![Casablanca Film Poster Is your message clear? Bill Gold [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://fripp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/CasablancaPoster-Gold-205x300.jpeg)
In a speech, the funniest or most exhilarating story will be pointless if you don’t tie it into your theme and provide a lesson for the listener. However, when action and thrills serve a compelling story and finish up with a heart-tugging or eye-opening conclusion – a message – we’re talking about unforgettable Oscar winners. Ingrid Bergman leaves Bogart and gets on the plane with Paul Henreid in Casablanca because honor comes before love in wartime. In Slumdog Millionaire, a poor orphan wins on a TV quiz show because a hard life can teach as much as a formal education. And Harrison Ford, Jimmy Stewart, Jim Carey, Julia Roberts, and Tom Hanks struggle against huge odds because it’s better to lose than never to try.
In your speech, is your message clear? Your message and your purpose may not be the same thing. For example, your purpose may be to increase profits, but your message is to inspire support for a new, more efficient way of running a department or for delivering great service. Your audience may or may not need to hear about your purpose, but they must hear and be clear about your message.
Are you trying to say too much with too many talking points? Or do you offer a message and then fail to support it? Try writing down your purpose in one sentence. Then find strong stories and a powerful conclusion to support it. Make sure you send your audience away with the answer to, “So what and why should I care?”
If you want to become a great speaker easily, conveniently, and quickly, Fripp Virtual Training can help. Enjoy three free chapters on Stories, Openings, and Sales: http://frippvt.com
“I wanted a super bowl-quality coach, and I was lucky to be introduced to Patricia Fripp. Her help in coaching and scripting was world class. With Patricia Fripp on your team, you can go places.”
– Don Yaeger, Long-Time Associate Editor for Sports Illustrated magazine, Award-Winning Keynote Speaker, New York Times Best-Selling Author
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More to Help to Make Your Message Clear
These just a few of the many free resources on Fripp.com to help you make sure your message comes through in your presentations and business communications:
- How to Organize Your Speech – Focus on The Basics
- Giving a Speech? What is Your Main Point?
- How to Create Your “Effortless” Presentation
- Want Your Audiences to Remember What You Say? Learn the Importance of Clear Structure
- An Expert Explains How to Structure Your Presentation
- When You’re on The Spot, Speech Structure Can Save You
- Rock Star Communication: How to Inspire Action & Commitment
- Even with Natural Talent, You Need Discipline – How to Cut Hair & How to Write A Speech
Executive Speech Coach and Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker Patricia Fripp works with those who realize that powerful, persuasive presentation skills give them a competitive edge.
