| First Page | Tips: Researching, Writing & Performing Speeches | When to use a speechwriter | Questions | About us | Services & fees |
 |
|
|
|||||
|
|
Your research: searching With the deadline short and the list of options long, a fast track on research can help you complete a step which is vital but --if not targeted-- can consume much of your time and energy. Independent sources can help establish you as reliable, authoritative. 1. Mine your mind, forage your files. Make notes of what you already know and where you can find some affirming facts, opinions, examples. Sources: Internal --sales and marketing materials, press releases, earlier speeches, files, annual reports, other reports. External --press clippings, speeches, trade magazines, databases, the World Wide Web. Newspapers or magazines --local or national-- might provide some gripping human interest stories and quotes. 2. Meet the reference librarian. This fount of all facts knows sources and can put your finger on exactly what you want . . . and provide gems you didn't know existed. He/she can check vast electronic databases. 3. What's out there on the Web? Well-known search engines and portals (Google [also try Google News], Overture, Yahoo, Microsoft Network and others), and the many on-line news media, might produce more than what you want in 60 minutes --or 30 minutes. Try going to www.britannica.com for a start. 4. Look in the book (current editions): The World Almanac and Book of Facts; Concise Columbia Encyclopedia; Cambridge Encyclopedia; Bartlett's Familiar Quotations; Cambridge Biographical Dictionary; Rodale's The Synonym Finder (one million synonyms); special trade and industry reference books. 5. Research that's right. A vital criterion: the perspective of this audience. Focus your research on their interests, especially benefits to them of your program, product or service. A pertinent survey, impressive opinion or engaging anecdote can add punch to your message. 6. Statistics that stick. Not: "500-thousand new small businesses opened in this country last year," but "Last year, every month, five new businesses opened in hundreds of communities like (this one) --a new computer consultant, training firm, graphic artist, restaurant, recycling firm." Not "A billion dollars a year," but "Almost three-million dollars a day." Reduce to smaller, relevant, easier to grasp numbers. 7. Numbers by pictures. Not simply: "The arts centre cost 10-million dollars." Add: "That's a fraction of the going price for one fighter aircraft. And, some would say, ten times as useful." Perspective. 8. Round them up. Or down. Not: "213, 547 people," but " More than 200-thousand people. That's more than half the entire population of (this city)." Make it easy for your audience to grasp the figure and remember your point. 9. You can quote. Normally, Keep It Simple and Short, and use just three or four. Adroit humor can make your point. The right quotes validate your message. 10. Meld a medley. Provide an interesting mix --history, statistics, names, examples, quotes. Cater to local or special interest. These can help turn even a technical presentation into a talk that is entertaining, convincing, motivating. |
||||
|
Garrett Patterson TheSpeechWriters.com 1-613-247-9944 GarrettPatterson@sympatico.ca |
| First Page | Tips: Researching, Writing & Performing Speeches | When to use a speechwriter | Questions | About us | Services & fees |
