Sometimes, when you receive an award or recognition for something you’ve done, you are expected to say a few words of gratitude for the recognition. The challenge of the acceptance speech is in balancing your speech with the right amount of gratitude, modesty, and humility without erring on the side of condescension, self-deprecation, and arrogance. In addition, you are supposed to do all this in a short amount of time so the event can move on to the next item on the agenda!
Tips for good acceptance speeches
The Basics
- Be brief: You want to express your thanks without boring your audience. It is better to leave them wanting more than to have them wishing there was giant hook dragging you away.
- Be thankful: Be sure to recognize those who are giving you the award, as well as those who you were competing against.
- Be generous: You probably didn’t earn this award on your own. Be sure to mention those who helped you achieve this recognition.
Options if more time
- Put things in context: Give a little background as to how you accomplished what you did or how your point of view helped you achieve this recognition
- Be inspirational: Share words of encouragement so that others can follow in your footsteps
And finally …
- Be yourself! Well … at least be the best version of yourself.
Resources for developing your acceptance speeches
- How to Write an Acceptance Speech
- 9 Acceptance Speech Topics
- How To Give A Great Acceptance Speech by Thomas Murrell
- Video: How To Write an Acceptance Speech
Did you miss these?
Here are the previous posts in this “Type of Speeches” series:
- The Keynote Address
- The Training Session
- The Motivational Speech
- The Entertaining Speech
- The Demonstration
- The Information Dump
- The Inspirational Speech
- The Q & A
- The Persuasive Speech
- The Impromptu Speech
The next post in this series is The Commencement Speech.