How Good Speakers Customize or Tailor their Speech to the Audience | Episode 24

Tailor, Don’t Customize: How to Adapt Your Signature Talk for Any ClientHost Jenn explains how speakers can tailor a signature talk to each client without creating entirely custom content. She distinguishes customizing (exclusive new material that can be time-consuming and risky) from tailoring (tweaking specific elements while keeping the core speech consistent), recommending an 80/20 approach: memorize and keep consistent the opening, closing, and “call to adventure”/signature bit, while tailoring stories, examples, case studies, and audience-specific language. She outlines how to tailor through pre-event calls or research by learning audience needs, venue and seating considerations, event themes, key attendees’ perspectives, timing/seasonality, local references, and sensitive circumstances. Day-of tailoring includes understanding agenda placement, calling back to other speakers, managing tech checks and timing, and doing meet-and-greets to boost interaction and relevance.Resources Mentioned:Speaking Opportunities beyond the Keynote Speech https://www.buzzsprout.com/2593278/episodes/19632806Jim Cathcart on the Payoffs of Speech Customization https://nsaspeaker.org/the-payoffs-of-speech-customization/Jon Acuff posts regular helpful content on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonacuff/02:23 Why Custom Hurts03:13 Core Speech Framework04:23 Signature Bit Example05:43 80 20 Reliability07:32 Pre Event Tailoring10:18 Tailor Time Place14:20 Sensitive Topics Boundaries15:34 Tailoring Day Of18:12 Wrap Up And SubscribeLiked this episode? Please submit a review on your favorite listening platform. All reviewers have a chance to be coached in the studio with me in Minneapolis (virtual option also available). Email [email protected] to be considered for coaching with subject line "podcast review".Have a question or suggestion for a future episode topic? Email me [email protected] to deliver mic drop moments in your next presentation? Schedule a call to learn more about coaching www.calendly.com/jennchatLooking to book a speaker for your corporate or association event on topics including leadership and communication? View my programs at www.jennspingo.com