Crafting Your Public Speech: Balancing Drama and Professionalism

When preparing for a public speech, you might be torn between being overly dramatic or maintaining a more professional tone. Your sister suggested striking a balance by being normal, professional, and good. This is an excellent recommendation. However, the essence of your speech goes beyond mere drama or professionalism. It's about effectively disseminating knowledge and inspiring understanding.

Why Have You Been Invited to Speak?

You have likely been asked to speak because you possess unique knowledge or insight that aligns with the interests of your audience. Your primary responsibility as a speaker is to convey vital information in a clear and concise manner. Focusing on simplicity before considering any embellishments or dramatic flourishes ensures that your message is easily understood by everyone present.

Technically Speaking: Organize Before Ornamentation

If the information you plan to share is technical, it's crucial to organize your material from the basic to the more sophisticated. Excessive wit or humor at this stage can distract your audience from grasping the core facts and ideas. Your goal is to ensure that your audience leaves with a solid understanding of the subject matter, not just entertained.

Sales Leadership and Persuasive Speaking

Often, you are invited to speak because you are a sales leader. Your aim is not just to share information but to inspire others to achieve the success you have experienced. If your audience and you compete informally, leveraging this competition to your advantage would be counterproductive. Instead, focus on promoting personal success and your company's growth. What you can offer is your personal experience and the success it brought to your company. This success becomes the product you are selling, and you must convey it with generosity, a highly esteemed virtue.

The Role of Persuasion

No matter the topic of your speech, whether it's promoting new uses for mRNA technology or the virtues of a company's latest offering, the most important aspect is your ability to persuade. Your audience should leave not only informed but inspired to act. Your first obligation is to act as the servant of your material. The complexity and sophistication of your presentation must serve to enhance the clarity and impact of the information, rather than distracting from it.

Your Audience and Natural Salespeople

Many natural salespeople can struggle to articulate their success. However, by sharing your experiences and practices, you can offer a concrete understanding of what makes for a successful salesperson. This act of sharing aligns your message with your goal of persuading others. Ultimately, all successful salespeople strive to create a compelling narrative where their product or solution becomes self-evident. If you can articulate your own story in such a way that it seems self-evident to others, you demonstrate an innate ability to deliver a powerful speech.

So, when preparing for a speech, remember to prioritize clarity and persuasion over dramatic flair. Your primary responsibility is to your audience and the message you wish to convey. By striking the right balance between professionalism and a compelling narrative, you can create a speech that resonates and inspires.