Public Speaking: Basic Elements For Preparing Your Message

“You are a store house of amazing stories, untold speeches and applaud-winning presentations.”: Samuel Agyeman-Prempeh

A number of people struggle to prepare their messages for their talks. In this material my focus is to guide you into preparing your talks. I would like to remind you of something intriguing about yourself: You are a store house of amazing stories, untold speeches and applaud-winning presentations. Your dilemma is often as a result of the host of topics that you have to share. But should this be a challenge?

I have shared in my earlier write up on “Public Speaking Fundamentals' how unique you are and the fact that you carry an amazing story. I want to say this in another way. Be you. Do well not to be caught up in trying to speak or act like some other speaker who have probably spent years perfecting himself or rather have improved upon speaking with flair; naturally.

It is a safety precaution to be told not to write out your speeches. One of the reasons is that, if you write them out, you are likely to use written language instead of spoken language. Well if you are a pretty good writer perhaps you can write out your speech in spoken language. Yet there is another reason which seems almost perfect. It suggests to you to make notes on major points you intend to communicate. The idea is that, you do not have to be trapped in a written speech, so you don't find yourself wanting if you miss a word or sentence or rather you lose the written material. Rather take ownership of the message you would be communicating and make brief points on it. In this way you have great chances of exhibiting natural display when speaking. As best as possible your speech doesn't have to sound written even if you write it out or not.

The power of a great speech is often a function of a number of things including the 'embellishments' given-the examples, illustrations, anecdotes and quotes. A well delivered speech embellished with the appropriate examples is a good meal. It makes a balanced speech, especially when it respects the law of the KISS. Find examples or stories that are relevant to the message you want to convey. Stories often have lasting impact on listeners. Most good talks or books are either stories being explained or stories explaining a message.

Be intentional. Be deliberate about your presentation. Be conscious for improvement. You would have to be deliberate in selecting your examples. Even at intervals where you want to introduce exciting thoughts, you need to plan for that. You can decide to be making brief notes to guide you on the interesting points you want to mention.

Preparation is key and fundamental. The amount of time and effort you put in to carefully rehearse your message would be invaluable. Let me remind you, you do not have to rehearse your message in verbatim. Rather take ownership of your message. Understand the subject matter. You most likely have heard the advice that standing in front of your mirror could be very rewarding. Well indeed it could be. It is very rewarding. You may look weird doing that, but would it not be better looking weird in front of your mirror than looking weird before your audience?

Be yourself; do not try to act or speak like others, you are unique in your own style. Find relevant examples to embellish your message. Take ownership of the message. And of course be deliberate about the goal you want to achieve with your message. Rehearse.

Samuel Agyeman-Prempeh
Inspirational Preacher, Author, Corporate MC and Events Executive.

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