|
- Ask
yourself honestly - Is your speech
- focused
(can you put the primary message into one short sentence. If
not, you're not focused enough)
- Significant
(have you said something that will matter to the listeners?)
- Creative
(if the message isn't new, is it at least said in a creative
way that will grab and keep their attention?)
- Have
you rehearsed? Practice it out loud. It comes across different when
you play it in your mind, read it on paper, or say it out loud.
The audience can't go back and read wht they don't understand and
you may not be as funny out loud as you are in your own head.
- Get
honest feedback from others or at least tape yourself and listen
like you're a member of the audience.
- Know
who's in the audience and how much they know about you and your
topic (Ask the person who hired you--are they men, women, adults,
kids, etc.? This way you can tailor the message to them making you
more successful
- How
will your audience be dressed up so you'll know what's appropriate.
Being dressed inappropriately can make you feel uncomfortable.
- Get
there with plenty of lead time. Just as athletes allow time for
warming up and focusing. Do the same before a speech. It will also
make the meeting planner more relaxed.
- Do
you have great directions on how to get there? Just good directions
won't do. A half hour ride can turn into two hours, add frustration
and make you miss your engagement.
- Plan
to be professional and have fun. Be genuine, they'll like you better
that way and you might meet some intersting people as a result.
|
