If you’re looking at this blog, chances are you’ve won a business award – congratulations! Now the hard part is over, it’s time to start thinking about what you’re going to say when you’re up on stage accepting your award. There are certain elements that can help your acceptance speech go from good to great, and we’re here to tell you what.
Preparation
As with anything, preparation is key. The best acceptance speeches are those that appear effortless yet follow a strategic structure. Start by listing key points you’d like to cover and organise your thoughts into a coherent structure.
Write a draft and refine it multiple times to ensure clarity and impact. Read your speech in front of your friends, family, or colleagues to get a feel for their reaction. This is also a great time to practice your pace, tone, and body language to help your delivery. By preparing your acceptance speech thoroughly, you minimise the risk of stumbling over words and forgetting important points.
Genuine gratitude and emotion
An acceptance speech is a chance to express your heartfelt appreciation for the award you’ve received. This is the time to let your genuine emotions shine through and show the audience how much it means to you. Let your appreciation come from the heart and remember that authenticity in your gratitude will make your speech more relatable and memorable.
Whether it’s pride, surprise, or humility, letting your emotions shine through adds depth and sincerity to your speech. It also reminds the audience that behind every achievement, there is a real human story filled with dedication, challenges and triumphs.
Mention others
By mentioning others in your acceptance speech, you’re recognising the contributions of those who have helped and supported you along the way, whether that’s friends, family, colleagues, or mentors. This shows humility and highlights the collaborative nature of success.
Giving credit to others shows the audience that no one succeeds alone. This recognition sets a positive example, encouraging others to value and acknowledge the people who contribute to their success.
Share something personal
Create a deeper connection with your audience by sharing a personal experience in your speech. Tell a personal story that illustrates your journey to receiving the award, this could be a challenge you overcame, a pivotal moment, or an inspiring experience that shaped the path to winning.
When you share your personal experiences, you humanise your achievement and make it more accessible and inspiring to others. It’s a great way to show the audience who the person behind the glory is.
Mention the organisation and award
It’s important to mention the organisation that has recognised you for the award in your acceptance speech as it shows our respect and appreciation for the honour. Briefly discuss the mission or values of the organisation and how they align with your own work or beliefs.
Mentioning the organisation and the award you’ve won also gives the audience a clear understanding of the relevance of the award you’re receiving. Make sure to align your personal achievement with the organisation’s goals to demonstrate your commitment to the values they uphold.
Talk like a real person – not a robot
Although it can be hard not to use the most professional language when writing your speech, doing this can make you sound robotic. Use natural language and speak as you would in a real conversation. Avoid overly formal or stilted language and aim for a warm, conversational tone that reflects your personality and makes the audience feel connected to you.
Authenticity is key, so share your thoughts and feelings honestly. The approach makes your acceptance speech more enjoyable, and you also come across as more approachable.
Avoid rambling
Keep your speech focused and impactful by avoiding rambling. You can do this by ensuring you stick to the points you’ve written down and avoid the temptation to veer off into unrelated topics. This can mean you lose track and fumble with your words. Structure your speech with a clear beginning, middle, and end in order to hold your audience’s attention.
You should also ensure you keep your speech concise and respect your audience’s time. Focus on key elements of your message to make a strong impact and leave a lasting impression.
Need help writing your acceptance speech?
At August Awards, we help businesses enter and win relevant awards in their industry. We can help with awards strategy, awards entry writing, and can even offer advice on writing your acceptance speech when you win. Get in touch with us now to see how we can help you.
