Eight Steps to Giving an Effective Speech

For the entire The Philadelphia Inquirer Nov. 7, 2011 “Marketplace” tip, mail: larry@larrylitwin.com. It will be mailed to you. To comment: larry@larrylitwin.com. You are also invited to check out Chapter 13 – Speeches – in The Public Relations Practitioner’s Playbook.

At some point in your career, you are likely to be asked to give a speech – whether it’s to co-workers, managers, industry colleagues or clients.

Let’s be honest (says The Philadelphia Inquirer), “Only a few people actually enjoy speaking in public. For all of the rest of us, here are eight tips on making the experience not nightmare-inducing. Perhaps, it can even be fun.

1. Loosen up.
2. Kindle their interest.
3. Don’t be long-winded.
4. Avoid reading your speech.
5. Pay attention to your pace, tone and emphasis.
6. Shoot for compelling and real.
7. Incorporate some interactivity.
8. Summarize.