I know, I know... 'If I write a script, I'll be robotic...' But here's what I've learned about how to make a script work, and avoid the pitfalls.

When we're under time pressure, our brains don't work very well. A script helps you be certain of your story - and there are a couple of ways to avoid robotic delivery and make it YOUR story. It's all in these three videos...

In this chapter:

1. Video 1. Should you write and memorise a script? Yes!
2. Video 2. How to write it, and five ways to memorise it.
3. Video 3. How to turn a memorized script into a powerful story. 
4. Five strategies to memorise your pitch (explained in more detail in Video 2)
5. Action Step: Do a run-through with focus on the very words.

Three Takeaways from Video 1.

1. For a pitch up to five minutes, it's definitely worth making a script. We are able to memorise and deliver that many words.
2. Did you know every TEDx talk is memorised, and practiced again and again?
3. Memorise it - then give yourself time to focus on what the message is, what you want the audience to feel and think at any moment.

Three Takeaways from Video 2.

1. As you are writing your script, say it out loud to check whether you have spoken or written language.
2. The five ways to memorise your pitch are listed at the end of the chapter. Most importantly - practice out loud! It doesn't work to practice in your head.
3. Once you have a reasonable grip of the script, switch to practicing with the slides, and try to connect key words of your script with animations and transitions.  

Three Takeaways from Video 3.

1. Make sure you keep some time in between memorising the story, and delivering the pitch. 
2. What do you want them to think and feel? Which words influence that? These questions will help you put your focus and energy on the words that matter - so that the audience understand your message clearly. 
3. Underline the key words in your script, and do run-throughs - out loud! - to ensure you make the pitch yours, with the emphasis and energy on key words and messages.

Five things you can do to memorise your pitch.

1. Most important is to practice out loud. It doesn’t help only to think and imagine what you will say. 
2. Record the pitch and listen back while traveling in your car, on your bike, on public transport or while you exercise. 
3. Break the pitch into three parts. Sometimes practice only the last part, then just the middle, and sometimes only the beginning. This helps you gain confidence that you know what’s coming next. 
4. Focus on the parts that you struggle to remember. If you keep stumbling over a particular part, then focus on that piece of the story, saying it out loud again and again. Repeat the part that you keep forgetting until you feel confident you can remember it. 
5. Say your pitch out loud while standing up and pacing backwards and forwards, gesturing with your hands to emphasize important points. 

Action Step! Turn your script into a compelling story.

Once you've reviewed your brainstorms and package the story into a script, do the following;

1. Go through the script sentence by sentence, and ask yourself - which words change the meaning? Which words need to stand out so that your audience truly feel and understand your message?
2. Underline those words - there are usually 2-3 words per sentence. Have a look at the example below.
3. Do some run-throughs of the pitch: say it out loud, putting emphasis and energy n to the words that matter.

Oh - and there's the small matter of memorising it! 🤣 Follow the five steps mentioned and that will help you get there quicker.

Good luck!

"Got any questions? Anything unclear? Or anything you liked or want to share? Put it all in the comments below - I'll always follow up personally!"

Regards, David