of “feelings”.

Very often, what the audience gets is not what they need.

A group of employees who are dealing with faulty new software
systems will rarely be accepting of a speech about offering
exceptional service. And a group that’s about to be downsized
doesn’t want you to tell them about future “opportunities” when
they know you’ll be keeping your job.

Once again, based on the audience and the occasion, ask yourself
what the appropriate tone for your speech will be.

If you can pause and answer the “appropriate” question as you write
all your speeches, you’ll have a much greater likelihood of
developing and delivering successful speeches.

Tagged as: Presentation Skills, Public Speaking, Speech Writing, Speeches, Successful Speeches