Some of the best thought out, best rehearsed, and best written speeches have ended in disaster because the speaker stumbled over the script!

This article is intended to protect you from falling victim to stumbling your script from startup blocks.

· Type your script in 18 point font (even bigger is fine!). The standard 12 point font is easy to read when you’re rehearsing in the comfort of your kitchen, but things will be different on the day of your speech. Your script will be on a easel two feet from your face, there will be a microphone between you and your papers, and the lighting may not be the same as it is in your kitchen.

Double space (at least 1.5) on your lines.

· Make sure that the last paragraph or sentence of a page does not carry over to the next page. Turning the page to find the rest of the prize can make you lose your cadence or train of thought.

· Practice turning pages! Turning the pages may sound easy until you start your speech and realize that the pages are sticking together or your fingers are dry and you can’t turn the page. Find your own system. Mine is to physically crumple the right hand side of each page. That way I have something to hold on to when I want to turn the page.

· Make two copies of your speech. Keep one with you at all times and keep the other on your desk or under your chair. That way, if you put down your script and forget it when you meet someone or enjoy coffee and cake, there’s always a backup copy in your chair. If you really want to be safe, keep a third copy in your car.

· Don’t put your script on the stand prematurely! There may be a speaker before you. When that speaker is done, he’ll pick up his and your speech from the lectern and walk away with him.

The bottom line is to make sure beforehand that your script is simple, clear, and easy to read.

As with most places where you’ll be speaking, you’ll probably have a choice of three different types of microphones. The type of speech you are giving and whether you have any accessories with you will determine which one you should wear.

The lavalier microphone is totally hands-free. A small electronic box clips to your back pocket, and the attached microphone simply clips onto your tag. This allows you the luxury of both hands free to hold your dash or accessories. You can also do anything from gestures to clapping your hands. The lavalier microphone also allows you to walk from one side of the stage to the other.

The only downside to this mic is that I have found it to be the least reliable. If the microphone is not close enough to your voice box, it may not pick up your voice and your audience may have a hard time hearing you. Also, not to get too technical, the electronic signal through which the lavalier microphone works is sometimes susceptible to interference from the concrete or metal the room is made of. Try it ahead of time.

The wireless handheld microphone allows you to bring the microphone closer to your mouth (as long as you remember to keep it there). This microphone also leaves one hand free to hold your script or an accessory and allows you freedom of movement. The downside to this microphone is that if you are holding your script, you cannot turn the pages of your script. Try this experiment at home: Hold a script in one hand and a beer bottle in the other. Try to turn the page. You can not! The wireless handheld also limits you as to what kinds of accessories you can use (you only have one hand free), and clapping is pretty much out of the question.

The third microphone is the one that is attached to the lectern. On the plus side, since it’s hardwired, it will always work and there won’t be any signal interference issues. You also have two hands free to turn pages or hold accessories. Plus, you can enjoy the safety of standing behind a lectern instead of out in the open.

The drawback to this microphone is that you always have to remember to keep your mouth close to it at all times. If you turn your head left or right, up or down, your audience will scream the three scariest words any speaker could ever hear: “I can’t hear you!”

Most venues will have all three microphones available to you. Plan ahead which one suits you best.