The ultimate guide to using quotations like a boss! Part 2

A lot of speakers are missing out on the power of quotations in crafting compelling speeches. As a persuasive communication tool, quotations are a type of speech support element that you can use to lend power and pleasantness to your presentation. But quotations don't just make your presentation pretty, they can be used to do work - real, persuasive, inspirational or informative work.

This is why I decided to write this ultimate guide to using quotes like a boss! The first part covers the introduction to the subject including what quotes are and how to use them to build credibility. If you haven't read part I, go ahead and read it here. This is part 2 of the guide and it covers another important job quotations can perform - effective summary and impression of points. And, like Part I, it also covers common related mistakes with using quotations this way. Let us continue.

Compact quotation containers

Quotations are an interesting and economical way to encapsulate otherwise lengthy discussions in a package that is concise and memorable. Used correctly, this can help your audience represent and recall key ideas from your presentation.

For example, in some of my seminars on productivity, I speak at length on the importance of planning. I go into different aspects of planning and the considerations in planning. My goal is to persuade the audience to plan and to educate them on how to develop and use their plans in a flexible and adaptable manner. At the end of the planning section of the seminar – which takes about 9 minutes, I deliver a quote by D.W Eisenhower -

In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable. (emphasis mine)

I give it some time to sink in and then I move into the next section of the seminar. In essence, I encapsulate about 9 minutes of talking in 7 easy-to-remember words.

The first time, I did this, it was interesting to observe the impact on the audience. I could see subtle nods and widening eyes as the quotation helped solidify the concepts. And because the context was sound both in character and content (see common mistakes from part I of the guide), the quotation did not encounter any mental blocks on its way in. Perhaps you can also find a fitting quotation that helps summarize the key point or idea behind your message. If so go for it!

Still speaking of key points, let us now look at one of the common mistakes in using quotes as summarizing tools.

Mistake #1 - Targeting the wrong things in your presentation

Quotes, at least good ones, are naturally memorable – that is why they are quoted. This can be bad or good for you as a speaker, depending on how you use them.

It can be bad if you invest such a memorable element as a good quotation in the wrong part of your presentation. By doing so, you increase the odds that the wrong part of the presentation will be the part the audience will remember the most! This is a common mistake. A lot of beginner speakers, once they have learned about the usefulness of quotes, skip off into the meadows in search of the most flowery phrases they can find related to any part of their speech. They return with a beaming smile and a pretty, bouquet of decorated distractions. How do I know? Well, that used to be me. That is until I got serious about getting feedback from my audiences about my talks.

You see, I noticed that when I asked people what they remembered the most in my presentations, they would rap off quotes – mine or others. So far so good. Here was the problem - because I was not always investing my quotes in key ideas, the key points were being lost! In other words, my audience was not necessarily remembering what I wanted them to remember. That was a problem and it got my attention. And I have since adjusted.

It is this lesson I offer you. To use the good side of the memorableness of strong quotes.  Learn from my mistakes dear friend, and invest your quotes where they matter – as a strong recap, reinforcement or encapsulation of an important idea.

And now for another common mistake. I will try to be brief.

Mistake #2 - Choosing quotations that are too long

If your summary quote needs its own summary, you have picked the wrong quote.

Moving on…

Mistake #3 - Not letting the quote do its job

I have found that quotes work best when I present (or deliver) them, and then shut up and let the quote do its job… in silence. In this way, quotes are like employees. If you have hired a good one, just let them do their job!

I get it. You are a speaker so you want to... speak. But silence can communicate just as well as - and sometimes better than -  speaking does. Just share the quote and let the audience take it in. Don’t be in a rush to speak right after. And, in general, avoid explaining the quote. If it is too long or complicated to speak for itself, it is likely not the best hire for the job. (See mistake #2 above)

...quotes are like employees. If you have hired a good one, just let them do their job!

By being silent after a quotation, you allow the audience to reflect on the words and internalize the meaning you are trying to convey.

Your silence gives them permission to think and moves the conversation inward. And remember, people are much better at persuading themselves than you are at persuading them. If the quotation resonates, it will work well for you. Just let it finish its job before you jump back in.

In closing

So the next time you have a speech, think about how you can use quotes to do some hard work for you. Use them wisely and correctly and they will serve you well. Feel free to revisit this 2-part series to refresh your memory at any time.

Until the next article, speak with skill.