What have I learned?

For a number of years I've been writing speeches of all sorts for a very wide variety of people and I hope I've learned a few things from the mistakes I've made. A few of the important lessons:

1. We all have our own vocabulary - words and expressions we like to use. I try to pick those up from emails and phone calls I will have with a client, and I will use them wherever I can.

2. When a client gives me a story it means he/she likes it and wants it to be included in the speech. I might think it's quite moderate but I know I will be expected to use it - perhaps try to 'improve' it a bit.

3. People's sense of humour varies enormously. All speeches need humour, so I try very hard to get on the right wavelength for the particular client. I know I must include something my client thinks is funny - even if I don't!

If I ignore these basic guidelines I might write a very good speech but it won't be right for the client, and at the end of the day the only opinion that really matters is that of the client.