It’s that time of the year when the awards entry has been submitted, the judges have made their decision, and the gala night is just around the corner. That means preparing your business awards acceptance speech.

The biggest thing that makes an awards night boring as batshit…is boring acceptance speeches.

What makes a business awards acceptance speech boring

I’ve lost count the number of times I’ve heard…

– I’m so surprised, I didn’t expect to win (you entered)

– I looked at all the finalists and didn’t think I had a chance

– I didn’t prepare anything, I’ll wing it (please, no)

– Thanking a laundry list of people of people (It’s not a thank you speech. It’s an acceptance speech)

– I’d like to thank my wife

– I’d like to thank my husband

– I’d like to thank my beautiful kids (no one EVER thanks their butt ugly children)

– I’d like to thank my team

– I wouldn’t be here if…

– Petering off at the end with some vague mutterings like ‘so, yeah’.

Imagine this over and over and over for 5 hours. Snoozeville.

Occasionally drawn back to the stage by someone who understood they’re not just there to pick up a trophy, they’re there to connect on another level with 100s of other business owners. They’re prepared, succinct, engaging and purposeful.

The ripple effect of you not being prepared flows through the night as 90% of the winners accepting their win are as ill-prepared as you. It’s not just one boring speech. It’s 10, 30, 50. Over and over.

No wonder people start talking. It’s rude and disrespectful but after an hour of the same thing, you disengage, and the very worthy winners have to talk over a bored audience. Not fair. Not polite. But if you don’t prepare and consider the importance of what you are doing, you’re throwing away an opportunity to share your message, respect the audience and say something meaningful.

Be prepared to give your business awards acceptance speech

No one is expecting a Martin Luther King level of speech, but the audience is expecting you to be prepared. You don’t have to be a speech writer to make an impact…just prepare, be real and leave the audience inspired. You’re standing on the stage. You did the work. You deserve to be there.

I get it. Imposter syndrome doesn’t go away because you’ve made the finals or won. That itty bitty shitty committee can be turned down by being prepared. Your audience will thank you if you skip the predictable. Give them something to think about or act upon after the evening is over.

Acceptance speeches are your opportunity to be memorable. You have the audiences’ attention for 30 to 60 seconds. Prepare to use it.

What to include in your business awards acceptance speech

This is what preparation looks like:

Breath – take a few oxygen filling deep breaths to settle your nerves.

Share personal stories: Connect with your audience through relatable experiences.

Align with the mission: what’s the purpose or why behind what you do? This doesn’t mean it has to be big and world changing. It just has to reflect why you do what you do in your space.

Deliver a positive message: could be how you overcame tough times or the impact you’re having.

Practice, practice, practice: when you’re on stage, all you have to do is enjoy the moment.

Keep it concise: meaning – don’t waffle. That loses the audience as much as not being prepared.

Be funny: appropriately. It lightens the mood and engages your audience.

Paint a picture with your words: tell a story about your journey.

Speak from the heart, be real and put some heart into.

End strong: Leave a lasting impression with a powerful closing statement or gesture, think fist pump or your tag line.

Command the stage: okay, you might be shitting your pants because public speaking isn’t your thing, but you can still own the stage. Stand tall. Look into the audience (the lights are so bright you can’t see people). Smile.

It is up to you

I think award programs have a responsibility to ensure finalists are equipped… with insights, training or tips on how to deliver a good speech. THEY are the reason for putting on these gala events. Why not prepare the stars of the show to ensure a well-run and engaging program. It seems to me that you’d want the stars of the night to shine…that’s why you’ve put the event on. Otherwise, it’s just the same lines uttered over and over for hours and a bored audience.

People want to cheer you on. They want to hear your story. Don’t fritter away the opportunity to share your business with more people by downplaying your achievements by being unprepared. It’s ok to not like being in the spotlight. It’s ok to not be a professional speaker. It’s ok to be scared. People aren’t expecting an outstanding orator. They want to see the person behind the business name and the few words the MC reads as you walk on stage.

They want to see someone like them who gave it a crack and had the guts to defy a culture of tall poppies to celebrate growth and success.