80+ Impromptu Speech Topics & 7 Ways To Nail One

What is an impromptu speech?

An impromptu speech is one delivered without prior notification and preparation. For certain persons who may not be easily open to giving public speeches, an impromptu speech may be a total scare in general. However, there are ways to make sure that impromptu speeches are not as scary as it may come off, all it just needs is a little confidence and you are good to go.

How to give a killer impromptu speech?

An impromptu speech can be casual, professional or formal. In whatever form it takes, one thing is sure; impromptu speeches come into play without prior information to the speaker. As it is usually said, what counts is not how you address an issue when you are prepared but how you manage a situation in your least prepared moment.

Imagine you are in a meeting at work and your boss suddenly asks for your opinion, or about the process and challenges that you are facing on your project and the support you need to overcome them. This has happened to me, and imagine that it did happen to you also, and if you are not prepared both in terms of having actually prepared for that meeting (knowing you’d have to speak), and in terms of how to handle such situations (speak in front of others), then it’s really hard to not play the fool.

Rest assured, because after you read the tips that will be shared below, you will be more prepared to handle such situations and in some cases, you might just be able to deliver a memorable speech and inspire someone without much ‘preparation.’

6 Great Tips to Help You Nail Your Next Impromptu Speech Presentation

Here are some of the amazing tips you need to ace your impromptu speech presentation. I will be sharing some impromptu speech examples, because I believe it will be easier for you to visualize what an impromptu speech might look like.

1. Seek the truth (Avoid Lying)

When you say your truth, you can never run out of what to say, since it also happened to you, or is something you have analyzed. This way, you can easily begin to make the same analysis on the stage without having to blab on it.

Take, for instance, if a co-worker is leaving your company, and you are called to give a goodbye speech, you can easily recount the memorable experiences you have had with such a colleague. if the colleague is one who isn’t close to you, you can also talk abut how you persevered by simply watching him/her hardworking nature.

You can never go wrong speaking the truth ( don’t go overboard shining the light on the negatives, rather than the positive, saying the truth is wise. you can never go wrong)

2. Share an Experience / Speak from Experience

With experience, you don’t need research, studying or memorization. You already have ample knowledge of the subject and hence, you have no need for research or assistance. This way, the speech becomes easier to share as it is already all in your head. Take for instance, when you are called to talk about examinations. Surely, this is something you have had to undergo in the past, so, you most definitely have a story to tell.

ive out the best way to write and exams based on your past experience. It is also good to mix your speech with certain comic reliefs of what happened in your time while preparing for your own examinations.

3. Always practice for a few Scenarios

You never know when it’s your turn. Always have at least three topics in your head that will be killer topics in any given situations. Prepare, rehearse in your own time. Have certain ideas laid out, the manner you wish to present an impromptu speech if given the opportunity.

Though the above setting may not be applicable in an official scenario, there are still certain vital points worthy of note when called upon to give an impromptu speech. For instance, in the example given before, if called up for a project meeting, you could very well go prepared to answer any questions related to project progress, risks, challenges, and support required (mention what you remember).

4. Pen it down

Especially when you’re someone who isn’t so good at giving speeches off the top of your head, this will help marvelously.

Let’s say you were told 10 min before that you are supposed to give an impromptu speech, your next course of action should be to immediately you take advantage of the heads up – write out the important points of the speech you’re about to give.

If the speech is about effieciency at work to improve output, then , write out the key points on the “How to” of the topic allocated to you.

5. Memorize

Memorize the key points so as not to look like a complete dummy reading off a book. This point comes as a consequence of the point number 4, knowing those points that you outlined within the short time after the heads up will help you elaborate on them without having to constantly look at the note.

6. Take charge of your impromptu speech

Never forget to tell your audience the speech was impromptu. With this, you have a clean slate with your audience. You are the master of your time and so, you can choose how you maneuver your audience.

Start your speech in a charming way, tell a story (that relates to the occasion), in the while keep thinking of your ending structure. For instance, on that project meeting you could start by telling the story of how your team was busy dealing with contractors, and some challenges that they faced (while you think of the best support you’d like to have, and who should give such support).

Own your time and you will own your impromptu speech, regardless of whether you got a heads up or not.

7. Make a Strong Conclusion

Conclude with why the subject is very vital to the progress of the company or organization. Be witty and smart about your speech. Correlate the whole topic with the story or illustration you shared.

Going back to our project meeting example, you could, for example, you could end your impromptu speech by saying:

“Despite all the challenges that I shared just now, we manage to pull through and get much of the work done, about 80%, and also aligned with the contractor to avoid such issues in the future. We need, however, to get your support to discuss about the implications of this delay with the customer CXO, before they complain so that we avoid looking like neglectful in front of them.

Thank you for the opportunity and please let us meet on a separate forum to discuss the details of how we should proceed to make up for the lost time and bring the project back on track.”

With this ending, you gave your audience a closure for the story you told them initially, as well as managed to bring in the urgency of the support you asked for and implications of not getting it right away. Since that meeting might include several other topics, projects, it would be best to schedule another time to discuss in detail with the stakeholders on how to proceed, and that gives you more time to prepare for the next time and ace your presentation.

Situations when you may be called upon to give an impromptu speech

Filling in for a speaker

When facing a panel

When at a job interview

Biding farewell to a departing employee

Called upon to give a professional opinion on a subject matter

Relevant Formula for Acing an Impromptu Speech

The FAC formula

F for Feel

A for Anecdote

C for Correlation

– FEELING

Give a thruthful opinion on a subject matter. It may be based on your personal belief or opinion, or also based on experience. which ever form it takes, make sure such feeling is honest and truthful to the best of your knowledge. Basically, you have to espouse originality and honesty in showing your feelings for a place or subject.

– ANECDOTE

Nothing intrigues as much as a story. share a story that relates to the subject. Make it something interesting yet relevant to the point of discourse.

– CORRELATION

link you the anecdote with the topic proper. After sharing the story, you can then talk about how the subject is then important to you.

Lets use a physical scenario to enable us fully understand the FAC FORMULA.

AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE WORKINGS OF THE FAC FORMULA

I’m called upon to give an impromptu speech as the best man of a friends wedding. The first step following the FAC formula is to share my truth about the groom or the bride or whoever I am to represent.

I, however, have to make sure I am shedding light on the positive and not the negative. I may talk about how beautiful the wedding is and how well planned the procession in general has been. On the anecdote, I will proceed on sharing my encounter with the groom, probably how I first met him. On correlation, I will add that based on the anecdote I just shared, the bride is surely the soul mate of the groom as she completes and compliments his flaws, etc.

This is a basic example as to how the FAC formula work. It’s short, easy to understand and also very relatable. The FAC FORMULA is also applicable in both formal and informal settings.

80+ Impromptu Speech Topics and Examples

IMPROMPTU SPEECH TOPICS ON IMPROVING WORK PERFORMANCE

Understanding the importance of team work.
Why organizations need to allow smoke breaks in the office.
Where there is good leadership, there is significant success.
The creative limitations having office uniforms plays in the minds of employees.
Setting short term and long term goals.
The better the technology, the better the product.
An organization with positive branding, is an organization with significant success.
Importance of setting sales goals.
The mentality of “nothing is impossible”.
How strategic planning is the key to success.
The importance of setting realistic goals in the office.
How effective decision making determines a company’s success.
The secret to staying motivated.
Do not lose focus!
How comparison can be a positive tool for motivation.
The importance of having work ethics.
Waving off distractions.
Dealing with the lack of motivation.
Always dream BIG!
An organization with no discipline will fail.
How to manage disappointments in the office.
Understanding discipline.

IMPROMPTU SPEECH IDEAS ON WEALTH AND FINANCE

Is poverty a state of mind set?
How capitalism has changed the world today.
The importance of financial education.
How to set realistic financial goals.
Money or time
Actions are better than words in all financial markets.
How to avoid financial fraud.
Best banks to for mortgages.
How to understand your financial personality.
How to scout good and profitable investments.
Is saving important?
Why the rich do not save money in the bank.
Understanding the rat race.
Who is the middle class.
Why you shouldn’t not quite your day job.
Are you really self employed or unemployed?
Writing a bullet proof business plan.
The need to have smart people in any business.
Understanding the importance of budgeting.
Are you rich or poor?
The misconception of loans.
How to not lose money on bad businesses.
The importance of networking in any business.

IMPROMPTU SPEECH TOPICS FOR THE OFFICE

intelligence is not enough.
Why goals are good for you and the importance of making them realistic.
How not to be average.
Who is the best seller?
How to become an alpha employee.
What your appearance says about you.
How to impress your new boss.
The importance of company retreats.
The importance of being on time.
Discipline and success are intertwined.
Good performers are always promoted!
Are you going to be the best or the worst?
The importance of clothing allowance.
Understanding good work etiquette.
Why good manner is crucial.
Team building events, always produces team success.
Knowing when not to procrastinate.
The importance of Monday in determining the rest of the week.
How to become irreplaceable in the office.
How to not get fired.
Does my boss hate me?
The need for team leaders.
How to be part of the office circles.

IMPROMPTU SPEECH TOPICS ON GOOD COMMUNICATION

Understanding the need to have proper people skills.
How to use effective persuasion tips.
The importance of smiling at all times.
How to talk to your boss.
How to communicate in the work environment.
Confidence and communication.
Freedom of speech versus hate speech.
How lying can affect your relationships.
The art of removing emotions from official communication.
Understanding when to keep quiet.
The concept of misinterpretation in communication.
Opinions are relative.
Do not say what you do not mean.
Effective communication is the backbone of every relationship.
Are you a talkative person?
How to have heart to heart conversations.
When to let a conversation die out.
Not everywhere statement requires a reply.
How not to force conversations.
Handling awkward moments when communicating.
How to avoid dead air while communicating.

CONCLUSION

Impromptu speeches are surely not as hard as they sound. Just know your onion and stick to your truth, trust me on this, you will be fine. All you need is 5 minutes of confidence, and even your audience will have no option than follow up your speech. It is never a big deal; you just have to own up that speech and present it like a pro. remember, leadership is not always planned.

Thank you so much for reading this far, please check out my other post including 10 types of speech, and the following series with tips on how to deliver each one of them, with examples and topics. I am sure you will find them insightful (motivational speech, persuasive speech, informative speech, and the list goes on).

This is one of our posts on the types of speech series, should you be interested in learning about other types of speeches, please click on of the links below when you are done reading this article.

Types of Speech Series

Part I. 8 Persuasive Speech Techniques & Topics

Part II. 9 Tips for Writing and Amazing Informative Speech and 120+ Topic Ideas

Part III. 5 Quick Tips on how to Give an Effective Motivational Speech

Part IV. 15 Demonstration Speech Ideas and Techniques

Part V. How to Give an Effective Special Occasion Speech?

Part VI. 6 Key Tips for a Memorable Entertaining Speech + Topics and Ideas

Part VII. Explanatory Speech: 7 Key Tips to Help You Deliver an Effective Speech

Part VIII. 5-Step Strategy for an Effective Debate and Speech Delivery

Part IX. 7 Oratory Secrets: How to Deliver Effective Oratorical Speeches

Part X. Public Speaking Contests: 7 Ways to Nail at Forensic Speech Competitions

Part XI. 80+ Impromptu Speech Topics & 7 Ways to Nail One