Speaker Notes. What’s Not To Like?

For many people the idea of using speaker notes is a worry. That's because they don't want to appear to read from a script. And, of course that's a real concern when you read from a script in the same fashion as an unaccomplished lower grader. But you don't have to. Because you can use speaker notes and appear accomplished and professional. Even presidential, perhaps.

Now, first of all let's not take anything from lower graders, their speeches, or their public speaking. Because their USA graduation speech travails are always fascinating. But, importantly how you prepare and then use your speaker notes is vital.

Presidential Speaker Notes Caught On Camera

We know of course that President Trump uses notes to rehearse a speech. In fact, we'd be surprised to find any leading politician or business leader that chooses not to (apart from the New Zealand parliament where speaking notes were banned!). Not least when you practise your speech you are less likely to trip over words, phrases or place names.

What's intriguing about the President Trump speaker notes is that they are hand written. And probably hand written with the famous Alabama Sharpie pen that filled the news with Hurricane Dorian

The speaker notes are also large and very clearly legible for both the President and any photographer lurking behind him. Neat. But we also spotted the upper case styling of his letters. Now, that's a bit unusual with a script. Not least, because, in our experience, it's easier to read a mix of upper case letters with lower case words. Just try proof-reading a document that's prepared entirely in upper case. It's not easy.

Notes Or Memory? That's Quite A Choice

President Trump's speaker notes have clearly seized our attention. But what's not to love? Certainly our politicians love notes. This UKIP conference speech had a brief set of supporting notes that betrayed its structure. Alternatively, when you try to memorise a speech and work without speaker notes then you can miss bits from your conference keynote speech. Ed Miliband came a cropper with this.

More recently the rapper Cardi B nearly came a cropper with her speech in support of Vice President Kamala Harris when she couldn't read the autocue (teleprompter). Thinking quickly and out loud, she resorted to an iPhone script to help with her speech.

Of course when you want to get your very own speaker notes up to scratch, lower case or upper case, then you'll always find plenty of public speaking tips here. And with more than 100 top tips for speakers and presentation tips, there's something for every event. Plus, when you want to step up to a more elevated podium, then why not consider some public speaking coaching? Because a well-timed intervention might be just the tonic for your next speech. So, when the time is right, please don't hesitate to note our number.

Alternatively, you're welcome to enroll on an online public speaking course whenever you choose.