30 years ago this spring, I wrote my first speech as a professional — and started a career in leadership communications that has now spanned three decades.
To celebrate, I’ve launched a podcast: 30 short episodes with the key lessons I’ve learned in the business of planning, crafting and delivering powerful speeches. Check for the latest episode every Tuesday and Thursday.
Subscribe:
Apple iTunes | Spotify | RSS
7. Use plain language… but not just plain language
Plain language can make your speech a lot clearer, and allow your ideas and thinking to shine through. But there are times when speechwriters and speakers want to reach for the more complex words… and even use (gasp!) jargon.
Music: “Upbeat” by Jon Luc Hefferman, used under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial license.
Links:
- The wonderful Thing Explainer by Randall Munroe
- Thing Explainer at Amazon.com (affiliate link)
Photo: Raphael Schaller on Unsplash
Listen here
6. Defend your narrative arc
Between “helpful” suggestions from others and your own creativity, it often isn’t easy keeping a speech on topic and on track. Here are some tools for sticking to the path — and a few tips on handling unavoidable detours.
Music: “Upbeat” by Jon Luc Hefferman, used under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial license.
Photo: Jamie Street on Unsplash
Listen here
Ep. 5. Get vulnerable
You’ve probably always been told to project confidence and certainty when you’re speaking from the stage. But if you want to truly connect with your audience, a little vulnerability in your speech can go a long way.
Links: Probably the best-known writer and speaker on vulnerability is Brené Brown. If you want to explore more on the subject, check out her book Daring Greatly.
You might also like my blog post on how to know if you’re approaching vulnerability effectively — and authentically.
Music: “Upbeat” by Jon Luc Hefferman, used under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial license
Photo: Snowflake photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
Listen here
Ep. 4. Plot Your Emotional Arc
We’ve talked about your speech’s one big story, the narrative arc. But running in tandem with it is something at least as important to your audience: the emotional arc.
Music: “Upbeat” by Jon Luc Hefferman, used under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial license
Photo: Simon Migaj on Unsplash
Listen here
Ep. 3. Tell one big story… with your audience as the hero.
There are almost as many ways to approach writing a speech as there are speeches. But each one boils down to a story — one where the audience can identify with the protagonist, and that pulls them forward to the conclusion. Here’s how to make your speech’s story a powerful, compelling one.
Music: “Upbeat” by Jon Luc Hefferman, used under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial license
Photo: From a talk at Interesting Vancouver 2014
Listen here
Ep. 2. Know your audience
Before you can move an audience to where you’d like them to be, you need to know them. And that means a lot more than a head count. Here’s what to look for, and where to find it — so you know exactly how to reach and move them.
Music: “Upbeat” by Jon Luc Hefferman, used under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial license
Listen here
Ep. 1: Know what you want to accomplish
The first thing you need to know before you start crafting a speech is this: what’s your goal? What do you want your audience to think, feel and do at the end of your speech? Everything else follows from that.
Links: One of my favourite speechwriting books: Dr. Nick Morgan‘s Give Your Speech, Change the World
Music: “Upbeat” by Jon Luc Hefferman, used under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial license
7. Use plain language… but not just plain language
Plain language can make your speech a lot clearer, and allow your ideas and thinking to shine through. But there are times when speechwriters and speakers want to reach for the more complex words... and even use (gasp!) jargon. Music: "Upbeat" by Jon Luc Hefferman,...
6. Defend your narrative arc
Between "helpful" suggestions from others and your own creativity, it often isn't easy keeping a speech on topic and on track. Here are some tools for sticking to the path — and a few tips on handling unavoidable detours. Music: "Upbeat" by Jon Luc Hefferman, used...
Ep. 5. Get vulnerable
You've probably always been told to project confidence and certainty when you're speaking from the stage. But if you want to truly connect with your audience, a little vulnerability in your speech can go a long way. Links: Probably the best-known writer and...
Ep. 4. Plot Your Emotional Arc
We've talked about your speech's one big story, the narrative arc. But running in tandem with it is something at least as important to your audience: the emotional arc. Music: "Upbeat" by Jon Luc Hefferman, used under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial...
Ep. 3. Tell one big story… with your audience as the hero.
There are almost as many ways to approach writing a speech as there are speeches. But each one boils down to a story — one where the audience can identify with the protagonist, and that pulls them forward to the conclusion. Here's how to make your speech's story a...
Ep. 2. Know your audience
Before you can move an audience to where you'd like them to be, you need to know them. And that means a lot more than a head count. Here's what to look for, and where to find it — so you know exactly how to reach and move them. Music: "Upbeat" by Jon Luc Hefferman,...
Ep. 1: Know what you want to accomplish
The first thing you need to know before you start crafting a speech is this: what's your goal? What do you want your audience to think, feel and do at the end of your speech? Everything else follows from that. Links: One of my favourite speechwriting books: Dr. Nick...