Top tips for speaking at Congress

Whether you’re planning on speaking at one of the events or debates during the week, or get a request to speak to the media, here are a few hints and tips to make it a less daunting and more enjoyable experience:

  • Acknowledge the fear and do it anyway – don’t let nerves put you off. Your opinion counts and Congress wants to hear it. Take deep breaths and go for it!
  • Speak to other members who have experience of speaking in public and get their advice
  • Plan what you want to say – write down a few key points or sentences, so if your mind does go blank when you get to the microphone or stand up in an event, you have some prompts
  • Re-iterate your key points before you finish so you leave the audience with the most important aspects of what you want to say
  • You may be nervous, but try to look at the audience - your voice will travel further and you’ll engage them more with what you’re saying
  • Don’t forget that speakers in debates in the auditorium are timed so you only have a limited amount of time to get your point across – be as concise as you can, but remember you don’t have to fill the whole time, say what you want and then stop
  • Don’t get drawn into discussing anything that makes you feel uncomfortable 
    don’t panic - even experienced speakers can get tongue-tied and stumble over their words – keep calm and stay focused
  • You can seek advice about speaking in debates from the Agenda Committee - why not go along to the session on Sunday afternoon at 4pm in the auditorium where you can try out the technology - it won’t seem as daunting when you come to do it for real
  • If you’ve been approached by the media, make the most of the guidance and expertise in the RCN Media team, who can advise and coach you before your interview.