Getting started is often the hardest part about content creation, this is true with art, music, or giving a speech. If you're nervous about an upcoming toast, there are three steps that can get you rolling.
Start writing down memories: The best speeches or toasts are personal, full of examples that are both fun and informative. If it's a serious topic, you want examples that set the tone for your audience. If you're struggling to generate content, start by writing down a list of memories about the subject. Literally write anything down, whether it's funny, pointless or sad, those are memories that are front of mind. The memories will provide the meat of the speech, as you'll hear me say over and over again, PEOPLE LOVE STORIES.
Use your memories to pick a tone: The best toast isn't always the funniest, it's the one that shares some stories that demonstrate how you feel about the person about your subject matter. Look over your list of memories and ask yourself the following question: "What emotions am I feeling when I think about these times?" If you're laughing, it's a funny speech, if you're crying, write a heartfelt toast. Let your emotions guide you.
Pick a theme: No speech should be a smattering of jokes or tear-jerking stories simply thrown together for maximum effect. The best toast requires some effort on your part, beyond simple recall. You need to ask yourself what you want to say about these people or this event? That's different than the content, that's the theme. For example, you can tell a lot of stories, but the theme is "Look at what a reliable friend you've always been." The most important thing to remember: MAKE THE THEME SOMETHING POSITIVE!
If you follow these steps, the speech will write itself.
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