If you want to use notes, there are 5 things you must do

“Is it ok to use notes?”

“What’s the right way to use notes when speaking?”

These are the two most common questions I hear when it comes to speech notes.

First, let me make it clear that it IS OK to bring your trusty notes with you. I have been to conferences where I was sitting close enough to see the keynote speaker glance down here and there at their notes that were resting on the lectern nearby. And guess what? They delivered a fabulous speech! The fact that they had notes did not diminish the quality of their presentation or make them look less credible. I will also bring my notes with me to some engagements. Not because I don’t know the material, but there may be some facts or critical information that I want to make sure that I communicate accurately.

So now I can address the second question here on out. There are definitely guidelines that I recommend when it comes to using your notes in a way that is seamless and easy for you.

One more thing before I give you my tips – it is fine to use either regular 8.5×11 paper or index cards. It’s up to you.

Here are my top 5 tips for using speech notes:

1. For index cards, it’s better to have one major point dedicated to each card instead of multiple points. It will be easier for you to quickly look down and read.
2. For your paper notes, print each major point  in different colors and in a large font (at least size 20). The reason is similar to #1. You’ll be able to easily distinguish each section from the other when you glance down, so you won’t waste time trying to find your place.
3. Don’t staple your papers together, or print on both sides. This will allow you to smoothly slide to the next page without causing a distraction by ruffling your papers.
4. When it comes to index cards, it’s a speaker’s worst nightmare for their cards to drop and get scattered everywhere when you’re speaking! It’s best to play offense to avoid this. Secure your cards together with a binder ring in a top corner of the cards. Out of habit, I also number my index cards whether I’m using a ring or not.
5. Instead of bringing your entire speech, include key phrases/words or the big idea of each point for your notes. Or as I mentioned above, important data that you want to relay correctly. Having these “prompts” will help jog your memory about what you want to say.

Our notes are our best safety net when having to present. This does mean you need to practice sufficiently, so your notes are not a crutch you are leaning on the entire time to get through your speech. At that point, it becomes a reading instead of a speech. 😳

One more note about notes (see what I did there 😄). Try not to use notes for your opening or closing. Memorize those two parts at a minimum.

Let me know which tip you’ll now use, or what other tips you utilize when it comes to notes.