HOW TO SPEAK WITHOUT FEAR (AND BE GREAT!)

A guide for emerging nonprofit speakers including how to prepare for your best speech and how to win over your audience.

This is Part 1: How to prepare for your speech.

I’ve given some bad speeches. There was the time I was at the top of a beautiful staircase, looking down on a room full of people. I began to speak. The room got quiet; all eyes were on me. And then I forgot the words. I just stood there looking stupid. I’ll never forget that feeling of shame.

That, and every other mistake, is avoidable.

Here is a plan to make your speech a success. Use this when you are preparing to go on stage, or even to speak to a smaller group. The size of the audience isn’t that important, what matters is how well you connect with them.

Start here: how to prepare a great speech.

I’m sharing my personal speech preparation steps. I’ve got a method that works for me and is flexible enough that I can prepare a quick 3 minute speech for tomorrow, or a longer, more formal one for a conference a month from now.

I think it will work for you too. I’ve taught it to many people and they feel liberated as a result. And they give better, more natural, talks.

1.  I don’t write it down.

Here’s why: when I write a speech I am attached to the words. I want to deliver it exactly as I so carefully wrote it. But that doesn’t work.

With a written speech you lose the conversational tone and you may even sound robotic delivering it.

There is also the danger of forgetting your words (my big disaster!). You have words. You know 1000s. What you want to memorize is how your speech flows, not exact words.

By practicing, but not writing, my speeches are delivered much more naturally and successfully.

Here’s the exception: Always memorize your opening and closing sentence. They should be intentional and great.

2.  I carefully structure it.

Even though I’m not writing, I very carefully plan the order and structure of the speech. I think about what stories to include. I try different openings and closings. And I time myself to be sure it is not too long, or too short.

If I have notes, it is just the briefest of outlines to remind me which topic or story comes next.

3.  I “deliver” it over and over again.

Before I give a speech I practice it, and let it evolve, and improve with each delivery. I record myself on my phone. I take long speaking walks (yes, I look crazy). I practice in the shower, before falling to sleep, and any other chance I get.

When I am getting ready to speak, the speech occupies my mind. And it gets better as it goes.

Part 2: What matters when you are speaking. 



You want people to hear you, react to you, and remember you. You want to inspire them to give you money, sign up, or otherwise respond to you.

When you speak the audience has three ways of reacting:

1.  They see you. Quick judgements are made on your appearance, your style speaks for you, so think about how you will look and, if possible, how that look can help deliver your message.

While you are speaking your eye contact is important! When you visually engage with your audience, they begin to connect with you.

A photographer taught me a valuable lesson. I was disappointed with the way my photos looked and he suggested that I “flirt with the camera.” Flash! I got great pictures. You can use that tip for virtual presentations. When you are live, flirt with the audience

2.  They hear you. Your goal is to deliver an engaging and memorable talk. This is why your preparation is so important. When you have a clear structure, incorporate a story, and give the audience something to remember you are a success!

Stories are magical. We are naturally wired to enjoy and remember them. Be sure you have a story to share that illustrates your talk and makes it visual for your audience.

Give them something to take away. Include a repeated phrase or a simple 1, 2, 3 list that they will talk about after you are done.

Of course, you want a clear voice. Practice standing on the stage and using the same equipment you will use the day of your talk.

3.  They feel you. Yes, the words matter, but how your audience feels as a result of your delivery may be the greatest take-away.

Your speech should be motivational. When you audience feels inspired, they will do what you want them to do. They will not remember facts and figures but they remember how they felt as a result of your speech.

Emotions run a full range, you can make your audience laugh or make them cry (sometimes in the same talk). You can make them happy, sad, angry, concerned, and joyful.

Remember the three ways you are seen because they will influence the effect you have on the audience. Your goal is to inspire and motivate.