Today, I want to share the best speech prompt I’ve created and designed.
I wrote and layered it in a burst of creativity and as a sample prompt for copywriters at the Trinidad campus of the University of the West Indies.
I was leading an AI workshop at the time.
To my joyful surprise this prompt been used over and over again by millions of folks on the Internet, only because I took the time to write it with intention.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…
….prompts are like shiny pieces of code except we’re not using languages like Python or JavaScript Thank Goodness).
We’re writing our prompts in English, Spanish, Chinese, French or whatever language we’re familiar with.
Here’s the thing though: the disappointment with ChatGPT often comes when you’re expecting it to deliver something extraordinary—a standout caption, an applause-rousing speech, or a perfectly targeted proposal.
But what we get instead, … vanilla. Bland. Generic, canned words that make it clear a machine was behind the wheel.
Ok, but wait, let me step back for a second and give ChatGPT some credit.
At a base level, it can churn out a pretty good speech. If you craft a solid ChatGPT speech prompt, you’ll likely get something decent.
What A Speech Does
But as communicators, speechwriters, heck as humans looking to connect with an audience, we don’t want the words we write and speak to be merely good,
Our words should make an audience feel more confident, more informed, more inspired, more engaged.
A speech can uplift, up level and upgrade.
It can also empathise ,eulogise and educate.
No matter the objective, your speech needs to form a common coin of communion with your audience. creating a connection that’s both meaningful and memorable.
So, let me ask you a questions—would you really want to leave all that to a basic ChatGPT prompt?
If your answer is “no,” then let’s dive into the process I used to create a prompt that doesn’t just structure your speech—it scales it.
Ready?
Let’s get started.
First, take a look at the prompt below which I created for the copywriters I mentioned above .
Then, we’ll get into the best practices of speech prompt writing before the actual prompt itself.
How To Write An Intentional Speech Prompt
If you want to act and think like a chatGPT speechwriter, you should know this.
You’re the captain of the GPT ship, not the machine itself.
When it comes to writing, stick this on your Pinata.
Large Language Models like ChatGPT4 Don’t Niche Down to Anything.
They are the masters of all trades, specialists of none because they have to be everything to everyone.
I write more about that process *** [HERE],*** but to keep things short and simple: structured prompts help steer the ship, so you get the output you actually want.
Plus, once you do it well, you can reuse the same prompt – in this case, your speech prompt – over and over again.
Let’s Break It Down:
Structured Speech Prompts Focus on Layering
It’s like baking a cake (yep, I’m going there with a baking analogy – it worked so well when I trained the copywriters at the university!).
The more layers you add, the clearer and more detailed your output becomes.
With layers, you get to guide ChatGPT step by step, giving it specific instructions, so it understands exactly what you’re asking for.
Plus you stop the runway train that ChatGPT can become.
This means fewer generic responses and more of the thoughtful, tailored results suited to your needs.
Let me tell you, these are golden.
Scalable Prompts Focus on Repetition
Once you build and nail a structure, your prompts become scalable.
I tell people in the AI Copy Collective all the time: the only thing left to do with a well-layered speech prompt is to tweak it here and there to fit different scenarios.
That’s it.
It’s the reason why it’s scaleable, you’re never constantly reinventing the wheel.
Whatever your speech, you can use the structure of one prompt, make some adjustments, and get a speech that suits another occasion.
Modify and adjust the layers, and you’ll get something amazing every time the words are said out loud to an audience.
Talk about game-changing!
it saves time and effort, and there is precision and consistency built in.
Now I’m not going to hop around the bush, be nonchalant and say these kind of prompts don’t take time.
The do.
But it’s the results and scalability for me, (chef’s kiss) which are the reasons I’ve gotten so comfy creating these kinds of prompts
Specificity Matters
I guess what I’m really trying to say is specificity matters.
If you want the machine to churn out copy that sounds like it came straight from your heart and brain and on yeah, you keyboards, then you’ve got to make your prompt inputs as detailed as possible.
Remember my philosophy: garbage in = garbage out.
Get ChatGPT To Sound Like You
So, is there a way to get ChatGPT to sound exactly like you?
Yep, there sure is.
It’s called fine-tuning, and it involves computational tools, technical skills, and a level of understanding that is way above my pay grade.
But – here’s the good news – I’ve found a workaround that can help you.
After 8 months of trial and error, I discovered something that works.
If I keep feeding ChatGPT my brand voice, my style guide, my target audience, and samples of my work in my prompts, the magic happens.
But it’s not just about feeding it the right content to create a perfect speech – I also need to stack my prompts just right to make sure I get everything I want in the output it give me.
Pro Tip: Save all your brand voice guides in Google Docs so you have them ready to go. And don’t forget to input them into GPT when needed. Total game-changer.
Can ChatGPT be creative and write in your voice? Sure, but you have to do the heavy lifting first.
The more specific, precise, and focused your speech prompt is, the more likely it’s going to give you a great output – one that sounds like you and feels unique.
A Guide To Using The ChatGPT Speech Prompt
Ok, it’s time. I’m about to hand you a speech prompt to end all others. A couple of things before moving on and just so you’re not confused.
1. The prompt below is customisable, you can adjust it based on your needs.
2. Look for the parentheses and the ideas provided in each layer, they will guide you on how use the prompt adjust for personalisation i.
3. Don’t copy and paste the whole prompt at once, customise it properly first and then go layer by layer.
The Best, Customisable Speech Prompt
Introduction: I am preparing a speech for… (state event type of speech , e.g., graduation/award ceremony/team meeting/ stakeholder/ wedding).
My audience is… (insert details about your audience)
I want to deliver a… (memorable message / action oriented talk/ formal talk ) that connects deeply with my audience.
The goal is to convey… (Insert goal, be clear add a key themes, e.g., inspiration/ gratitude/ motivation/ education etc ) while making my audience feel engaged and understood.
The speech should feel authentic…. (as if it is coming directly from my personal experience/ well researched etc)
Context: I will provide initial details about the audience and key messages I want to include.
Your role is to expand on these by acting as a top-tier speechwriter who knows how to craft speeches that… (resonate and motivate/ educate and inform/ activate action etc. )
The speech is… (20 /30/60 minutes etc) long.
Control Token: We will go layer by layer. Do not move to any layer unless I instruct you. We will begin with layer
Step-by-Step Guidance for Customisation:
A. Speech Prompt Introduction:
Opening Statement:
Start with a powerful hook. This can be a (quote/ anecdote/ or statistic etc) that’s meaningful for this particular audience.
Customise: Add a quote / story here that speaks to the core message of my speech.
This could be something inspirational from a well-known figure or even something personal that sets the tone for the entire speech. I have shared personal stories below.
B. Sharing A Personal Story
Personal Connection: Here is a (insert personal story or anecdote). Make it relatable to theme of the speech and rewrite it and include it where you think it is needed in the speech. Use it to establish a sense of shared experience.
C. Offer Value In The ChatGPT Speech Prompt
These are the key points I’d like to touch on my speech.
1: (Insert Point 1)
2: (Insert Point 2)
3: (Insert Point 3)
Please elaborate and where needed, but also relate it to…. (3 key challenges/achievements/ or lessons learned)
Ensure that they are relevant to the audience by linking each challenge to one of the points I have articulated above.
Draw connections between these challenges and broader themes, offering perspective and insights into why these experiences and transformation matter.
At this point, you can add analogies to simplify complex ideas or to provide vivid imagery that the audience can easily visualise.
If and where needed, add supporting statistics that provide a sense of data-driven credibility to the message, making it more impactful.
D. Tell another story:
Here’s is another story, please review and rewrite to suit the tone of the speech.
Make sure it is relatable.
(Insert rough draft of story)
E. Express Gratitude In Your Speech Prompt If Needed.
These are the persons I need to express gratitude to. Here are their names and why I am grateful to them. Please elaborate in your writing without being overly effusive.
Name 1: and (Insert why)
Insert Name 2: and (Insert why)
Include a relevant quote to make the appreciation more poignant.
F. Memorable Conclusion
Close with a memorable statement, which could be a call to action, an inspiring quote, or a reflection.
You can recall a theme introduced earlier, summarising a core value, or challenging the audience to apply what they have learned.
How To Get The Best Results For Your AI Speech Prompt
1. Be specific and set up your success parameters: goals, context etc in your speech prompt. Do this at the start.
2. Your goals should contain keywords, and clear instructions that allow any language model to identify all the relevant content in its probability matrix to accomplish what you want.
2. Be clear Use specific verbs that focus on the action you want the AI to take..
3. Use contextual statements. The more context your provide the better the AI is guided with your speech prompt
4. Feed the AI your information. As a ChatGPT speechwriter don’t hesitate to give the AI your stories , data, information. It get more personalised this way
5. Go layer by layer. Even today, ChatGPT can act like a runway train. When using a long prompt, like the one I created for you above, it is best go step- by-step, layer- by-layer,
Related: Loved what you read? I’d love, in return, to hear your views about the prompt you’re about to use.. It took me about 4 hours to get it done but I think was so worth the time.
If you want access to more prompts, advice, tips, tricks and tonic like this, join my weekly newsletter, Just The Good Stuff, <<< HERE >>>.
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