"The time has flown by!" or "You had such a great audience today!" are comments I often hear from clients.
Why is it that with one lecture, the audience is on the edge of their seats, while with another, they're nodding off? What is the secret to a successful keynote? It goes without saying that the speaker must be passionate, but more is needed. For me, there are three golden rules that a lecture must adhere to:
💡 1. Tailor your message to your audience. To do this, you must know exactly who your listeners are. A lecture for scientists requires a different approach than one for executives or clerks. What is the theme of the event? What is the purpose, and what do you want the audience to take away? The location can also influence what you present. And when is your lecture scheduled?
Clients often schedule me between two theoretical lectures to inject some energy or as the closer to send everyone home on a positive note. This requires a different approach than a morning lecture.
If the timing allows, I also like to arrive a few hours early to attend another lecture. This way, I get a better sense of the circumstances and can gauge the atmosphere.
In any case, only when you have clear answers to the above questions are you ready for step two. But also, be honest with yourself if you feel the topic is beyond your expertise. In that case, help the client find a suitable speaker.
💡 2. Provide a clear structure and communicate it from the beginning. Every listener asks themselves, "What's in it for me?" Your introduction is also the right time for a teaser: hold a key takeaway for the end and let the audience know.
Also, regularly repeat your key points. Remember, it's a key-note!
Finally, it's important to summarize the core of your story once again at the end. Focus on the essentials. It's a success if your audience takes away three lessons. So, it's better to highlight those three points clearly rather than overload the audience with information.
If the client desires more depth, I offer my workshop on effective communication. There, I provide participants with language techniques and practice them. This keeps the keynote concise while allowing me to delve deeper during the workshop.
💡 3. Vary, surprise, and steer clear of PowerPoints! Why avoid PowerPoints? I don't want competition from something that emits more light than myself 😊 Now, back to seriousness. We all know them: speakers who use their PowerPoint as a memory aid or, worse, read everything from the screen.
When can it be used? When an image or visual illusion conveys more than words and as a final slide with takeaways or reading suggestions. This way, the listener captures the most important information with a single screenshot.
Also, combine different formats. In my keynote, I involve the entire audience in various experiments. By engaging visually, auditorily, and kinesthetically, different brain zones are activated, and the information sticks better.
Lastly, make wise use of theatrical elements. Music, variation in intonation and volume, pauses, humor, stage use, building tension, and subtle lighting make a lecture a total sensory experience. Isn't that what it's all about?
Interested in an engaging lecture on the subconscious brain? Feel free to contact me for an exploratory conversation."
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