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I am in a similar situation but in a more social sense since I am scheduled to present a toast to "Our Town" at our St.Andrews night celebration next month. This will be held in small function hall with about 120 people present.
"Our Town" is a toast that is often made at our annual St.Andrews night. Normally it comprises of 10 to 15 minutes of facts and stories about our town peppered with some humour. I am struggling about what to say since most of it has been said in the past and it's hard to think of something original. Since this is my first such speech I am quite nervous about it.
Any tips?
Also, there is a kind of internal judo you can do where you "embrace" your nervousness -- after all, almost everyone is nervous when they speak to a group. It's not a sign that there's anything wrong with you. But you can learn to feel your case of nerves as a GOOD thing -- it's a source of energy and liveliness that makes you more interesting. It's when you fight against your natural reaction to the situation that you end up in trouble.
1 - Remember that getting nervous is normal.
2 - If you can, try to find a friendly face in the crowd. Try not to just look over the top of everyone's heads.
3 - If it's a long speach (10 minutes plus), make sure you drink some water ahead of time.
4 - If you make a mistake, remember that most people could care less about a mistake (because they are probably too busy admiring you for giving the speech).
5 - I'm not big on jokes... but if I was giving a speach or toast about my town, I would probably start with something like this:
"I moved to MyTown about eight years ago just after my first daughter Haley was born. From that very first day, the people of this town have us feel right at home here in MyTown... We're planning on staying right here in MyTown, but if God ever takes us somewhere else, we'll alway remember the kindness that people of MyTown showed us."
Then you can go into what you really need to talk about. My icebreaker follows the advice of "making it personal." People connect with you when you talk about friends you've met or how you grew up in thier town. If it comes from the heart, it's usually good.
I'm not big on jokes
Yes, but this is a social occasion as opposed to a business occasion. The audience want to be entertained by the speakers. From personal experience the guys who are rated the best speakers at these events are generally the ones that get the most laughs.
(Even when their content is not particularly good or relevant otherwise).
If all else fails, just mock Prime Minister Widget and remind people to vote the Foo-party out, for the good of the town/nation/world.
Disclaimer - I know nothing about public speaking!
[edited by: trillianjedi at 11:30 am (utc) on Oct. 16, 2006]
[edit reason] Examplifying - no politics here whatsoever please ;) [/edit]
- Speak fairly loudly and clearly, don't go too fast.
- Sounds like for a topic like this, you should include lots of jokes (you can crib these off the net).
- Keep it short!
hth, a.
Good luck!
Move around a bit, don't just stand in one spot.
Unfortunately this is not possible. The speakers are all at a "top table".
Always try to smile whenever possible, it puts people at ease - nobody wants to listen to a grump looking person - unless it is Jack Dee of course!
I am struggling about what to say since most of it has been said in the past and it's hard to think of something original.
If you want to say something original you could give a view of your town through the eyes of someone else. This way you could warm up all the old topics but only from a different persepective.
Like: "Our town - insights of the village idiot".
The 'village idiot' usually turns out to be the wisest member of the community. Unafraid to be different, the 'idiot' is sensitive to innuendo and dares to challenge the views and behaviour of the town's majority. Of course, if the 'idiot' is a woman, she is a 'witch'. She has knowledge and insight that the majority finds threatening, and she is ridiculed, sent to the edge of town, laughed at or burnt at the stake.
[austlii.edu.au...]
Usually if you want to make fun of something it helps to put yourself into the persepective of an outsider because many events, customs, traditions or debates inside a town look strange and funny when seen from a distant perspective. (Like a tourist).
Engage your audience. In other words, don't talk at them or to them. Talk with them. That means being aware of their mood and repsonses to what you are saying/doing.
Pay attention to your breathing. Adrenaline makes a person fast strong and stupid. It also makes a person breath fast and shallow. Adrenaline is expelled on one's breath (yes, dogs really can smell your fear), so taking a couple of deep breaths and then concentrating on breathing normally will go a long ways towards remaining calm and clear headed.
I have never found visualizations like people in underwear to be helpful. Far better to be prepared and to know one's subject matter.
WBF
