Ken McArthur Says, “Speak Up Save Lives!”

As the faculty member and leader of the Impact Action Team’s Signature Speech Team, it is my task to work with the group to create a speech that will create massive impact and save lives — one at a time.

We’ve written that content.  It’s available for people who want to go out into their communities to speak to groups of teens, parents or teachers.  My team is finishing up the Power Point Presentation so all you have to do is be willing to speak so YOU can be the person responsible for saving a teen’s life in your community.

If you’re thinking you’d like to give it a try, but don’t have much experience speaking in public, that’s OK, too.  You don’t have to be a professional speaker.  You don’t have to be eloquent.  You just have to care and to want to save lives and be willing to give it a go.  Here are a few tips to help anyone present this Speak Up Save Lives speech or any speech:

1.  Share Yourself

Audiences are drawn to those who let them in.  Tell people why you are helping our cause.  If suicide has touched your life in some way, shape or form, tell your story.  Audiences love stories and getting to know a speaker on a personal level.

2.  Be Genuine

Don’t try to put on airs or pretend to be something you’re not.  Kids can see through an act.  So just be you.  Speak using words you would normally use.  Don’t try to be “hip,” “cool,” or “with it” becasue you think an audience will relate to you better.  They want to hear YOU.

3.  Present with Passion

When you are passionate about your topic, audiences will be drawn to your message.  To present with passion, vary your tone of voice, your volume, and your speed.  Slow down to emphasize a particular point and repeat it.  Look audience members in the eye.  Get excited about helping save a life today.

4.  Have a Purpose

Don’t just talk for talking sake. Your audience should know what you want them to do at the end of your speech.  What comes next?  First and foremost you can provide them a handout with this website on it for them to visit to learn more.  What else do you want them to do?  Be specific.

5.  Be Available

After your speech, don’t make another appointment so you have to rush off in a hurry.  It doesn’t matter what audience you’re speaking to… people will want to reach out to you most immediately after your speech. Stick around.  Tell them where you’ll be by saying, “If you want to talk to me about anything, I’ll be in the back of the room” or where ever… Make sure you can stick around until the last person is gone.  Sometimes it’s the one person who waits until the very end and is working up the courage to say something who needs you most.

Have questions about public speaking or effetively communicating your message?  Post a comment here. I’ll be watching for you and get back to you.

Thanks!

Felicia Slattery, Impact Signature Speech Team Leader

Find me at: http://www.CommunicationTransformation.com