Keynote public speaking is a specialized discipline which involves humor, motivational skills, and flair. One can only measure its effectiveness when it has delivered its purpose of energizing the audience. If the spectators are left wanting more, then you can justly say that the keynote has been conveyed effectively.
Keynote Speakers are of high demand especially among corporate professionals. The success of the agenda immensely relies on the ability of the speaker. That is why their services are significantly compensated.
If you want to be a successful keynote speaker, you have to adhere to the highest of standards. Here are few tips on how to be a great keynote speaker:
Start with a quotation or an anecdote
A good keynote speaker should start with a thought-provoking story or quote and build from that. Of course, the anecdote or saying should be suitable to the meeting's agenda. The audience is such a sucker for this. They will love it especially, if you can follow through with your performance.
Know the crowd. Know the schema.
It is very helpful to your goal as a keynote speaker if you know your audience.
You must remember the cliche "Different folks, different strokes."
You wouldn't address business executives the way you would address blue collar folks, would you? They have different frames of mind. They operate in different frequencies. So you must customize your material in accordance to your audience.
Your clothing and body language.
As a keynote speaker, you must exude confidence and radiate enthusiasm. The words you say are only half of the equation. The other half is the way you present yourself. You are there to create impact and influence the crowd with your zest and zeal.
If you don't dress accordingly you will immediately lose respect from your audience. You better have something up your sleeve to recover from this blunder. Great speakers can get away with it. But even so, why should you leave everything to speaking prowess?
Humor against boredom
The audience is your measuring stick. You will know if you are doing poorly if the crowd appears to be bored and uninterested. Humor and quick-wit in keynote speaking is crucial. People love to laugh. They want to be amused.
From time to time, make the crowd laugh. The audience will the humor and wit and they will listen to your every word.
