Becoming a keynote speaker is no easy task. In order to be successful, you need to know what it takes to deliver an inspiring and motivating message. You also need to be prepared for your speech. Here are 10 things you need to know before becoming a keynote speaker!
1. Know your audience
When you become a keynote speaker, it’s important that you know your audience and prepares for them accordingly. You may be speaking to children or senior citizens, wealthy or poor people, people of various races and ethnicities, etc. Don’t assume anything about the group you’ll be speaking to; it’s crucial that you know what they might be interested in, who they are likely to appreciate helping the most, etc.
2. Know your message
This is more important than just knowing your audience; it’s essential that you know exactly why you’re speaking and what the main points of your speech will be. You should have a clear outline of what you plan on speaking about, why it’s important to your audience, etc. Be sure that there is a reason for the speech!
3. Get yourself psyched up beforehand
It’s easy to be nervous or unsure of yourself when you have to stand up in front of a group of people and speak. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve spoken in front of people before, and you can still be nervous. But it’s important not to let this show if for no other reason than to show your audience that being a keynote speaker is easy. You should try doing some deep breathing or meditation before the speech so that you’re relaxed and focused when it comes time to deliver your speech.
4. Wear the right clothes
When you become a keynote speaker, it’s important that you look professional in front of your audience. You don’t have to wear a suit and tie but dress professionally. Make sure that what you’re wearing is appropriate for the event before putting anything on! As long as something looks professional, you’ll be fine.
5. Before the speech, get yourself pumped up
Think about rehearsing your speech in front of a mirror or running through it in your head before actually giving it to people so that you know what to expect and how you will conduct yourself while speaking. This way, there won’t be any surprises when it’s your time to take the podium.
Also Read: 20 keys to outstanding workplace communication
6. It’s not about you; it’s about them
When you become a keynote speaker, you may feel like your speech is all about you and what you have to say. But in reality, the message is meant for everyone else; it’s not about making yourself look good or standing out. It’s about everyone else and inspiring them to go out into the world and make a difference.
7. Speaker, microphone, audience!
This may be a given, but when you become a keynote speaker, it’s important that you’re able to get heard by your audience. Make sure that the sound system is on so that everyone can hear you and what you’re saying. If there are any images or videos to be displayed during the speech, make sure that they are shown on screen for everyone else to see as well.
8. Plan ahead!
You may not know how long your speech is going to be before giving it but planning ahead will help ensure that everything runs smoothly. In addition to speaking for a certain length of time, plan out the timeframe. How long do you want for your speech? How long will it take you to get to the podium? What is your first slide going to be about? All of these things should be taken into consideration so that everything goes as planned!
9. Don’t just read from a script
Yes, you should have a written speech that will be in front of you while speaking to remind yourself of what you’re going to say. But in order not to look stiff, try standing up and looking at the audience when possible. If there’s a slide or two up with some relevant images, feel free to look at them and use them as a reference point if you like. Remember that the point of your speech is not just to read it but to get people excited about what you’re trying to say!
10. Confidence is key!
When you become a keynote speaker, it’s important that you speak with confidence and authority so that your audience can take you seriously and listen to what you have to say. If there’s one thing that people won’t appreciate, it’s a speaker who sounds unsure of themselves or doesn’t seem like they believe in their own message. Speak with confidence, and everything will be fine!
Bottom Line
If you have the confidence to speak in front of a group, know what to wear, and are able to plan your speech beforehand, then becoming a keynote speaker is for you! Think about how people view you as well. If they see that someone who has never spoken before can present an idea confidently and get their message across clearly, it will be easier for them to believe in themselves. With all these tips on this blog post, there’s no reason not to become a keynote speaker!
