Making Data Simple Replay: Writing That Moves the World — Vinca LaFleur of West Wing Writers on Crafting Ideas That Stick
Oct 22, 2025
Vinca LaFleur, founding partner of West Wing Writers and expert speechwriter, dives into the nuances of impactful communication. She discusses essential tricks for grabbing attention, emphasizing the power of storytelling. Vinca highlights the importance of clarity over jargon and describes the context that makes a speech resonate. She shares insights on balancing content and delivery, explores the implications of tools like ChatGPT, and introduces the concept of 'mental cups' for effective messaging. Plus, she reveals personal inspirations and her joy in sailing.
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Hook Your Audience Immediately
- Start a speech with a story, a fact, or a question to grab attention immediately.
- Avoid opening with long thank-yous; jump in and save acknowledgements for later.
Cut Jargon And Repetition
- Remove jargon and acronyms that obscure meaning and confuse listeners.
- Keep speeches concise; cut repeated ideas rather than restating them three times.
Hits Need Context Beyond Good Writing
- A “hit” happens when idea, timing, venue, and words fuse together, not just from clever phrasing.
- You can sense it during writing, but you never know for sure until delivery and context align.
