Use these 9 Questions to prepare a great speech

I'm sometimes asked: "Miika, what one tip would you give on how to prepare a speech?" What you're about to read is what I usually reply with.

It's one of my favorite tools to use for preparing a speech. The 9 Questions. Every time I’ve failed at a speech, it’s been because I haven’t paid attention to one of these questions. Every time I’ve succeeded, it’s because I have. 

9 Questions was developed by a Finnish rhetorics expert Juhana Torkki and outlined in his book “Puhevalta K?ytt??n”. (Incidentally, the same dude has also given me the most beautiful “no” I’ve ever received. Maybe I’ll tell you about it sometime.) 

The questions are divided into 3 groups, to relate to the 3 key components you need to understand to nail your speech: The audience, you, and the message you want to convey. 

The questions will direct your subconscious mind to work on the speech, while you go about your day. As a result, once you sit down to prepare the actual speech, you will automatically find the right words, expressions & tone of voice.

For your subconscious mind to have enough time to work on this, go through these well before your speech - preferably some 3 weeks prior.

Here we go.

THE AUDIENCE?

1.? What am I grateful for towards my listeners?

A good speaker looks up to his audience. This ensures that you won't come across as cocky.

2.? ?What are my listeners proud of?? ?

When you understand how your listeners view themselves, you’ll know what words to use and speak with confidence. 

3.? ?What are my listeners afraid of?? ?

Fears are the internal beliefs that hold your listeners back. You can also understand this question as “What’s holding your listeners from being better?”? Besides, your listeners might be afraid of something you might say. Until you address that fear, they won’t listen. This is especially important when sharing bad news or having a “difficult” audience.

YOU?

4.? ?What have I been excited about recently?

Excitement is contagious. So talk about what gets you excited! And don’t worry if it’s not related to your topic - with a bit of creativity, you can link any exciting thought to your actual topic. 

5.? ?What am I afraid? 

Public speaking is scary. But once you understand the exact reasons you’re afraid, the fears lose their power and you can speak with confidence. 

6.? How can my speech make the world better?

Your job as a speaker is to help your audience. When you understand that your speech makes a difference, no matter how small, you understand that you’re doing important work. This will get you much more motivated to create the speech and practice. (On the contrary, if your speech doesn’t do any good to anyone or anything, maybe you should adjust your angle.)

THE MESSAGE? ?

7.? ?What one sentence do I want my listeners to remember?

When you understand what you actually want to convey in your speech, the audience will have a shot at getting your message, too. Also, writing your message down in one sentence will make a world of difference when sitting down to create your speech. You’ll magically know what to include and what to exclude, saving you hours of time and frustration.

8.? How do I make my message concrete? ?

We only listen to messages that are either useful or simple to understand. (Preferably both.) By making your language crystal clear, you make it easy for the listeners to understand what you’re saying. It is no coincidence that when Steve Jobs walked onstage to introduce a magical gadget that the world had never seen before, a 4-grader could understand what he was saying. Use simple language. 

9.? What personal story can I tell? 

Stories move us, inspire us and motivate us. More, they are the way we have communicated since ?speech was invented. Our brains are wired for story. So don’t just convey information, but tell us why it matters. Tell a personal story. 

Here's a quick recap:

THE LISTENERS

1.? What am I grateful for towards my listeners?

2.? ?What are my listeners proud of?? ?

3.? ?What are my listeners afraid of?? ?

YOU?

4.? ?What have I been excited about recently?

5.? ?What am I afraid? 

6.? How can my speech make the world better?

THE MESSAGE? ?

7.? ?What one sentence do I want my listeners to remember?

8.? How do I make my message concrete? ? ?

9.? What personal story can I tell?  

When you ponder these questions for the first time, understand that you don’t need to find the answers yet. Because, just like with any big questions in life, it is enough to set your mind to work on them. The answers will come to you in due time. 

Once they come, be ready. 

Have a great speech.