Embark on your journey with us to better public speaking and presentations. In this series, Cliff Kennedy breaks down the public speaking process he coaches to speakers of all levels. Missed the last installment? Review Step 3: Outlining Your Strategy, or jump ahead to Step 5: Creating Your Experience Arc.
Crafting a compelling speech isn’t just about having a great topic or a clear purpose; it’s about delivering the right messages that resonate with your audience. In this installment of The Power of Process, we’ll delve into how to develop and organize the messages of your next speaking opportunity.
Becoming a Message Collector
One of the most effective strategies for developing powerful messages is to become a message collector. This means creating a “message hopper”—a digital or physical space where you can gather and store ideas, stories, facts, data, and quotes that relate to your topic.
Why Collect Messages? Building a repository of messaging allows you to have a wealth of material to draw from when crafting your speech. It encourages creativity and ensures you’re never at a loss for supporting content.
What to Collect? Consider gathering:
- Facts: Provable statements that add credibility.
- Data: Numbers, statistics, and observations that support your points.
- Comparisons: Juxtaposing ideas to highlight differences or similarities.
- Projections: Insights into future trends or outcomes.
- Stories: Engaging narratives that illustrate your messages vividly.
Organizing Your Primary vs. Secondary Messaging
Understanding the difference between primary and secondary messages is crucial for effective communication.
Primary Messages: Your Motivating Conclusions
These are the core declarations and conclusions you want your audience to remember. They form the foundation of your talk and are the key takeaways for your audience. Consistency: Primary messages often remain the same across different talks, providing a consistent message.
Secondary Messages: Supporting Evidence
These are facts, data, stories, and other content that support your primary messages. They reinforce your conclusions but should not overshadow them. Secondary messages may change depending on your audience and context. Avoid the temptation to overload your speech with secondary messages. As the strength of your conclusion increases, the need for excessive support diminishes.
Tailoring Messaging to Your Audience
Your choice of secondary messages should align with the interests and preferences of your audience.
- Technical Audiences: For engineers or specialists, incorporate more facts and data.
- Creative Audiences: For marketers or creatives, use stories, comparisons, and projections.
- General Audiences: A balanced mix of evidence and narrative can be effective.
Determining the Right Number of Messages
Figuring out the right number of messages depends on your audience, the topic, presentation length, and your purpose. There is no right answer but there are some guidelines to follow.
- Quality Over Quantity: There’s no fixed number of messages you should include. Focus on delivering the right amount to convey your conclusions effectively.
- Time Constraints: In a five-minute talk, you might only have time for one powerful conclusion, supported by a few key points.
Exercise: The 30-Second Summary
Imagine you’re given only 30 seconds to deliver your message due to unexpected time constraints. Use the timer (your mobile phone likely has one!) and set it for 30 seconds to practice. This exercise forces you to:
- Sort Your Messages: Categorize them into primary and secondary.
- Align with Your Purpose: Ensure all messages support your overall goal.
- Prepare for the Next Step: Once organized, you’ll be ready to focus on structuring your talk effectively.
Conclusion: Select Your Messaging Wisely
Developing your messages is a pivotal step in crafting a speech that not only informs but also inspires. By becoming a message collector and thoughtfully organizing your content, you set the stage for high-impact communication that resonates with your audience.
Continue learning in the next installment of The Power of Power: Public Speaking explained series, Step 5: Create Your Experience Arc, or review the previous installment Step 3: Outlining Your Strategy.
Are you ready to take your communication skills to the next level? Let’s schedule a call to discuss your needs and begin improving the results you achieve from every speech, presentation, and conversation.
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