How important is it for your speech title to match your speech?
Matching a speech title to your speech is something that’s really important. Basically the first step in writing a great speech. But how often do you actually notice that and give it the attention that it deserves?
Imagine blue apples, peanut butter with pickles, or pineapple on pizza. If these combinations irk you. Your audience wouldn’t appreciate it if your public speaking poster screams “I like bad boys, stand-up comedy by Shreeja Chaturvedi” and then you go on stage and proceed to give them a lecture on “Photosynthesis”. Making the point clear, we all get that the content doesn’t match the context here, right?
Most of the time, we don’t tend to give “the title of your speech” the least importance or any importance for that matter.
You start by writing your speech, defining the structure of it, linking the paragraphs, and then bam! It sinks in that you don’t have a good title for your speech.
Scrambling for words, you decide to name the speech title “My favorite book” which to be honest is exciting as “The algebraic expressions from your math textbook” It’s boring and no one even remembers it.
Writing a speech title doesn’t have to be a last-minute thing. To make you better at public speaking. Here’s a guide on what it takes to match your speech title to your speech and everything you need to know about it.
Naming your speech title can be a game-changer for you. Here is how!
The neglect that one gives to the title of the speech is because you don’t know the importance of writing a great speech title. Matching your speech title to your speech can be a game-changer for you. Understand the importance of naming your speech title correctly below:
- Helps you avoid using filler words
- Your audience knows what to expect
- Gives your speech a proper structure and link
- An appropriate speech title leaves no room for confusion
Helps you avoid using filler words.
We all know the importance of making a first impression. For interviews, you can convey that with your formal dress style, being polite, being professional, etc. While delivering speeches, your first impression is no doubt your speech title. The title of your speech is an introduction in itself.
Who made surprises fun? Especially when you are coming from a place filled with anxiety. Giving a speech can be a stressful event for some of us, giving you stage fright. Having a proper speech title will help you make that first impression right. Having a proper title in place will help you avoid using unnecessary filler words.
For example, You can begin your speech right by introducing yourself, giving your audience the title of your speech, and diving right in. See? no uh(s) and um(s)
Your audience knows what to expect
Happy audience with a proper speech title
So, to make things clear and easy for everyone. Whether you are writing a speech or giving one. Giving your speech a proper title makes things easy for everyone. Introducing your speech title helps your audience to know what you are going to talk about. And they can know exactly what to expect from you.
Gives your speech a proper structure and link
Your title can help you resume and guide the structure of your speech. It supports your content and acts as a base. Once your speech title is established, you can further decide on what the subheadings would be. Helping you get into that flow to continue with your speech, which in turn will seamlessly connect one paragraph to another.
An appropriate speech title leaves no room for confusion
Ever had a conversation that has moved from one subject to another? By the end of having that long chat with your friend, you realize that you actually forgot to inform them about what you had in mind in the first place.
A good speech title will leave no room for confusion for you and your audience when you decide on your speech title. You know what you come prepared for, what your speech content is going to be. Narrowing the focus to a particular niche rather than the whole broad subject at hand. Which will help you get rid of the unnecessary clutter.
What does it mean to match your speech title to your speech?
You might have wondered about this question. What can matching a good speech title with your content do? Matching your speech title to your speech means ensuring that your context is in line with your content.
How to match your speech title to your speech?
For you to match your speech title to your speech. We have a curated list of the Do’s and Don’ts when brainstorming for your speech title. This will ensure that your audience’s expectations are met. And you achieve your goal of making your speech a success.
Do’s when writing a speech title
What to do when writing a speech title?
- Having a defined purpose
- Know your audience
- Make it memorable
- It’s all about aiming for the target
- Matching the tone of enthusiasm with your speech title
Having a defined purpose
Make sure that you have a clear purpose in your head before beginning to write for that speech title. Or the speech for a matter of fact. If you are still not sure what you are trying to achieve with your speech. Ask yourself why you are writing the speech. Is it to inform your audience? Leave them with more knowledge and flame those sparks of curiosity.
Or do you want them to be convinced that the big bang was caused by the aliens that wiped the dinosaurs away from the Earth? No matter how crazy that might sound. Do you want your audience to leave the room persuaded by you? Now living by the same specific value or belief that you have? Public speaking when done right can influence the audience in ways that you can’t imagine.
Getting some good laughs from the people in the room and rightly delivering that punchline can also be your goal if you are doing a stand-up. Ask yourself if your motive is to keep them entertained.
Know your audience
Parents and internet slang don’t go hand in hand. You can’t be using words like Rizz, ROLF or nepo baby while texting your parents. This Gen Z slang will surely feel alienating to them. Hence, it is important to know who your audience is. Identify who your audience is. For example: if you are giving a speech to children, avoid using jargon like CTA or EOD. Make it easy for everyone to understand it.
Make it memorable
Stories help you connect to your audience on a different level because they make your content easy to relate to. A story has the power to make your speech memorable, instantly catchy, and perk their ears up. Tell them a good story and chances are that they will be more curious and eager to know what you want to say.
It’s all about aiming for the target
Matching your speech title to your speech requires narrowing down the subject from the broader range of the subject. Nail your topic down to what it actually is. For example: if you choose to speak about a documentary that interests you and your audience. You should start with What periods a taboo taught me .
Your speech title should reflect the core theme of your speech. Identify the core theme of your speech. Know where the party is at and take it to the dance floor.
Matching the tone of enthusiasm with your speech title
Enthusiasm is contagious and more likely will help you generate a positive environment and draw people in. Generating people’s interest and capturing their attention. Your audience will actively engage with your speech with an optimistic tone which signals your passion for the topic at hand.
Pro-tip: Next time when you want your audience to really believe and be influenced by you. Keep the tone of your speech title a little enthusiastic.
Don’ts when Writing a speech title
What happens when your speech title doesn’t match your speech? You’re unable to get your audiences attention and end up disappointing them. Here’s now you can avoid that.
No misleading titles
You know, those topics that start something like “Bananas are good for your health” and by the end of the speech turn into “And that’s why you should always carry a raincoat in the backseat of your car”
Confusing, isn’t it? The goal here is to let your speech title tell people what you will talk about in your speech. It helps them know what they will learn or hear from you. Which also means not using clickbait titles. Don’t leave your audience feeling tricked or disappointed.
Don’t go too funky or Quirky
You should not make the mistake of making your speech title sound too funky or quirky. Especially when the speech that you are about to deliver in a professional setting. Be creative but maintain that balance with a level of professionalism and credibility.
Show your level of expertise and seriousness by matching the tone of your speech with your audience’s expectations on the subject. So that they can take you seriously and your speech doesn’t lose its appeal. Let your speech title speak for itself, reflecting on your professional reputation and delivering valuable content to your audience.
Don’t make the title too long
Another mistake that people make without realizing it is choosing a title that is above 55 characters. Keep the title short and simple, like a name you can say easily. Long titles are like long words that are hard to remember.
What is a good title for a speech?
A good title for your speech if one passes the following checklist:
- Catches the attention of your audience
- Clearly defines the purpose or the main core theme of your speech
- Is a narrowed version of your broader subject area that reflects your speech
- Is relevant to your audience
- And is concise and easy to remember
So, if your speech title follows, tick all the boxes from the list above. It passes the vibe check from us.
How do you write a catchy title for your speech?
Here are some techniques or ways in which you can write unique catchy speech titles you can write your speech titles:
Diving right into the topic
No beating around the bush is cool when you instantly want to catch the attention of your audience. Some things are better when you get straight to the point. No twists and turns you get straight to the core theme of your speech and begin with your speech, here’s an example given below that you can follow.
Stories that tell
Speech titles that begin with stories are the best when they give an effect of pause, which creates anticipation and curiosity among your audience. Watch how David Brooks hooks up his audience right at the beginning with his speech title. Take a look at the video below:
Use Rhetoric questions when matching a speech title for your speech
Active listening is a thing. Rather than letting your audience listen to you passively and receive the information that you are providing them. Make it engaging and make them ask stimulating questions.
For example, your speech topic could be: The Importance of Education. Here’s how you can make it into a rhetorical question title: “Why Settle for Ignorance? Unlocking the Power of Education” which will make your audience reflect on the significance of education. And the other aspects of your speech.
Using Humor in your speech title when preparing for your speech
Who doesn’t enjoy a good laugh? Let’s admit speeches and speech titles can be boring when filled with just facts and stating obvious statistics, get a little creative and have fun with your speech title.
You can write puns or come up with unique and fun original ideas of your own.
Don’t Forget: The limits of where you can use humor in your speech title. Especially if it’s in a professional setting with an audience that expects serious business from you.
Brainstorming sessions
There are various brainstorming methods out there if you can’t get your creativity to do the magic. You can try methods like: SCAMPER, referencing, brain walking, picture prompts, etc to get the title of your speech right. You can use one, or you can use all, there’s no one right way to do it for you. Experiment and see what works out.
Contrasting ideas and beliefs
“The Power of Vulnerability: Embracing Strength in Openness” This title right here puts together two opposite words that represent completely different things in the same line to represent the theme of a speech. Here’s another example by David Brooks that you can watch and learn from below. Not only does he put two different ideas together, but also makes his audience actively engage with him with his speech title.
Conclusion
Now that you understand what it takes for you to match your speech title to your speech and the importance of writing a good one. Embrace writing bad titles, write some more, and practice. Public speaking training or coaching can also help you practice and get there. Prepare your own speech title and be prepared to rock your next speech and let the apples be apples: red. (Pun intended)
