Tip #24: The First Step in Writing or Preparing your Speech
Wednesday, March 24th, 2010 at 5:31 PM
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When you are preparing a speech, what is your first step? Do you brainstorm a topic, make an outline, or research? Consider this next speaking tip:
Speech Preparation Tip #24: Find your Chris and Prepare the Speech for Chris.
Several months ago I spoke to about 50 energetic jr. highers. As I was preparing, I selected another jr higher in the area whom I’ll call Chris. He was a good representative of the audience I was speaking to. I prepared speech as if I was giving it to Chris.
I asked myself several questions.
- What problems does Chris have?
- What would keep Chris’s attention?
- What info will help Chris?
I kept asking these questions and prepared a customized keynote for Chris. Yes, audiences are diverse and I did seek to add material to target the whole room because of the various backgrounds of the audience.
However, by focusing on one person it allowed me give a specific speech tailored for that audience. The result? Great interaction and a keynote that hit home.
Simple principle but very powerful.
Here are a few public speaking tips on preparing to speak to one person:
- Select someone you know who represents the audience.
- Ask yourself, “What would I say if it was just this individual in the room?”
- Tailor the speech so it appeals to and impacts the diversity of people in the room.
- Prepare for one, but appeal to all
