I went to ChatGPT.com and told the AI chatbot to do this: Write an example of the first paragraph of a badly-written business speech. This is what it spat out in mere seconds:
“Uh, so, um, thank you all for coming today. I mean, it’s great to see so many of you here, and, uh, well, we have a lot to cover, but, you know, we’ll just take it one step at a time. I don’t really have a plan, but, uh, we’ll figure it out as we go along. Anyway, I think we should get started because, well, time is, you know, important, so let’s just jump into it.”
Clearly, ChatGPT knows a sucky speech when it sees one. However, I should note that ChatGPT threw an adolescent-type temper tantrum when we asked it to write a screenplay.
All right, the given here is that you need to write a business-related speech, …well, time is, you know, important, so let’s just jump into it…. If you’re a professional of most any kind, at some point you’re likely to be tapped on the shoulder and be assigned to write a compelling speech for a trade show, to shareholders, to salespeople, or even just your team.
What can a speech accomplish? A well-crafted business speech can build credibility, influence decisions, and convey important information effectively. Writing and delivering a business speech involves understanding your audience, crafting a clear message, and delivering it with confidence and clarity.
Before you start writing, think about your audience. The first step in preparing a business speech is to understand your audience. Knowing who you are speaking to shapes the tone, content, and style of your speech. Consider the following:
- Audience demographics: Are they executives, employees, clients, or stakeholders? What are their professional backgrounds, interests, and concerns?
- Purpose of the speech: Are you informing, persuading, motivating, or instructing? The purpose will guide the language you use and the way you present your content.
- Expectations: What does your audience expect to gain from your speech? Consider what knowledge or value you can provide.
For example, a speech to a group of senior executives would likely be more formal and data-driven than one delivered to a team of employees during a company meeting. Tailoring your speech to fit the audience’s expectations is crucial for engagement.
Moving on, the next step is to define the core message of your speech. This is the main idea or takeaway that you want your audience to remember. A clear, focused message ensures that your speech has a purpose and doesn’t lose direction. Ask yourself:
- What is the central point I want to convey?
- What action do I want my audience to take after my speech?
- How will my message benefit or impact my audience?
For example, if you are pitching a new product, your key message could revolve around its innovative features, potential market success, and why it’s a valuable investment.
How about the structure of the speech? A well-structured speech flows logically and keeps the audience engaged. A business speech should generally follow the traditional format of introduction, body, and conclusion.
- Introduction: Start with a strong opening to capture attention, such as a juicy quote from a chatbot. Or you could begin with a compelling statistic, a rhetorical question, or a relevant story. Briefly introduce yourself and the purpose of the speech. In the introduction, clearly outline the key points you’ll cover to set expectations.
- Body: The body of your speech should present your main points clearly and logically. Use supporting evidence like statistics, examples, or anecdotes to back up each point. Organize your points in a logical order, whether it’s chronologically, by priority, or by theme.
- Conclusion: Summarize your key points and restate your central message. End with a call to action or a thought-provoking statement that leaves a lasting impression.
Using transitions between sections is also essential to guide the audience through your speech smoothly. Avoid overwhelming the audience with too much information; aim for three to five main points to keep your speech focused.
A speech is conversation, not a university dissertation, so write in a conversational style, otherwise you’ll lose your audience and put everyone to sleep.
Business speeches should be businesslike, but not overly complex. The goal is to communicate ideas clearly and effectively, so use simple, direct language. Avoid jargon unless it is widely understood by the audience. Writing in a conversational style makes your speech more engaging and easier for the audience to follow.
To make your speech feel more personal, use “you” or “we” to address the audience directly. For example, saying “As you can see from these results…” involves the audience in the conversation, making your points more relatable.
OK, you’ve written your speech. If you’re anything like me, you’d be thinking about hiring someone to deliver it for you. If that’s not an option, let’s do this: Practice your speech multiple times to familiarize yourself with the content and refine your delivery.
- Practicing aloud helps you to work on timing: Ensure your speech fits within the allotted time without rushing or dragging.
- Improve clarity: Pay attention to pronunciation and articulation. Practice speaking slowly and clearly to ensure that everyone can follow along.
- Adjust body language: Nonverbal cues like posture, eye contact, and gestures can enhance the impact of your speech. Practice standing tall, making eye contact with different parts of the audience, and using hand gestures naturally to emphasize key points.
Or, we can assist you via live video. You can buy a block of time with one of our expert writers, who can coach you through your speech until you’re ready to face a real audience.
And finally, get your audience involved. That is what made the late talk show host Phil Donahue famous. He handed his microphone to audience members to question his guests, and you should consider doing something similar with yours. During your speech, engage your audience by asking questions, encouraging interaction, or using visual aids like slides or charts. Engagement helps maintain interest and ensures your message resonates. If you ever watched the Donahue show, you know engagement can be contagious.
Now, it’s time to let ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle sound off:
“Tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you told them.” Which means were concluding with this:
Writing and delivering a business speech is a skill that can be honed with practice and preparation. By understanding your audience, crafting a clear and concise message, and practicing effective delivery techniques, you can ensure that your speech is both impactful and memorable. Keep the focus on clarity, relevance, and engagement to leave a positive and lasting impression on your audience.
You may be wondering who wrote this. I’m the co-founder and president of Ghostwriters Central, Inc. We’ve been providing ghostwriting services to clients worldwide since 2002. This article has focused on our speechwriting services. If we can help you with your speech, click the link and check us out. Thank you for reading.
Media info
Name: Michael McKown, president.
Organization: Ghostwriters Central, Inc.
Gmail: michael@ghostwords.com
Website: https://www.ghostwords.com
