Thank You to Everyone: What Not to Say In Your Award Acceptance Speech

Giving an award acceptance speech is easy enough: you get up on the stage and share a few words. Giving a good speech, though? That's a different story.

If you watch award ceremonies, you know how easy it is to mess up a speech. This is doubly true if you're not used to speaking in front of large crowds. The good news is that proper preparation makes this issue a non-factor.

Need some help with writing your acceptance speech outline? Here are 5 things you can almost certainly do without.

1. Notes

When it comes to accepting awards, sincerity is the name of the game. If you use notes, the audience won't believe you're speaking from the heart.

Instead of relying on notes, focus on the essence of what you want to say. That way, you'll never be in danger of stumbling on any particular line. While you're rehearsing, use a mnemonic device to remember the important things.

2. Apologies

While you're giving a speech, you may feel like revisiting some past mistakes. Oftentimes, going down that route can put a damper on the ceremony. Instead, focus on the positives in your present and the future.

Also, many people can feel like they haven't deserved their award. Even if you believe there were more worthy recipients, try to keep a lid on it. An award ceremony isn't a good time for controversial opinions.

3. Jokes

Using jokes is a good way to connect with an audience, but that's not always the right call. For award ceremonies, an icebreaker at the beginning will be enough. While you're at it, take careful note not to offend anyone in the audience.

Why leave the jokes out? Simple: you'll appear more humble, which is always the right tone for an acceptance speech.

4. Long Thank-You Lists

The biggest sin of public speaking is trying to do too much. Long thank-you lists are amongst the worst offenders in this regard. If your list contains more than five people you want to thank, you should be able to cut it down a bit.

That said, make sure to sneak in a quick nod to the organisation that's honouring you. Don't thank the organisers individually -- one mention should be enough.

5. Wordiness

As a general rule, your speech should be as brief as possible. Remember, all the essential elements of an acceptance speech can fit into 300 words. Plus, not overstaying your welcome means you're less likely to make a mistake.

The best way to make your speech shorter is to focus only on the key points. Other than what we've mentioned above, you can also note the organisation's goals or acknowledge some unsung heroes. Anything else can wait.

More on Giving an Award Acceptance Speech

One final thing you should remember is that your award acceptance speech isn't about you. Rather, it's about the people you'll be thanking. Keeping them front and centre is the best way to use your time on the stage.

Want to know how awards can influence employee performance? Take a look at our article that explains why getting recognised at work is always a good thing!