Public Speaking Tip #8: How much should you prepare for a speech?

How much you need to prepare for a speech depends on several things:

How well do you know your topic?
The more you know your topic, the less time you’ll need to prepare what you’ll be saying. However, you still need to prepare an outline or bullet points so you can stay on topic. You might also want to time yourself giving the different parts so you can make sure that you stay within the time you’ve been allotted.

How comfortable are you giving presentations?
The less comfortable you are in front of an audience, the more you should practice your speech so you can get its rhythms down.

How formal is the presentation?
The more formal and formulaic the presentation is, the more you’ll need to prepare so that you won’t break the format.

Will you be able to use notes?
If you can’t use notes while giving the presentation, you’ll need to spend more time preparing so you won’t lose your way.

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About the author

Carma Spence, is author of Public Speaking Super Powers. She is fiercely committed to guiding women to Owning their Superpowers and turning their knowledge and interests into a profitable business. She is masterful at helping her clients see what is possible for them and supporting them on the journey from where they are to where they want to be, releasing the Mind Goblins of self-doubt, self-sabotage and second-guessing that keep them stuck.

With 20+ years experience in marketing communications and public relations, natural intuitive skills and certification in using some of the most effective transformational coaching tools available, Carma’s mission and commitment is to unleash the inner power every woman entrepreneur possesses so they can boldly go out into the world, transforming the fabric of people’s lives in meaningful and positive ways.

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