by Rob Cottingham | Oct 11, 2017 | Speaking, Speechwriting
There are conference keynotes, presentations and panels that leave you breathless and excited, inspired to go forth and do something momentous. And then… there are the other ones. The sad fact is a lot of conference content just isn’t all that good. I can... 
by Rob Cottingham | Apr 7, 2017 | How to..., Speechwriting
Thanks to everyone who joined me this morning for my first official Facebook Live speechwriting clinic. (I say “official” because I’ve done a few impromptu runs at this in the past. Let’s define “official” as “I gave people... 
by Rob Cottingham | Feb 20, 2017 | Speaking, Speechwriting
If you work with a mission-driven organization, you may find yourself speaking at a political rally soon. (Maybe sooner than you think, the way things are going.) You may be there to offer a short greeting and encouragement, or to deliver a rousing featured address,... 
by Rob Cottingham | Jan 26, 2017 | Speechwriting
Last week, the good folks at Global’s BC1 news channel asked for my analysis of Donald Trump’s inaugural address. You’ll probably be less than surprised to learn I wasn’t a fan… and not just because it was pretty tedious. 
by Rob Cottingham | Aug 19, 2016 | How to..., Speechwriting
Figuring out how your speech is going to start stymies a lot of writers. I’ve spent too many hours staring at the blank screen, starting a paragraph, backspacing, starting again, backspacing, doing the dishes, starting a paragraph, backspacing… It’s... 
by Rob Cottingham | Jun 10, 2016 | Communicating, Speaking, Speechwriting
Audience abuse comes in many forms. It happens in speeches. An unprepared speaker who just can’t communicate. A bait-and-switch session that doesn’t deliver what it promised. A speaker who spends their time pitching themselves. A speaker who leaves you...
