Have you recently had ambitions to participate in the campaign process in a company, organization, or institution? If so, this article is for you! To win voters' hearts, all you need to do is convince them to vote for you. The method? Of course, by conveying messages that are relevant and easily understood by the audience. Want to know the basic principles of speech that can take you to the top of victory? Read on for this article!
Step
Part 1 of 4: Understanding the Audience
Make sure the content of your speech is age appropriate for your target audience. Remember, every age group has different constraints; understand the main issue or obstacle facing your target audience and try to discuss it in a language they can easily understand.
Step 1. Understand the social and economic status of your target audience
Remember, an individual's position in society has a huge impact on their mindset; in addition, their self-confidence is also very influential on their political views and actions. Are you trying to win over confident people or are you being oppressed? Understand the demographics of your audience well.
Some parties argue that the above method only applies to an adult audience, not in front of teenagers who are members of the student council group or similar organizations. But actually, social and economic status is also important for those who are still students so that the above method is still relevant
Step 2. Build a connection with the audience
One way is to discuss things that interest them. Remember, you don't need to focus on a serious subject; some politicians even opened their speeches by inviting the audience to discuss local sports clubs in their cities.
Still referring to the example above, there is nothing wrong with conveying a little of your knowledge regarding the sports club in question; however, make sure you don't continue to discuss irrelevant things, such as your shared interests or character with the owner of the sports club
Part 2 of 4: Understanding the Moment
Step 1. Adjust the content of the speech to the expected time of the audience
This doesn't mean you have to be as short as possible; most importantly, adjust the duration of your speech to the time allotted and the situation at that time. If the audience has been waiting for your speech, it's certainly not appropriate if you only speak for 5 minutes. Give your audience what they need, and make sure you know when to stop.
Step 2. Understand the latest trends
What are people talking about lately? Did any important event take place recently? Make sure you understand the current issues relevant to the position you are seeking.
Step 3. Assess the situation
Does your audience look sleepy after hearing the previous speech? Are you giving a speech at the climax of a conference that has been going on for hours? If so, it means your audience needs to be “wake up”; instead of giving a long speech, try to position them as a discussion partner regarding the issue you are going to raise.
One of the speeches that was considered very appropriate to the situation at that time was William Jennings Bryan's speech entitled "Cross of Gold Speech". Speeches containing these hopeful messages he delivered at the Democratic National Convention in 1896; The next day, Bryan was nominated as the party's presidential candidate. Apparently, the dramatic tone of speech won the hearts of the audience present
Part 3 of 4: Writing and Preparing a Speech
Step 1. Use common conversational language but not too informal
Remember, your goal is not to impress your audience with your intelligence, but to make them understand. Trust me, they'll think you're smart if you have ideas that go along with them. To make them understand that your ideas align with theirs, make sure you use short, concise, and easy-to-understand words, phrases and sentences.
Step 2. Edit your speech
Remember, this speech is important to you; therefore, you should not make the slightest mistake. If possible, try asking a few people around you to help edit it.
Step 3. Practice speaking
No matter how perfect your speech is, there will always be sentences that sound weird even if they are grammatically correct. In addition, you will certainly also find parts that need to be emphasized or emphasized; the only way to find out is to train hard on a regular basis.
Step 4. Accept constructive criticism and suggestions
No matter how much you believe in yourself, it won't do you any good if you can't convince others. If the people watching your practice match your target audience, then you should also be willing to listen to their critique and suggestions.
Part 4 of 4: Delivering the Message
Step 1. Start the speech well
Grab the audience's attention as fast as you can! According to at least one professional orator, “Within the first 20 seconds, your audience will determine if they like you and whether you are a person of integrity.” Therefore, outline your goals concisely in the first minute. At the very least, make sure they know that you are going to discuss something they want to hear.
Many candidates choose to talk about themselves in their opening speeches. In fact, most of them try to build a relationship between their lives (or themselves) with the issues to be discussed and/or with the audience listening to their speeches. Therefore, try to explain your personal relationship with the things that are important to the audience
Step 2. Make sure your message – and how you deliver it – is clear and relevant to your audience
- State your main goal in the first few minutes. There's no need to try to explain everything in detail; most importantly, convey your main vision and mission to the audience.
- Again, make sure the entire mission you offer is relevant to your target audience. Are they more interested in a specific mission? Or are you simply conveying general messages?
- Make sure your tone is optimistic. A good leader has the right to criticize the situation, but still has to offer hope and optimism to his followers.
Step 3. Remember, your job is to convince the audience to vote for you
Therefore, whatever you offer later you must be able to make it happen. Emphasize that you are their only hope to make change happen; surely, at least some audiences will feel that listening to you is a “need”, no longer a “must” for them. If your audience is large enough, chances are that victory is already within your grasp.
Step 4. End the speech with a strong conclusion
Remember, the conclusion is as important as the introduction. To leave a strong impression on your audience's mind, make sure you explain what they need to do to drive change.
As strong as you want to be to be chosen, try to build some distance with your audience at this stage. Give them space to “make a statement” and take a stand on election day; your speech should make it clear that if they want to be sovereign over themselves, the only way they can go about it is to vote for you
Tips
- Find a friend who fits your target demographic and ask him or her to comment on a speech you made.
- Make careful preparations; Remember, perfection is born from serious practice.
- For a moment, forget about the fact that there are tens or even hundreds of audiences in front of you. Instead, imagine that you are having casual conversations with those closest to you.
Warning
- Don't try to be funny; do not make the audience think that you do not take the issues presented and the opportunity to give speeches seriously.
- If your speech is starting to sound boring, try to stop reading the sentences on the speech paper and start speaking from the heart.
- Whether or not your speech is effective depends on how your audience reacts when you hear it; therefore, make sure you deliver a speech that is relevant to their condition.
- All the guidelines contained in this article do not guarantee the perfection of your speech.
