1. Know your audience

Understand who will be listening to your speech. Consider their age, interests, and level of knowledge about your topic.
Tailor your content to resonate with your audience and address their needs or concerns.

2. Understand the occasion

Be clear about the purpose of the event and the role your speech will play in it.
Adjust your tone and content to match the formality and theme of the occasion.

3. Do thorough research

Gather accurate information and reliable data to support your points.
Use examples, anecdotes, and stories to make your speech engaging and relatable.

4. Write and revise

Follow a structured outline with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
Write your speech in a conversational tone, as if you were speaking to someone directly.
Edit and revise to ensure clarity, coherence, and accuracy.

5. Practice, practice, practice

Practice your speech several times to become familiar with the subject matter.
Practice in front of a mirror, record yourself or present in front of friends or family for feedback. Pay attention to your tone, pace, and body language during practice sessions.

6. Arrive early

Arrive at the venue early to familiarize yourself with the setup.
Check out any equipment, such as microphones or visual aids.

7. Be calm and confident

Take a deep breath and try to stay relaxed before you start speaking.
Remember that the audience is there to listen to you and support you.

8. Make eye contact

Connect with your audience by making eye contact with different people in the room.
This helps to build connections and keeps the audience attentive.

9. Use effective body language

Stand up straight and maintain an open posture.
Use hand gestures to emphasize points, but don’t overdo them.

10. Speak clearly and distinctly

Project your voice in a way that everyone in the room can hear you.
Speak at a moderate pace, and enunciate your words clearly.

11. Manage your notes

Instead of reading from a script, use bullet points or key phrases on note cards to guide you.
Glance at your notes only when necessary to maintain a natural flow.

12. Engage the audience
Start with a hook, such as a question, quote, or interesting fact, to grab attention.
Encourage audience participation if appropriate, such as asking questions or inviting comments.
Use pauses effectively to hammer home important points and give yourself a moment to breathe.

13. Handle mistakes gracefully

If you make a mistake, don’t panic. Correct yourself and move on.
The audience is generally forgiving and understanding.

14. End strongly

End your speech with a memorable closing statement or call to action.

Thank the audience for their time and attention.