Collected by Steve Beckles-ebusa at www.scaredtospeakingpublic.com from Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) community members:
1. Don’t Write a Speech
‘The best way to really motivate an audience is to connect with them. And the best way to connect with an audience is by not reading a printed piece of paper verbatim. It’s the extemporaneousness that will really get them. Through my company, I get to speak to a lot of larger groups of high school students and their parents. I always go in with a very detailed outline – but no sentences.’ ~ Jessica Brondo, The Edge in College Prep
2. Use the Fact-Example-Fact Method
‘I’m not all that funny, nor am I really a storyteller. I focus on providing insightful information — which makes you think people may not come away moved – but at least it’s memorable. I use the Fact-Example-Fact method. Get an interesting fact, illustrate that fact with an actionable example, and restate the fact another way. Put three of these chains together – and you’re set.’ ~ Liam Martin, Staff.com
3. Be Vulnerable
‘I think sharing vulnerability is one of the most important and powerful parts of leadership. It has to be genuine. That’s what makes it such an emotional, personal, effective speaking tool. Everyone has vulnerabilities and everyone has weaknesses – what are yours?’ ~ Derek Flanzraich, Greatist
4. Hire a Brilliant Copywriter
‘I wouldn’t hire a copywriter to write a full speech at this point because it’s a process I enjoy. But I think hiring a copywriter to polish your key points is money well spent. I think the most value a copywriter can bring is to make sure you have sound bites and tweetables that people will want to share with their audiences.’ ~ Natalie MacNeil, She Takes on the World
5. Make It Stick
‘Owning a speakers bureau, I listen to and give a lot of presentations a year. The most important book that I have read on the subject is ‘Made to Stick’ by Chip & Dan Heath. Basically, you consolidate all of your points into a core message of 1-2 sentences. Then you use the SUCCES (Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, Stories) to build out your message in an engaging way.’ ~ Lawrence Watkins, Great Black Speakers
6. Use Humor to Your Advantage
‘Combine climaxes with humor. I talk about starting my first company at 14. I needed a loan to buy a computer; after discussing the challenges I say, ‘I went home and, finally, founded my first business’. After the applause I follow with, ‘I called it Apache Ax Cybernetic Enterprises Limited.’ Because the audience was emotionally attached, they laugh out loud when they hear the company’s name.’ ~ Alexander Torrenegra, VoiceBunny
7. Keep It Simple
‘I’ve given a TED talk and delivered 100+ keynote speeches. The most important thing for writing a great, memorable speech that moves the audience is to make sure that your message is understood by the audience. An audience can’t move if it doesn’t understand where to move to. In my experience, there’s no better tip than, ‘Tell them what you’re going to say. Say it. And tell ‘em what you said.’ ~ Brett Farmiloe, Markitors
