The speakers at your fundraising auction or event are the ones who promote and speak on behalf of the mission of your organization. With such an important task, your ‘Ask Speaker’, the person making the case for giving, should be well rehearsed and prepared. Here are some tips to get the most impact from your speakers.
Give Parameters
Typically, organizations simply as their ‘Ask Speaker’ to write a speech. The ‘Ask Speaker’ then goes homes, spends a few hours creating a speech. When the show it to you, it may need lots of revisions, edits or an entirely new speech created. This can create an uncomfortable situation because you know the speech needs edits in order to create impact with the audience, but you don’t want to hurt the feelings of your speaker and have them spend more time rewriting a new speech. The solution for this sticky situation is providing them parameters. Prior to asking you speaker to write a speech, work the you communications and development department to create five to seven questions for your speaker. In this way, you speaker will cover the topics that you want, and will ensure that your speaker stays on message. Additionally you will skip any awkward moments editing the script and your speaker will be so pleased when you praise their words.
Practice, Practice, Practice
After asking your speaker to write their speech, many people from the organization should edit the speech for flow and clarity. Your speaker should practice their speech several times before the event. On the day of the event, build 30-40 minutes into your setup timeline to rehearse the speech with your speaker at the podium. You want to make sure your speaker not only writes well, but is also an effective orator. They should practice where to pause, breathe, look at the audience, and get on and off the stage. And, don’t allow your speaker to memorize their speech. There may be some last minute edits and your speaker should be flexible in adjusting to those edits. It’s harder to be open to changes in the speech if it is already committed to memory. Because you’re asking people to give their money to your organization, you want to make sure you have a flawless delivery.
For more Fundraising Charity Auction ideas and helpful tips on planning your next charity fundraiser, follow Generosity Auctions on Facebook or Instagram @GenerosityAuctions. Abra Annes is the leading Charity Auctioneer based in California. Abra is the owner and founder of Generosity Auctions, the premier choice for Non-Profit Organizations looking to maximize their event fundraising.
Give Parameters
Typically, organizations simply as their ‘Ask Speaker’ to write a speech. The ‘Ask Speaker’ then goes homes, spends a few hours creating a speech. When the show it to you, it may need lots of revisions, edits or an entirely new speech created. This can create an uncomfortable situation because you know the speech needs edits in order to create impact with the audience, but you don’t want to hurt the feelings of your speaker and have them spend more time rewriting a new speech. The solution for this sticky situation is providing them parameters. Prior to asking you speaker to write a speech, work the you communications and development department to create five to seven questions for your speaker. In this way, you speaker will cover the topics that you want, and will ensure that your speaker stays on message. Additionally you will skip any awkward moments editing the script and your speaker will be so pleased when you praise their words.
Practice, Practice, Practice
After asking your speaker to write their speech, many people from the organization should edit the speech for flow and clarity. Your speaker should practice their speech several times before the event. On the day of the event, build 30-40 minutes into your setup timeline to rehearse the speech with your speaker at the podium. You want to make sure your speaker not only writes well, but is also an effective orator. They should practice where to pause, breathe, look at the audience, and get on and off the stage. And, don’t allow your speaker to memorize their speech. There may be some last minute edits and your speaker should be flexible in adjusting to those edits. It’s harder to be open to changes in the speech if it is already committed to memory. Because you’re asking people to give their money to your organization, you want to make sure you have a flawless delivery.
For more Fundraising Charity Auction ideas and helpful tips on planning your next charity fundraiser, follow Generosity Auctions on Facebook or Instagram @GenerosityAuctions. Abra Annes is the leading Charity Auctioneer based in California. Abra is the owner and founder of Generosity Auctions, the premier choice for Non-Profit Organizations looking to maximize their event fundraising.
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