Do I really know how to write a speech? No. But I am doing it.
It has been 8 years since I have talked about anything other than general conversation in front of a group larger than a handful of people.
I met a local woman recently when she stopped at my house to promote her new business. We ended up hitting it off. Before we ended our hour-long conversation she asked if I would be interested in doing a couple of local speaking engagements. Gulp. I said yes.
As she walked away, she said, very nonchalantly, “Oh…I want you to talk about your entrepreneurship skills.”
Are you giggling with me? I cannot say entrepreneurship, much less discuss it.
I am doing the gig today.
I have been writing. I have been writing lists, lists of things that I need to get accomplished, like we talked about here and here. I’ll discuss that later…I am on a study, and your comments are part of it. The rest of the writing has been an outline of the speech.
I had no idea where to start. But the ink flowed. Now I feel compelled to share with you what I learned while speech writing:
- Determine what you are going to talk about.
- Make an initial outline.
- Copy greater details into your 2nd outline.
- Read the speech several times. Then, stand up and speak it. Practice. Practice. Practice.
- Do not read to your audience, speak.
- You can talk about yourself, your business, but keep it interesting.
- Turn your speech into a learning situation for the audience members. Give them something to think about, or something to learn from.
- Do not drone on. Throw in short sentences. Use expression.
- Thank the audience for their hospitality.
- Toss in something fun. Put something of interest in front of the audience for them to wonder about during your speech. For example, at the conclusion, I am going to throw out a few goat and soap related questions and give soap and lotion samples for participation.
Remember, it isn’t about making money, or any other self-gain, it is about the community knowing what you do. Knowing that you are there. It is what they get from you, not what you get from them!
Wish me luck. Am I nervous? For some reason, no.
This is a lot different from my career when I taught the departmental technical procedures. It is a lot different from writing manuals. It is a lot different from attending corporate meetings.
I have never actually done this beofre.
But I can do it, sure I can!
By the way…I need all of the prayers I can get. Tee hee!
Annies Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps 
How did the speech go? Looks like you had a great outline. Bet you had them in the palm of your hand! 🙂 If you wouldn’t mind a plug here, Toastmasters International is a great organization for learning speech anything. I’ve been a Toastmaster for almost 5 years and love it. It’s one of the best continuing education things you can do for yourself. Let me know if you decide to give it a try. You can do it, sure you can!
YES YOU CAN! And did you? How did it go Mary? It looks like you had a great plan, you communicate very well in writing and hey, any crowd will warm up when you start tossing out the samples of your wares!
Good luck today, Mary! I have said a prayer for you. But I know that once you get started the words will start flowing.
It’s easy to talk about what you love doing. Not that I know anything about talking to a crowd. I draw a blank when put in front of people.
Today is the day.
Today is also the day for my new grand daughter to be born. Late in pregnancy momma developed serious heart issues. Giving birth today will ease the seriousness of the situation for both the baby and mother. They need your prayers. All should be well, heart doctor will be at her side and the specialist that is delivering the baby as well. Prayers are appreciated!
Okay…back to topic.
Today is the day. I will come back and report how it went!
Debbie, I never thought of that. It sounds like a fun group to join. I love to learn!
Kathy, I hope it just flows out. It should. This is all new to me. I have stood in front of groups in my career and trained, talked, but never about my “own thing.”
Thanks, Becky. I believe the passion of what I am doing will carry me through.
As I prepare to leave for the speech, I am getting a flow of text messages and pictures from my son (from Missouri).
They are not in the delivery room yet.
Okay…off to talk about small internet soap business.
Since you’re talking about something you love, it will make it a little easier. Stick to your notes! And most of all, try and have fun!
Debbie
Debbie, it went well.
I loved it.
I was nervous and could hardly catch my breath, and then, as if a switch were thrown, I spoke with conviction.
When a person is compassionate about what they do, they want to talk about it, and can talk freely about it.
By the way…they still have not gone to the delivery room yet.
Of course you can do it! You have a great blog and you make wonderful soap. We soapmakers have so much to talk about. I’m so glad you said yes.
Oh I just read that you did it! Glad that all went well. I just knew it would.
I’m glad the speech went well!! And you gave such good tips about writing it-I’m going to remember them.
Oh, thank you, Delores. And, yes, it can come flowing out like water!
Hello, Tipper. It was fun and interesting. A learning experience, and enjoyable.