Looking to craft the perfect keynote, but not sure where to start? Professional speaker, author and Crohn’s patient Robin Farmanfarmaian is sharing her tips, tricks & strategies for nailing your next public speaking presentation.
As someone who has given +100 presentations across 12 countries, we’re confident she’ll set you up for success!
Check out these 5 elements that are crucial in any successful keynote to get started:
#1 Passion is key when it comes to keynotes.
When you speak, you are both a salesperson and teacher. You are selling ideas, not products or services, and you are communicating those ideas in new ways so that your listeners will remember them. It is a performance; the packaging of the content into stories and the actual physical delivery are the two most important parts of a keynote.
#2 Credibility and Storytelling
This element includes why you are an expert, and why the audience should trust you and your content.
Your goal is always to connect with the audience. Listing a bunch of credentials such as job title, educational background, or past accomplishments is not interesting or compelling.
On stage, the best way to establish credibility in a way that connects to the audience is through storytelling. This is one of the most important skills you can develop as a thought leader. If you package your why into a narrative arc for the listener, you can weave other aspects of your credibility into that story, and show the audience your passion. Don’t tell people you’re passionate. Show them.
#3 Using Storytelling Formulas
The key is to focus on the reason you’re doing what you’re doing. You can use this formula to prepare your presentation as well. Start by explaining why you chose your occupation, what personal aspirations fueled your professional desires, and why you are working on the project you are now working on. Once your incentives are clear, describe how your brand is fulfilling those motives. Finally, talk through what your specific solutions are. Take the full free course to learn more about Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle Formula.
#4 Don’t be the Drone-on Guy
Not to be confused with cool autonomous flying drones, the drone-on guy is that uncool speaker, friend or co-worker who takes way too long to tell a story.
If you’ve ever interacted with 8-year-olds, you know exactly what I mean. No story, no matter how shocking, surprising, or potentially impactful is interesting if you drone on with too many facts or details.
One of the biggest errors I see people make is spending too much time on your personal story. Yes, you definitely need the personal story, but most of the details can be deleted. Get it down to the back of the napkin. Delete all repetitive words, ideas, and harping. In fact, delete every single word that doesn’t directly prove your main point. Tangents and irrelevant, repetitive, or unnecessary details are the main killers of good stories.
#5 Keynote Endings
The key to concluding is to leave your audience in a way that they will remember you and what you shared. Be careful of giving too many takeaways.
My rule of thumb is that presentations under twenty minutes should have no more than three takeaways.
Next up: 3 different ways to practice your presentation…
Take Robin’s full FREE WEGO Health Course From Deck to Skills: Preparing for Your First Keynote to keep learning.
From mastering your fear of public speaking to creating the perfect deck and learning about the various storytelling formulas, this free course is a must for any advocate ready to get serious about public speaking.
In the full course, you’ll learn:
– Elements of a great keynote
– Credibility and storytelling
– Using storytelling formulas
– Creating slide decks
– Tips, tricks and more
Meet Your Teacher:
Robin Farmanfarmaian, Professional Speaker, Author, Entrepreneur, and Chronic Disease Patient Leader
Robin Farmanfarmaian is a professional speaker, entrepreneur, and angel investor, driving high-level business development for cutting-edge medical and biotech companies poised to impact 100M patients. With over 100 speaking engagements in twelve countries, she educates audiences on technology, the future of healthcare, patient empowerment, building thought leadership, and more. Keeping within the empowerment theme, Robin also works with entrepreneurs and executives who want to become thought leaders in order to accelerate their career and business goals. Her first book, “The Patient as CEO: How Technology Empowers the Healthcare Consumer,” is a #1 Best Seller on Amazon.
Ready to deliver a top keynote? Take the course now!
