How to spark creativity for speechwriters
I’m a huge fan of people who are excellent public speakers. Especially if they can make it look like they’re delivering the speech off the cuff. But we all know that behind every great orator, there’s a communicator in the wings sweating through their deodorant, hoping that the words come out right.
I am that sweaty communicator. She is me. The one at the conference with the antacids and a clipboard.
Besides my deep love for scripted events, I’ve also attended Speechwriter School in Washington D.C. and supported C-suite executives and event keynote speakers.
Here are my tips for sparking creativity for writing speeches:
1. Don’t wait for the muse
Keep a spreadsheet of facts, quotes, and data points for inspiration. Anytime you hear something interesting, put it in the spreadsheet. I recently read this peculiar article in the New York Times, and then I put it in my spreadsheet. I don’t know how I’ll use it, but it’s there waiting for me. Need to start writing? Pull out your spreadsheet and see what piques your interest.
2. If you think something is interesting, investigate
Our job is to make things interesting and to do that we need material. They say the best writers are readers. I don’t know for sure if that’s true. I do think curiosity is a huge benefit to speechwriting. Go down that Wikipedia rabbit hole. Follow the esoteric astrology Instagramers. Call your uncle who likes to talk about model airplanes. It’s for your craft.
3. Devote time to research
Not only should you research the topic, but you should also look up the venue. Google the audience. Take time to scan what’s going on in the world. These are all variables that can make your speech more engaging and timely. With research your speech will make people like they were part of something ephemeral and special.
4. Get nosy
I am an observant person. Some may call it nosy. When I’m writing for an executive, I like to pay attention to their calendar. Do they hold time to read every morning? Do they ride their bike after work? Is there something interesting to say there? What books or art are in their office? What words do they love to use? What can you notice about the person you write for that would make their speech more compelling and personal?
5. Go on walks
Walking the dog is my favorite way to start a writing project. Doing something that takes a little bit of focus but not enough to be distracting allows my mind to wander. I’ve heard this described as “bath and bus” as well. You could call it “doing puzzles” or “taking a shower.” Whatever works for you and your brain.
6. Let it rest
When I first heard this tip, I laughed maniacally (in my head.) At the time, I was a corporate communicator and I worked at a rapid-fire pace. There was no time to let anything rest. But that’s what I’m telling you to do. Write the first draft. And then walk away for a day or so. Do a puzzle. Go to the ballet. Whatever floats your boat. Come back and review your work. I promise you’ll make the speech better after a bit of rest.
