How to Give Impromptu Speeches?

"Afraid of Delivering Impromptu Speeches?"

Let's understand How to give Impromptu Speeches!

“There are two type of speakers:

Who are nervous & those that are liars”- Mark Twain

Who doesn’t like to be the centre of attention and being heard?

We all have that area of spontaneity with words, which gets hindered by nervousness. If you ask me - Impromptu speeches are all about being yourself.

No matter, the primary objective is to make sense out of your speech but to tackle the nervousness and at the same time be yourself is the key to deliver a good impromptu speech.

Mastering at impromptu speeches can’t be just done with few techniques, it has to be a slow and everyday process.

Whenever you get a chance in office, at public gatherings to speak, grab it, even initiate conversations with strangers. To get comfortable talking to people around, can really boost up your confidence.

Reading, watching movies & being updated can be a boon when you have to deliver an impromptu speech.

However, a few points, if kept in mind, will definitely make a great difference in your speech:

1. Outline - This may not be possible every time but if you get a chance before your impromptu speech to note down a few reference points or examples - do that, they can act as a saviour; Or just make a timeline chart, this can save you from being all over the place and help you keep track of time.

For example, before I started addressing the public, once I was attending a seminar on – Time Management. In the end the orator asked me to share with all - How will I alter my schedule from now? I didn’t get nervous but I was repetitive with my content and not in sync. I learnt from my mistake and since then if anyone asks me to give an impromptu speech or share a view point; I immediately make a note of the timeline (sometimes in my head) - like in this case I will note down- Morning, noon, evening, night.

Simple, right? But can prove to be really beneficial.

2. Get comfortable - It is very important to be comfortable on stage or look comfortable. A nervous speaker makes the audience uncomfortable. So, get there on the stage and take a few seconds to absorb, look at the audience, smile and once you are a bit settled – start your impromptu speech.

Many big personalities, while addressing the public, first study their audience and wait for the right time to begin. However, this should be a quick and smooth process.

“The problem with speeches isn’t so much not knowing when to stop, as knowing when not to begin.” – Frances Rodman

Go with your pace. Believe it or not most of the people see what you make them to. So just enjoy on the stage, be yourself and go with the flow. Think and talk smart!!

3. Find your style - What you are going to speak, has already been said: In different ways by different people. Then what makes your speech different? The answer is YOU.

So, be yourself and develop a connection with the audience.

We all are aware of the famous – “I have a dream” speech by Martin Luther King. However, you may not know that, this line - I have a dream was never a part of his script, this was just spontaneous - marking the Impact till date.

Bring yourself in the right mood of the speech and then just go with the flow.

4. Involve your Audience - It is always a good idea to involve your audience. And in Impromptu speeches, this can cut you some slag to think and sometimes can act as a baton. Asking questions, asking them to share their opinions, interacting with your audience can enhance the experience of your speech for the audience.

Making your speech a bit personal can directly connect the audience with you. For example, give examples of your personal experience, a failure, a eureka moment or something which can touch them or which they can relate to.

5. Keep it simple! -

"Simple and to the point is always the best way to get your point across." - Guy Kawasaki

Be crisp, be clear, be simple but be smart, that’s what is appreciated. You don’t need to make long speeches; don’t unnecessarily stretch it. To convey your point in minimum words is an art.

If you look at Barak Obama’s 2008 winning speech which was mere 18 minutes long; so direct and so simple but highly connective and impactful.

Less is more. And that is always charming and influential. Speak to leave an impression and make a point, not to hit around the point.

6. Be in Control - Have you ever irritated someone without even understanding why?

Do few people look pleasant and charming while a few have a negative persona. The reason is simple - Body Language, Gestures. So, being aware of your gestures while having a simple conversation or giving an impromptu speech or prepared speech is of high importance.

Some involuntary reactions of nervousness like shaking of legs, not making a confident eye contact with the audience, cracking of voice, not standing straight, should be checked consciously. No one wants to hear a nervous speaker. And I am sure you don’t want to end up taking sympathetic attention.

Blunders may happen on the stage, even the famous personalities end up doing bloopers; its well said - think before you speak. However, if you mess up on stage, you can always play around it, and if you can’t, the best way is to cover it up in the further speech, but never let it affect your body language, because your audience may forget your blooper but won’t forget how you reacted on it.

In Impromptu speeches, the audience is not expecting you to deliver the highest quality content or a legendary speech. They just are looking for some genuine words which they can relate to and it is always up to you as to how you unfold your magic.

One last tip which I always use, is to end your speech with a message or hope.

Propitiate and deliver a halo of effective words!

Love

Rahul Bhatnagar