What is a keynote speaker and why should you engage a speaker for your event? Read this article to learn more!
A keynote speaker is defined by Cambridge Dictionary as a ‘person who gives the keynote address at a large meeting’. Keynote speakers are known to give either an Opening Keynote or a Closing Keynote at a conference or business event.
A keynote speaker usually addresses the central theme or message of the gathering. A keynote aims to provide insights, inspire the audience, and establish the tone for the entire event.
The business event scene in Singapore
Singapore’s pro-business environment makes it the ideal choice for many regional business events. With world-class facilities, infrastructure and award-winning venues, Singapore is a compelling choice for event organisers.
On top of Singapore’s ambitions to lead Asia in business tourism there is also a level of government financial support for select business events – making it a popular choice for event organisers. These high-level business events often require a keynote speaker to begin the event and set the scene and tone.
What makes a great keynote speech?
A great keynote speech usually comprises of the following:
1)The right keynote speech sets the tone and theme of the event
A professional keynote speaker is able to listen to the event organisers’ theme and vision for the event.
His or her keynote speech should then be customised by the keynote speaker to set the right tone and be appropriate for the theme, and the expected audience.
Some examples of popular themes at business events include Learning Agility, The Future of Work, Impact of AI and more. A professional keynote speaker should be able to customise certain parts of his or her keynote speech to match the event organiser’s theme of the event.
2) A confident and proficient keynote speaker engages with the audience – whether in-person or virtually
The right keynote speaker is confident, and proficient with audience engagement at the event. Knowing how to engage with the audience is a skill that many professional keynote speakers have as they work consistently on this craft.
Strategies used by a keynote speaker for eliciting audience feedback or interaction include having open questions, interactive polls and a post-keynote Question and Answer session.
Some tools for audience interaction used by a professional speaker includes Menti, Slido and Kahoot.
3) A great keynote speaker knows how to attracts the interest of the audience
A keynote speaker can also captivate the audience with a skilfully written and delivered speech, professionally-designed slides and confident delivery of the content.
A professional keynote speaker who understands the profile of the audience can cater the content of the keynote speech bearing in mind the audience demographics, job role and industry.
4) A keynote speaker should use case studies and examples in a speech
A great keynote speaker is also well-versed with structuring the keynote speech with interesting learning points, case studies and examples that illustrate the key points of the speech and is relevant to the audience.
For example, a professional keynote speaker at a maritime-themed conference could use case studies and examples from leading companies in the industry to make his/her content more relevant and impactful for the audience.
5) A keynote speech should include call-to-action and key takeaways
A keynote speech with call-to-action and key takeaways can also inspire the audience into action.
Just a handful of key takeaways delivered by a keynote speech can be extremely effective in helping the audience learn something new and interesting at the conference, making the event a memorable talking point for months to come.
6) An experienced keynote speaker can adapt to unexpected conditions and pivot
An experienced keynote speaker can also adapt to unexpected conditions of the business event – whatever they are.
For example – if there are AV issues or a delay in the programme, a professional keynote speaker can navigate such issues, and works with the event organiser, IT or AV team and client on making the keynote speech a success despite setbacks.
In the midst of the pandemic in 2020, many keynote speakers also had to adapt from in-person events to virtual events. Keynote speakers at the top of their game are agile and resilient in the face of uncertainty and unexpected business conditions.
What is the advantage of hiring a professional speaker from Singapore for your event in Singapore?
A professional keynote speaker in comparison to an unpaid speaker – is paid in fees and just like any member of the event team works in collaboration with the event organiser or client.
A crucial question for an event organiser to ask is if the speaker is already based in Singapore. Engaging a professional speaker in Singapore is the most straightforward option for event organisers due to business, taxation and practical reasons.
Singapore has a sizeable professional speaking industry with international speakers such as those from Asia Professional Speakers Singapore who have regional experience, and a professional speaker in Singapore is already well-versed with hundreds of venues, their AV set-ups and other typical event conditions.
Professional keynote speakers in Singapore are also excellent in delivering a keynote speech to an international audience hailing from many different countries, especially from Asia.
What is an opening keynote speech?
A great opening keynote speaker can inspire the audience and open the event with professionalism – setting the tone for the entire meeting or business conference. Having a great choice for an opening keynote can also be an additional draw for audiences to come on time.
The opening keynote speech can also link some main learnings from the keynote speech to the other sessions taking place on the day, giving the audience inspiration on how they might spend their time at the meeting or conference.
What is a closing keynote speech?
A closing keynote speaker is usually engaged as a finale for the event. The role of a closing speaker is to finish the event on a high and re-engage audiences after a long day, with a sense of action, or optimism.
A closing keynote speaker can re-emphasise the theme of the event, or inspire the audience with action points. Having a closing keynote speaker can also be a draw for participants to stay throughout the event.
Are you looking for a keynote speaker for your event?
Mark Stuart, CSP is a sought-after global speaker and trainer in Singapore specialising in Leadership In A Digital Age, Driving Innovation, Impact of AI and The Future of Work.
Mark inspires teams from 650+ companies in 22 countries through motivational keynotes and workshops. Mark’s company Anagram Group was awarded the ‘Future of Work’ award for their work in developing leaders.
Mark is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) – one of only 15% of speakers globally with this qualification – the speaking profession’s highest earned designation, based on revenue, bookings and performance.
To learn more about Mark, visit his Asia Professional Speakers Singapore profile or his professional speaking website www.global-innovation-speaker.com, or connect with Mark over LinkedIn.
