Wrapping up my first Facebook Live speechwriting clinic
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...
Speaking at a rally? Here’s how to make it count.
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,...
The authoritarian story behind Donald Trump’s inaugural address
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.
Stuck for a beginning to your speech? Here are 13 quick ways to get moving.
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...
Communicators, it’s time to end audience abuse.
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...
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.
