Keynote Speaking Tips

The following are some tips for creating and delivering a keynote speech

Speech Delivery

• You must be inspirational and you can do this by supporting the values of the audience


• You must be dynamic and enthusiastic and move quickly


• Use stories extensively a 25 minute speech may have two 10minute stories, anecdotes or stories


• Phrase your talk in your audiences terms


• Create vivid word pictures like an author does


• Put life into your definitions


• Provide drama for abstract concepts


• Use a variety of quotes, illustrations, personal experience, facts, analogies, testimonials and profound incidents


• Effective use of compare and contrast

Speech design
Provide your audience with a clear path and signposting. The speech must follow logically. The speech should structure your content using any of the following patterns:

• Compare past and present


• Contrast before and after


• Approach a topic though using life’s stages


• Address a problem and offer a solution


• Compare advantages and disadvantages


• Consider the Political, economic and social aspects of the topic

Make sure your opening has impact, there is not room for doubt or confusion in this speech.
Tie your conclusion into your opening.