So you've been chosen to say a few words. Never mind what the event might be. The fact is you're expected to stand up in front of a group of people - perhaps hundreds of people - and say something appropriate. Something that captures the mood of the moment. Something that people will remember as the high point of the evening. Something that will secure your reputation as a person of wit, charm and remarkable insight.

Terrified? You should be if you're putting that much pressure on yourself. You're psyching yourself out even before you've had an opportunity to tackle the matter. Thankfully, Occasional Words makes public speaking something almost anyone can do, and can do well. We're here to help, not only with material that you can use, but to give you a few ideas on how to conduct yourself in delivering a speech that nobody will forget.

So let's assume you've chosen one of our speeches. You've gone through and inserted the necessary names and personalized the material so it sounds like you've written the piece yourself. Now it is time to familiarize yourself with actually saying the speech.

Here are ten key factors to consider when deciding not only what you're going to say, but also how you're going to say it in convincing fashion. Yes, of course we tell you how to deal with nervousness, and what to do when your legs get wobbly and the sweat is dripping off your forehead. But you also get some tips on using humor, handling hecklers, and finishing strong.

So read through these ten tips and you'll be ready to address the United Nations. Well, maybe not that, but you'll be able to say some kind words about your mother-in-law or your boss.

WHO'S OUT THERE?

The single most important factor in giving a speech, no matter what the occasion, is this: Know your audience! If you don't know whom you're speaking to, then you run the risk of saying something inappropriate. So tailor your material accordingly. Your audience will determine what you say, how you say it, and the tone that you use when speaking. Don't doubt us on this one.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Don't expect that just because you have the words in front of you that you'll automatically say them in convincing fashion. Only if you are seasoned at this sort of speaking does it come naturally, and even then most people are very familiar with the material they're talking about.

If you take the time to become comfortable with the words you're going to say, your speech will improve dramatically. So don't just practice by reading your speech to yourself. Read it aloud. Read in a way that's going to reflect how you're going to have to say it to the audience. Consider taking these few steps in working on delivery:

Read the speech aloud to yourself at the same pace you'll read it to the audience. Identify any lines that don't sound correct and rewrite them. You may want to time yourself to get an idea if you're speaking for too long.

Next, deliver the speech standing in front of a mirror, trying to address yourself as you go. Say the speech all the way through without having to back-track or pause and correct yourself. The sooner you simulate the real experience, the easier the time will be when you have to deliver the real thing.

If you can, deliver the speech to some people - even one person will do. This will allow you to work on making eye contact with somebody. At this point, try and memorize some of the more crucial passages of your speech, particularly the opening and the closing. These are both important times to connect with your audience and get your message across.

Now try and say the speech through as prepared. Simulate a real situation and see how you fare. If you have an opportunity to speak exactly where you are going to speak (a dress rehearsal) and make the room feel a little more familiar, by all means take the opportunity - that is, if no one is around.

DELIVERING THE GOODS

Quite simply, you know a good speaker when you see one. They're comfortable, confident and completely at ease with the words they're saying. Even more, they keep the audience interested throughout the entire speech, even if the material isn't that compelling.

On the other hand, you know a weak speaker when you see one. They tend to speak without any inflection or emotion. Worse, they may mumble or read the speech from the page in its entirety without ever looking up from the lectern. This is almost as painful for the audience as it apparently is for the speaker.

This is where delivery makes a big difference in the success of your speech.

One of the main concerns is how much material you should memorize for your speech. Let's make this clear off the top - don't stress yourself out with trying to memorize a speech completely. That's unreasonable. Some people like to have the speech in front of them in its entirety while others prefer to work from cue cards containing the essential points of their speech. If you can speak off-the-cuff, congratulations. That's an impressive talent, but few people have the ability.

The success of your delivery has a lot to do with your preparation. If you're comfortable with the material, if you've had time to familiarize yourself with what you want to say, then it's likely you are going to be just fine when you address the audience.

POISE

It's important from the moment you walk up to the lectern that you exude confidence. If anything, in preparing to deliver a speech, don't rush. In fact, this is the point that you must remember a fundamental of good speaking: BREATHE! Make sure you're comfortable at the lectern and that the microphone is at an appropriate height before you even begin starting (don't tap it! - if it's not working, somebody will sort it out). And before you do start, look at the audience and establish eye contact. Keeping breathing and then begin.

NERVES

It's really the most disturbing part of giving a speech, isn't it? The sweating, the trembling voice, the dry throat and pounding heart. The simple fact of the matter is, most people who give speeches get nervous. It's natural - really! But how you control your nerves is the sign of a good speaker.

Furthermore, the fact that you've been asked to say a few words probably means that you are the best person to do the job. Don't take that as putting more stress on you. Enjoy yourself, and more importantly, be yourself.

For starters, take a glass of water to the lectern. If you need a drink, remember that there's no rush. Pause and take your time sipping (not gulping!) the water before picking up where you left off. If you have to cough or blow your nose, turn your head away from the microphone and do it.

If the trembling voice kicks in, focus your efforts on speaking distinctly and at an even pace. Don't rush yourself, but merely try to establish eye contact with your audience and speak up. Once you find your pace, you'll be fine.

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