How to Write a Good Speech Title for Your Audience

You are delivering a speech to an audience.  Whether the audience is required to attend your speech or has a choice, you want to pick a good speech title that is clear, compelling and communicates what the audience will gain by listening to you speak.  Time is the limiting factor in each of our days and how we spend it needs to be worthwhile.  The best way to grab your audience’s attention is with a smart title so that they are paying attention right from the start.

Let’s break down the different types of speeches and demonstrate what a good title looks likes in each category.

Informative Speech for Company Employees

The goal of informational speeches within a company is to communicate information on which employees need to take action…eg. registering for benefits via a company portal.  If they aren’t paying attention during the actual speech, there may be significant questions down the road or, they won’t take the needed actions altogether such as registering for benefits correctly or utilizing all the efficiency features of their new lead management software. We are a bit of a meeting fatigued society and therefore meetings without a clear “what’s in it for me” are easy to deprioritize – physically, mentally or both. Thoughtfully picking the right words for your title has the potential to increase the attendance, participation and retention rates of audience members.  Of course, the body of your speech or presentation is equally important but your title is the first impression that you make, and you want it to be a lasting impression vs. a fleeting thought.

Persuasive Speech Topics for a Class, Conference or Event

You are taking a class at school and one of the assignments is to deliver a persuasive speech on a subject matter.  Or, you are delivering a presentation on a particular topic at a conference or event.   Regardless of a small or large audience, your point of view on the subject matters should be crystal clear in the title of your speech.  Speech titles should not be overly coy or clever so that what you are about to talk about is a total mystery – especially if you are presenting at a conference where attendees have a choice of which sessions to attend. Since you may be challenging the audience’s conventional thoughts or wisdom, your title should clearly indicate the point of view you plan to thoroughly explain.  

The stronger speech title is a daring call to action where the presenter makes his/her point of view and agenda crystal clear.  Why the title is certainly alarmist in tone, it is a strong attention getter that will intrigue the audience – the bulk of whom are likely using social media on a daily basis.  Of course, the key points and granular content of your speech must support your title.  A great speech title is not intended to be click bait but a clear, compelling representation of what each member of the audience can expect to gain by spending their precious time listing to your presentation.

How to Speech

The first title feels like a term you might enter in a search engine to get you started on self-publishing an eBook.  It isn’t overly descriptive or motiving and therefore your session may not be worth the person’s time.  The second title gives you a much better chance of generating interest because it offers attendees a tactical playbook for writing and promoting an eBook that produces revenue.  The “what’s in it for me” is obvious and appealing.  The wrong title can cost you attendees if you are presenting in a venue where the audience has a choice of concurrent sessions to pick.  Spend those extra few minutes developing a compelling title and the tone will be set for the entire speech you plan to give.  

Below is a list of additional resources to help you put your best self forward on the day you present your speech.