Knowing that even to appear on a ballot paper requires pragmatism, common sense and intelligence, the covering note reminded timorous new Members to insert the name of their own constituency in the gap!
Fortunately, better advice is available for the rest of us, and politicians too if they choose to look for it! Making a 'maiden' speech to any audience of speakers might feel terrifying, but they will all remember their first time and will be willing you to succeed.
If you appear in front of them and start off by apologising, they'll expect the worst. Don't be too hard on yourself. We all have things we don't like about ourselves, but the reality of public speaking is that the audience doesn't see them. So, harder as it is to do this than to say it, RELAX!
Know your subject, and know that the audience are interested in hearing about it. Be passionate about it, and know the details. If you're asked to speak about something you don't know about, learn about it!
Never, ever waffle, apologise or thank people for listening! Too many speakers open with self-deprecating remarks. Sure the best person to tell a story against is yourself, but not right at the start! Without words, your body language is capable of committing the same sin. So don't come on cowering and trembling, saying "I don't really know why they've asked me. I'm not very good at this." Take a few deep breaths, walk on stage looking confident, and smile. Then, by way of a good, relevant introduction which grabs your audience, get to the point!
The first few seconds of your speech are crucial. You have to grab the attention of your audience, so how can you do this? How can you gain and keep their attention? Firstly, engage your audience. Some ideas for doing this are:
- A question to the audience
- An amazing statistic
- A comparison between two unrelated things
- A promise to reveal a secret
- An amusing story
Whichever you do, and I'm sure you can think of other ideas of your own, you need to make them think. Within your 'introduction' you should also be telling them how long your talk will take, why they will enjoy it, and what they will get from it. Then tactfully tell them that they will receive that value only if they pay attention to you right to the end.
Learn from other people's speeches, and everyday conversation. Analyse what people do to get the reactions you seek. For example, groups of three ideas have worked well for a very long time, and still do; from "Faith, hope, and love" in the New Testament, to "Education, Education, Education" in the 21st century.
There is a difference between written and spoken English so don't try to speak an essay, and don't try to convey too much information. The written word is good for communicating details, but speaking much less so. And keep it short and simple! The full St Matthew version of the Lord's Prayer is only 66 words!
Weave imagery and anecdotes (your own!) into your speeches. Imagery
pre-dates writing and continued apace whilst general literacy levels were not high. Coats of arms and mediaeval inn signs are examples which survive, but parables and fables were once the only means of preserving knowledge.
Yet again, keep the anecdote short and simple. The parable of the Good Samaritan takes only 165 words!
The ability to ad-lib, or speak "off the cuff" is often seen as an enviable skill, but look at the literal meanings of these phrases. Ad Libitum translates as 'to the freest extent' or 'as much as one desires', and your shirt cuff is where you might well have written carefully researched and abbreviated aides memoires!. So actually we are claiming to admire both long and rambling and carefully scripted speeches! Over-confidence in your ability to 'wing it' can lead to an aimless, pointless speech with no clear structure and no clear message.
Calling all UK-based businesses. Discover how to get your FREE Sales and Marketing coaching taster call.
No comments:
Post a Comment