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Speaking Tip #1: “The Gem of Your Speech”

                                     

You have just been hired by an event planner to give a speech to an “Accounting Company”. What is the most “important question” you should ask the event planner before you write your speech?

Remember, the gems that are buried in your speech will only be revealed when you ask the right questions!

President Abraham Lincoln was known as an eloquent and masterful speaker. During the Civil War, President Lincoln would attend Wednesday night prayer services at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church not far from the White House with a companion. Reverend Dr. Phineas Gurley, the preacher, invited President Lincoln "to sit in his study with the door open" to hear the sermon assuring the President's privacy.”
When the service was over and President Lincoln and his companion were walking " back to the White House" his companion asked, "What did you think of tonight's sermon?"

President Lincoln replied, "Well, it was brilliantly conceived, biblical, relevant, and well presented."

"So it was a great sermon?"
President Lincoln, "No, it failed. It failed because Dr. Gurley did not ask us to do something great. 

President Lincoln was saying every speech should “Ask us to do something great”. Every speech should have a “Call to Action”, a goal, or gem uncovered!
·    So, what is the “something great”, the Call to Action, the gem, or the goal you want your audience to walk away with from my speech? 

When I asked the event planner this question he replied  “The  “Accounting Company” employees dress inappropriately during company hours. Our clients are businessmen and women, doctors, lawyers, engineers, and bankers. They all dress for success.
We would like our accounting employees to dress for success to improve their work productivity, moral, and their attitudes.
We are convinced that with just the right speech our employees will improve their organization skills, workmanship, and moral by 20%.  Your speech will be mandatory for all employees to attend.”
My speech for your “Accounting Company” would be entitled, “First Impressions Are Fast Impressions”: How Do You Succeed at Both?
*The speech would have the true stories of how I learned the importance of first impressions and commanding attention while playing at Carnegie Hall with Frank Sinatra, Natalie Cole and Lou Rawls.
When people dress well they are more successful, do a better job and perform their work better!

You can read one of my stories here:

 http://ezinearticles.com/?First-Impressions-Are-Fast-Impressions:-How-Do-You-Succeed-at-Both?&id=6928987

  The gems that are buried in your speech will only be revealed when you ask the right questions! So ask the event planner!
Remember what President Lincoln said about Dr. Gurley’s speech.  "No, it failed. It failed because Dr. Gurley did not ask us to do something great."   Just Ask!

Please share your thoughts and comments about this blog. 

Until next week write down what your take away message is, your “Gem of Your Speech”.

Madeline Frank, Ph.D.,  is a 2014 Certified World Class Speaking Coach. She has been coaching and mentoring business professionals to be champion speakers for over 5 years. She is  an Amazon.com Best Selling Author,  speaker, business owner, teacher, and concert artist. She helps businesses and organizations "Tune Up their Business". Her observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your business successful.  Her latest book "Leadership On A Shoestring Budget" is available everywhere books are sold.  Contact Madeline Frank for your for booking and other inquiries  at mfrankviola@gmail.com


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