Special Hacks for a Good Speech Delivery

Introduction

Life, work and our everyday activities involve, in a greater part, communication especially speaking. In order to succeed in life, developing certain speaking or communicating skills is of the essence. Why do we need to develop our oratory skills when speaking is what we already do every day? Interestingly, we talk every day but most of us suck at speaking. More so, professional speaking requires much more than just talking to people.

Talking to people convincingly is a skill. In the corporate world, what rules is the power of speech. This makes it an important tool for every sales personnel, sales manager, business manager or just chicken farmer. In as much as your job deals with convincing people, you need to work on your speaking skills.  

Speaking skills range from ‘one on one’ communication to speaking to a wider audience. This article concentrates on how to render good speeches to a wider audience. The aim here is to teach people how to communicate effectively with their target audience. In order to help those looking for how to make that eye-catching presentation, we have laid down some special tips that will enable you to make a good speech delivery.

Importance of a good speech delivery

You may not know it, but we influence people more by what we say than what we do. Interestingly also, most deadly wars, revolutions, protests, etc. Were inspired by speakers; those who wield the power of the mic. Good oratory skills give you the power to inspire others, to change their mindset and most times to control their actions. In the famous story of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Mark Anthony was able to turn the minds of the people against Brutus and his cohorts with his oratory skills.

In the corporate world, a good speech delivery can earn you that contract, that job or that business opportunity you always dreamt of. It is not enough to submit your cv; you may not be the only qualified person in the room. Gaining an edge over your rivalry entails being able to convince your employers during your job interview. 

What is a good speech?

Speaking of speech, we are all speakers. In our everyday life, we do a lot of speaking; be it in the grocery store, or in the church, or the games, or even among friends. We are always trying to convince one person or the other. But a good speech delivery requires more. It takes more than just being able to discuss with friends to make a good speech delivery. Here are some factors required to make a great and memorable speech:

Factors that make a wonderful speech

#1 Your speech must have a point

Good speech delivery is not just about how funny, how smart or scholarly your presentation is. It is important to put into consideration the amount of time your audience has invested in listening to you. You must ensure they don’t regret it. Make sure your speech has a point that everybody understands. Make it clear and distinct, then you can spice it up with some humour and others. But make sure whatever you do you don’t deviate from the main point. While it important to stick to your main point, try not to overflood your presentation with too many points. Too much information can be boring and tiring.

#2 Your message must have a suitable tone for your audience

Every speech has a purpose; to challenge, entertain, motivate, teach, inspire or inform. Think about your audience, what do they want? What are you offering and how are you presenting it? Be sure to have the right tone for any given audience. If the audience requires something energetic, prepare your speech to suit them. Using the wrong tone for a speech can make your audience lose interest in what you are saying. In essence, no matter how brilliant your speech may look, without the proper tonality, the aim may be defeated.

#3 Ensure your presentation is well structured

The way a speech is structured also determines how good that speech is going to be. While preparing your speech, ensure that you put into consideration the structure; your presentation must have an introduction, the main body and a conclusion. The introduction should be able to captivate the audience and make them hungry for more.

People are often captured by suspense, so it is best to structure your introduction in a way it will arouse a great deal of suspense in your audience. Try mentioning what is to be expected in the body of the presentation bit-by-bit, thereby making them aware of what they are expecting in the body of the presentation and as such arousing their interest. You should not just delve into your main points from the beginning.

Human beings tend to react more to stories and practical examples. The main body of your presentation should not just be a compendium of theories without practical examples. It is best to begin your main points with suitable and related stories, it will keep the people more active and increase their confidence in the practicability of what you are saying.

Stories can lead to a great and captivating introduction to your speech, making even those who had been absent-minded more interested in what you are saying. Apart from introducing your speech with stories, they can also be woven into your speech to better express your message.

Oratory Okills Required for a Good Speech Delivery

#1 Vocal mastery

One of the most important oratory skills needed for a great presentation is the control of your voice. The most basic tool every speaker should master is the voice. Without your voice, there is no speech. It will be frustrating if your listeners are straining their ears to hear what you are saying. Like singers, one of the ways to improve your vocal range is by breath control. Practice breathing deeply from your diaphragm or your belly. Breathing from your belly helps to control your vocal quality, range and volume.

#2 Use of body language

Body language is a means of communicating without using words. Communicating with the body is one of the oratory skills great orators use in captivating their audience. Your posture and facial expression during a presentation communicate to your audience how confident and convinced you are. To make a good speech delivery, you need positive body language that communicates confidence, not timidity. While standing on the stage you have to; stand up straight, take charge of the moment and ensure your face carries the message you are delivering.

 #3 Proper delivery

Speaking of speech delivery, you cannot boast of delivering a package when the beneficiary has not received any package. This is the most decisive oratory skill that should be harnessed by every orator. To make a good speech delivery, here are some special hacks you can use:

• Speak moderately- do not talk too fast or your listeners will have a hard time understanding you. Do not also talk too slowly to avoid making the presentation boring. But speak moderately, take your time and make sure each word is heard distinctly.
• Take your time – it is advisable to pause between ideas. Take two or three seconds after mentioning important points in order to give your audience time to assimilate what you are saying. It also shows that you are confident and in control.
• Avoid distracting words like “you know,” “um,” etc. Instead replace them with pauses.
• Avoid mumbling your words, make each word clear and distinct.

#4 Audience relations

We cannot be speaking of speech delivery, without taking into consideration your relationship with your audience. Making a good speech delivery implies much more than just standing before people; you also need to create a good relationship with your audience. To create a healthy audience relationship here are some tips:

• To make you appear more real and enable a conversational tone throughout your presentation, you have to acknowledge your audience before you begin your presentation.
• Use the first 60 seconds to capture the attention of your audience otherwise, they will lose concentration.
• Try to focus your attention on the friendly faces in the room, you can pretend to be speaking directly to them.
• Do not stare at the ceiling or the door throughout the presentation. To connect with your audience, try to make eye contact with as many people as possible during your speech delivery.

Conclusion

Speaking of speech delivery is speaking of success, power and self-esteem. Those who possess great oratory skills possess the power to influence and inspires others. It is important for anyone who is looking forward to being a public speaker to improve his/her oratory skills.

Preparing for your first speech can be frustrating and stressful. But if you apply these special hacks, your speech delivery will surely turn out great.

Written by: Irokojo Uchenna E. From Umokoro Umuokeh Obowo. An undergraduate student of philosophy. A copywriter and content creator.