Rob’s blog
You can run (on at the mouth), but you can’t hide
More than 50 lies, half-truths, and instances of disingenuous spin. Rob Ford’s speech lasted 16 minutes, therefore Rob Ford took liberties with reality, on average, three times per minute. And that was in a speech where nobody asked him about drugs, alcohol, or criminal behaviour. via Torontoist One crucial thing speechwriters need to remember: the … Keep reading →
How many ways can I say I’m sorry?
The New York Times has strung together lines from notable apology speeches into one big, remorseful Frankenpentance.Tragically missing, though, is anything from Rob Ford’s rambling, defensive apology from last November. Where’s “I know I have let you down and I can’t...
I’m guessing this won’t make one of those “Parents who are doing it right” lists.
(Inspired by this, via Alexandra Samuel.)
Nancy Duarte’s Resonate is free on iBooks
This is worth a heartfelt OMG: Nancy Duarte’s Resonate is now available as a free download from iBooks. You need an iPad or a Mac to use this version, but it has all sorts of interactive goodness and bonus material, including lots of video. I’ve gone on about Resonate at length before, but to recap: … Keep reading →
So now I’m a meme.
There's a lot I love about the web. And as passionate as I am about attribution and misappropriation, I'm still kind of smitten by the way an image can take on a life of its own. Case in point: Back in 2007, my laptop was stolen. Mainly as catharsis, I posted these...
Every blog post needs an image. Here you go.
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License. So feel free.
On murdering one’s darlings, dahling
Having reviewed my posts over the last several years, I've realized that they're almost entirely made up of darlings. In fact, if you check the source code, you'll see I make liberal use of the little-known <darling> tag. (By the way, a lot of folks attribute...
Nick Selby’s convocation speech is why speakers shouldn’t settle for just meeting expectations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98nNpzE6gIs Sophomore Georgia Tech student Nick Selby welcomed this year's first-year students in unforgettable style. There are lots of things a speaker or speechwriter could take from this clip: the use of crescendo, knowing your...
Your client’s giving a major speech. What would be in the trailer?
From You’re Going to Want to Watch This Speech | The White House: I just finished reading the draft of a speech the President plans to deliver on Wednesday, and I want to explain why it’s one worth checking out. […] It’s a vision he carried through his first campaign in 2008, it’s a vision he … Keep reading →
“If I knew then what I know now”: My presentation to the IABC/BC event
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIivpa3uKZw This was my speech capping off a wonderful evening of presentations hosted by the IABC/BC. It's all about embracing regret and seizing opportunity. A quick speechwriting note: Normally I'm a strong (even harsh) advocate of...
Work Smarter with LinkedIn: Alexandra Samuel’s new HBR e-book launches today!
Share this on Pinterest! Alex packs a lot of wisdom into these books, and this one is no exception. If you've been wondering what LinkedIn can do for you...or if you're already using LinkedIn, but suspect you could be getting a lot more out of it... then this book's...
Tod Maffin has a free webinar on Facebook marketing – tomorrow!
Free up your schedules, cancel your appointments and hold your calls starting 11 am Pacific tomorrow: Tod Maffin is holding a free webinar on Facebook marketing. Here's the agenda: How to advertise on Facebook — even without a penny in your budget The formula to...
Why, yes — I’d LOVE to speak at your event
Public speaking and speechwriting: the essential guides
Looking for advice on public speaking, speechwriting and leadership communications? Here are some of my most comprehensive posts, on topics that people ask me about most often.
