| An opportunity to give a speech is often an honor | | | | content and sets the mood. It is not be |
| and even more frequently a major source of | | | | underestimated. If you “kill” and grab |
| anxiety. No, not because the prospective speaker | | | | attention with the opening paragraph you’ll |
| has nothing to say but because the process can | | | | hold the audience captive. |
| be intimidating. There is the element of public | | | | What will you speak about? Condense the entire |
| exposure; your peers, employees and / or | | | | conclusion of your speech in one to two |
| customers (patients) will shape an opinion of you | | | | sentences. Now, if the subject itself is depressing |
| based on one single performance... No wonder the | | | | the essence of your speech will become its |
| very prospect of giving a speech is intimidating. If | | | | undoing. Nobody, no matter how professional your |
| you happen to be a female, it gets even worse: | | | | audience may be, wants to sit and listen to bad |
| people will judge you by your appearance: your | | | | news. Make your opening fly or you’ll risk |
| hairstyle, outfit, nails, you name it! Pretty much | | | | becoming the disliked messenger of a sad or bad |
| the whole idea of giving a speech seems like an | | | | message. |
| insurmountable challenge. Or is it? | | | | Create a context for the essence of your |
| I’m sure that you’ve been in the | | | | speech; surround the bad news with something |
| audience of a fabulous speaker before. The | | | | good, smart, and tactfully optimistic. No matter |
| speech was informative, entertaining and the | | | | how grave the message there is only a way to |
| speaker highly likeable. True? Did you notice his or | | | | make it sound more upbeat. (So-and-so many |
| her clothing? Did you judge the speaker by | | | | patients survive cancer. Elaborate. Still, this specific |
| appearance? The old truism comes to mind that if | | | | cancer kills people en masse. Quote somebody |
| you really like someone you suspend your | | | | famous on the subject of the price of progress. |
| judgment. (Think of Suze Orman: I can’t | | | | The effect will be much less devastating and the |
| imagine anyone noticing, leave alone commenting | | | | audience will be clear that the frustrating facts are |
| on, her appearance. The woman’s knowledge | | | | temporary and work on developing more |
| is impressive, her ability to share it is phenomenal, | | | | effective treatments is on the way.) Another |
| her talent for public speaking is unquestionable, all | | | | example: business is so slow you’ll have to |
| we see is her brilliance and charm.) Do you know | | | | layoff so and so many employees. The news will |
| what I mean? Yes, you have to dress | | | | be devastating to many. Don’t leave it at |
| appropriately for the occasion but that’s all: | | | | that! Economy is on the rebound. The layoffs are |
| the attendees will be there to listen and will judge | | | | temporary. The employees in question are |
| you by your speech. | | | | exemplary and valuable. You’re not firing, |
| What is the secret of a successful speech? The | | | | you’re trying to protect the company that |
| substance of it - and that’s an indecent thing | | | | did in the past - and will in the future - provide |
| to say - is secondary to the self-confidence of | | | | income to many. Show your emotions, mention |
| the speaker. If the speaker is dressed for the | | | | Pyrrhic victory. Let the audience empathize with |
| occasion, is self-confident and has something to | | | | you, not hate you. Whatever you do, do NOT |
| say that’s of value to me, I’ll be most | | | | open speeches on deadly serious subjects with a |
| likely a satisfied listener. Where does the | | | | joke. |
| self-confidence of the speaker come from? Like | | | | With the exception of speeches on sad topics, by |
| in many other situations, from being well prepared. | | | | all means: utilize a bit of humor. A good laugh will |
| If the content of the speech is well researched, if | | | | relax everyone, including you. The reason |
| its form allows for substance as well as a bit of | | | | successful speakers frequently use jokes is that |
| entertainment, and if you’ve taken the time | | | | they help the speaker to control the audience. |
| to study it well and are comfortable with the gist | | | | The speaker sets and controls the mood |
| of it so much that you could - if needed - | | | | throughout his or her speech. Consider it before |
| improvise on it, you’ll give a great speech. | | | | writing your speech. For the duration of the |
| How can I say that? Well, you’ll have enough | | | | speech, you’ll have considerable power as well |
| confidence in the material and consequently in | | | | as considerable responsibility. Use both wisely: life |
| yourself to project it and a confident speaker | | | | doesn’t end with a speech; you’ll be |
| does well. In other words, the emphasis is on: | | | | interacting with your listeners tomorrow. The |
| speech writing, speech writing, speech writing! If | | | | feelings you create, sustain and leave them with |
| you’re a skillful writer: go ahead. If you’re | | | | will translate into their feelings not just about your |
| not, get help. There are speech writing services | | | | message but you personally. |
| out there, professional writing services, | | | | Last but not least, a speech is a powerful weapon |
| professional writing on demand. Either way, the | | | | of self-promotion. For the duration of the speech |
| backbone of your overall performance is a | | | | - while you hold the attention of your audience - |
| well-planned, well-written and well-rehearsed | | | | you can present yourself in the way you’d |
| speech. | | | | like to be seen. Yes, speeches are that important |
| The opening of a speech can make or break the | | | | because every speech leaves the listeners with |
| whole speech: that’s the breaking of the ice, | | | | an opinion about the speaker. A great speech can |
| if you will, when everyone’s expectations | | | | advance your career and showcase your abilities; |
| center on you. But in a case of a well-written and | | | | it should convey your strength, authority and |
| well-rehearsed speech you’ll have the upper | | | | professionalism; and if you do everything right: |
| hand: you’ll know before anyone else that | | | | with just the right balance of self-confidence, |
| you’ll meet and exceed expectations. The | | | | expertise, humor, self-deprecation and personal |
| opening paragraph of a speech has to be one of | | | | charm, you’ll develop a fan base and will be |
| its strongest points: it is the essence of the entire | | | | asked to speak again soon... |