How to Deliver a Thank You Speech for an Award or Special Occasion

If you're in a position where you need to give a thank-you speech, it likely means you're being recognized or honored. Congratulations on that achievement. It's completely normal to feel a little anxious, especially if you're giving this type of speech for the first time.

However, there's no need to fret because we're here to assist you. In this article, we will guide you on creating an impeccable thank-you speech for any event. Additionally, we'll provide you with valuable advice on connecting with your audience, ensuring that your appreciation is conveyed genuinely and effectively.

1. Composing Your Speech

• Acknowledge the People who have Supported You

After expressing gratitude for the award, it's important to acknowledge the people who have supported and helped you along the way, such as family members, friends, mentors, and colleagues. You can say something like, "I would not be standing here today without the unwavering support of my family and the guidance of my mentors. I am sincerely thankful for their trust in me."

Consider incorporating a personal anecdote or reflection into your speech. Sharing a story that relates to the award or honor you are receiving can create a deeper connection with your audience and make your speech more memorable. For instance, you could recount a specific challenge you encountered in your career and explain how it influenced your path to achieving this award.

• Express your Commitment to the Future

Conclude your speech by expressing your commitment to continue working hard and making a positive impact in your field. You can say something like, "This honor truly humbles me, and I am committed to using it as a driving force to continue making a difference in the lives of others."

Thank the audience once more. Lastly, express gratitude to the audience for their attention and support. You can express your appreciation by saying, "I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you for being here tonight and for your unwavering support. I am genuinely grateful for this opportunity and am excited to continue making you proud."

• Express Gratitude

When you are being honored, it's important to express gratitude to those who are recognizing you. This allows you to show appreciation and make the award-givers feel good. Whether it's your company, another organization, or people close to you, please take a moment to thank them sincerely.

If it's your company honoring you, acknowledge the excellent work the organization does and express how fortunate you are to be a part of it. If you're receiving an award from an external organization, such as an arts group recognizing your film directing skills, express how honored you feel to be acknowledged by such a prestigious organization.

When expressing gratitude to your friends and family for recognizing you, highlight the uniqueness and luck you feel to be surrounded by such a wonderful group of individuals.

• Heartwarming Tale

When delivering a thank you speech, it's delightful to include a humorous or heartwarming tale. It brings an enchanting touch to the moment when you narrate a couple of anecdotes about the events that led to the recognition you are being bestowed with. Since these speeches are often given at joyful gatherings and dinners, it's appreciated to say something that lightens the mood and brings smiles to everyone's faces.

One idea is to tell a story about a comical mishap that occurred during a significant project you were involved in or an obstacle you had to overcome to achieve your goals. It's even better if you involve other people in the story, such as your coworkers, boss, kids, or anyone in the audience. If you'd like, you can begin your speech with this story and gradually lead up to expressing your gratitude.

• Name a Few Persons Who Helped You

I am deeply grateful to a few exceptional individuals whose unwavering support has brought me to this moment. With their assistance, I am standing here today. First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to my colleagues, friends, and family members who have played a pivotal role in my journey. Their encouragement and guidance have been invaluable.

I would also like to extend a special thank you to my boss, who is here with us today. I am deeply thankful for your invaluable guidance and mentorship, which have played a crucial role in my achievements. Your unwavering support has been instrumental in my success, and I am truly grateful. Although I appreciate the contributions of everyone in my life, I recognize the importance of keeping this list concise. Therefore, I express my heartfelt appreciation to those who have directly contributed to my achievements.

To deliver a seamless thank you speech, I have sought inspiration from prestigious award shows such as the Oscars or Emmys. These speeches serve as a great example of gracefully thanking multiple individuals without making it overly lengthy. I would like to once more convey my sincerest thanks to everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. Your support has been invaluable, and I am truly honored to have you in my life.

• End it on a High Note

Expressing gratitude once again and reiterating how sincerely thankful you are is a crucial part of concluding your speech. However, if you want to make your speech truly memorable, consider adding a special touch. Sharing something that motivates others is a great approach to achieve this.

For example, if you're receiving an award for the accomplishments you've made for the nonprofit organization you work for, you could say, "Although there is still much work to be done, the impact we have made together has touched the lives of hundreds of people. Let's continue this journey with even greater dedication. Imagine what we can do in three years if we have accomplished so much in only one.

Another way to add a special touch to your conclusion is by paying tribute to someone deserving. I want to thank someone who has played a crucial role in my success, such as a family member or mentor.

For instance, I dedicate this award to my mother. When my teachers doubted my ability to overcome dyslexia and learn to read, she confidently dismissed their concerns and believed that I would become a talented writer one day. Thanks to my mom's unwavering belief in me, I am standing here today, proudly accepting my first Pulitzer Prize. Mom, I love you. By adding these special touches to your conclusion, you not only express gratitude but also leave a lasting impression on your audience. Whether it's sharing an inspiring message or paying tribute to someone deserving, these additions can make your speech truly memorable.

2. Practicing Your Speech

• Put your Notes Down in Writing

You can remember a thank-you speech as it should be brief. Printing note cards, however, will assist you in remembering all the persons you wish to mention and ensuring you cover all of your major points.

Avoid reading directly from the paper during your speech to maintain eye contact with the audience and appear more confident and genuine. Practice key phrases to ensure smooth delivery, and use the first line of each paragraph as a memory aid during your speech.

• Time Limit

Make sure to keep track of time while delivering your speech to avoid it being too lengthy. In case you are delivering the speech at a formal award ceremony, there might be a specific time limit set for acceptance speeches.

It is recommended to consult the organization in charge of the awards for any guidelines that you should take into account. If no time limit is provided, try to gather information about the duration of speeches given by previous award recipients from the same organization.

Typically, acceptance speeches are brief. For instance, Academy Award speeches should be at most 45 seconds. Going beyond a few minutes will likely lose the audience's interest, so always strive to be concise.

When practicing your speech, use a timer to measure the duration. It can be helpful to record yourself and listen to the speech later to identify any unnecessary parts that can be removed if the speech is too long. Remember, the most important part of the speech is expressing gratitude; everything else can be cut if needed.

• Practice In front of Someone Who Makes you Feel Uneasy

Practice delivering your speech to individuals or a small audience that makes you feel anxious if you require additional time to build confidence. Practice giving the speech multiple times until you can deliver it without feeling your heart race or your breath speed up. Presenting to your real audience will boost your confidence and improve your delivery.

Request feedback from the audience following your presentation. Inquire about any parts that felt too lengthy or if there are any important points that you may need to include. It is crucial to solicit feedback from a reliable individual who will offer you sincere and trustworthy feedback.

• Replace Filler Words with Pauses

The majority of individuals instinctively fill in uncomfortable pauses with "um," "uh," or "like." Develop the habit of eradicating these words from your speech. Instead of resorting to filler words, pause and embrace silence for a brief moment. Consequently, your speech will exude a sense of poignancy and meticulous preparation rather than appearing hastily assembled.

To enhance your ability to eradicate filler words, it is advisable to review a recording of your speech. Be mindful of when you find yourself using "um" or "uh" as filler words. Engage in practicing those particular lines without the use of fillers until you are capable of delivering the entire speech seamlessly.

• It is Essential to Appear Authentic and Genuine

When delivering a thank you speech, effectively convey the depth of your gratitude to your audience. Avoid coming across as rigid, arrogant, or unappreciative, as this can hinder the impact of your message.

Practice incorporating natural gestures, smiling, pausing, and laughing, just as you would in a regular conversation. Remember to utilize intonation in your speech to convey the emotions you are feeling.

3. Delivering Your Speech

• Compose Yourself before Delivering the Speech

In the event that you experience anxiety or nervousness prior to speaking in front of an audience, allocate some time beforehand to relax and regain composure. Despite repeated experiences of public speaking, certain individuals may still find it challenging to alleviate their nerves. Fortunately, there exist reliable techniques that can be employed to effectively equip oneself for delivering a coherent and composed speech.

Envision yourself confidently delivering the speech without any interruptions. Visualize the surroundings with great precision. If you are aware of the audience members, envision them present as you rehearse. Practice the entire speech smoothly in your mind. This method can assist in reducing anxiety levels for the actual presentation.

Laughing heartily before giving a speech is found to be beneficial by certain individuals as it induces a state of relaxation. Another excellent method to release nervous energy is by engaging in vigorous exercise before the event.

• Look at the Audience when you Speak

Don't keep looking at your note cards. Just take a quick look at them occasionally to remember what you want to say. Select individuals from various sections of the crowd and establish eye contact with them individually as you address the audience.

Maintaining eye contact can enhance the emotion in your speech. Imagine you are speaking to a friend instead of a large audience. It is important to alternate between multiple individuals. By looking at different spots in the audience, everyone in the group will feel more involved in your message.

• End your Speech by Showing Appreciation with a closing "Thank you."

Show appreciation to both the audience and the event organizers. Then, wear a smile and politely exit the stage. Say "thank you" and give them a quick shaking of the hand when the host or another speaker comes up. After the event, individuals might approach you to share positive feedback about your speech. Make sure to express your gratitude and take a few moments to listen to their opinions actively.