speech ideas to entertain

Speech ideas

Public speaking courses and speech ideas…You can’t have one without the other

Coming up with an idea for a speech can be one of the most frustrating, irritating things that any human being is asked to do.

For example: a friend asks you to be the best man at their wedding. Two days before the happy event, because their original best man was swept away by giant waves after a boating accident. And all of his carefully prepared notes for the speech with him.

While you may be slightly hurt about having been the second choice, you still want to dazzle the happy couple and the audience with your eloquence.

How are you going to do this?.

How are you going to come up with a captivating speech topic?

Great speech ideas which lead to effective speaking that wows the audience are different to the run of the mill “I’ve known John since we were kids… raddy raddy raddy…”" etc. etc. etc.

Dull…! Mind numbingly boring…

The folks in the party want to be amused. To have fun. And they want to honor the newlyweds.

At this stage you may be curious about how you can think up great speech ideas that will make your speech unique.

Here’s my personal method for coming up with a great speech:

I begin by introducing myself and telling the audience what I’m going to be talking about. I keep this part as short as possible because I’m not a celebrity, they’re not especially interested in me. They want to be entertained and informed. The next thing I do is to thank them for being there. Acknowledge them.

Usually, I make a special mention if someone has made a big effort to attend.

Such as: “…and I really want to thank the groom’s uncle Bobby and his housekeeper Sue who travelled overland by their trusty old stage coach pulled by their team of donkeys. It was one tough time crossing the Gulf of Mexico under cover of darkness to avoid the border patrol and the bandits. We all really appreciate their gifts of fine tequila and Nachos”

Even if the happy pair don’t have a relative Bobby from Tierra del Fuego, you can still  ask him to identify himself, as the mules have fouled the road outside ….and the parking attendant was seen scribbling in their book.

Now it’s time to get your audience interested. You tell them why you’re there instead of ” the real best man “, before them, teeth chattering while you tremble in fear. You explain how the groom’s preferred best man isn’t available to be here today. Express condolences to his widow, parents and children.

The next thing  I do is tell the audience that I’m going  to dish the dirt on the groom, the hay barn and what happened at summer camp last year .( Please, please remember to smile at this point or you may be torn apart by the crowd)

By this time, the audience is leaning forward, sitting on the edge of their seat, waiting to get the inside line on the scandal. I then proceed to extoll the virtues of the happy couple and tell them that I’ll get to the hay barn story later on.

I’ll tell the guests about the fine families of the bride and groom, the virtues of their upbringing, that they are fine hard working people and what good solid people they are.

Make mention of little acts of charity carried out by the bride and groom. The charities they support, the work they did with the local community, or any other good deeds they have performed.

This is the part where you express your appreciation to them for letting you share the same planet. 

I would then ask the gathered guests to raise their glasses in a toast, offer your best wishes for a happy future to the newly weds, wishing them much success, many children  and a good and happy life together. I will also wish them financial success to be able to afford the children.

Have you seen the price of diapers theses days…?

Once all the traditional parts of your speech are dispensed with, I’ll then say, “Oh, by the way… the hay barn… summer camp… last year! John’s construction company made a fine job of building it and all the kids are really grateful to him for building it.”

The hay barn is an example of an embedded loop.

If it worked for Dallas, it’ll work for you. Does anyone really know the truth behind Pam’s dream? I’m sure that, like me, you’re still wondering “Whodunnit”.

Through your knowledge of your audience, you can easily come up with an attention-grabbing cliff hanger.

Try it and see, next time you’re looking for speech ideas.

Cliff hangers work every time.