All campaign organisers have to make their voice heard. Running a campaign will almost inevitably involve holding public meetings and giving speeches. This could be speaking up at council committee meetings or even addressing an event or a demonstration.
An effective speech is important for a number of reasons:
It can inspire audiences and galvanise new support
It can build morale among active campaigners
It may help attract fundraisers
It can make your case effectively and powerfully at official forums
While public speaking may seem a daunting prospect, it is not all about after-dinner flourishes and deep carrying voices. You can make a very good speech by observing certain ground rules.
Think about who you are talking to and adapt your speech accordingly. Don’t just stick to the information you are keen to get across, think about what is appropriate for your audience. What do they need to know from you? What tone would be best to engage them with?
For example, if giving a speech for potential fundraisers, don’t go into the details of campaign administration. Consider their interests and talk about the more emotive aspects of your issue and how their support can help.
The tone of your speech should also vary from audience to audience. If you are addressing supporters you will want to make a rousing and inspirational speech. Repeating certain key phrases will help get your message across. Some audiences might be very responsive to jokes and light-heartedness. Others may require a more solemn tone.
Know your facts Research your subject fully. Think about your subject from all perspectives and especially the questions you might get asked. If you think you may require specific facts and figures, hunt them down early. Even if you do not use them in the speech it is worth having them at your fingertips if the right question is asked.
Add a personal touch Anecdotes, stories and personal aspects to your speech will make it more engaging. People will more readily identify with you and your cause if you add such details.
Introductions and conclusions The first sentence is crucial - you need to immediately engage the audience. Some people recommend beginning with a startling fact or statistic or a quote.
At the end of the speech you should quickly sum up all your main points. One tip for the conclusion is not to begin with ‘In conclusion…’ The audience will immediately stop listening. Instead you could end with a question or something upbeat about the possibility of changing things.
Writing, reading and rehearsal
Practice can calm your nerves
Different people will suit different modes of preparation and speech-giving. You may find that you prefer to plan your speech by making general points on cue cards and talking around those.
You may prefer to write the speech out in full, rehearse it well and glance down at your sheet occasionally when delivering. It is always advisable to rehearse and time your speech.
Keep to time Time your speech when rehearsing. It is often obvious when a speech overruns and you risk boring your audience if it goes on for too long.
Scope out the venue It is always worth visiting the place you will be delivering your speech. Get a sense of size, how far you will have to project your voice and how close you will be to the audience. If you are giving a presentation make sure that you will have all the necessary equipment, such as power points or projectors. Make sure in advance that everything works, and turn up 30 minutes beforehand to make sure.
Don’t be afraid of nerves Even the most seasoned Oscar winner has nerves when giving an acceptance speech. They are quite natural. In fact, you often need some nerves to get the adrenalin going and deliver the best performance. Just try not to let them overwhelm you. You can try breathing exercises and relaxation techniques beforehand.
Where should you look when giving the speech? Always make eye contact with the audience. Don’t fixate on one person but do let your eyes wander over the crowd. Many first-time speakers look down at their notes or up at the ceiling too much. This creates distance between you and the audience.
Enjoy it! Most importantly, try to relax. As the speech progresses, you will probably find yourself relaxing into the rhythm, and if you have prepared well and rehearsed enough, it should all go according to plan.
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