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Brian Jenner is a professional speechwriter from the UK with 15 years of experience. In 2009, he launched the UK Speechwriters’ Guild to bring together the nation’s speechwriters. Brian is Winner of the prestigious Cicero Prize for Speechwriting 2010. He is also founder of the European Speechwriter Network.
One of his lifetime best openers
Brian started quoting Woody Allen: “At this moment in time, mankind stands at a crossroads. One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness. The other, to total extinction. Let us pray we have the wisdom to choose correctly.” A bit silly joke used in a speech that could have been too serious from the start.
What is a speechwriter
Speechwriters help people to express the best selves. They advise people how long they must speak at each occasion, help them to use short sentences, use humor that is appropriate, and telling them the principles of a good speech. Speechwriters advise clients what is appropriate for a conference, wedding, etc. Usually people are in a hurry to prepare a speech and don’t have time to research, take a book of quotations, etc.
The art of Social Speechwriting
The art of social speechwriting is helping people in their personal life to deliver a good speech. For instance in a wedding: thank the right people, make few jokes, and do not to forget saying the things that need to be said. The phenomenon has also existed before the Internet, but now you find someone on Internet with great websites and more niched offerings.
Some piece of advice how to write a good speech
- Keep it short, up to 900 words.
- Make sure you read out the speech 10 or 12 times.
- Try your jokes with people who are not completely sympathetic towards you.
Related: Outlining a Speech
Favorite quotation
“Be who you are.” — Friedrich Nietzsche
Recommended book
Lend me your ears by Max Atkinson
Routine to Shine
Constantly look out for good quotations. Watch on the TV or on newspapers for examples of funny lines, good stories, anecdotes. Have a little book you copy them into. Have a file with every single subject, and order them alphabetically.
Links
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