Speech Tip: Eulogizing President Bush The eulogy for President George Bush is loaded with challenges. I wrote similar things when John McCain died. Eulogies about public figures such as President Bush, 41, are hard for several reasons. Death is always personal, but the death of a president is always public. How do we reconcile that? […]
Adventures in Speech Writing I have a sexy job. It isn’t really, but that’s the impression some people have. Too many movies romanticize my type of work. In the course of conversation, someone might say, “So, what do you do?” There’s a range of reasons people ask such a thing — maybe they want to […]
Speech Tip: Don’t Speak Too Long (Unless You’re Jack) You’ll hear me preach on keeping within the prescribed time for your speech. If they say me, “Ton’, you’ve got three minutes. Not a second longer,” I know precisely what they mean: I’ve got three minutes. Not a second longer. I’m not, after all, Jack. Why? I […]
Speech Tip: Take Speeches Seriously (Seriously) Do you take speeches seriously? You should. The manager of a well-known athlete once told me that he wishes his client took speeches as seriously as he took massage therapy. That is, the athlete sees a massage therapist weekly so that he can train more effectively. He has a […]
Speech Tip: I’d Like to Get to Know You (Let’s Have a Conversation) Are we working on a speech together? Let’s talk. I want to get into your life. Let’s have a conversation. I want to know you. No, it isn’t just so I can vicariously live your rock ‘n’ roll life (unless you are […]
The TIME 100: The Most Influential People of 2018 list was released. Here’s how they sorted out who made the cut. Below are my thoughts on such things. Some of these leaders are true leaders, those whose influence will push us into a better world. Others are media darlings, those who, in this moment, intrigue […]
Speech Tip: Fame? Are you famous? Use your celebrity to influence others. Many athletes and actors use their fame, or infamy, to help others. Help raise money for a cause which matters to you. You can inspire others by telling the story of how you pushed through adversity and achieved a great victory. Or, how […]
Speech Tip: Fame? Are you famous? Use your celebrity to influence others. Many athletes and actors use their fame, or infamy, to help others. Help raise money for a cause which matters to you. You can inspire others by telling the story of how you pushed through adversity and achieved a great victory. Or, how […]