How to give a thank you speech

A thank you speech prepared and given with sincerity means so much to those you acknowledge.

'No man is an island'

When we achieve, we usually do so because others have helped. Your speech is the gift you give in return for what was given you.

How to prepare your speech

Generally a thank you speech is not spontaneous. You will have some forewarning and time to consider what you want to say and whom you want to mention.

Although the occasions vary hugely...

• thank you for coming to my party
• thank you for for the promotion
• thank you for the award
• thank you for your gifts
• thank you for coming to the opening of my new business ...

• WHO are you thanking?
  Note their names in ranking order- the most important first
• WHAT are you thanking them for?
  Be specific rather than general. Naming what you are grateful for gives your thanks more meaning.
• WHAT did their gift of time, expertise, encouragement ... mean to you?
  Be specific. This is your chance to compliment or praise. Take it.

Now that you've sorted out who you wish to mention and what for, you are ready to write your thank you speech.

Like any other form of speech you need 3 parts:- an opening, the body or middle where you put all your acknowledgements, and a conclusion.

1. In your introduction or opening give the reason for the occasion and why it is you're going to thank everyone.

   Depending on the size of your people to thank list and the amount of time you have, do include a small story about the lead-up making this event possible. A story always goes down well because they let people in to share your experience more deeply.
   Check out this page on story telling in speeches.

2. In the body of your thank you speech, start at the top of your list of people to thank and work your way through it. Take care to give the most important people the most time. For those whom you want to mention but don't have enough time to make individual acknowledgements consider grouping them according to function.

   Example: 'To Alex, Mary, Judy and Sam, thank you for making me remember to laugh. You helped me keep my sanity and perspective when the going was tough.'

3. In the conclusion, summarize your main points and finish.

Before you begin finalising the content, check out these 'thank you quotations'.

They offer different ways of expressing your gratitude. You could find just what you need to spark your creativity and provide the thread/theme to unite your speech. It can be so much more than a long string of thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ...

And a reminder that may sound a bit stuffy or even 'old-school' - your thank you speech really does need to focus on the positives as well as being inclusive.
This not the place to air unresolved grievances or to make remarks or jokes that are only understood by a few.

Rehearse your thank you speech

Giving yourself several rehearsals, firstly by yourself and then in front of friends or family, will help you get it right.

Time yourself as you say your speech out loud at a normal speaking rate.

If it's too long, look for areas you can cut. Maybe you need to group a few more people together or perhaps you need to shorten some of the specific examples about why it is you're thanking someone.

If it's too short, add more detail. Repeat until you get the timing right.

Write the main points of your thank you speech on cue cards.

(If you don't know about using or how to make cue cards find out here.)

To ensure you don't miss anyone out note in order each person's name and the reason you're thanking them.

Practice your speech in front of a mirror and then in front of someone whose judgement you trust.

Ask for feedback on whether or not you've included everybody you should, how the speech links together, how your delivery could be improved.
Being well prepared will give you confidence.

Do you need more assistance with giving your thank you speech?

Perhaps you'd like to know how to stop your knees from knocking when you stand to speak or maybe you'd like a few suggestions to slowing a racing speech rate?
You'll find effective public speaking tips to help with that and a whole lot more here.

Giving your speech should be fun. Enjoy it!

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