Timing is Everything

You can start planning the various elements of your speech – who your audience is, what the purpose of the speech is, the topic, the key take-away message, etc. – but before you get too wrapped up in drafting the actual script or outline, first determine how long your presentation is going to be!

Is it going to be a two-minute toast to a worthy recipient? A brief introduction of another speaker? A five or 10-minute intro or overview of a business project? Highlights of your trip abroad? A 20-minute Guest Speaker presentation, or a 30-40-minute Keynote address?

It makes a huge difference during the speech planning stage to know your timing target right from the get-go.

I am a member of the Athabasca Landing Toastmasters club. During our weekly club meetings, we learn and practice various elements of public speaking, communication and leadership. Part of our training includes an emphasis on timing. We time pretty much everything in our meetings. The idea is to get a sense of timing for a variety of speaking roles so we are better prepared to fulfill those roles effectively out in the “real” world, if and when called upon.

In the real world, you’re running on other people’s time, other people’s agendas. You’ve got to respect that. When invited to speak, you don’t want to ramble on for 15 or 20 minutes, only to find out later that your host had you slotted in for five minutes! On the other hand, you don’t want to give the audience everything you’ve got on a topic in just five minutes, then find out later that you were supposed to speak for 20 minutes or more. (Should have done more research!)

Timing is everything, especially if you want to be professional in your presentations. You will garner greater respect as a speaker if you plan your speeches effectively, being sure to include the timing element in your plans and preparations.

You can easily develop speeches with the flexibility to make them longer or shorter as the circumstances require. For example, here is a proposed outline:

1. Opening statement that gives a brief overview of what your speech will be about. (Why they should pay attention.)
2. Several key points that provide the body or substance of the speech. (The detailed insight you promised in your opening statement.)
3. Closing statement that reviews or recaps the key points, in particular, the main point that you want to leave your audience with, and/or a clear and commanding call to action, depending on the nature of the speech.

Once you have your speech organized following this basic outline, you can expand or reduce each of the sections to fit the time frame allowed for the particular speech. A shorter speech will have briefer opening and closing statements and fewer key points in between. A longer speech can include more detailed opening and closing comments, and additional key points. Planning ahead, you can adjust the speech accordingly – like a professional!

But first, you need to know your timing target. Get that clear from the start so you can plan effectively. An excellent speech, and a professional reputation as a preferred speaker, may rest on your attention to the timing!