If you are speaking in front of business delegates then you must look professional and I suggest that you wear a suit and tie and I know this might sound funny – have a hair cut and make sure your shoes are clean or new!

The best prop to use for a business speech is software like Microsoft PowerPoint, which is a useful tool for prompting you about what is coming next…but DO NOT simply read from the screen, as your audience will know and you will not inspire confidence.

With a business speech or a presentation you should normally:

- Tell your audience what you are going to talk about by way of an introduction;

- Tell them what you want to say about your subject;

- Summarise by telling them what you have just told them.

As mentioned earlier, timing is vital, especially if you are one of a number of presenters. No body likes it when a speech runs over time and that is not just the audience, but also the person that is going to speak after you, as you will be eating into their time. Allow time for your speech and practice this to get the timing right and then always allow time for questions either during the presentation or at the end.

It is always a good idea to explain to your audience how you prefer them to ask questions and whether you are happy to take questions during your speech or not…if you are about to present then good luck!

So did you boss give a boring speech at your Christmas party or was it a funny speech?

Well I would like to take this opportunity of wishing you all a Happy New Year and to have a prosperous 2009 – lets hope that the financial crisis starts to improve and things get better as soon as possible.

So I hope that you have all booked your office parties, as time is drawing near and if you don’t book it soon you might be left with having to make do with a “Fish n Chip” takeaway! Well maybe not quite as bad as that, but you certainly need to think about booking your tables sooner rather than later to make sure you get somewhere of your choice, as compared to the last resort option.

So what are your thoughts on the Christmas party speech, should the owners or directors or perhaps your manager being making a speech at your party. This is debateable, and the content of the speech is worth discussing.

There is nothing worse than someone that loves the sound of their own voice and making a speech at an office party that goes on, and on and on and perhaps on a bit more. It might be okay to thank the staff for their work for the last 12 months and maybe use the time to hand out awards for “best employee of the year”, but much more than this might find your staff yawning and looking forward to the entertainment arranged for later.

Tell us about your “office Party” speech nightmares or the funny ones you have heard, as we’d love to hear them.

The way that I have dealt with this in the past is to do lots of positive thinking and to go into a separate room and let out my fears by shouting as loud as I dare depending on the location and who is around.

This does work for me, but it would be good to hear how others control their fear of public speaking, which is a fear that more have higher up than death! Which when you think about it is crazy – speaking in front of people will not kill you and yet we fear it so much.

We have all been to that wedding or business event when someone gets up that just loves the sound of their own voice! When this happens the whole room wants to shoot themselves for the boredom.

We want to hear your funny stories of how you managed to endure one of these speeches, where was it and who was it – was it the best man speech or perhaps the father of the bride? You might have even managed to sneek out.

Email you stories or better still register with speechs4u.com and post your story!

We want to hear from you today!

Don’t fall a victim to crumpled papers and blank screens ever again. Adopt some simple, easy-to-follow guidelines on how to write a speech, study analyses of sample speeches, view sample speeches for the relevant occasion – get all the help you need to pluck out your speech-writing phobia from the roots.

speeches4u.com is your best online coach on the art of electrifying speech-making. From the first written word to the last spoken word – we’re here to build your skills and confidence with our resources.

Whether you want to know how to write a speech for a family ceremony, a business meeting or for any other public speaking arena – you can consult our resources for every occasion.

Our resources contain the following sections:

• how to write a speech – This section lays out a thorough step-by-step plan on how to write a speech.
• presentation skills – Knowing how to write a speech isn’t enough to make your speech a smasher. Learn the styles and techniques of effective presentation from this section.
• sample speeches – An example always makes abstract rules clear. Get a clear view on how to write a speech for the occasion at hand from a collection of sample speeches.
• jokes and poems – Tie in appropriate jokes and poems to build some depth and interest in your speech.
• famous speeches – This section has transcripts of famous speeches by Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy, Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill along with their analyses. Learn how to write a speech by imitating the great orators.

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If you are looking for an easy way to get pre-written valedictorian speeches, look no further. speeches4u specializes in speech related help and guidance. We have a collection of great Valedictorian speeches, which you can tailor to your liking.

A farewell is often an emotional experience. Memories flood in and often run down in tears. It’s difficult to keep oneself together. In such circumstances its best to be completely prepared with Valedictorian speeches to keep the momentum as smooth as possible. There are quite some etiquettes to observe while giving Valedictorian speeches. You will learn all about them here by going through our collection, which is quite exemplary.

For those who prefer to compose their own valedictorian speeches by taking a look at sample ones, we have a host of resources to help you out.

• how to write a speech – This section provides a step-by-step, easy-to-learn approach to writing valedictorian speeches.
• jokes and poems – A retirement doesn’t have to be doleful. Choose appropriate jokes and poems to make a lasting impression.
• famous speeches – Analyze the speeches of Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy, Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill.
• sample speeches – Find ideas for valedictorian speeches here.
• presentation skills – The ultimate key to effective speaking lies here.

If this is the first speech you are making in public, this may not be the last. So it is essential to get prepared to be an effective speaker – get useful tips and tricks from Public Speaking 101. It’s free to download. It’s one of the best Valedictorian gifts you could get!

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Finally… here’s a site where you can bring all your speech-related blues to a decisive end. For a wide coverage of speech topics for any event, speeches4u.com is a great place. We have an extensive database of speeches for social, personal and business gatherings that are sure to give you some fine ideas on speech topics relevant to the occasion at hand.

And that’s only a tiny part of our services. While you will come across speech topics of a wide variety, you’ll be glad to pick up essential tips and tricks on how to prepare and deliver the perfect speech. Choosing the right one from a collection of speech topics will be your first step towards the D-Day. But we’ll go further than that. We’ll guide you step by step right up to the podium.

How does one prepare for informative speech topics? What are the right words and what should one’s stance be while giving an eulogy at a funeral? How to keep your audience riveted in a business meeting, while you are demonstrating statistical information? What are the tactics of persuasive speaking? These and plenty of other questions have been tackled in our Public Speaking 101. Its free to download . Even if you are a seasoned speaker, you are sure to get some insights that’ll help you perform better.

Becoming our member will give you access to the greatest speeches of all times, crucial help on the art and science of writing and delivering a speech and a store of jokes and poems. Never again will speech topics land you in an uncomfortable situation. Get ready to impress everyone.

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To most, public speaking is something they’d rather never be called up to do. There’s no end to the riotous butterflies in the stomach or the uncontrollable knee-wobbles. Yet, your legs needn’t turn to jelly, your voice needn’t betray you and the audience needn’t seem hostile. YOU have the reserves to conquer your fear of public speaking. You’d be surprised at what our findings reveal. There’s not much you have to do to melt the fear.

It’s the fear of the unknown that cripples most of us. Once you identify your enemies, you can find the resources to stamp them out. Our FREE Public Speaking 101 will give you illuminating insights into factors that prevent you from enjoying public speaking, for its an established fact that public speaking can actually be a very rewarding and satisfying experience.

Knowing yourself and knowing what you as part of an audience would want to hear from a public speaker is the key to confident and successful public speaking. Public Speaking 101 explains this and much more. speeches4u.com is one resource where you’ll find easy and useful tips on speech-writing and presentation. No matter if you’ve never given a speech in your life, with the help of your resources, you’ll be able to stride up to the podium and deliver like you were born to take center-stage.

Be it for family ceremonies, business meetings, or other arenas of public life, there’s nothing that speeches4u does not prepare you for. If there’s an occasion that calls for public speaking, you can trust our resources to bail you out of the scariest situations. Ultimately, the fear is in your mind. Let us focus there and turn that monster out forever.

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If ever there was a dream that changed the course of history, it was that which found eloquent expression on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial by Rev. Martin Luther King. The Martin Luther King speech of August 28, 1963 is a landmark speech in American history. Every African-American citizen, who enjoys his freedom is living the dream that Martin Luther King dared to speak of on that fateful evening.

History has been written by authors like Martin Luther King. It has been written in powerful words – spoken words – as the events that followed the Martin Luther King speech will testify. The Martin Luther King speech was listened to by over 2,50,000 people of various colors and it incited an urge for freedom and equality which could not be doused in the years to follow, no matter how monstrous the opposing forces.

speeches4u.com is dedicated to those who need to master the art of the spoken word . If you have the will, we have the resources to make you an accomplished orator. There’s no better way to learn an art than from the masters. We have a section containing the most famous speeches of all times, like the Martin Luther King speech, together with in-depth analyses of the elements that make them such great speeches.

If words could conquer worlds, the Martin Luther King speech sure did. The Martin Luther King speech of August 28, 1963 conquered apathy and mobilized supporters of desegregation. The Martin Luther King speech prompted the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Let speeches4u.com show you how to use words powerfully.

For more on the Martin Luther King speech, click here