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Did you know...
...A few good questions can jumpstart your next
speech?
When faced with writing a speech, your first big question is probably, “Where the heck do I start?” Ok, maybe the second or third, right after, “What did I do to deserve this?” and “When WAS the last time I updated my resume?” And while these are, indeed, some big questions, they aren’t the ones that will get you started.
The questions that do…
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The
Really Big Question (or, RBQ): What do I want this
audience to do because of what I say? No matter where
you’re speaking or to whom, the whole point of you
doing it is to get the audience to do something. To
form or change an opinion. To feel a certain way. The
best way to ensure you do is by knowing up front what
that something is.
PointBlank--Can you honestly finish the sentence, “At the end of my presentation,
these people will…?”
The Five Pretty Important Questions
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1. |
Who
am I? There’s a good reason you’re the one at the front of the room. Perhaps you’re an expert. Perhaps your company is. Or maybe you’ve been through something that resonates with your audience. Your job title may seem self-explanatory but how many times has someone asked, “But what do you DO?”
PointBlank—State your raison d’être right up front. It establishes your credibility.
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2. |
Where do I fit in? No matter how dynamic a speaker
you are, if you’re on right after lunch at an
all-day conference, somebody will be nodding. If you
can’t change the order of the program, at least
be aware of where you are and try to adjust your message
accordingly. If you can change it, try for the first
or last slot of the day. In addition, find out whom
you’re coming after and before—especially
after.
PointBlank—Sometimes it’s not what you
say, but when you say it.
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3. |
Who ARE these people? Think back to the RBQ—It’s
easier to get people to do what you want if you know
what they want. Try to understand your audience, what
they care about and need to know. How much they know
already. What their frame of reference is.
PointBlank—What you want to say is less influential
than what your audience wants to hear.
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4. |
What
is the mood? What you say and how you say it should
fit the prevailing vibe. Is it joyous, somber, tense
or relaxed? Also, consider the event itself—Is
it casual or formal?
PointBlank—There’s a right and wrong time and place for everything.
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5. |
What’s going on in the world? Whether you’re
speaking in New Amsterdam, Ind. (population, 1) or
NYC (population, about 8 million more), remember we
live in a global village. Fit your topic—no matter
how esoteric--into the world in general. Find out if
anything significant has happened to make it timely.
PointBlank—Context counts. |
Source: PointBlank™ Speechwriting
The Point Communications
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