People who give a very occasional speech are often worried that the presentation won't be interesting to the audience. The audience wants a great presentation, too! Here's how to make sure it is well written.

First, learn as much as possible about your audience. Are they knowledgeable about your topic? Do they agree with your point of view about the topic? What are their age ranges, occupations or company affiliation, if they are all from one group?

Keep your audience in mind as you write. If they are ignorant of your topic, keep the information at a basic level, carefully explaining all terms and concepts.

Start off with a sentence or story to get them thinking. Ask a rhetorical or real question, such as "How many of you...?", or tell something you have in common with them, that relates to the topic.

Limit most speeches to three main points, with 2-3 subtopics per each, if time permits. Help the audience understand the organization of the presentation by using words such as "first" and "finally".

End the presentation with a summary of the points, a request for some action by the audience (such as e-mailing their representative or donating

Even the best presentation needs to be well-rehearsed. Rehearse it with enthusiasm, many times. Record it, and listen to yourself. If you were a member of the audience, would you want to hear this talk? The audience will immediately respond to the enthusiasm in a speaker's voice; a bored-sounding speaker will lose an audience instantly.

Prepare for questions. If you cannot answer them, offer to get back to the questioner later with the answer, or suggest to him where the answer might be found. Sometimes another panelist, speaker or a member of the audience might be able to supply the answer.

In summary, keep the audience in mind when you write, organize the presentation well and rehearse it with enthusiasm! Give the audience a speech that will benefit both you and your listeners!

Katie Schwartz, CCC-SLP is the director of Business Speech Improvement (http://www.BusinessSpeechImprovement.com) in Chattanooga, TN. Ms. Schwartz now offers editing of speeches by e-mail, as well as teaching classes in public/persuasive speaking, foreign/regional accent modification, diction, executive listening skills, brainstorming faciliitation training and much more. She can be contacted at info@BusinessSpeechImprovement.com

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