Let’s talk about writing scripts.
I know how it feels to have a lot of ideas flooding through you mind as you try to figure out exactly what you want to say.
It can be overwhelming and exhausting and you can end up getting lost and discouraged.
And to make it worse, we tend not to write how we speak.
I get it, It’s difficult if you don’t know how to write a good script.
The great news is, you’re not alone!!
Do you think that Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech or President Kennedy’s “We choose to go to the moon” speech just popped into their heads?
No, they laboured over scripts or even better, they had speechwriters.
Those speeches would have gone through rigorous drafts before landing on the final iconic messages we know today.
One of the obvious downfalls of not having a script at all, is speaking in circles trying to figure out what you are wanting to say in the moment, and that can be tough.
Sometimes, you can never truly find or make your point which leads to confusion for the audience, and a loss in authority on the subject and as a speaker.
Sometimes people try just having some bullet points to keep them on track, and this seems ok except in every case when I’ve asked someone I’m coaching to repeat an exact line, word for word, without a script, they won’t be able to.
This creates a major problem because script writing is all about refinement and the creation of powerful messages.
So what can we do about it?
Seeing as no-one has taught us how to write scripts, starting is often the hardest part.
I’m tactile so I prefer pen and paper when I’m initially getting ideas out of my head, and I also find that I unconsciously write differently when I’m using a laptop, I’m more formal than I want to be for a talk.
That can also come down to environmental influence, however that’s another story for another time.
Once you sit down and let the ideas flow out onto paper you’ll be surprised how quickly you can gather together some great ideas to form your talk or presentation around.
Taking the time to script out what you want to say helps you to refine your thoughts and become consciously aware of your words.
It’s important to find the most appropriate way to convey our messages because when we are anxious or excited, we all have a fall-back position.
It can be bad jokes, dad jokes, swearing, mumbling, even just dry boring monotone.
The best messaging is often succinct and to the point. As a speaker and presenter, I remember being instructed to “know your point, make your point, and move on”.
Refining your thoughts into a succinct script is hard, so if you find yourself struggling then get in touch, script development is all part of the coaching process,
We can get started and can get you on track fast.