Regardless of the form you choose, your speech must have a purpose and should be about something. It is also important that you reach the hearts and not just the minds of the people you are talking to.

Always bear in mind that human memory is associated with images and emotions, so avoid boredom in your speeches.

The most important questions to answer before you make a speech plan are questions that outline the goal, i.e.:

✅ What is the purpose of my speech?

✅ What should remain in people’s heads and hearts after my speech?

✅ How do I want to be remembered?

Be sure to take the time to analyze your audience. It would be good if you knew who you were speaking to, or with whom you were having a debate or discussion. Before you plan, talk to people, look at the community that will be coming to the meeting.

If you are going to speak outside your community and you don’t know the environment well, be sure to read about them. Do some research, talk to those who know the specifics of a given community or professional group.

You will be able to make references during your speech. It is important for people to know that you are informed, that you understand their community, or that you have tried to understand them.

Imagine that you care about reaching these people and that you want to understand them as best as you can. When you build respect for your audience and understand, as far as possible, what context they are from, it will be easier for you to feel a connection with them during your speech. It does not matter whether it is a live event or online, you should always be informed about your audience.

Diversity and inclusion. Remember that you should consider people with special needs and try to be flexible and adapt your messages so that they are accessible to everyone. In accordance with EU directives, we are committed to ensuring accessibility for everyone. Your speeches may require interpretation into sign language or other local languages.

Make sure that materials and websites are readable for people with visual disabilities.

Also be sensitive to cultural and psychosexual diversity, as well as age and health. Pay attention to language and try to use language that includes, not excludes. Check whether the space in which you perform occurs is accessible to everyone. You can take care of this at the level of organizing events.

We encourage you to build bridges instead of walls. As a leader, you can inspire people to build relationships and overcome stereotypes and prejudices.

Answer the following questions:

✅ What social group(s) do my listeners represent?

✅ Do I know what these people want?

✅ Why will they come to listen to me?

✅ What is important to my listeners?

✅ What might they be afraid of?

✅ What is a sensitive topic?

✅ Might my audience have specific accessibility needs?

✅What do I know about the diversity of this group?

✅ Who else will be speaking at this meeting?

✅ How does what I know about the audience affect the goal I set for myself and the meeting plan?

When you answer the above questions and make a basic diagnosis of the audience, it will be much easier for you to prepare content, examples, facts, and even anecdotes that you want to use during the meeting. Remember your goals and that you probably need these people and their support.

👉 It is important that your public appearance responds to current problems and that people feel that you are in touch with reality and with them. Of course, this requires a certain amount of mental freedom and charisma, it will be easier for you to awaken them if you read the following chapters.