Coaching

An effective speech is one that is clear. To be clear, create a basic structure around the relevant key messages. Once that’s in place, you can probably speak without notes, and that will leave a much deeper impression simply because it will enable you to look your audience in the eye. Don’t explain things in too much detail. People don’t need you to be their encyclopaedia. Instead, appeal to their passion, but be authentic in doing so. Don't try to imitate other people.

As Kurt Tucholsky, a German essayist, once said: standing on stage is like sunbathing. Everything about you is in bright light, so people will notice immediately if something isn’t right. Find your own voice instead. And speaking of voice: people get tired of hearing the same one, so limit your speech to 45 minutes, or better yet, half an hour. Better to allow more time for questions and answers than driving people out of the room or putting them to sleep. Also, what you don’t say can’t go wrong. So say less and be all the more effective.