Echelon Communications

“Wendy's presentation style is very accessible and warm, as well as professional and thorough. The handouts and exercises are great too. I'm recommending her speechwriting workshop to my colleagues.”
Mary Trafford, Senior Public Affairs Officer, Status of Women Canada

Write Out Loud: Practical Speechwriting Skills

Whether you’re an accidental speechwriter with no training and background in the subject or someone who wants to brush up on their skills, join Wendy for a stimulating day of practical speechwriting training.

A dozen reasons why you should be in the room

You’ll learn how to:

• Analyze the audience and determine what they need to hear to get behind the speaker’s ideas
• Help the speaker connect with listeners
• Think and act strategically to develop clear messages
• Open in a way that gets rapt attention and close so that people leave repeating the speaker’s key message
• Keep listeners engaged through the middle of the speech
• Write the way people speak
• Edit for clarity and cohesion
• Make abstractions concrete
• Use numbers to reinforce important points
• Create outlines, talking points and multi-speaker scripts
• Use transitions and pauses to guide the flow
• Streamline your work process to meet tight deadlines

Students receive instruction reinforced with a multimedia slide and video presentation. They also participate in hands-on and analytical exercises, and engage in discussion. Wendy brings theory to life by sharing stories, examples and lessons learned during 20 years of speechwriting.

At the end of the day you’ll take away

• A manual filled with checklists, templates, how-to’s & other useful resources
• A laminated Speechwriter’s Checklist for ready reference
• A “beauty makeover” handout that shows weak writing transformed into powerful prose
• A certificate of achievement suitable for display
• A subscription to Pen & Podium, an e-newsletter designed to continue your development as a speechwriter

Who comes to this workshop?

• People who write, edit, coordinate or contribute to speeches
• Corporate writers & freelancers who want to expand/improve their skills
• Anyone who is new to speechwriting and wants to get a solid grounding

Join Wendy for Write Out Loud: Practical Speechwriting Skills on Thursday, May 18, 2012. See the sidebar at right for details.

Special Offer: Register for Writing Out Loud AND Deliver Value Beyond Words together and save $50. See sidebar at right for details.

Wendy will also customize Write Out Loud to the specific needs and interests of your staff and deliver it on site.
What people say about Wendy’s speechwriting workshops

“I would recommend this course to anyone who gives speeches, writes speeches, or assigns speeches. It'll be time and money well spent.”
Cecilia Blanchfield, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

“As someone who writes speeches regularly, I found this workshop very useful. Wendy offers a wealth of information on researching, structuring, and writing speeches that will grab audience attention and keep it right through till the end.”
Janet Kemp, Canada Revenue Agency

"Wendy manages to provide structure to the art of speechwriting. I highly recommend her course to beginning and seasoned speechwriters alike."
Ann Thacker, Canada Revenue Agency

“Great course that helps put speechwriting in perspective.”
Ben Wilson, Speech Coordinator, Health Canada

“Wendy is a whiz at what she does...If you’re serious about learning the art of speechwriting, take her course!”
Mark Buzan, Action Strategies

“A solid foundation for any wannabe speechwriter.”
Stephan Rose, Legislative Assistant, House of Commons

“I generally hate being assigned to a speech – now I’m looking forward to the next one.”
Brenda Heald, Canadian Co-operative Association

Echelon Communications

Speech and presentation writing services and workshops since 1991