What is a good speech length?

“Learn to do common things, uncommonly well.” - George Washington

Introduction:

Rambling on to fill the time is a recipe for a disaster and never to be booked to speak again. Here's some great tips to consider when writing your next speech or business presentation.

The length of a speech varies by circumstance and speaker.

Have you ever sat through a long, rambling speech and found your mind wandering?

Or listened to a speaker who got right to the point in a clear, concise way? The length of a speech can make a big difference in how well the message is received and remembered.

When George Washington gave his inaugural address in 1789, he set the record for the shortest State of the Union speech ever at just 135 words. It took him only about 60 seconds to deliver! His brief remarks showed he valued being straightforward over being longwinded.

You can read Washington's famously short inaugural speech here.

Just a few powerful lines that got right to the heart of his vision for the new nation's future. You can see why his focused words had such an impact.

Speech Length: Concise Communication is an Art

Longer speeches allow more time to lay out arguments and evidence, shorter speeches can often be more memorable and impactful. When brevity is your main goal, every word carries more weight. The speech is to-the-point and still powerful at the same time.

Compare Washington's tightly crafted 135 words to some of the longest inaugural addresses in recent decades that rambled on for over an hour! Effective speakers know that concise wording and careful editing can make their message hit home.

The point of any speech is to captivate the audience’s attention, compel them to keep listening, and convert them or inspire them to action.

Speech Length: Brevity for the Modern Age

Today's audience’s attention spans are short with more and more mental distractions and bings from mobile phones. Getting a message across in as few words as possible, while still preserving clarity and impact, is a crucial skill for leaders.

Whether it's a CEO giving a conference speech, a politician being interviewed, or an online business owner explaining their vision - knowing how long a speech should be and editing out the fluff can make all the difference. Brevity and clarity win out over long-winded ramblings.

So take a cue from George Washington's pioneering 135-word inaugural speech. When it's time for you to communicate something important, don't bury the lede - make a clear, powerful point with careful precision. Concise and focused beats longwinded every time.

Speech Length: How to Write a Concise Speech

Next time you’re writing a speech (of any length) set the goal for the speech. What is it you want your audience to do, think, or believe after they hear your speech? Keep that from, and center while writing. Re-evaluate every word and line through the lens of your goal. 

Then ask yourself: does this line, example, or story help move you closer or further away from your goal?

So take a cue from George Washington's pioneering 135-word inaugural speech. When it's time for you to communicate something important, don't bury the lede - make a clear, powerful point with careful precision. Concise and focused beats longwinded every time.