Prepares speakers in Toastmasters put in a lot of effort before giving their speeches. Right from choosing a subject, to drafting the speech, getting it mentored and perfecting the delivery – a lot of hard work and time is invested before making the actual delivery.
As the Toastmaster of the day, it is therefore your duty to make them feel confident and appreciated. There are two steps involved in this – 1) Before and 2) After the speech.
1) Before the speech – As you see in a lot of events, before the speaker graces the stage, an introduction of the speaker is given to the audience where his achievements and victories are enumerated. In Toastmasters, generally, we know the members in and out, as we meet them often. Also the same members give speeches on a frequent basis. Therefore, it would not be wise to repeat the same achievements or qualifications over and again. The better way to introduce the speaker would be to give a short impression you have of them through your encounters with them. This elevates their mood and brings a smile to their face just before they set foot on the stage. Let me demonstrate –
a) Our first prepared speaker is someone who is my absolute go to person to find answers to all my Toastmaster queries. Please help me welcome TM Name.
b) Our first speaker is someone whose humor quotient in speeches is so high that we wonder why is he not doing it professionally. All of us can get free tickets than. Put your hands together for TM Name
c) Our next speaker is someone who can recognize the name of the model just from the sound. Toastmasters, I am speaking about car models because he is an absolute automobile enthusiast. TM Name.
d) Our next speaker is one person who has travelled across the world. As a matter of fact the list of countries he has visited across the world is longer than the list of cities I have visited in India. Please help me welcome TM Name.
Please note. It is important that whatever you mention is genuine. Since these are people from your own club, giving fake introductions will not just cost you your credibility but put them off balance too. Imagine someone introducing you just before your speech as a guitar player and you scratch your head to remember when was the last time you touched a guitar. Exaggeration is fine, but including fake credentials is not.
2) After the speech – The TMOD is like the host of the show and as the host, it is your duty to always appreciate the speakers after they have given their speeches. This helps calming the nerves of speakers who may be anxious about their performance. Therefore, saying positive words is an absolute must to soothe them. Have a look at some things you can say –
a) Thank You so much TM Name. Your ice breaker showed us today how really full of life you are as a person.
b) Thank You TM Name. You had some great insights in your speech. I am sure all our club members found a lot of things to take home.
c) That was wonderful TM Name. Your story was really emotional and heart touching. Am sure everyone in the audience today had the same feeling.
d) Thank You TM Name. Your love for your family was absolutely evident by the passion with which your shared your personal story today. Am sure your family loves you no less as well.
e) TM Name I must say I had an extremely tough time controlling myself from laughing uncontrollably today. Your speech was brimming with humor.
This is a small sample to show you how you can appreciate prepared speakers to boost their confidence, Please note –
1) I repeat, don’t lie – either in introducing speakers or appreciating them after their speeches. Say things that are genuine. It’s easy to see through your words, especially when you are speaking to a group of people who know each other
2) It is important to keep your introduction as well as appreciation short. Note that all the above examples were just two sentences long. Remember Toastmasters meeting have a strict time to follow. Giving a two minute introduction or appreciation to any speaker will upset your schedule and audience.
Just follow the hints above and your speakers will feel their morale boosted.
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