CLARITY Insider - Preparing For An Upcoming Keynote

Next week, I'm delivering one of my "Lead With CLARITY" Keynotes for a Conference in the East.

As I finalise preparations, I thought I’d take you inside how I partner with clients and what goes into making a keynote not just powerful, but genuinely useful.

Tailoring Every Keynote to the Audience

First of all, and of prime importance, is customising the Keynote for my audience's needs. As I lead into the Conference, I have researched the organisations and businesses involved, evaluating how I can best serve the needs of the audience with my Keynote content and, in this case, a follow-up workshop I will be conducting after the Keynote.

To my mind, a great Keynote is not pure entertainment, although it will be entertaining - as an audience member, it should give me moments of insight and act on my own motivations to help me see "Yes, I need to do that". A Keynote also should serve as something of a lynchpin for my thinking and takeaways from an extended Conference.

Creating Outcomes, Not Just Applause

So more than receiving a briefing, as the Speaker I discuss with the chief organiser or sponsor what they really want to achieve through my Keynotes and then aim to deliver those key takeaways and generate the outcomes for them. This isn't about filling an order but partnering towards a result.

Designing Takeaways That Stick

After my Keynotes and Workshops, I always want my audiences to walk away with something valuable they can immediately apply in their own context. My reward isn't giving a speech, it's knowing that what I've said will make a difference TODAY.

So in my workshop designs, I also plan to help my participants KNOW what they are going to take away. I don't want there to be any question in their minds. Part of the art and science of speaking and learning is identifying what they can take away, framing and designing discussion so people are clear about what will be valuable to them.

Making Their Event My Event

Secondly, I'm communicating regularly with the Event Organiser or Organisers: ensuring we have timing and agenda agreed and synced, preparing event A/V and coordinating backups, ensuring MC or equivalent is included in communications, checking event space and layouts, ensuring any handouts are taken care of, necessary photography, permissions, accommodations and communicating travel arrangements.

My approach is that my client's event is my event. I want it to be as successful as if I were organising it myself. So I proactively cover all bases and work with the organisers. Part of the joy I get from my work is working with others - so I act as part of the team in my role of Keynote Speaker. It doesn't mean I'm taking over someone else's role or butting my nose in where it doesn't belong - facilities, AV, schedulers, MC, etc all have their own roles. I'm going to be a team player looking to help everyone succeed in relation to my Keynote.

When I'm on stage, I'm leading at that point. I want to ensure that I lead safely and effectively.

Conference Events are often like a performance or film production with multiple artists involved: you're all coming together to perform for a limited run, but you all need to work together. And when it is a success, everyone celebrates.

Delivering at My Peak

Next, this means of course that I have to do all my planning from my end, ensuring I have all of my necessary resources, equipment, materials where appropriate,

Lastly, for now, my personal preparation means I ensure I'm in good shape for my client and ready to give my best for my Keynote and the Workshop. I also ensure that I am not showing up last-minute, but am arriving well in advance so I am ready, focused and able to present at my best. I need to be in a frame of mind to deliver for them, like any player seeking to play their best for a grand final or a performer aiming to knock out the audience.

I always think of Fred Astaire's comment on one of those old Hollywood Dancing specials. He said he just aimed, every time, to "knock the audience over in the aisles."

I may not be a Fred Astaire, but I still aim to give my best for my audiences every time!

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If you’re planning an event or offsite, and you want a keynote that creates real momentum, let’s talk. Contact me today to discuss.

🎯 No slides. No fluff. Just clarity, insight, and results that stick.

Peter McLean