It’s 2 am. You just finished giving a pep talk to your friend about her failed relationship, and now you sit back and wonder why you haven’t considered becoming a keynote speaker. You love talking, and it’s your passion to help others overcome emotional challenges. Then why not pursue it as a career and earn some money? Sounds intriguing? Keep reading to find out more about becoming a professional keynote speaker.
Who Is a Keynote Speaker?
A keynote speaker in Singapore, Australia, or any other country gives an engaging speech during an event to keep the audience hooked. Individuals like industry experts, motivational speakers, influencers, business executives, educators, and politicians are great keynote speakers known for their ability to captivate their audiences while elaborating on the event’s central theme. Remember Steve Jobs at an Apple event? He was a powerful keynote speaker.
What Is the Role of a Keynote Speaker?
Much like motivational speaking, a keynote speaker has the power to inspire, influence, and motivate the attendees to engage with the event’s primary goals. Their speech encapsulates the event’s mood, tone, and central idea and aims to ignite interest in the discussion. For example, if the event focuses on wealth management, it falls on the keynote speaker to go beyond the regular ideas and bring a new perspective. The keynote speakers must be optimistic, engaging, and goal-oriented, and set the stage for the event.
How to Become a Keynote Speaker—Five Steps to Reach Your Goal
Training for keynote speaking will involve self-discovery, practice, and skill development. Sure, it sounds like a lot of work, but the outcome will undoubtedly be rewarding. Here are five expert-recommended tips to get you started:
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Identify the Purpose
Why do you want to become a keynote speaker? What drives you to public speaking? Do you want to convey a particular message to the world? Whatever your reason is, it should be purpose-driven. A clear goal leaves no room for doubts and will help you project the right image.
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Pick a Niche
You cannot be the “jack of all trades” if you want to succeed in keynote speaking. Imagine if Steve Jobs had to speak about manufacturing fashion goods. The industry is so broad that it would be difficult to focus on one aspect. Instead, identify your niche. Ask yourself:
- What issues do you want to highlight?
- What skills do you have, and in which industry?
- Who is your target audience?
- What would the attendees learn from you?
Choosing a particular niche will give you more opportunities to shine and eliminate competition.
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Polish Your Presentation Skills
There are countless keynote speakers, but there’s no one like you. You should hone in on your unique attributes and portray your perspectives to help the attendees connect with you. And that’s only possible through compelling storytelling. Sharing unique stories from your life experiences specific to your niche speaks volumes. Once a story is ready, layer your presentation according to humor, rhetorical questions, and a take-home points infographic.
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Practice Storytelling
Storytelling is the bedrock of any great speech. Your audience will not remember facts and numbers, but will connect with the stories you tell. Use stories and examples to illustrate what you mean to say. Take up some free speaking gigs to get hands-on experience with keynote speaking. Free speaking opportunities at local business groups, schools, or events are great platforms to get your name out there and expand your network.
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Market Your Skills
Becoming a successful keynote speaker demands consistent work and networking. One way to increase your reach is through digital marketing. Today, everybody is online. Create a digital footprint of yourself so people can easily search for and learn about you. Share your thoughts and create content related to your niche, like blogs, white papers, courses, etc., to attract reactions from your target audience.
Closing Note
An exceptional keynote speaker can energize, inspire, and resonate with the audience. Your speech should be engaging, personal, and have the correct storytelling elements. If you want to become a sought-after speaker, define a clear goal. Next, pick a niche and practice your presentation and storytelling skills. Finally, market yourself to reach the right audience and get your message across.
