Ever wondered what the duration of a speech should be? This is a common question that every leadership keynote speaker faces. The speech should not be too long or too short. The pace of the speech is a debatable topic. Following are some practices you can follow to make sure the speech length is desirable:
Set a time limit
Before writing your script, ensure you know what you want to speak about. It gives a fair idea of the amount of content you need to churn out. Moreover, it allows you to structure your speech better. Most organizers set a time limit for their speeches. However, if there is no limit, your audience could drift away. How long the speech lasts depend on the topic you opt for. Ideally, you can cover any speech topic within 30 to 45 minutes.
But the time limit can be stretched if the topic demands a detailed explanation. Consider your speaking pace when setting the time frame.
Plan your speech
This is a prerequisite to ensure an effortless delivery. Divide your speeches into the introduction, the main narrative, and the conclusion. Do not forget to spare some time for audience interaction. Initially, your team distributes the media kits to the audience. Ensure you give them a reasonable time to go through the speaker media kit. Allocate adequate speaking time to each part. Strictly stick to the speech schedule.
Script your speech so that each part only takes the desired time limit. Record your speech while practicing. If the speech exceeds the set duration, cut down on the content.
Filter out unnecessary parts
As a leading speaker, you should be an expert in your field. But you need to filter out unnecessary portions from the speech. You do not want the audience to be overwhelmed with excessive information. Make pointers on the topic you wish to emphasize. Identify them and add them to the speech. Think of a simple and concise way to present these points.
Focus on giving your best
Whenever you script the speech, choose quality over quantity. Nobody wants to look at the watch while you speak. The audience wants to grasp the key points quickly. There is a saying in stand-up comedy that a tight five minutes is better than a sloppy 15. Remember this and focus on giving your best. You can wrap up your speech within minutes. A good leadership keynote speaker reads their script several times before finalizing them.
While reading and reviewing the script, check if the speech is easy to understand for yourself. Ask questions like, is it worth extending it to a said limit? If the answer is no, rework the script and make it as perfect as possible.
