Speechwriters Conference Closing Keynote – Ted Sorensen

Speechwriters Conference Closing Keynote – Ted Sorensen


Theodore C. Sorensen, special counsel, adviser and legendary speechwriter to President John F. Kennedy

In Ted Sorensen’s keynote he shared tips on speechwriting. He claims it is all a matter of writing ‘a few lines’:

1. Outline — used plan the speech.

2. Headline — what’s the news in the speech?

3. Front line — what’s the most important point?

4. Sidelines — quotes, poems or humor.

5. Bottom line — an ending the audience will remember.
 

He then lists the four features of a good speech:

1. Clarity – achieved if you have a good outline.

2. Charity – praise the audience.

3. Brevity – JFK believed anything worth saying can be covered in a 20 minute speech.

4. Levity – as evidenced by Kennedy’s ironic wit

My Fripp Associate Ian Griffin makes these great notes in his blog. Read more:

http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2009/02/14/ted-sorensen-keynote-audience-reaction/http://www.frippassociates.com/iangriffin.html

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Top Speechwriters in Washington DC: A Peak Inside…

This week I am in Washington DC for the Ragan Speechwriters Conference. It is great to associates with people who write for Presidents of the United States and top corporate leaders. One of the other speakers who has me motivated to do more Podcasts is one of my Fripp Associates Ian Griffin. http://www.frippassociates.com

He is also President of the National Speakers Association of Northern California. I founded the group 30 years ago. http://www.nsanc.org

Here’s the link to Ian’s first blog posting with a video of Mike Long presenting morning on ‘Structure and Style’ http://www.exec-comms.com/blog/2009/02/11/mike-long-better-structure-better-style/

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Speak to Be Remembered and Repeated

“Speak to be remembered and repeated.” Isn’t that the goal of every communicator – to be remembered and repeated? This is a key idea I reinforce at every Fripp Speaking School. Actually, this is a key idea every time I have the opportunity to discuss speaking and presentation skills. Yes, it’s easier said than done. Here are a few strategies:

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Profile in Innovative Thinking or Death Takes a Holiday

During two decades as a professional keynote speaker, I have spoken before an amazing number of industries. One of the arenas in which I enjoy a significant amount of popularity is the “death-care” world. Joe Dispenza, Vice President and Director of Sales and Marketing for Forest Lawn Cemetery and Garden Mausoleums of Buffalo, New York, is perhaps one of the most dynamic and resourceful individuals I’ve had the pleasure to know. Joe embodies the kind of thinking we all need to do to excel in sales and marketing.

The cemetery business, (death care), focuses on pre-need sales-making burial arrangements, and selling plots today instead of trying to make decisions during a sorrowful time. Today, 92% of Forest Lawn’s business is pre-need sales. This high percentage is unheard of in the cemetery business. In fact, I’m certain many in that industry would say it’s impossible to achieve such a high level. But Joe Dispenza is largely responsible for Forest Lawn’s success.

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Communicate Your Expectations: Eliminate Meeting Planner’s Nightmares

It never ceases to amaze me. Association meeting planners spend money to hire me, publicize my presentation, pay my expenses, and then set up obstacles to my success. Of course they don’t do it intentionally, but all too often roadblocks are put in my way that prevent me from giving the best customer service. How does this happen? Being in the communications business, I believe that it is a result of missed communication signals — the association meeting planner and the speaker are speaking two different languages.

For example, what the speaker considers essential for the restful night preceding a presentation is often seen as “prima donna” requirements by the meeting planner. The speaker asks for assurances that the hotel room be quiet, away from the elevator or ice machine, and not located just above the cocktail lounge. The meeting planner thinks this is being too particular and merely reserves a room in the hotel. When the speaker arrives at the morning presentation bleary eyed and “out of sorts” because of lack of sleep, the meeting planner may question his or her decision about the speaker’s room selection. Who is to blame? Could it be a lack of communication?

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Using American Speakers for International Groups

Are you planning out-of-the-country meetings? Here’s how to score when speakers and audiences speak different languages.

Now I finally know why my speaker friends are so interested in working abroad. It can be a very positive and rewarding experience, even when the speaker and audience speak different languages.

Knowing all the difficulties, I had usually turned down such jobs. But in November of 1998, I spoke at three public seminars and four in-house meetings in Taiwan, a total of seven Chinese-speaking audiences. It was such a triumph that I can’t wait to go back. Here is what you can do to help your speakers have a similar success.

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How Your Association Can Embrace Technology to Serve Your Members Better

Associations can use various technologies to serve their members better. According to Bob Treadway, Denver based national speaker, the three most easily implemented and essential are: Voice Mail Systems, Fax On Demand Systems, and On Line Services, including electronic bulletin boards and various ways of creating channels of communication with members.

Let’s take the first one, Voice Mail Systems.Today, most associations are reluctant to put in Voice Mail Systems because they feel they’re going to be very expensive and difficult to maintain, and they put a layer of technology between themselves and their association members. The opposite is true. Voice Mail Systems can now allow associations to engage in non-simultaneous communication. Treadway believes that non-simultaneous communication is one of the most crucial skills for the future.

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