I don’t use notes when speaking. As a toastmaster at meetings that can lead to the question of how I can do that – what is my speech preparation?
My secret is to make it easy for myself. I have a technique I use that works for me and I stick to it!

Approaches to Speech Preparation

There are a number of approaches you can take to preparing a speech.

Some write their speech out word for word.

Some just list out the main points.

Some weave a story.

The Message of The Speech

My speech preparation centres of the message of the speech.

I begin by determining the purpose of the speech. What is it I hope to achieve? Why am I giving the speech – what message do I want to deliver.

From there I simply determine an introduction, 3 main points and a conclusion.

That approach means I can structure the flow by seeing the progress and transition between each aspect of the speech and how they deliver the message I want to impart.

Remembering a Speech

My technique above which is not about remembering the words but the themes of the speech.

It means I can always remembers my speeches. It also means they are most likely always different! If I was to script a speech word-for-word and memorise it my fear would be forgetting one word and then for being lost for the remainder of the speech.

By remembering an introduction, point a, point b, point c and a conclusion I only ever have to remember the main theme. When those themes make use of my own experience and stories it is easy.

Easy Speaking

I have no desire to be remembered for perfect grammar or amazing word choice. I want to be remembered for having touched people in some way, having made them think differently or feel differently. Therefore I don’t apply pressure to myself to be a perfect speaker. I focus on delivering a message, leveraging my own stories and only need remember the points that enable me to do so.

That is how I make it easy on myself as a speaker to structure a speech, and deliver a speech without notes.

It is too easy to put pressure on ourselves. For many public speaking is already something that invokes fears, anxiety and pressure so make it easy on yourself – find the easiest method of preparation and memory for you.