How to Write An Acceptance Speech to Remember

As you may know, giving an acceptance speech is tougher than it seems.

For starters, not all of us are fond of speaking in public. If you're naturally humble, you may see this experience as something that one suffers through. The good news: with some planning, you can turn this challenge into an opportunity.

See, writing a proper award acceptance speech is all about preparation. As long as you have a clear idea of what you want to say, the people will notice. If you stumble a bit, you'll have your speech to fall back on.

Not sure where to start? Here are five tips you should consider.

1. Ask About Logistics

Before arriving at the ceremony, you should have a general idea of how it's going to go.

Start by asking how long your speech should be. Generally, the more people there are, the less time you'll have. Many acceptance speeches consist of a simple handshake and thanking your benefactors.

Also, find out how you're going to be introduced. Will you receive the award before or after the speech? The more details you know, the easier it'll be for you to prepare.

2. Keep It Short

Unless you're receiving an Oscar, you shouldn't worry about getting "played off." That said, try to be concise and to the point. Keep the introduction brief, don't include too many jokes, and don't go off track.

If there's a time limit to the speech, ask the organizer about it. They should already have a plan of how they'll signal you when your time is up.

3. Thank the Key People

Every acceptance speech outline should have a "thank you" section. After all, it's only fair to mention the people who've helped you reach your goals. Thanking the person who nominated you is also a good idea.

Still, try to be selective about who you include in the speech. The last thing you want is for the audience to grow impatient while you're going through a long list of names.

4. Don't Get Political

While you're giving the speech, be careful about using it as a platform. If there's a cause or issue you really care about it, go ahead and mention it. However, keep it brief and make sure you won't offend the organizers or audience.

Also, avoid political commentary. That's likely to alienate a part of the audience, which will put a damper on the whole ceremony.

5. Show Gratitude

One well-known secret of giving a good speech is to end it on a positive note.

For instance, you can thank your organization for the impact they've had on you. If you want to honor them, highlight a few of their achievements and mention how you can't wait to go back to work.

You can also end the speech with a well-timed joke, but make sure it's in good taste. Avoid trivializing the award, as that's an easy way to demean your benefactors.

Giving an Acceptance Speech

Once you're happy with your acceptance speech, read it out loud a few times. That will help you identify sections that sound awkward and you can then replace them with something better. For best results, time yourself during each reading.

Looking for more award-based content? You may want to take a look at our blog!