Wayne LaPierre: small calibre, large bore
The scariest thing of all? This wasn’t the dumbest thing he said. At all. By a wide margin.
Next time you’re getting down on yourself about how long it takes you to write…
…consider how long it takes Jerry Seinfeld to write a joke. Of course, consider as well the attention to craft and detail – particularly timing – that he devotes to the process. Chances are, many speechwriting clients aren’t so vested in the process that they’ll be willing to give you that kind of running room… not … Keep reading →
Cicero Speechwriting Awards: A little glory for the folks behind the keyboards
Nominations for the 2013 Cicero Speechwriting Awards have opened. I love the thought of honoring speechwriters; our jobs are entirely about helping others make the most of their time in the spotlight, and it’s nice to see smart, talented folks get public acclaim for outstanding work. For me, it highlights a dilemma – because I’ve always shied … Keep reading →
Knowing enough to be useful is enough.
Lauren Bacon shares a personal demon (possibly a genetic one!) about public speaking and imposter syndrome: My mother [is] a brilliant and successful woman who has spent her entire career in the nonprofit housing sector, and who runs an organization that she has built up from a small nonprofit with a few apartment buildings to … Keep reading →
For everyone who wants Obama to be more animated…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9G8XREyG0QWhy Obama Now on YouTube.Now, this represents a lot of work — not just the raw animation and graphics work, but the tremendous visual imagination driving them. But it’s a superb example of how you can reach far more people...
Resolution: quote more women
So often, when I’m reaching for a stirring quotation, I wind up with something a man said. (Or, in the case of Gandhi, didn’t say.) You may find the same thing. If so, and you’d like to redress that imbalance a little, bookmark The Eloquent Woman Index of Famous Women’s Speeches. It’s a collection of speeches … Keep reading →
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.
