18 ways to kill your child.
By: Joshgun Karimov
Tags: Writing, Marketing, Tedx, Public Speaking, Business

The only viable currency which circulates among us is attention. We live in a reality that gives radiation through unbearable amount of everyday data. We are not only bombarded but also lost in this data flow.

Public Speaking is becoming more vital for leaders and game changers. They craft their stories in order to crack the walls of neglect and dismissal. Public Speaking is grabbing people’s attention. It is building people’s tension. It is turning their heads to see the message which speaker has prepared. It is a masterful way of delivery.

What are 18 ways to deliver a killer speech? In other words what do judges look for in a top level speaking competition? Here is the checklist:

Speech Value

Is your speech interesting, meaningful and memorable? Does it have a valuable content? Will people take something home to discuss, to ponder and to act upon?

2. Preparation Level

Level of preparation defines the level of mastery. Basically, it is doing your homework. (Research, choreography and script writing defines your fate.) Judges can smell the confidence that comes from preparedness.

3. Manner of Delivery

It is not what you say but how you say that matters. Your words need to be guided with your conviction and enthusiasm. Audience loves the intensity of speech when the speaker is fully immersed into his/her world. Your manners will orchestrate the overall mood of the session.

4. Opening

You have only 10 seconds. Only 8 sentences. Only one chance to get the attention. The way you start dictates the way things will follow. Open your speech with a story, statistics or simple questions. This article has an opening which talks about killing the baby. People react to it. People turn their heads. The rest is your job. The rest of article or speech is on the level of quality you can deliver. Being normal is not the way to be when you think about opening part for your speech.

5. Body of your speech

Does audience feel the flow while you speak? Do we see logic behind your words? Do you back your thinking with facts and stories? Clarity of speech is clarity of outcome for judges. Be clear and give smooth transitions while speaking.

6. Conclusion

As you watch a movie there is a moment when you feel that it is about to end. The same must be applied to any speech. Some speeches end before the end. Some speeches never end. Officials interrupt or shut the speaker down. Make your conclusion with a statement that will resonate. End with a high note. (As Nancy Duarte points out.)

7. Notes/lectern

The best speakers need no notes or lecterns. They need a microphone and the rest is history. Although some speeches carry a governmental importance, some notes help to overcome the shock of fear and excitement. Lectern is blocking you from people. Better to be open.

8. Body posture and movement

Analyze and study stand-up comedians. Study politicians. Study artists. Study the greatest until you become one. Or at least, until you learn to stand and move like one of them. Body talks more than your mouth. Your body radiates love, confidence and passion. Or it does not. Your overall verdict depends on this thing called body language. Study power pose, 90 degree hands, zig-zag walks, pigeon head moves.

9. Audience Attention

Magic happens when audience is so silent that you can hear a fly fly nearby. Or you can hear audience roaring and shattering from laughs that you were able to produce. People who listen to you need 4 things. Information (wisdom), energy (your charisma), fun (entertainment), solution (answers to their inner questions). You give these things and audience will be with you all the time. You can calibrate by checking the pulse of people in front of you. If they are enjoying your speech you can notice their eyelids are open, heads are slightly tilting sideways, bodies are like trees in the wind. They are nodding and smiling. They are present.

10. Facial expression

Your face will be mirrored or it will have to mirror the faces in audience. Be sure to be the first in this transaction. Smile and give the genuine look. Be silent at times and let your face do the speaking.

11. Eye contact

Eyes are gateway to your internal world. They show more than you plan to show. It can be good and it can be bad. When you face people you better look at them with all your heart. It will pay out. It will work.

12. Vocal Quality

Speeches grab attention commonly because of speakers voice tone. If you articulate your speech in a fragrant voice it will stick to peoples mind. Work on your vocals. Practice like singers. Breathe more. Walk and run. Dance. This effects your voice. Read out loud. Calibrate your voice. Your voice is voice of your speech.

13. Language and words

There is a rule called 7/70. Your speech must be so universal that a seven year old or seventy year old can understand it. Best speeches are those which make complexity shade away with every word.

14. Grammar

Rules are made so that we can brake them. May be this is true. But not in the case of grammar and linguistics.

15. Humour

Did we mention fun and entertainment? Let’s do it again. People need someone who is good at cracking a joke. Top speakers make people laugh at least 3 times per 15 minutes of speech.

16. Timing and pauses

Practice with timer. Tame your speech into a given time frame. Unless you do it things will not go right. When you say something important just pause. Give people space for digesting and processing the data.

17. Visual Aids

Photo speaks louder than words. Video does it even better. Your slide deck is your deck of cards. It is no poker. You get to pick your hand. Pick it wisely.

18. Purpose

Top speeches have purposes. Top speakers speak with a purpose. Top level speech is where purpose is met. You have reached your goals. Is it new follower? Is it new supporter? Is it new client? Is it loyalty of old ones? Is it action that people start to take? Is it decisions they make?

Design and identify your purpose in advance. Work for it all the way through your speech. Give people a chance to reach their goals as well.

My purpose was to share this important checklist with all aspiring public speakers around the globe.

Good luck!