Moments like this never get old.
A few weeks ago, a client contacted my ghostwriting agency to author her very first keynote speech.
Every year, my team and I author several speeches, from opening ceremonies to award stages. The storytelling support I offer extends across public and intimate moments, translating milestones into words that linger long after everyone’s left the room. From commencement speeches to eulogies, the words we speak have the power to shift minds and move audiences to action, so I’m always honored when I’m called upon.
For this particular client, I knew how important the moment was, and I was ready to go the distance with her. I understood her vision and couldn’t wait to bring all her ideas to life. Though she was very much an expert in her field, with the skills, stories, and passion to engage a room of industry leaders, she also knew that having a thought-partner in her corner was needed to fit all of those pieces together.
What we produced was nothing short of magical. We met occasionally to discuss her strengths, but also her pain points. As we carved out draft after draft, each iteration got us closer to a version that showcased who I knew her to be. In the end, we created a story that would resonate with those in attendance beyond the hour she’d be on stage. From ideation to execution, it was such a beautiful process to be part of, all while witnessing the impassioned, confident speaker she became evolve right before my eyes.
But this wasn’t something that took place over night. More than a creative collaborator, it’s also important to me that my clients feel supported every step of the way. With speech writing, that looks like coaching them through things like pronunciation, tone, body language, and stage presence to ensure they develop the confidence and comfort needed to deliver an impactful speech. And that’s exactly the kind of rigorous regimen I had her on. We would meet a few times a week to get her reps in. While the work was boring and even repetitive, slowly but surely, she found her rhythm, breezing through sentences that once made her stumble, and leaving room for her personality to shine through.
By the time we made it to the final run, and I watched as she set up the presentation deck my team also designed to accompany her speech, I could barely contain my excitement. I sat in awe as she delivered her speech with flawless execution; no one in the room would know a first-timer was standing in front of them.
This was more than a win. It was a reflection of the ways storytelling is infused in all aspects of our lives, and why I encourage everyone I know to collaborate with a speech writer or thought partner for all of life’s moments—big or small. Some of the most revered speakers we know have a team on hand to help them decipher and deliver their thoughts with clarity and emotional resonance, no matter the room.
If you’ve been mulling over the words you’d like to use to define your next life or career defining moment, reach out! Let’s create something special together.