How you prepare your remarks can make the difference between delivering information and making an impact.
That’s true whether you’re presenting to the board, opening a community event… or speaking on stage at SXSW.
How do I remember my remarks without reading them word-for-word? Should I use a script, bullet points, or just memorize the whole thing?
These are the most common questions I receive from the executives I advise. The more senior you become, the more opportunities you have to speak: moderating panels, opening community events, or presenting to the board.
Key Points:
- Trying to memorize every speech is an inefficient and ineffective use of your time.
- Reading from a script can feel formal, distant, and “corporate.”
- Notes free up speakers to focus on their audience.
Every time you communicate, you have an opportunity to connect with your audience and build a relationship of trust which inspires them to take action. Notes help you do that.
How to use notes
Step 1—Write out what you want to say, in full sentences.
- Use as many details as you need. Get everything out of your head and onto paper or screen. Refer to my book Speak with Impact for effective speech structures you can use.
Step 2—Read it out loud.
- Make sure it sounds like what you want to say. Make sure it’s written for the ear, not the eye. A note for those speaking English as a foreign language: avoid words that you stumble over. For everyone: choose words that are easy to pronounce.
Step 3—Reduce it to bullet points.
- What are the key phrases you need to remind you of what you want to say?
- What transitions do you need to keep in the document so you remember to say them?
Step 4—Make the bullet points easy to read (see below for an example)
- Focus on one idea per line
- Use at least 16 point font
- Use bolding, ALL CAPS, and other visual indicators
Step 4—Practice the speech out loud, using the bullet points.
- Make sure you’ve captured enough information—such as transitions or key phrases—to jog your memory.
Step 5—Print out the bullet points and bring them with you.
- Print notes single-sided, with page numbers on the top right.
- Bring them with you to the event in a clear plastic file folder.
Step 6—Prepare your stage.
- Ask the event organizer for a small high-top table on stage for your notes, so you don’t have to stand behind the lectern.
- Ask the event organizer to place a glass or bottle of water on the high-top table.
- Before the event starts, do a sound check with the AV team. Walk around the stage and practice approaching the high-top table when you need to refer to your notes.
- It’s OK to hold the notes in your hand if necessary.
Sample notes from my Lead With Your Voice keynote:
Original Script:
Let’s start with Authenticity. Leaders often ask me about the biggest mistake we make when we communicate. My response is: you don’t let yourself out, you create this false leadership persona, stick to the corporate talking points, and stay within this safe corporate box. As a result, people can’t relate to you, which holds them back from trusting you.
Bullet Points:
Authenticity
- Leaders often ask / BIGGEST MISTAKE
- Don’t let yourself out / false persona / Script / corporate TPs
- = People can’t see U, holds back from trusting U
Used effectively, notes can free you up so you can focus on your audience and your mission to make a positive impact on others.
For the full guide, including FAQs, click here for the PDF