How to speak more professionally is at the heart of this website. I created it to improve speech writing and speech giving. In this article, I want to list a few techniques that will improve your speeches and their impact on an audience.
This list is not exhaustive. Understanding and implementing these basic principles will improve any speech. It will make you connect with your audience better. It will make your audience relate to you better, adding clarity and meaning to your words.
Removing the fill words
I have put this top of the list for a good reason. I have watched and coached many people in the art of public speaking. A straightforward trick to improve a speech is the removal of words that are not necessary. This trick does not only apply to “ums” and “ahs”. Other phrases are as offensive.
For example, “you know“, “as I said before“, and “that being said“. These are all examples of phrases that add nothing to a speech and detract from it.
Train yourself to remove these words, and your speech will sound far more powerful. It is not complicated. It takes time and attention. This is an essential part of how to speak more professionally
Pace
I often hear speech coaches telling students to slow down. This advice is somewhat simplistic. Some of the greatest speeches have a quick pace, particularly towards the end. It is not so much a case of slowing down as suiting the speed to your spoken words.
The stress of the occasion is likely to increase your pace. So the advice to slow down is usually applicable. However, great speeches often start slow and then pick up in pace. Increasing your speed can be very powerful in the correct situation. So make sure you talk at the rate the words you have written demand.
Trust your emotions
Being asked to smile when presenting is common. This instruction can be good advice, but the idea that one should always smile is redundant. Smiling throughout a eulogy might be inappropriate.
Trusting your own emotions and your face to express your feelings is essential. The advice I would give here is not to force a smile but to allow your body to express itself. Nervousness can inhibit your natural response and make you look wooden. Try to relax, and your body will do the rest.
Keep it simple stupid
I spent several years working for the London Ambulance Service. Its motto was, “keep it simple stupid“.
This motto was a critical principle that saved lives on many occasions. This principle holds well for speechmaking. In “The Lost Art of Public Speaking“, Richard Dowis proves the point. Dowis demonstrates short words of one syllable are more powerful than longer ones. Keep the language simple and the ideas complete. This simple principle will ensure your audience understands the words you are speaking.
Don’t say too much
A good speech does not try to get too much information across. A good speechwriter will confine themselves to four or five central points, with one thesis. The thesis is the singular most important piece of information—the main theme. Trying to force too much into an address will confuse your audience. And cloud your message due to its complexity.
Good speeches have one central idea with a few supporting points. Anecdotes, statistics and other forms of information back these points up. If you want to learn how to speak more professionally, make sure your message is clear.
Write it down
Should one read a speech from paper or notes? Is memorising a speech best? There is no time for this discussion here. Writing your speech down applies to all forms of speech giving.
When you look at a written speech, it is easy to see complicated phrases. It is easy to see where your main points are. It is easy to see if your structure is logical.
Audiences scrutinise words spoken by people in authority. Choose your words with care. The discipline of writing your speech down will make you think hard about your comments.
Beware of giving a casual or impromptu speech. You may feel your words are amongst friends and beyond scrutiny. Your audience may not feel the same. Choose your words and then try and stick to them whilst you are on the podium.
Make sure it is suitable for all
I go into this principle in more detail elsewhere on this website. Your material must suit you and your audience. It is also vital that your persona fits your audience as well. Be wary of using language alienating you from the people to which you speak. Make sure that the language that you use suits you. Always be cautious when it comes to language and stories. This caution does not apply to foul language alone. It can also apply to technical words, ideas and concepts.
You may know everything there is to know about widgets does your audience. If in doubt, leave out complicated jargon and explain concepts when necessary.
Why learn how to speak more professionally?
Good speech giving is vital to all those who seek promotion or more responsibility at work. It is also essential when doing justice to family occasions such as weddings. Practising the art of public speaking will be well-spent. Make sure you are prepared for anything life throws at you.
Conclusion
Here are a few ideas that, if implemented, will improve the quality of your speaking. Good speech-giving is an art. You will achieve perfect speech-giving with constant practice. This blog post doesn’t mean to furnish you with all the ideas and techniques you need. Using these simple principles will give you a greater connection with your audience. Thinking carefully about your words and presentation will improve your status and the confidence people have in you.
Always remember the essential aspect of speech-giving is that your words are sincere. Your audience will recognise these honest words as they will your sincerity. A clear, well-spoken, well-written speech will usually get the job done.
Use these pointers, and you are well on the way to learning how to speak more professionally.