2 PREPARE AND PRACTICE

The cornerstone of any compelling speech is its successful memorization – not the memorization of every word in the speech verbatim but rather the memorization of other, better speeches and the style and manner in which they tend to be delivered well. Watch YouTube videos of experienced public speakers and train yourself to emulate their cadence and the enthusiasm of their delivery. Watch daytime news anchors and politicians and affect their brand of unctuous plastic zeal. What you say on stage will matter less to your audience than their perception of your physical presence, and this aspect can always be influenced by avidity and vigour. Be confident or pretend to be for the duration of your time on stage. Believe what you say or convince those listening that you do.