Speak with Purpose: How to Define the One Thing Your Audience Should Remember
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You step off stage. Or out of the meeting room. Or you hit “end call” on a virtual presentation.
And then what?
What are they saying about you?
Did your message move them? Did it stick? Did it spread?
Whether you're a professional speaker landing keynotes or a leader presenting to your team, imagine this:
Someone in your audience returns to their office and tells a colleague, “You’ve got to hear this person speak — they said something I can’t stop thinking about.”
That’s what we’re really after.
If you want your message to travel — to spread like wildfire across departments, across teams, across LinkedIn feeds, and across opportunities — you need one thing:
A message with purpose. One clear idea that people remember, repeat, and respond to.
This is the part most people miss.
They prepare content. They build slides. They show up and speak.But they forget to define the one thing they actually want to be remembered for.
And here’s the hard truth: If you don’t define your message, your audience won’t either.
Why Clarity Is the Real Power Move
In my work coaching professionals, executives, and speakers, I see it all the time: people trying to say too much.
They want to impress. They want to show everything they know. They don’t want to leave anything out.
But in doing so, they lose the one thing that matters most: clarity.
Here’s the truth: You don’t need to say everything. You need to say the right thing.
You need a “North Star” — one clear idea that guides your message and sticks in the mind of your audience long after the meeting ends or the mic drops.
If you don’t define that for yourself, your audience certainly won’t.
The Sticky Note Test
Here’s a simple coaching exercise you can use.
Before you speak, grab a sticky note. Write down — in 10 words or fewer — what you want your audience to walk away with.
Just one sentence. No jargon. No fluff.
For example:
“Confidence is a skill, not a personality trait.”
“Clear data leads to smart decisions.”
“Every team member is a leader — whether they know it or not.”
If you can't do that, you’re not ready to speak.If your message won’t fit on a sticky note, it won’t fit in their memory.
Now Imagine This...
Whether you're pitching your business, hosting a workshop, or delivering a keynote, ask yourself: If word-of-mouth takes off, what’s the line they’ll remember and share?
If an event planner hears about you, what message will make them want to bring you in?
You want the kind of clarity and impact that leads to referrals, reposts, and repeat invitations.That’s not about volume — that’s about precision.
You’re not just speaking to fill time. You’re speaking to be remembered — and recommended.
Defining Your “One Thing”: A Simple Framework
Here’s how you can identify the core message of any talk, meeting, or presentation.It’s deceptively simple, but powerfully effective.
1. Ask: What’s the Point?
If your audience only remembers one thing, what must it be?
Not what’s interesting. Not what’s convenient. But what’s essential.
Strip your message down to the bone. Be ruthless.
This isn’t just about information — it’s about impact.What do you want your audience to feel, think, or do because of what you said?
2. Say It Out Loud
If you can’t say it in one breath, it’s not clear enough.
This step forces you to move from abstract to actionable.Take your scattered thoughts and hammer them into one sharp sentence.
Make it human. Make it stick.
3. Stress-Test It
Ask yourself:
Is this the right “one thing” for this audience?
Will it land in this moment?
Would I remember it if I were sitting in their chair?
The best messages are relevant, specific, and emotionally resonant.They meet your audience where they are — and move them somewhere else.
What Happens When You Get This Right
Let’s be honest — there are a lot of people out there trying to speak, sell, teach, or lead.
But the ones who get remembered? The ones who get booked again? The ones who create real momentum?
They’re the ones who speak with purpose.
They don’t just show up with slides and stats.They show up with a message — and they make it matter.
This kind of clarity builds your credibility. It earns trust.And it sets you apart as a voice worth following.
A Word About Nerves (and Why Purpose Helps)
Even seasoned professionals get nervous when it’s time to speak.
Here’s a secret: the clearer your message, the less nervous you’ll feel.
When you know what you’re there to say — and why it matters — everything shifts.You stop trying to impress. You start connecting.
Purpose grounds you. Clarity calms you.And your confidence starts to rise from something deeper than just “trying to perform.”
Want to Be a Better Speaker? Start With the End
If you’re serious about growing your influence, elevating your leadership, or becoming the kind of speaker people want to hear again and again — clarity is your superpower.
It’s not about being the loudest or flashiest. It’s about being the most memorable.
So before your next presentation, don’t ask, “What do I want to say?”
Ask: “What do I want them to remember?”
Write it down. Say it out loud. Build around it. Speak with purpose.
Because when your message is clear, it doesn’t just land. It lives on.
Your Coaching Takeaway:
Try the Sticky Note Challenge this week.
For your next meeting, podcast guest spot, elevator pitch, or keynote — write your “One Thing” in 10 words or fewer. Let that single idea guide everything you say.
Want help finding the “sticky” part of your message?
That’s exactly what I do. I help leaders, professionals, and speakers clarify their message so they can speak with purpose and be remembered for the right reasons.
📩 Message me or visit rickkutcherconsulting.com to schedule a clarity session.
