Choosing the right topic is crucial for a successful speech. A suitable topic not only inspires the speaker, but also the audience and ensures a clear message. Here are some best practices for finding the perfect topic.
1. Create a collection
Good preparation begins with a systematic collection of ideas:
Personal stories: Your own experiences offer authentic and exciting narratives.
Inspiring content: Articles, books, videos and podcasts can provide interesting perspectives.
Quotes: Mark quotes that particularly appeal to you as possible hooks for your speech.
Use digital tools: Evernote, OneNote or simple note documents help you to store ideas in a clear way.
2. Basis for selection
The right topic arises from the interaction between speaker, audience and topic:
Speaker: Choose a topic that inspires you and matches your skills.
Audience: What interests your audience? What brings them added value?
Topic: It should be relevant and exciting, as well as reflect your expertise.
When these three elements are in harmony, you’ve found a strong topic.
3. Important aspects for the speaker
– Avoid topics you don’t know much about. Misinformation can undermine your credibility.
– Choose a topic you feel comfortable with. Your enthusiasm will rub off on the audience.
– Consider your strengths. If you enjoy telling stories, choose a topic that allows for storytelling.
4. Important aspects for the audience
– Define a clear message. What do you want your audience to take away?
– Formulate a call to action. Do you want to inspire your audience to do something specific?
– Focus on three main points. People remember a few, well-structured core ideas better than a multitude of information.
– What is the purpose of your speech: to inform or to inspire?
5. Additional considerations
– Streamline your topic: Less is more. Stick to the KISS principle (Keep It Simple and Stupid).
– Cut unimportant content: Anything that doesn’t support your core message can be left out.
– One clear main topic is better than many small ones. Focus on one strong idea instead of a variety of subtopics.
Choosing a good topic for your speech means aligning your interests with the needs of your audience. Through careful preparation and selection, you can ensure that your speech is not only informative but also inspiring.