What's the best way to give a keynote speech at a big event?

1 Know your purpose

Before you start writing your speech, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and how you want to influence your audience. What is the main message or theme of your speech? What are the key points or arguments you want to convey? How do you want your audience to feel, think, or act after hearing your speech? Having a clear purpose will help you craft a coherent and compelling speech that aligns with the goals and theme of the event.

2 Know your audience

Another essential step in preparing your keynote speech is to research and understand your audience. Who are they? What are their backgrounds, interests, needs, and challenges? What are they expecting from your speech? How can you relate to them and connect with them? Knowing your audience will help you tailor your speech to their level of knowledge, language, and preferences. It will also help you avoid topics or jokes that might offend or bore them.

3 Structure your speech

A well-structured speech is easier to follow, remember, and deliver. A simple and effective structure for a keynote speech is to use the three-part formula: tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, and tell them what you told them. In other words, start with an introduction that captures the attention of your audience, introduces your topic and purpose, and previews your main points. Then, develop your main points with supporting evidence, examples, stories, or statistics. Finally, end with a conclusion that summarizes your main points, reinforces your message, and calls your audience to action.

4 Practice your speech

Once you have written your speech, you need to practice it until you feel confident and comfortable. Practice will help you improve your delivery, timing, tone, and body language. It will also help you identify and fix any flaws or gaps in your content or structure. You can practice by yourself, in front of a mirror, a recorder, or a camera. You can also practice in front of a friend, a colleague, or a coach who can give you honest feedback and suggestions.

5 Deliver your speech

On the day of the event, it's important to deliver your speech with enthusiasm, clarity, and authenticity. To do this, arrive early to check the venue, equipment, and microphone. Dress appropriately and professionally for the occasion and audience. Greet and mingle with some of the attendees to establish rapport and trust. Start your speech with a strong opening that grabs the attention of your audience. Maintain eye contact, smile, and use gestures and movements to enhance your message. Vary your voice, pace, and pauses to keep your audience engaged. Utilize humor, anecdotes, and questions to make your speech more lively and interactive. Finally, end your speech with a memorable closing that reinforces your message and leaves a positive impression. With these tips in mind, you can give a keynote speech that shines and impresses at any big event.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?