While most of us can talk, not all of us know how to speak. To speak, you need to not just know what to say but also how to say it. The aim is to make sure people are listening to you, not just hearing you.
What Makes a Speech Boring?
Before I give you some ideas to make your speech stand out from the crowd, it’s worthwhile considering what can make your speech less interesting. Unfortunately, most of us have had to sit and listen to a few boring speeches in our time. They often start with a long preamble, thanking other people instead of getting to the point. Another common factor is that they get too long or complex, forcing the audience to lose interest. Then, along with complexity, structure has a huge impact. If the points within a speech aren’t tied together in a logical way, they can completely lose their impact or even meaning.
5 Ways to Make Your Speech Memorable
Getting the basics of length, complexity and structure right is a fundamental starting point if you want your speech to be interesting. However, if you want people to not only enjoy your speech but to remember it, you might want to consider taking things a step further:
1. Use Props – a prop is a great tool within a speech and can add an unexpected touch. It could be a piece of memorabilia, a photo or a piece of machinery. As long as it ties into what you’re talking about, anything goes and can help to grab the attention of your audience. Just be careful to use props sparingly and not overdo it.
2. Interact with Your Audience – a speech doesn’t necessarily have to be a one-way street. There are so many ways that you can interact with your audience. For example, you could include a little game, activity or poll; by interacting with your audience, they automatically become more engaged in what you’re talking about. Again, remember not to overdo it though.
3. Use Different Media – you don’t have to be the only sound in the room when you give a speech. You could play a few lines from a song on the sound system or show a video. By using different media, you can change the pace and regain everyone’s attention. Meanwhile, it might give you a chance to have a sip of water.
4. Let Your Audience Participate – why not ask others to get up on stage with you? They could be experts in the subject matter or have something unique to add to your speech that would sound better in their own voice. If your audience isn’t expecting it, it’ll make them sit up and listen.
5. Make Your Speech Lyrical – not every speech has to be given in standard prose. To make yours stand out, why not consider making it rhyme? If you’re really confident, you could even put it to music and sing some of it.
Writing Your Next Speech
Next time you have to give a speech, make sure it’s interesting. Keep it short and sweet, engage with your audience and tell stories rather than solely giving facts. Then, to make it really stand out, think about how you can use props, the audience and language itself, and you’ll really be on to something.