- Ask yourself honestly - Is your speech relevant, insightful and memorable?
Is it...
- ...focused (can you put the primary message into one short sentence. If not, you're not focused enough)
- ...significant (have you said something that will matter to the listeners?)
- ...creative (if the message isn't new, is it at least said in a creative way that will grab and keep their attention?)
- Have you rehearsed? Practice it out loud. It comes across different when you play it in your mind, read it on paper, or say it out loud. The audience can't go back and read what they don't understand and you may not be as funny out loud as you are in your own head.
- Get honest feedback from others or at least tape yourself and listen like you're a member of the audience.
- Know who's in the audience and how much they know about you and your topic (Ask the person who hired you--are they men, women, adults, kids, etc.?) This way you can tailor the message to them making you more successful.
- Identify your audience's attire so you'll know what's appropriate. Being dressed inappropriately can make you feel uncomfortable. Dress one level of formality up from them.
- Get there with plenty of lead time. Just as athletes allow time for warming up and focusing. Do the same before a speech. It will also make the meeting planner more relaxed. Get a feel for the stage, microphone, etc.
- Do you have great directions on how to get there? Just good directions won't do. A half hour ride can turn into two hours, add frustration and make you miss your engagement.
- Plan to be professional and have fun. Be genuine, they'll like you better that way and you might meet some interesting people as a result.
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