Speech dry run

Let's consider how to effectively prepare for public speaking

All of the sudden during your speech the presentation doesn't open, the slides are out of place, the clicker doesn't work, and your knees begin to tremble. Sounds familiar?

All of this can be avoided with a well-organized speech run. Read the article to find out what a few simple things you can do to prevent technical difficulties during the performance.

Don't ignore the technical dress rehearsal

It is very important to review all the presentation from the beginning to the end: all the videos, pictures, animations, interactions with the speaker or moderator

Sergey Gavrilov

BEsmart partner, public speaking coach

Because in the event of force majeure, you as the speaker will have to get nervous and try to improvise to smooth things over.

Most likely, the headphone with the director's voice will be there for you, but it won’t save you from extra stress and mistakes. It seems there's enough to worry about during a public speech.

Discuss the stage and auditorium features with the organizers

Will you be able to communicate with the audience and hear their responses? Will you be able to see hands raised behind the spotlight? Will there be a microphone at the conference, or do you need to practice speaking louder?

What is prescribed in the script can be difficult to implement in a real performance

Sergey Gavrilov

BEsmart partner, public speaking coach

These are questions you need to know the answers to beforehand. Otherwise, your prepared jokes and interactions may turn into awkward pauses.

Make sure there is enough time for the rehearsal

In our practice we face difficulties with rehearsing all the time. Often the time limit which the organizers set for runs of all the speakers can be enough only for a quick look at the slides

Sergey Gavrilov

BEsmart partner, public speaking coach

Therefore, it is important to find out in advance from the organizers how much time is allocated to each speaker for the run-through.

If you realize that's not enough, come early. And ask for a spot at the beginning of the line. That way there's a better chance you won't just be told there's no more time for your dry run.

Read: What else to ask the organizers before the event?

Consultation with a public speaking coach

Creating a speech from scratch and getting it to perfection will require 2-3 meetings with a coach. But if you already have content and maybe some slides, then even one consultation can greatly improve your speech.

The consultation process is highly dependent on the request - we try to adjust to each speaker's needs and help them where they need it most. Therefore, the content of consultations can vary.

On average, a one-time consultation consists of:

Discussing and updating with the coach the purpose, context, and format. The coach quickly dives into your context and task, asks clarifying questions to give the most relevant advice and suggestions.

Next, there are two options. If the structure and speech aren't ready yet:

- Analysis and audience segmentation. With the goal in mind, the speaker and the coach talk through and crystallize the main points of the speech, its main idea, the structural blocks.
- Selection of the appropriate structure, sketching it on the board together. Preparing and assembling the entire speech.

If we have time and the speaker wants: rehearsal with the help of notes, feedback. You will get notes and templates, which then stay with you.

Speech rehearsal with the coach

If the structure and speech are already a little bit ready:

- You give the speech as it is. The coach gives feedback on the structure, explaining if everything is clear. Together you correct the structure, make the notes on the board/template.
- If there are slides: you discuss them to correct accents, visualization, narrative logic.

If there is time and the speaker wants it: you make the second run through considering the previous comments. The coach takes notes and comments on the more superficial things: where you could add a joke, where the numbers are missing, and where you might want to add more detail to the story.

Want to perfectly prepare for an important speech or rehearse with a coach?

Let us know:

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