Thanks for the memories
Give a retirement speech they'll love!

You'll be facing a room full of coworkers gathered for your retirement speech. What do you say? You don't want to bore them but want your parting speech to be a hit.

This book tells you how to say goodbye in a way that is fun, heartfelt and real.

Thanks for the Memories leads you step by step to create a retirement speech that will make you proud. And, more importantly, you will make the folks who are listening glad they came.

Does public speaking make you nervous?

Join the crowd. Can you identify with any of these?

I don't do much public speaking.
I'm not sure what to say.
I don't want to bore people.
I don't want to ramble on like the last retiree.
I just want to say Thanks and Goodbye and leave.

If you are one of those reluctant speakers who usually stays in the background instead of standing behind the podium, this guide is for you.

Whether you are the person retiring or the co-worker who needs to say a few words about a colleague or friend, Thanks for the Memories helps you with what to say with simple, effective steps.

quote - the right quote can add drama to your speech

How will Thanks for the Memories help you with your retirement speech?

You will find out ways to

Start your speech to get everyone’s attention.
Acknowledge special people without boring your audience.
Find special stories that reflect your time at work.
Use repetition to tie your talk together.
Pick from hundreds of quotes about work, retirement, wisdom and character to adapt others' words to your style and theme.
Comment on changes you’ve seen or thoughts about the future
Close in a way that leaves your audience thinking “Wow.”

Can't I use A.I. to write my speech?

Yes, you can. But the real question is should you? A.I. can write you a technically correct, plastic speech but don't expect it to connect with your audience. A.I. doesn't know the people, the office culture and the work like you do.

Cartoon comparing talk using AI with THanks for the Memories book

In using Thanks for the Memories, you'll get prompts, outlines, techniques for brainstorming, hundreds of workplace quotes, ways to remember your stories and tips on delivery.

And in case you’re responsible for planning the event, you’ll find a helpful checklist for setting up a retirement party including details you do not want to overlook.

Make them laugh with a great retirement speech

Here's what you'll get with Thanks for the Memories

A winning outline
Tips and prompts to help you find your stories
How to tell a story
Ways to handle acknowledgments
The toast and the roast
Organizing your thoughts
Drafting your talk
Effective speaking techniques to connect with listeners
Planning the celebration (for those saying something about the retiree)
52 ideas to add color and fun to your speech
Funny and serious quotes about life, work, wisdom with sections devoted to teachers and the military
Ways to work quotes into your speech to wow your listeners.

What other's say. . .

This book has the basic formulas you need for a great speech. It’s like a workbook.
If you are going to retire, check it out.

— Gervais Hagerty, author
In Polite Company

She’s helped veterans, military personnel, CEOs, and soon-to-be retirees sharpen their writing and speaking skills. And if you’ve ever checked out her blog, SpecialSpeeches.com, you know she’s been dropping gold for years. Now, she’s finally put it all in a book. Long overdue, but definitely worth the wait. Highly recommend grabbing a copy!

— Mo Khalaf
Info marketer, speaking guru, Scale Your Speaking

What sets this book apart is its practical, start-to-finish guidance. From outlining your thoughts, telling impactful stories, and offering acknowledgments, all the way to delivering your speech with confidence—McArver covers it all.

— M. Mendenhall
Counselor and educator

From Amazon verified reviews:

"A lifesaver for retirement speeches"
"Helped me feel confident for my dad's retirement speech"
"For someone like me who has no idea what to say."

Maybe you're not a Ted Talks speaker, but you CAN give a legendary retirement speech.

Thanks for the Memories guides you to planning and delivering a winning retirement speech. You will leave your audience laughing, thoughtful and saying “Farewell” with a lump in their throats.

Other pages on making speeches:

Checklist for speakers
If you have a big speech coming up, here's a checklist for speakers that will help you plan your remarks and ensure that your audience stays with you.
Stories and Anecdotes for your speech
Using stories and anecdotes for your speech will help you connect with your audience in ways that facts never will.
resources for speakers
You will find a variety of resources for speakers on the web. We've collected some of our favorites here.
Get attention when you start your speech
Check out these ways to get attention when you start your speech to connect with your audience from the beginning.
Add rhetorical devices to your speech
Add rhetorical devices to your speech to give it added interest and color.
Your Fear of Public Speaking
Your fear of public speaking is natural. Here are some tips that go through the process of relieving anxiety that is natural for anyone approaching a speech. to help you master your talk and quell the nevous jitters that are common when you have to give a speech.
Keep your audience engaged
What good is a great speech unless you keep your audience engaged? Here are some techniques to add to your speech.