“Have a plan, don’t wing it.” is sound advice to follow when you write and deliver a talk.
A good Toastmaster friend, the beloved Dick Churchill, was known for providing abundant guidance to speakers. It wasn’t unusual to receive copious notes of his observations and suggestions right after delivering a talk.
Dick prepared a document titled “Have a Plan: Write and Deliver a Talk.” I am sharing its content with you in this post. Corresponding KISS posts or pages that I believe best expand on Dick’s suggestions are provided as hyperlinks.
1) Have Clarity of Purpose when you write and deliver a talk
- Consider the audience’s aspiration and fears
- Develop the talk for your listener’s needs
- Use questions and comparisons
- Stay focused – does your talk inform, inspire, and/or entertain?
2) Stay with your Message
- Avoid unrelated topics
- Defer or redirect Q&A distractions
3) Don’t Abuse the Speaking Opportunity
- Keep your ego in check
- Inform and empower your audience
4) Question and Answer Sessions can be Beneficial
- Prepare answers for anticipated questions
- Prepare (brace) for the unexpected
5) Use the Educatainment Concept
- Avoid a superior attitude when sharing your ideas
- Be sincere when you inform, inspire, entertain
In conclusion, one of the easiest ways to fail as a speaker is not to plan your talk. Standing up and just winging it is a recipe for disaster. The time and effort to write and deliver a talk are well worth it for you and your audience.
After all, wouldn’t you like to be invited back and recommended to other groups? Yes. Of course!
