Sunday, April 17, 2016

Become The Best Keynote Speaker

By Anthony West


Event organizers endeavor to have a climax to their occasion with a message that will keep the spirits of attendants together until the next gathering. This message is to be delivered by the keynote speaker. The organizers or managers therefore make a deliberate search and want a person who can deliver to their expectation. Speakers must therefore work with organizers to actualize this.

Upon identification to address the gathering, what is expected and how do you prepare? A good starting point is full understanding of the mission or expectations of your client. There are differences in all organizations and gatherings. In a discussion with your client, you should identify the purpose of your target gathering and prepare accordingly. Discuss any event that might herald a change in audience composition, intention or mood a few days or hours before your presentation.

Speakers deliver their messages in a unique way. This is the consideration made by your client during short listing. Some are motivators while others instruct, share experiences or entertain. In most cases, your background or character informs the choice. You are therefore expected to live up to the billing. Failure to maintain character leads to a fatal miss meaning that the expectations of the audience are not met.

The timing for main address depends on the organizers and structure of the conference. This creates a possibility of addressing the gathering at the beginning, in the middle or even at the end. Appearing at the opening is a signal that your role is to set the agenda. Addressing the gathering in the middle is meant to refocus the discussion and fuel it towards a set climax. Should your speech come towards the end, it is designed to cement what has been said and send off the crowd with a resonating idea in anticipation of the next conference.

Connecting with the audience is mandatory for all guest speakers. This is only possible if you understand the theme and purpose of a gathering. Be conversant with the unique challenges the group is facing and give your considered way forward. Adapt to the mood of your audience and be prepared with incredible hold and release moments that will keep the audience glued to your words.

Every speech must be customized to an audience. This means words, metaphors and examples that they can relate to. You must therefore research thoroughly and gather facts about the organization. Include press mentions, latest awards, tragedies, milestones, etc. Make the address personal to the lowest and the highest ranking person in that audience.

Speakers delivering keynote address are selected for a reason. In most cases, organizers are looking for some uniqueness that fits well within the year, month, day and timing of the conference. They expect that your address will fit within the prevailing context better than any other person. This calls for a unique and memorable presentation that can never be delivered by any other person.

To make a good speech, you must time and pace the presentation. It should take between thirty and forty five minutes. The style of delivery should be characteristically yours with special focus on the audience and the organization. Prepare adequately to make your presentation flow and with sufficient punch lines to keep the audience glued.




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