Speech Tip: Inspiration Means Asking Someone To Do a Hard Thing If doing whatever you are asking your audience to do was easy, your inspirational dinner speech would be a breeze. Inspiration is hard. “Say, you know, I was thinking. You know that scholarship fund for poor international kids I mentioned in that letter last […]
Speech Tip: Capn’ Hook (Hooks in Speeches) A client recently asked me about hooks as it related to an inspirational speech. A hook is sometimes a compelling story, a humorous opening, or some other kind of emotional grab. It helps the audience transition into engagement. How long? Under 7:00, I think. Pop songs are usually […]
Speech Tip: Exaggerate? No. An inspirational speech does not need to exaggerate. It only needs to emphasize. Help your audience know what they can do and how they can do it — and inspire them as you tell them why. Overstating a success or a struggle is dishonest, and those listening will be fooled into […]
Speech Tip: Fundraisers, It’s About the Kids When fundraising, if you say to the audience, “Please give to these programs,” you risk your audience presuming your nonprofit’s executive director is making a bloated salary. If you tell that audience about how their donation will help individuals, they’ll feel better about investing in your work. Tell […]
Speech Tip: Fundraising. Fundraising doesn’t need to hurt. When you ask an audience for significant money, remember your mission. Do you believe in your mission? That’s half the battle. Let me help you with the other half. Discuss on LinkedIn. Discuss on Facebook.
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: Money. Know how much money you want. Are you speaking at a fundraiser? Let’s say there are 250 people in the audience. You want to raise $2.5 million. That’s $10,000/person. Let’s say you also know your audience is in a position to give that and more. Do you ask for $100? No. Be […]
Speech Tip: Money. Know how much money you want. Are you speaking at a fundraiser? Let’s say there are 250 people in the audience. You want to raise $2.5 million. That’s $10,000/person. Let’s say you also know your audience is in a position to give that and more. Do you ask for $100? No. Be […]