4 crucial elements of an extraordinary speech
I recently presented, "SPEAK into the Sunset: How to Develop Professional Level Speaking Skills" at our Toastmasters District conference.
Focus and objective for my workshop was to teach the 4 crucial elements of an extraordinary presentation.
Click here to download the ANSWER KEY for the handout.
You can also download a PDF of the slide deck here.
Below I'll summarize the main take-a-ways of the presentation:
(1) CONTENT
An extraordinary speech first and foremost begins with extraordinary content. Whether it's expertise in a certain field or general motivation, the content must have significant substance.
Speech content must always help the audience solve a particular problem - whether they know what it is or not. A recent testimonial I received from a Vice President sums it up best... "Kevin's presentation not only inspired me to take my life and leadership to the next level, but he also helped me identify areas to improve I wasn't even aware of. His presentation..."
A content-rich speech must have an ultimate core message as well. The most successful messages are often carried by powerful, personal stories.
(2) APPLICATION
How can the audience immediately apply your content? How does your message relate to them?
Your speech isn't about you. Rather, it's about what the audience can apply with your content. How is it relevant to them in their organization and industry?
(3) CALL TO ACTION
Your story isn't the point - it's what they do with it that matters.
Speakers should always have a solid, clear, and obvious call to action in every speech regardless of length or audience. Without a call to action, they won't be compelled to do anything. For a speaker, that also means they won't credit you (or remember you) for that behavior change.
(4) DELIVERY
#1- #3 don't matter much without extraordinary delivery. Through body language, vocal inflection, usage of videos, interactive activities, humor, audience engagement... etc. etc.... delivery matters just as much as substance.
The #1 comment on receive on my evaluations is my enthusiastic and engaging delivery. Expect to be hearing much more about crafting extraordinary delivery, but know it's a science and craft few actually understand.
To keep an audience of 500 on the edge of their seat is a skill developed, not winged. You have to design your speech like a heartbeat.
Without delivery substance doesn't matter much. Without substance, delivery won't matter beyond a minute. So a speaker must perfectly blend substance with delivery. Both are crucial.
Click here to download the ANSWER KEY for the handout.
You can also download a PDF of the slide deck here.