Impromtu Speaking – What to Say When You Don’t Know What To Say

We’ve all been there – suddenly called on to speak without a moment’s notice. Maybe it’s an unexpected phone call, a surprise question in a meeting, or even just a toast at a gathering. No matter the scenario, you’re on the spot – WITHOUT ANY PREPARATION.

What should you do when you’re asked to speak on a topic and you don’t know what to say?

THINK FAST! Choose a relevant personal story that is related to the topic, even if it doesn’t seem perfect at first. Trust your instincts. Stories resonate with listeners.

The Secret to Impromptu Speaking: Tell a Story

The first step to thinking on your feet is to remember this golden rule: stories resonate with listeners. When you’re asked to speak off the cuff, your best bet is almost always to share a personal story that connects—even loosely—to the topic at hand. Don’t worry if your story isn’t a perfect fit. Trust your instincts. What matters most is authenticity; people naturally engage with real-life experiences.

To deliver your story effectively, start by announcing the setting—tell your audience when and where it took place. For example, “A couple of years ago, during my first month at a new job…” or “Just last weekend at my friend’s birthday party…” Setting the scene not only provides context, but also gives you a moment to collect your thoughts and settle your nerves.

Building Your Story Step by Step

Once you’ve laid out the setting, share a few details that lead up to the key moment in your experience. Who was there? What was at stake? Why does this moment stand out? Adding context pulls your audience into your world and helps them understand why the story matters.

Then, get to the main event: What happened? How did it unfold? Speak clearly and keep your narrative engaging. If you remember, highlight the emotions—were you surprised, nervous, excited? A strong story doesn’t have to be dramatic; it just needs to be genuine and focused.

Next, share the impact. What changed as a result of that event? Did you learn something new, help someone, or see a different outcome than you expected? Emphasizing the results shows your audience the real-life value behind your words and helps them remember your message.

Universalizing Your Message: The Call to Action

Finish your impromptu speech with a clear Call to Action. Ask yourself: “Based on this story, what should people do?” For instance, if your story is about honesty, maybe your call to action is, “So, even when it’s difficult, speak the truth—it builds trust in ways you can’t always predict.” This is called “universalizing” your message, when you relate your personal experience to a lesson everyone can use.

Stuck on which story to pick? Choose the most recent, the most memorable, or the one that best fits with the point you want to make.

Your Topic Is Also the Opposite of Your Topic

If nothing comes to mind, don’t panic! Here’s a trick that always works: share a story about the opposite of your topic. For example, if the topic is teamwork but you can’t recall a great team experience, tell about a time you tried to do everything alone and what you learned from it.

Example 1: Honesty and Dishonesty

Suppose the topic is honesty, but you can’t recall a strong personal story about being honest. Instead, you could share an example of dishonesty it’s affect:

Example 2: Teamwork and Solo Work

Or, let’s say your subject is teamwork. Suppose you can’t recall a great group project, but you do remember trying to handle something big all by yourself. By telling this story—how much harder it was, how much better it could have been with help—you highlight why teamwork is so valuable.

Sharing a relevant story from an opposite angle still helps you make your point and keeps your impromptu speech engaging and insightful.

5 Steps to a Good Story

1. Announce the setting. Start by telling when and where the story takes place.
2. Set the scene and start your story. Share some details leading up to the key moment in your experience. This helps listeners get the full picture and why it matters.
3. Talk about the main event of your story. What happened? How did it unfold? Keep it engaging and clear.
4. Show the Impact: tell your audience about what resulted from that event. Explain how things were changed because of what happened. Emphasize the outcome to clearly demonstrate the value of your message.
5. End with a Call To Action. Based on your story, what should people do as a result of what you’ve told them? This “universalizes” your message.