A powerful quote has significantly impacted my understanding of what it means to be a successful speaker. This quote is by Ralph Smedley, the founder of Toastmasters International. Ralph Smedley said: “We learn best in moments of enjoyment.”

I agree strongly with this statement. When I am having fun I remember better what I was learning. If instead I am bored I am more likely to forget what I was learning because my mind wanders and I am not focused on what I am learning.

I think it is important for your audience to have moments of enjoyment during your speech and in this article I will share with you three strategies that I have learned about that provide moments of enjoyment in my own speeches.

Strategy #1 – Use stories

First, we’ll look at using stories, but before I talk about stories let me ask you a question: When a speaker or trainer shares facts, are you excited? Do you find informational slides full of text inspiring and memorable?

Sharing facts is certainly important, but I think that a speech that relies only on facts and figures can be boring. Instead of just sharing facts, I encourage you to use stories. Draw your listeners in by sharing a story. Don’t just give them facts.

Think of a powerful and enjoyable speech that you still remember. I bet that the speaker used stories to illustrate his points.

Example:

Imagine you are tasked with teaching an audience to understand the importance of seeing a problem from someone else’s point of view. You could get up in front of your audience and list the benefits of listening to another person’s point of view. But this is just stating facts.

Why not use a story to explain your point?

For example, I will share a story with you that shows the importance of understanding a problem from someone else’s point of view.

A few years ago I created what I thought was a great piece of code at work and I was thrilled about how clever I was in creating this new solution. I shared my creation with one of my coworkers, but he said the code was potentially confusing and that I should change it. I strongly disagreed with him and we proceeded to have a heated argument. I was becoming angrier and angrier. It seemed like he was questioning my competence as a computer programmer!

We argued for what seemed like hours, but in the end, I conceded his point and finally saw what he was trying to tell me. Once I understood what he was showing me I agreed with his point of view and I changed the code based on his recommendations. This made the code better than what I had created on my own.

When I look back on this experience, I see that a lot of anger and frustration could have been avoided if I had just listened to my coworker and had not been threatened by his opinion of the work I had done. This experience has helped me to understand the importance of seeing a problem from another person’s point of view.

Summary:

Did you find this story entertaining? Was it more meaningful to you than having me just state the importance of seeing a problem from another person’s point of view?

By using a story I illustrated the point I was trying to make. I gave my audience an example of the point I was trying to make.

Strategy #2 – Use Humour

Another important tool in your arsenal that can provide moments of enjoyment in your speech is the use of humour. When someone laughs, they are having a good time. This can make them smile and they will enjoy your speech more if you use humour.

So how do you use humour in your speech?

Example:

One technique for using humour in a speech is to tell a humorous story as part of your speech. For example, I will share with you a story about my interview experience for my job with Process Solutions.

When I was first interviewed for my Job at Process Solutions they asked me if I knew the difference between cement and concrete. My answer was that cement is for roads and concrete is for buildings. This of course is not the right answer. The right answer is that cement is a powdered source material that is mixed with water and other ingredients to create concrete.

I got this answer wrong at my first interview. They also asked me this question at my second interview, and I gave the same answer the second time. And they still hired me!

Summary:

This was an example of using a humorous story in a speech. I find that using stories to include humour is much better than just telling jokes, but jokes can have a place in your speech as well.

When using humour I find it makes the most sense if the humour is related to your topic. Don’t throw in a random joke that has nothing to do with your topic. Instead, find some jokes and humorous stories that are related to your topic and that help you to make your point.

Strategy #3 – Bring the audience into your speech

Something else I have learned about helping the audience to enjoy my speeches is that you have to bring the audience into your speech. To bring the audience into your speech, use the word “imagine”. This will stimulate the audience’s thinking by getting them to imagine the scenario you are describing. You can follow this with a description of the scenario you want the audience to imagine themselves in.

Example:

For example, I can use this technique to get my audience to see themselves standing on the stage for the World Championship of Public Speaking.

Imagine you are standing on the world stage in front of hundreds of people from across the world. You have successfully worked your way through all levels of the Toastmasters International speech contest and you have a sea of faces spread before you. The anticipation and excitement of your audience is evident in their facial expressions and body language.

Adrenalin surges through your veins as the Toastmaster introduces you and shares your speech title with the audience. Stepping forward you open your heart and share your message, ending with a powerful call to action.

The audience bursts from their seats and starts clapping, and you are greeted with thunderous applause as you leave the stage.

Summary:

Did you see yourself standing on the world stage as I described this scenario? Were you inspired by my description of the experience?

This was an example of bringing an audience into my speech. I used the word “imagine” to get the audience to use their imaginations and I described a scenario for the audience to imagine themselves in.

Conclusion

Now you know what I have learned about creating moments of enjoyment in my speeches. Take what you have learned and apply it to your own speeches.

Use stories to add interest and meaning to the main points in your speeches. Use humour to help your audience enjoy your speech. Bring the audience into your speech by using the word “imagine” and by involving them in your speech so that they will feel like they are part of the experience.

Do this, and you will create moments of enjoyment in your speeches.