How to speech - A Layperson's Guide

I recently embarked on my Toastmasters journey, an organization dedicated to honing public speaking skills before an audience. The initiation? The Icebreaker speech, which is an opportunity to introduce yourself with a narrative of your choosing.

I decided to tell the story of a childhood beach adventure where I swam out too far and almost drowned. I needed to make this simple story last for 7 minutes and 30 seconds. So, I described the waves as big monstrosities tossing you around like salad, the rocks to which I was being dragged as if they had battled with a giant can opener, with cramps lurking behind every splash. I colored the rather mundane story with the vivid imagination of a frightened 10-year-old.

It made me realise how much effort and time goes into someone preparing that TED talk you listened to, how much blood, sweat, and tears the "natural" public speaker has put into his craft to reach that point.

After my speech, a few new members and guests came over with some kind words. They were surprised to hear it was my first time speaking and joked that I must be a natural. It was really encouraging to get such positive feedback right out of the gate! But some also shared their concerns, feeling a bit demotivated because they thought they couldn't do it or had a long way to go in their own public speaking journey.

So I thought I might as well create a blueprint that worked for me, and hopefully for you.

There are only 3-steps you need to remember

• (1) Start early
• (2) Get to the Minimal Viable Product (MVP)
• (3) Practice

Easy right? Correct! let's dive into them.

(1) Start early

Let's walk through this process together. Say I've set a goal to deliver a speech in one month, but I'm clueless about the topic. Now, where do I start?

Facing a blank page can be daunting, so when you're ready to start writing, just begin with anything that comes to mind. It’s okay to start with whatever thoughts you have. If you’re drawing a blank, write about having nothing to write. It might look something like this:

• "I need to come up with a topic, yet I'm drawing a blank. No ideas are coming to mind. What kind of stories grab my attention? Which ones have I heard that not only captured my interest but also left me wanting more? I follow a few people on YouTube whose talks I could listen to for hours. Should I talk about how to write a speech? That’s a bit meta, isn’t it? It's not quite what I'm looking for. But the concept of storytelling in speeches does pique my interest. We all hail from a long line of storytellers—how has this art evolved? Are we improving or losing our touch with storytelling in the age of technology? We have all these tools, but are we losing the essence of our oral traditions? That’s a fascinating topic. It's making me curious and excited. Now, I need to piece together this puzzle."

Now create a rough outline:

• Introduction: A personal anecdote about your first memory of a great story-teller.
• The ancient art of storytelling and its relevance today.
• The history of storytelling from oral traditions to written narratives.
• The importance of storytelling in human history for preserving knowledge and culture.
• Life before technology: A humorous take on remembering things without paper or digital aids (grocery shopping for mammoth tusks, bison fur, and a sabre tooth tiger outfit)
• The potential impacts of technology on traditional storytelling skills.
• The unchanging essence of storytelling: connection, tradition, and the human experience.
• Conclusion: The enduring power of stories and the importance of keeping the tradition alive. They've been with us since the very beginning and despite all the fancy tech we have today, the basic need to tell our story hasn’t changed. They're how we make sense of the world and how we tell the world who we are.

A rough structure has made it's presence known, I think you are ready for step number 2.

(2) Get to the Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

When you're ready to tackle your speech, aim to get your ideas down into the roughest first draft as quickly as possible. Speed is your ally here because it bypasses your inner critic.

Then, move on to the next critical phase: recording yourself. Start by reading your draft word for word to familiarize yourself with your content. As you grow more comfortable, begin to wean off the script, recalling parts from memory. This is not just about memorization—it's about making the content a part of you.

During your practice sessions, pay attention to the flow of your speech. You'll naturally notice some parts that resonate and others that feel off. Trust your instincts and tweak the speech as you go. The goal is to keep refining until you reach what I call the MVP stage—when your speech feels natural, and you can deliver it without glancing at your notes. It's not about perfection; it's about reaching the most basic level that still allows you to deliver an effective speech. If everything goes wrong, this is your safety net.

Now, it's time to bring in an external perspective. Share your MVP speech with someone you trust—a friend, colleague, or fellow Toastmaster. Choose someone who's not afraid to push you out of your comfort zone. You don't want empty praise; you want constructive feedback that will elevate your speech. Remember, a great speech isn't written; it's re-written.

The final polish comes from embracing the discomfort of critique. Take their feedback, iterate, and refine. With each revision, you'll find your speech developing a more natural structure, almost as if by magic. The result? A speech that doesn't just convey a message, but does so with the ease and finesse of a seasoned speaker.

(3) Practice

As you gear up for your speech, remember the golden rule: practice makes perfect. Dedicate at least two days to rehearsing—this is your time to refine and polish. Seize every opportunity to record yourself on your phone. These recordings are like a mirror for your performance; watch them to discern what's working and what needs improvement. While preparing for my speech I recorded myself well over 50 times, rehearsing until I felt eager to deliver it to an audience!

Incorporate practice into your daily routine. Whether you're on a leisurely walk, commuting by train, or even sitting through a work meeting, run through your speech in your mind. Visualize the scene in vivid detail: you're standing before an attentive audience, anticipating their reactions to your words, picturing the stage beneath your feet, and planning your movements. This mental rehearsal is just as crucial as the physical one.

And finally, when you've prepared and practiced to the best of your ability, it's showtime. Step up and deliver your speech with confidence. Remember, all the practice boils down to this moment—embrace it fully.

Not foolproof, but less foolish.

As we conclude this conversation, remember that the journey of public speaking is as much about conveying a message as it is about personal growth.

My first Ice-Breaker speech taught me that the mechanics of crafting and delivering a speech, while important, are secondary to the authenticity and passion of the storyteller. Whether you're a seasoned speaker or a novice, every speech offers a chance to connect, influence, and inspire. So embrace the blank page, welcome constructive criticism, and practice purposefully. Your audience awaits your stories with eagerness!