“‘Wing it? That’s an interesting communications strategy, Seth.” – President Tom Kirkman, “Designated Survivor” (Netflix) Kirkman caught an unexpected opportunity to speak to potential supporters during the third season of the popular political thriller. With no time to prepare a speech, he takes the mic and goes for it. He “wings it.” Or does he? […]
Speech Tip: Text vs Style Great speeches always involve a great message. Personal charisma can help tell that message well, but it is the substance you need to be extraordinary. We envision great speakers as having amazing podium skills. They do, but what sets them apart is something quieter: the writing of their speech itself. […]
Speech Tip: Nervous? I am. And there’s nothing wrong with that. A client is giving a speech tomorrow. He’s giving someone an award for a year of great service, and with it, thanks for a great 15 years. The client wants to knock it out of the park. I think I wrote a great speech […]
Speech Tip: Control Your Language (About the PETA Meme) Language is power. I’m not the first to say it. I better not be the last. Control the language and control the people. Politicians know this, as do activist groups, cults, and dictators. That’s one reason speechwriters are hired by the most influential people and organizations […]
Speech Tip: Danger, Will Robinson! Danger! (Speeches Aren’t Safe) Speeches aren’t safe. To the contrary. Speakers have been killed because of how afraid others were/are of their message. Free Speech This isn’t a free speech post. Free speech, as I see it, is the legal unencumbrance of what we can say and where. True free […]
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: Don’t Tell Me a Story (Unless It Matters) When you are giving a speech, you are being graced with the attention of as many people as are listening. You’ve heard “tell a story, tell a story” as some sort of speech givers mantra. That’s not the point of your speech. Your job isn’t […]
Speech Tip: Avoid PowerPoint Jeff Bezos doesn’t like PowerPoint in presentations. Neither do I. Why not? They distract the audience and the speaker. It is as simple as that. That’s not even getting into the design question — so many aren’t done well. Too many words, too complex of a message (charts that are more […]
Speech Tip: Politics as Unusual: Love, Not Hate in Political Speeches Politics. Can’t live with ’em. Can’t… I just can’t. I will write speeches for good people who want good things who are willing to say it all in a good way. There are two major ways to write a political speech. Ask most people, […]
Speech Tip: Politics as Unusual: Love, Not Hate in Political Speeches Politics. Can’t live with ’em. Can’t… I just can’t. I will write speeches for good people who want good things who are willing to say it all in a good way. There are two major ways to write a political speech. Ask most people, […]