Ask anyone you know about what makes a speech important and almost every person will respond with some type of correlation to “hooking the audience.” Although this is absolutely vital when conducting an effective speech, many times the message is at risk for becoming stale early on, leading to a compromised “hook” in the audience. Some of the greatest things begin at a steady and slow pace as it develops. This concept should be applied to speaking as well. Here’s why:
- Don’t give it away: The second you begin sharing the message, your audience will either stick around mentally for the piecing together or gather as much as they can (and as quickly as they can) before you’ve reached the highlights. By that point, the audience is mentally checked out.
- Slow and steady wins the race: Speaking nerves are a natural occurrence to even some of the most seasoned and well-known public speakers. Be cautious of the pace and speed at which your speech remains. If you talk too fast, the brain becomes fatigued and simply cannot keep up with all the information being distributed. This is particularly important if the speaker feels pressure under time. Don’t be afraid to time the speech at a comfortable pace and keep it as a conversation. Nothing good comes from rushing through and pertinent information can be easily overlooked.
- Change it up: Just because you’ve always said it one way or another, doesn’t mean it will always produce the same results. I’m a firm believer in the adage, “don’t fix what isn’t broken.” Keep in mind, however, your reputation will be established on specific verbiage that resonates with the audience. After time passes, this can easily become stale. Keep it fresh, relevant, and digestible.
- Be informed: Do your part in researching how your message applies to modern issues. More importantly, try to identify in what ways the messaging gets lost or is no longer applicable. Refreshed messaging starts with the successful navigation of an evergreen environment and keeping up with it while maintaining consistency.
Don’t be afraid to refresh your message. These tips can help, but it will ultimately depend on your level of expertise to shine a light on a new perspective within the context of your messaging. More times than not, you will find yourself fighting for the audience’s attention if you continue with a “rinse and repeat” method of speaking. Step out of your comfort zone and discover the potential and impact of a refreshed message.