Speaking Info » Speech Writing

KISS this Speech Writing Formula and Rivet the Audience

Arlen Busenitz — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:30:45 +0000

Most speeches could be made 200% better if the speaker did more KISSing.

My boss in college said, “KISS means Keep It Simply Simple.”

Below is one of the most basic speech writing formulas. However, many do not use it and may take the audience on a meaningless safari and leave the audience saying “Huh? What was the point?”. Those who do use this are easy to follow and audience’s appreciate the clarity.

1. Grab attention with the intro and preview your speech.

Read these articles for more info:

2. Have 2-4 main points and label them

If I am talking about overcome fear of public speaking, I have 4 keys. In the presentation I’ll say, “Key #1: Act Confident”. Audiences can easily follow you when you have main points and label them. See this article for more info.

3. Review the points and conclude with a story or call to action

I call this a home-run ending. Your circle your points and head for home plate with a story or call to action.

Simple speech formula and follows the rules of KISS. Results can be outstanding.

Learn more in this public speaking training.

Arlen Busenitz

Arlen Busenitz is an experienced speaker with over 650 presentations. He is Author of several books, CD's,and creator of Become a Better Speaker in One Evening™

Airport TSA, Persuastion Tactics, and Speech Writing Block

Arlen Busenitz — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:34:05 +0000

Ever get stuck in preparing a speech? Here is a speech writing technique that annihilates speech writer’s block.

It’s a technique which creates a memorable section of your speech which audiences love and remember.

Here is the speech writing technique:

Tell a personal story and then share two or three lessons or tips.

Read this real world speech example of how I used the technique:

Recently our family went on vacation. We were anticipating the fun and relaxation, but dreading the airport security.

We approached security lugging five carryon’s, a laptop computer, a stroller, an active 18 month old, and two bottles of apple juice over the three ounce limit.

After clearing the initial identification checkpoint, you know what happened next. The security-check dance began.

Belts are removed. Wallets and shoes tossed into tubs. All the while seeking to keep an 18 month old corralled.

My wife and I make it through the scanner, start collecting our personal belongings and keep an eye out for anyone accidently grabbing one of our bags.

A tall dark haired TSA agent approached.

In one hand he held our daughter’s pink diaper bag and in the other hand he held two bottles of apple juice. Clearly more than three ounces.

Busted.

The TSA website claimed the that having a toddler allowed us a green pass on the juice.

Mr. TSA looked at me and said, “Sir, you can either open the apple juice and let us test them for explosives or we can pat you down and search all your bags.”

I paused.

Glanced at our overstuffed bags, the blue gloves, and made the no brainer choice.

“You can test them!”

Surprise, surprise. The apple juice was found non-explosive.

This experience illustrated of three tips in getting people to do what we ask.

1. Be polite and treat people with respect.

We like to be treated with respect. Politeness makes us more willing to follow the another person’s wishes.

Combining a respectful attitude with “please”, “thank-you”, “Sir”, “Ma’am”, and other polite words increase our persuasive powers.

2. Give people a choice

Mr. TSA did not order me to open the apple juice. He gave me two choices. I may have internally bulked at the thought of opening the sealed Juice, but suddenly it seemed like a great choice when compared with a pat down and search.

A friend of mine used to work as a babysitter. She said she would give the kids choices instead of orders.

“Would you like to read this book or that book?”

“Would you like to go to bed now or stay up and washes the dishes with me?”

This is a powerful persuasive technique for adults and children.

3. Make requests instead of orders.

Earlier a TSA agent said, “Could you take your daughter out of the stroller?”

Sounds better than, “Take your daughter out of the stroller!”

Requests can still have the same authority as orders, but are much more palatable to us.

Turn your orders into requests.

“Could you pick up this report?”

“Would you have time to…”

I’ll never forget that experience nor the persuasion tips it illustrated.

Do you see how this technique will keep the audience’s attention?

When you get stuck in speech preparation or want to spruce up your speech, choose a personal story and then share several lessons from it.

Your audience will love it.

Arlen Busenitz

Arlen Busenitz is an experienced speaker with over 650 presentations. He is Author of several books, CD's,and creator of Become a Better Speaker in One Evening™

Tip #5: How to Make Your Presentations Have More Punch

Arlen Busenitz — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:14:31 +0000

Three days ago, I heard the great speech coach Patricia Fripp share a speaking tip to make our presentations deliver more punch.

Presentation Tip #5: Put the most important word or phrase at the end of the sentence.

Compare these two sentences.

Persistence is the secret to reaching your goals.

The secret to reaching your goals is persistence.

The second sentence puts persistence, the power word, at the end. This gives more punch to the sentence. Subtle but effective.

For your next speech consider Patricia Fripp’s advice. Skim through your speech, rearrange sentences, and put the most important word or phrase last.

Arlen Busenitz

Arlen Busenitz is an experienced speaker with over 650 presentations. He is Author of several books, CD's,and creator of Become a Better Speaker in One Evening™