Do you talk too much, too often?

Strategies to speak effectively and, keep to time

Who has been to a wedding, a conference, or a meeting where a speaker did not know when to stop?

Just when they seemed they were about to wind down, they took a big deep breath. And then there was more yakety-yak blah, blah.

Meanwhile, right in front of them were all the tell-tale signs of an audience getting restless: people suppressing yawns, fidgeting, shuffling feet, glancing at wrist watches, covertly checking their phone for messages, rolling eyeballs...

Going from hero to zero

The worst part, if you're the speaker and even fractionally aware of the impact you're having, is realizing you've robbed yourself, and your listeners.

You've compromised the opportunity you had to get your message across, and your audience stopped listening several minutes back. They’re now resentfully plotting how to get you to stop talking without being out-rightly rude.

Is this familiar territory? I can tell you it does not feel good.

Gulp. Confession time. Sometimes that person has been me.

How do we learn to say enough and no more?

Here are the "fixes" I'm occasionally still learning the hard way. (I have improved. It happens much less frequently than it did in the past. Thank goodness!)

(The links go to articles on my site write-out-loud.com)

Decide on your speech purpose, which will determine the type of speech you prepare - What do you want the audience to think, feel or do as a result of listening to your speech? If the principal purpose (the reason behind giving the speech) is clear, and you know your audience, it is easier to decide and order the key points you want to cover. For more about the 4 main types of speeches and their purposes.

Plan and outline the speech- shape it to fit the speaking time you've been allotted. Do not be tempted to try and squeeze in a couple of extra irresistible interesting examples. Go with the strongest material you have.

(The link goes to an in-depth step-by-step article on how to outline a speech. You’ll find examples for each step as well as a printable speech outline template for your own use.)

Rehearse - Only rehearsal (saying your speech out loud as if you were presenting it) lets you know how long it will take.

To get an accurate estimation of time, you'll need at least four run throughs from start to finish to get to know the flow of speech. The more you know it, the more fluent you'll be. There'll be less 'um' and 'err' time, as well as less temptation to wander off track.

Once you’re delivering it fairly confidently, time yourself. Then, adjust your script if you need to.

Look for anything that doesn’t really belong or support the speech’s purpose. For instance, side comments that are unnecessary, material or ideas that would be best covered in another speech or multiple examples to illustrate one point. (Keep the strongest and delete the others.)

When you’ve removed enough to make a difference, try the speech out loud again while timing it. The ideal is to come in just under the time allowance you’ve been given.

If you have an opportunity to rehearse in front of an audience before you deliver the speech 'for real' take it. An audience responds and those responses need to be factored into the overall length of your speech. If you're waiting for laughter to subside before continuing, or adding verbal asides, they take time!

Please, please resist winging an entire presentation or speech. It can be dangerous because it often leads to circular waffling irrelevancies. (Likewise, if you're asked to comment as part of a Q & A session and haven’t anything pertinent to offer, say so without hesitation or deviation.)

Rehearse. Practice. You’ll be a better speaker for it.

Yay, they love me!

The results of sticking to time:

• Delighted surprise and respect from your audience, fellow speakers and event organizers for being succinct.

• Not weakening your own message, hijacking the agenda, or potentially ruining anyone else's presentation by running overtime.

• Learning to condense material to its essentials which in turn makes it more effective, and you a better speaker.

• Feeling pleased with yourself for taking responsibility!

If you're finding yourself on the wrong side of clock, consistently check these pages:

Speech rate. Find out how many words to prepare to fit how fast you habitually speak and your time allowance. For example, if you speak at around 120 words per minute a 5-minute speech is around 600 words.

If you're tempted to try and fit more in by talking faster, don't! As a strategy it will backfire because audiences tire quickly of listening to fast speech. Read how to pace words for maximum effectiveness instead and do the exercises. They’re fun and will help a great deal.

Talking too much and going over time is a habit; one we can train ourselves out of.

The goal, as Dorothy Sarnoff (1914-2008) said, is to, “Make sure you have finished speaking before your audience has finished listening.”

See you next week!
Until then go well,
Susan

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