You can spend most of your week writing and researching your message. It can be full of facts, and stories that can move hearts. The problem is your only halfway done. Because delivery is just as important as content.
Courtesy of Photo Cindy/Creative Commons License
There are a lot of factors when it comes to the delivery of your content. Beyond practicing there are a few attributes worth noting. It does not matter who your audience is, if you want to deliver a dynamic message:
Your audience has a certain attention span. Do not assume it’s the same for you as it is for them. While your message needs to be engaging it should also be efficient.
If you promise to speak for 15 minutes, keep it to 15 minutes. As you speak gauge the audiences attention. Be ready to eliminate or expand. Remember you are asking them for something priceless.
Your body can be a distraction and not in the way you might think. Wailing hands, and pacing back and forth can be useful tools and huge distractions. Pay attention to your limbs the way you would your words.
It’s not just what you say it’s how it’s said. Don’t just practice the words, but practice how it’s presented. The wrong tone can push people away from your point.
Don’t wing it. Have a plan for your message. It can be a fully written talk or a well constructed outline. The purpose of having notes is to give you a path to fall back on if you lose your place.
At the same time try to memorize as much as possible. This will give you the ability to work through distractions. It will also give you confidence in delivery.
When a speaker talks quickly the listener might miss what is said. Practice pausing and use them as a way of gaining composure if you get distracted. Pauses will create a solid message, and give your delivery rhythm.
Whether the group is small or large it’s important to know your audience. Imagine your message as a one on one conversation. Even if the person isn’t in the crowd picture someone you want to hear your message. This will give you focus.
A message is more than words. It’s your presentation, it’s your delivery and it’s how you want to connect to your audience. When you can deliver a dynamic message you can build your ministry into a movement.
[reminder] What else goes into the delivery of a dynamic message? [/reminder]