Thank You Speech After an Event
As they say, “no man is island.” In any given occasion, there will always be people who exerted so much effort for its success. An event cannot be successful without people who devote their time and resources just to make sure everything is perfect. At the same time, people who attend and gather for the event are still very much a big part of its success. You may also see presentation speech examples & samples.
You feel like words are not enough to express the gratitude you towards everyone responsible for the event, but to those concerned, sometimes it is more than enough. You acknowledge everyone’s hard work and say a couple of thank yous to everyone involved from the organizers, laborers, decoration in-charge, waiters, etc. You may also like how to start a speech.
In fact, it is only right to publicly express your gratitude and let everyone know the roles and responsibilities everyone partook just to make the event a success. And you as the coordinator, host or recipient must highlight the key everyone played just to make the event happen. You may also check out speech examples in doc.
Preparation for a Thank You Speech
In general, this type of speech is not spontaneous. You will have knowledge about this beforehand. You will be given ample amount of time to consider what to say and how to exactly say what you mean. You may also see
A thank you speech is very much suitable for any occasion. It can be a birthday party, retirement get together, induction event, etc. Although reasons for an event may vary, you can always start by saying, “Thank you for coming to my event; Thank you for the award; Thank you for all your presents…”
It is important to keep these three content areas in your speech:
- Who are you thanking for?
- These are the people you want to personally and publicly thank since they have an important role for the success of your event. Note that of their names in ranking with the first one as the most important. You may also like special occasion speech examples & samples.
- What are you thanking them for?
- Avoid being general in your speech. State specific reasons as to what exactly are you thanking the person or group for. Aside from making your speech shorter this way, it also gives your speech more meaning.
- What did their gift, time, encouragement, etc. meant to you?
- As mentioned before, always be specific. Explain how what the favor or gift meant to or how it helped you. This is you chance to compliment and/or praise them. You may also check out speech examples for students.
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How to Write a Thank You Speech
Like any form of writing you need the basic three parts in your speech. Here’s how to write each parts of the speech:
1. The Introduction
Typically, this is where you explain the reason as tho why there is an event as of the moment. Just like in any writing, your introduction opens up your whole speech. This also where you typically greet everyone. In addition, you explain why there is a need for you to thank everyone. You may also check out leadership speech examples & samples.
In the introduction, you can always narrate a small story leading to the day of the event. Short stories that relate to the event help people understand your experience better. Aside from its entertainment value, it helps people relate and empathize with you and your experiences.
2. Body of the Speech
In this part of the speech, you slowly make your way into thanking the people who has helped you. Start by thanking the people on top of your list and make your way down to the last one. Always allot as much time thanking them according to their importance for you. But generally, always make time in thanking everyone. You might be interested in introduction speech examples & samples.
You can also add and insert quotations that directly relate to you or reflect the relationship you have with these people. Not only are quotations great filler, they also add sentimental value to your speech. It may sound a bit old school but it is just another way of expressing gratefulness.
3. The Conclusion
The conclusion basically wraps up your entire speech. This is where you summarize the entirety of your speech in the shortest possible way. You summarize the main points you have made during the speech and finish. You can also add some wise parting words and a compliment of you wanting to work with the same people again. Remember to always end your speech in a high note; reiterate how thankful you really are and wish everyone a good day or night. You may also see tribute speech examples & samples.
It is also very important to remember that generally thank you speeches are not as lengthy as you want it to be. It is best to not get carried away with your emotions and only include significant people in you list and then thank the rest as a group or as a whole.
Just like in awarding ceremonies like the Oscars, winning artists are only given a few minutes to receive, acknowledge and thank all the people for their award. Like what you see, artists usually bring a short list containing a list of people they want to publicly thank, so should you. You may also like motivational speech examples & samples.
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How to Give a Thank You Speech
Although this type of speech is seldom spontaneous, you can have a couple of days even weeks to rehearse your speech; spontaneous speeches are more difficult. But sometimes even though you have rehearsed it, nerves always get in the way and get the best out of you. Here’s an easy guide how to flawlessly deliver your thank you speech:
1. Always be prepared
Even though you do not expect to be given the chance to express you thanks say in awarding ceremonies where you expect not to win, always prepare a short speech, just in case. You can never know when or where you’ll be given a chance to thank the important people in you life especially in events where you are actually a part of. You may also see steps in speech composition.
In this sense, there is no point in not preparing when you already know you are tasked to do the thank you speech at the end of you event. Just because you are familiar with the people you’re about to recognize does not mean you should not prepare. In order to avoid blabbering, always prepare your speech beforehand and practice, practice, practice.
2. Make a list
If you want to specifically thank and mention some people, make sure you do not forget the most important ones. Make a list to make sure you have all the right people to include in you message and that you have not forgotten anyone. Forgetting people like your assistant that has contributed and helped you so much, can cause offense and can be embarrassing in you end. Make sure you review and check you list. You may also like wedding speech examples & samples.
3. Thank everyone in the room
Although you already have a list of people you want to thank, you have to thank all the people present before anything else. Appreciate their presence and support in swift but sincere way. You can go like, “I appreciate all of you coming out, especially in this weather. I’m so grateful to have people in my life like you.” You may also check out how to conclude a speech.
4. In case you forget someone, send them a personal thank you
In a scenario where you forgot to thank someone special, apologize and send them something after the event. It can be distasteful and can hurt the person’s emotions when they know they’ve helped you be where you are. Send them a card or any gift, not only because you forgot to thank them publicly but because they done a good job and has helped you along the way. You might be interested in dedication speech examples.
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Thank You Speech Tips
Here are some tips to make your thank you speech effective and flawless:
- Keep it short.
- Abandon formalities and intro, dive right into the speech.
- Tell 1-3 stories that highlight the successes of the past year.
- Talk about your hopes and dreams for the future.
- Write as if you are conversing with one person.
- End with a 1-2 line toast that summarizes your feelings.
- Don’t wait until the last minute before writing.
- Actually speaking is better than just practicing.
- Do it early at the party.
- Have something significant to say.
- Don’t be too verbose.
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In conclusion, a thank you speech helps you publicly express the unending gratitude you feel for those who have supported and helped you. It expresses your thoughts as to how you cannot be where you are now if not for these important people. Sometimes, you can only have a single shot at doing this so better do it right and actually try to do it right. You may also see speech templates and examples.