Providing a transformational talk that has resonance with your audience and serves their needs, will help you stand out not only as a speaker but also as a leader in your field. In order to speak our talk, we have to first write our talk – in ways that allow us to truly walk our talk.
There are many keys to writing and crafting a talk that will offer transformation to your audience. Here are three transformational writing tips to help you create your transformational talk:
Tip 1: Get really clear on your core message
Take some time to journal or write about the core of your message. What is your core message? How do you want to impact your audience? What transformation do you want them to experience? What is your own turning point story? What can your story teach others? Do some reflective writing in response to these questions and see how the answers can inform the content of your transformational talk.
Tip 2: Breathe
Writing begins with the breath. When we relax it helps us write and when we write, in our authentic voice, it helps us relax. Engaging in mindful breathing (breathing with awareness) while you write helps you open, soften, relax and listen within for what wants to be written, for what wants to be said. Ground and centre yourself before and during writing your talk. Breathe… inhale, pause and exhale. Write.
Tip 3: Write about your feelings
As a speaker, you are here to teach or share a message, and the best messages (teachings) touch our hearts in some way. In order to create emotional resonance with your audience, you have to feel emotional resonance with your story and message. Take some time to write into the heart of what it is you are here to teach, to say – write it down for yourself first, then focus on what matters, and turn it into the heart of your talk. Go beyond the core content and into the heart and emotional resonance of your message.
Allow the transformational power of language, stories and personal narrative to inform your unique voice (message) on the page and on the stage. Writing and speaking are two different skill sets, both of which can mutually support us to be the best we can be as leaders and change agents, as women who make a difference with our words. The clearer you are about your message, the easier it is to find the right words and stories that will help you to truly write a talk that can inspire, inform and transform people’s lives.
Write. Speak. Lead. Transform.
Shine on, Lynda
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