🎓 Graduation Season & the Speech I’ll Never Forget
- Marke Freeman
- May 9
- 4 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Why Powerful Delivery Leaves a Permanent Impact—and How You Can Do the Same
It’s graduation season again—and every time the season rolls around, I’m reminded of a moment that changed how I view speaking forever.
I was just a little girl attending my older brother’s graduation. I had on what I’m sure my mom considered the perfect outfit: a puffy dress, oversized hair bows, and shoes too pretty to run in. I remember sitting beside her, swinging my feet that couldn’t quite touch the ground.
Then something unexpected happened.
A man stepped to the microphone—and suddenly, the entire auditorium fell still. His words had weight. I looked around, and to my surprise, everyone was crying. Tears were flowing, tissues were passed from row to row, and even my mother—my emotional rock—had tears streaming down her face.
And then… those tears turned to laughter. Joy filled the room. He had us all—every single one of us—in the palm of his hand.
To this day, I don’t remember the name of that speaker.But I’ll never forget the way he made us feel.
Maya Angelou once said,
“People may forget what you said, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.”
That’s the power of masterful communication—and that’s what we teach inside the Speak Like a Pro Academy™.
Whether you’re inspiring a stadium, leading a team, or delivering your story to a single person, your words should move people to think, feel, and act.
🧠 Want to Master the Art of High-Impact Communication?
Here are 3 must-have tools every speaker should use:
1. Hook – Shift – Anchor
At the Speak Like a Pro Academy™, we teach speakers to structure every message with impact in mind using our signature Hook–Shift–Anchor™ framework. First, the Hook captures immediate attention. It might be a personal story, a powerful quote, or a compelling question—but it must connect emotionally. This is how you make your audience lean in. Next comes the Shift—this is the heart of your message, the insight or challenge that causes your listeners to think differently. It's where you offer something fresh, meaningful, or even disruptive to their current way of thinking. Finally, you Anchor the message. This is the takeaway you want them to carry with them—clear, repeatable, and resonant. The Hook draws them in, the Shift changes them, and the Anchor ensures they don’t forget. When done well, this framework turns your presentation from a talk into a transformative experience.
2. Verbal, Physical & Emotional Delivery
Delivery is where great content becomes unforgettable communication. We teach our students that it's not just what you say, but how you say it. Verbal delivery includes tone, pitch, pacing, pauses, and volume. These are the tools that add musicality and clarity to your words. Too fast, and you lose them; too flat, and you bore them. Physical delivery is all about your body language—your stance, movement, facial expressions, and gestures. These nonverbal cues should reinforce your message, not distract from it. Lastly, emotional delivery is what brings your message to life. When your audience feels your sincerity, passion, and vulnerability, they trust you and respond. At the Academy, we train you to deliver in 3D—verbally, physically, and emotionally—so you don’t just speak, you move people.
3. The Power of 3
There’s a reason some of the greatest communicators—pastors, politicians, poets, and presidents—organize their messages into threes. The Power of 3 isn’t just catchy; it’s brain science. Our minds naturally gravitate toward triads for clarity and retention. Structuring your message into three key points makes it more digestible and memorable. It also creates a rhythm that’s easy for your audience to follow. But the Power of 3 isn’t just about structure—it’s about clarity. At the Speak Like a Pro Academy™, we teach that clarity is currency. If your message is unclear, it doesn’t matter how passionate or charismatic you are—your impact will be limited. Speaking in threes gives your talk rhythm, direction, and punch. It’s a simple yet powerful tool every speaker should master.
🎤 Ready to Elevate Your Voice?
Join me for a FREE live webinar:
“Mastering High-Impact Communication: Speak with Power, Presence & Purpose”
📅 Wednesday, June 11
🕖 7 PM CT / 8 PM ET
We’ll break down the exact tools, mindset, and methods that world-class communicators use—and you’ll walk away with practical steps you can apply immediately.
This webinar is a sneak peek into the training and transformation available inside the Speak Like a Pro Academy™. If you're ready to be seen, heard, and remembered—this is your moment.
✨ Whether you’ve spoken to hundreds or are just getting started, we’re here to help you own every stage you step on.
🔥 Register now, and take your first step to becoming the speaker you were meant to be.www.SpeakLikeAProAcademy.com
Comentários