A tip I was recently given so haven't been able to fully execute on yet, is to write into the speakers notes not actual notes but instead "Questions to self" which you will then go ahead and answer.

This seems like a fantastic idea and it makes a lot of sense, given I can often make up a lot on the spot. The questions for self let me capitalise on that but also keep it on topic and in the correct direction, not forgetting things.

I never however "pre-write" my talk, but I do tend to write quite a lot of dot points or occasionally sentances into the speaker notes to try and remember.

This also works MUCH MUCH better if you can see your speaker notes in a "stage monitor" type position so you don't look away from the audience to a laptop but sadly that is rarely the case.

Yes, as many times as I can stand.

Do you memorize and rehearse the fully written-out talks?

For the most part you don't come off as having scripted the whole talk, but there are tells in your transcripts that they were written first.

I rehearse the talks but don't memorize them, if that makes any sense. The process of rewriting them ad nauseam helps me remember what to say.

I think of it as crossing a stream, and there are certain rocks that I have to make sure I step on. But getting between them is somewhat improvisational.