Thinking on Your Feet: The Art of The Impromptu Speech
We all admire anyone who can, with virtually no notice, get on their feet and make an impromptu speech, at a social gathering, business meeting or in the classroom.
It’s enough to send chills down the spine of most people. So what what should you do if you are called on to give an impromptu speech at short notice?
Follow these steps:
- Don’t panic. It’s normal to feel nervous, but try to relax and take a deep breath. Remember that everyone in the audience wants you to succeed.
- Take a moment to think. Before you start speaking, take a few seconds to think about what you want to say. What are the main points you want to make? What is the most important thing you want the audience to learn?
- Start with a strong introduction. Your introduction should grab the audience’s attention and introduce your topic. You can start with a story, a question, or a quote.
- Make your main points clear and concise. Don’t try to cram too much information into your speech. Focus on the main points you want to make and support them with evidence.
- Use stories and examples. Stories and anecdotes are a great way to make your speech more engaging and memorable.
- Use humour (if appropriate). A well-placed joke can help to lighten the mood and keep the audience engaged. However, be careful not to overuse humour, and make sure that your jokes are appropriate for the audience and the occasion.
- End with a strong conclusion. Your conclusion should summarise your main points and leave the audience with something to think about. You can end with a call to action, a question, or a quote.
Here are some additional tips for giving impromptu speeches:
- Speak slowly and clearly.
- Make eye contact with the audience. Look for friendly faces.
- Use hand gestures and facial expressions to engage the audience.
- Be yourself and don’t be afraid to show your personality.
- If you forget what you were going to say, it’s okay to take a pause. Just remember to breathe and start speaking again when you’re ready.The good news is anyone can become a good impromptu speaker and the more you practice the better you’ll get.
- See my Free webinar on Effective Communication and Public Speaking here https://youtu.be/dhYZcQLcU28?si=aarGIsY9CVVvOpvV