8 Tips on How to Identify a Good Graduation Speaker

Every May and June graduation speakers take to the road to speak and motivate the next graduating class. I've had an opportunity to attend and participate in numerous graduations. Everyone in the audience is so excited but focused on what they will do during and after the graduation ceremony. I think it is so important for speakers to be sensitive about how to engage the graduates while leaving them with a charge to make a difference in the world. It is good for the speaker selection committee to look for a graduation speaker who will do the following.

1. Won't speak to long when he/she has been given a time limit

2. Uses a quotes that are fun and interesting

3. Finds a way to get the audience involved

4. Uses a timer to remind themselves to stop

5. Make one or two points that are important

6. A speaker that's prepared for the right audience

7. A speaker that asks the audience a question that causes them to think

8. A speaker that gets the audience to interact with each other

Graduation is a time of celebration and a time for the students to shine. A speaker should focus on making the graduates feel good about what they’ve accomplished. The graduation speaker should arrive early so that they can talk to a few people who are attending the graduation. The fun begins and ends with how easy and flowing the speech is delivered. A graduation speaker should cause the audience reflect on their present and leave the audience enthusiastic about their future. Let the searching begin!

Dr. Stephen Jones is a speaker, college success expert and author. Contact him at [email protected] or visit https://www.DrStephenJones.net