Creating and Writing Your Killer Keynote

Lesson 1:  Introduction to the Course

Before we begin, I wanted to say "Welcome to the Creating & Writing Your Killer Keynote online course!" I am very proud of the work that we did in creating and writing this course, and am confident that it will be a great asset to you on your speaking journey.

Lesson 2:  What is a Keynote Overview

To be a speaker it is very important to know what a keynote presentation is... and, what is is not. In this section we clearly define a keynote and talk about the essential elements that are required to truly give a killer keynote presentation.

Lesson 3:  Types of Presentations

This lesson we will define the different types of paid speaking engagements: Keynote, Breakout, Workshop and Seminar.

Lesson 4:  Elements of a Keynote

This lesson will explore the eight core elements of a keynote presentation.

Lesson 5:  Where to Begin

Feeling confused about where to start? In this lesson I give you five areas to focus on that will help you translate your content and perspective into a keynote presentation that will get booked.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Your Topic Overview

Now that you have had time to explore the segments of your life, contemplate the things that your are passionate about, and use mind-mapping get get your ideas out of your head and onto paper, we are ready to move on to the next section! We will be building on the last section in order to define your topic and figure out exactly what you are going to be speaking about.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Pick a Lane

One of the hardest decisions a beginner speaker must make is what specific speaking topic they are going to speak on. What do they want to be known for? What is their area of expertise?Picking a lane, makes it easier to decide if your content is right from a particular group. You are making what you speak on clear, and that is always a good thing.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Follow the Money

It is very common for new speakers to tell me they want to speak on a topic that I know many organizations are not going to pay for. If you are planning to make this your full-time career, it is critical that you pick a topic that not only has relevance, but also pays well.The bottom line is, you need to pick a topic that people today both need to hear and are willing to pay to hear.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Titles Sell

Think of your title as the main marketing piece of your keynote. It needs to be interesting, be creative, spark interest and curiosity–And, it needs to offer clarity on what your program is about.In this section we will talk about the elements of a title that not only show off your unique perspective, but will also get you booked!

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Know Your Audience

Your topic and your speaking style may not be right for every audience. After all, people are different. The biggest mistake a speaker can make is to assume that the audience is just like them.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY The Audience Overview

In the past speaking presentations were all about the speaker... "I did this" and "I did that". The speakers where there to showcase how they conquered some fear, overcame an obstacle, or became highly successful in business. Today, speaking is much more about the audience and how your presentation relates to them.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Why You?

Speakers provide solutions to problems. They are brought into conferences or meetings to talk about challenges that face the audience. However, speakers do not solve all the organization’s problems. A speaker is brought in to address challenges and to inspire or influence audience members to make positive changes.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY What Do They Need?

A speaker’s job is to identify a problem or challenge facing the audience and guide them to a solution. The best way to understand the challenges facing your audience is to have a conversation with the meeting planner or even better the entire team that is responsible for bringing you in to present.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY What Do They Want

Have you ever sat through a really boring presentation? I have and I know that it can be painful! The audience wants great information that is relevant to their lives, and they want it presented in an entertaining, engaging style that keeps them involved and curious.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY What Will They Remember?

Hopefully, your message will stick and your keynote will spark the listeners to take an action. Stories will make your message sticky, and interactive pieces will help them remember because they are a part of the presentation. 

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Your Message Overview

Great keynoters deliver not only relevant content they also leave the audience with an overall message that moves the listeners into taking action.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Message VS. Topic

The topic is your subject matter. Your message is the foundation and underlying theme of your speech. Weave ideas, strategies, and stories throughout the presentation that are in alignment with your message. Stay on point!

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Finding Your Perspective

A relevant keynoter shares their ideas and their perspectives with the audience. The best way to develop your perspective is to read and then think about how you interpret the information. When you put your spin on your topic or ideas that you are presenting, you are formulating your perspective.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Exploring Deeper – Core Beliefs

The best way to pull your perspective on your subject matter out of your head and out of your mouth is by defining your core beliefs. I first learned this technique from fellow speaker Garrison Wynn. Garrison was working on his own branding and perspective, and he invited me over to work on mine. Together, we accomplished more than if each of us worked alone.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY The Anatomy of a Keynote

Before we dive into the Opener, we first need to get a quick overview of all the components that make up a successful keynote. In this section we identify the elements of a keynote and get an understanding of why each is important.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY The Opener Overview

The key to opening your presentation with power and confidence is as much about being yourself as it is about a great opening line. It involves knowing what you’re good at and doing more of that; pushing yourself to try different ways to start your speech; getting feedback on what works from the audience’s perspective; and staying connected with yourself as you move forward to do your keynote. If you bring these elements together, you’ll captivate your audience as soon as you start speaking

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY The Hook

They say that impressions are formed in the first 7 seconds on an encounter. Hopefully a speaker has a few more. Whether it’s 8 seconds, 30 seconds, or 2 minutes, a big factor in connecting with your audience is called likability.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Opener Ideas

This section analyzes several great opener examples and identifies the key elements that make them so amazing.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY The Promise

The Promise is the part of the keynote that comes during the opening section, telling the audience what is going to be covered.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Taking a Risk

In order to grow as a speaker it is important to try out new material, and incorporate what works into your presentations. New material will keep you relevant, but trying it out for the first time always has risk. Therefore it's important to find the right opportunities to practice your new material.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY The Content

The content is the meat of your presentation—the teaching piece where learning occurs.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Reviewing the Why

As you begin to create your content, you have to look at the WHYs.... why did you pick this topic, why are you the one to present it, etc. One of the first things I encourage speakers to do, as they are creating their materials, is to begin to write out their credibility and demonstrate their authority.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Deep Dive Into Self

Your keynote is never completely done; you will always grow your keynote and add more stories and ideas. As you work with clients and get a peek into organizations, you will learn sometimes more than you actually teach. Stay open, be a sponge, and add some of your discoveries into your keynote.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Do You!

It’s so easy today to watch other speakers online, to hear their stories, and to connect to their style. You may like a fellow speaker so much you try to be her or him. DON’T! The more you speak, the more you will connect with yourself and bring you onto the stage.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY The Structure

Think of your presentation as a series of smaller pieces. I like to call them my “bits,” like the “bits” of a stand-up comedian. As you build your talk, work in these bits of content, which might include ideas, facts, statistics, stories, strategies, video, or interactive activities to engage your audience.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY The Closing

The closing is the piece where the speaker sends the audience off, hoping they inspired them to go out and do something.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY The Summary

A good keynoter takes their audience on a journey and the closing is taking them to the end of your presentation. You should be giving them clear markers along the way so the audience can follow along.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Painting the Picture

If we don’t ask our audiences to engage, they will not move to taking action. We have to include them in the picture.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY The Commitment

Hopefully you have built rapport with the audience because now you are asking them to make a commitment to do something, to make a change, to take a step!

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Honoring the Audience

You have come to the end. Don’t close with your name! Take a moment to say "thank you" and honor your audience.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Stories Overview

Today, if you haven’t noticed storytelling is the bomb! Every company, politician, and marketer are telling their story. Even so, many speakers struggle to know how best to take advantage of storytelling during their presentation.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Personal Stories

Did you know that personal stories make up 65% of human conversations? That’s because storytelling is one of the most effective ways to communicate—it activates the brain of the person talking and the person listening.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Business Stories

I love telling business stories that connect back to my content and my message. And, I notice that my audience loves business stories too. Younger audience members especially enjoy stories from back in the 70’s and 80’s, before their time.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Becoming a Master of Storytelling

As master storyteller Kindra Hall says, "The best stories are the ones that your listeners are imagining, using images from their own lives. They’re putting their own experience in the story. The extent to which you can make people do that is the extent to which you’ll be successful."

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY My Big Story Mistake

Stories have to fit into the flow and messaging of every keynote. Just because a story is great does not mean that you can use it in every presentation. Ask yourself, does your story fit in with the content and the messaging of the keynote... and if it doesn’t, pull it out.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY BONUS LESSON!

In this bonus lesson we will go deeper into the do's and don'ts of storytelling. Stories are so much of an important part to writing your keynote presentation that I didn't want to close this module without exploring this topic further!

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Humor Overview

We all have moments in our life that make us laugh. How we communicate those moments to others is the missing link to humor. The good news is that this is a skill that can be learned.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY The Tools

In this section we explore the tools of how to use humor in your keynotes. From funny quotes, to funny words, and other specific comedy techniques, we examine the tools you need to make your keynote funny! 

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Let’s Get Physical

From exaggeration and facial expressions to maybe a little self-deprecating humor, your body matters when in comes to injecting some humor into your keynote presentation.

ACADEMY MEMBERS ONLY Wrapping Up

Congratulations! You have completed this course, but your journey has just begun. Think about your next steps, find a mastermind group (maybe start one with other speakers who have taken this course), and continue to learn so your presentations evolve!