Jane Genova: Speechwriter - Ghostwriter

Talking Smart/Strategically about Losing Jobs/Businesses

Layoffs, performance-firings and failing startups, boutiques and even big firms went mainstream in the early 1980s. Yet, Jan Hoffman reports in Sunday's THE NEW YORK TIMES, those canned, for whatever reason, still stumble when they "have to" talk about the ordeal. Or they avoid having to talk about the whole enchilada by hiding.  That's so behind the curve.  We now know how to talk smart/strategically after a loss so that it's soon enough a platform for our individual next big thing. After all we have about a quarter of a century of experience to build on and refine.

Those Introductory Remarks - Hold the Facts, Create the Spell

Introductory remarks are tough to compose.  In fact, more and more folks contact me to write them for them - and I always struggle.  That genre of public speaking is a totally compressed medium, much like copywriting in advertising.  The outcome is supposed to be a spell cast on the audience.  Tall order.  But here are ways to eliminate some of the agita and increase the odds of creating that voodoo through your words.

Manhattan Mums And Their Help

Late this afternoon I became the help to a Manhattan Mum.  As she spoke to me over the phone about preparing three minutes of speech material for her, her toddler was also very verbal.  The woman apologized.  That was a good sign to me so I took the assignment, which was a rush one.  She had to introduce some important women at a charity event this week.  I enjoy being able to serve clients.  My antenna wasn't up high enough.  I should have picked up: Wealthy Mum.  Philanthropy.  I will be treated like, well, the help, not like the expert I am.

That Acceptance Speech - Yes, It Can Be More than Laundry List of Folks to Thank

In the genre of acceptance speeches, there are few gems.  We all recall those tedious laundry lists of folks getting thanked during the Academy Awards.  And those doing those acceptance speeches are supposed to the pros in presentation of self.  The non-pros, as we all know, bore us even more.  Perhaps it took a lawyer, and a plaintiff one at that, to show us how to deliver acceptance remarks that rivet an audience - actually move some of them to tears.

Talk Like a Lawyer & You Won't Have to Hire One

The language of law is the language of power in America.  Fortunately, any bright person who is a quick study at terminology and how those words and phrases are used, ranging from rhythm to intonation, can speak the language of law.  I know.  At the end of October 2005, I did just that.  Since then I've saved thousands of dollars in legal fees.  That's money I would have coughed up to a lawyer. In addition, I have collected over $10,000 on accounts receivable for my two communications boutiques w/o needing a lawyer or collection agency [both of which take a 1/4th to 1/3rd cut.]

Now That The Dinner Party Is Back ... So Is Scripted Conversation

For a long time now, conversation was blog post and thread - stream of consciousness, provocative, uncivil, and not waiting our turn.  Now, those of us who have the misfortune to have to attend a dinner party - which the April VANITY FAIR informs us is back - will have to re-gear for polite talk.  Here are some pointers on how to do this, with style, the ability to maintain some sense of self, and even some weird sense of civilized pleasure.

Testimony - Think Speech, Not White Paper

Last Tuesday Bill Marler - who, of all people, is a lawyer - delivered testimony before the Committee on Energy and Commerce.  It sounded just like a speech.  Marler, who has become very powerful and wealthy in the legal profession, somehow figured out that being totally conversational in testifying is the ultimate persuasive weapon. In fact, he frames the content as a riveting narrative. Here you can download Marler's testimony:

Download testimonycongress2008.doc

Casting Spells in Your Speeches

Think about it.  Two hits on television are "Medium" and "Ghost Whispers."  There's also the other-worldly vampire homerun.  Talk show guru Larry King devoted a whole program to various kinds of psychics.

So, yes, it's not only okay, it's recommended to reach into the mystical in your public speaking.  Literally, you might cast a spell over your audience, even in this era of short attention spans.

That Speech, Seminar, PowerPoint Presentation - As We Morph from Era of Excessive Self-Absorption to Open Sharing

One of the best descriptions and explanations of the shift to a new era - from narcissism to open sharing, including of self - is by Yale Law School professor Yochai Benkler.  In his 2006 book " The Wealth of Networks: How Social Production Transforms Markets and Freedom" Benkler contends digital technology has made it both possible and necessary to create new wealth, including knowledge, as a group of equals.  That affects everything about how we deliver keynote speeches, facilitate workshops and do our PowerPoint Presentations in front of prospects or boards of directors.

Speechwriting Is Back - As Executive Coaching

After being bunker-bound since the Enron scandal and the global economic unraveling in 2001, corporate leaders are back out there.  Every few days, Dana Reuben, who heads the New York Speechwriters' group, emails a couple of want-ads for speechwriters. Yesterday there was one based in Paris.  The jobs usually pay well, in the low six figures, with bonuses.  At high-tech companies there will also frequently be stock options.