Show Me the Movie
When you author a book, the reader expects to do the work: make the connections, visualize pictures in their minds, read the last page first…
With a speech, the listener expects you, the speaker, to do the work: make the connections to their lives and draw them the picture–show them the movie.
A speaker gives the audience a reason to delight in sharing a moment together. An audience has the opportunity for an act of civility, community, and delight.
And we are SO ready for that.
The most recent movies I saw were “Deadpool and Wolverine” and “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice.” In both, the audience spontaneously broke into song with the soundtrack. In “Deadpool,” my friend and I burst into the chorus of “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls.
And I don’t want the world to see me
‘Cause I don’t think that they’d understand
When everything’s made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am
[Source: Musixmatch / Copyright Songwriter: John T Rzeznik, Iris lyrics © Scrap Metal Music]
A couple of weeks later, at “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice,” I was by myself, and the moviegoers and I belted out the seemingly nonsensical lyrics of “MacArthur Park” with Donna Summer.
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don’t think that I can take it
‘Cause it took so long to bake it
And I’ll never have that recipe again
Oh, no
[Source: LyricFind / Copyright Songwriter: Jimmy Webb, MacArthur Park lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.]
In both movies, the soundtrack was so loud we could barely hear ourselves, which was just fine!
Everyone was connected by this one love: music. Music allows us to relate and connect and care. And we are ready to sing out loud for acts of civility, community and JOY.
When you present a speech, the listener demands you draw pictures with your words, not just spout dry concepts. Here’s an example: “Positive reinforcement maintains good performance.” How boring. Draw a picture. Your listener wants a movie. Try this: “When you take notice of the person working for you doing something good, and you say ‘good job,’ that person will sit up a bit straighter; they will feel good about working for you.”
Boring speakers spout concepts and cliches. Good speakers make it real; they give the listener a movie–about the listener.
Want to know how to do that? Please schedule a 30-minute complimentary clarity call with me. You get value and we discover if we are a match to work together.
Mimi was a superstar in the speaking business, keynoting for audiences of thousands. Her combination of sophisticated humor and solid content made her one of America’s most popular funny females.
Mimi has created speeches and “found the funny” for TEDx Talkers, executives, celebrities, and entrepreneurs. Before starting her speaking and coaching business, she was a Human Resources Specialists with Walt Disney, Northrop Aircraft, and Rockwell International.