The word keynote originally comes from choir work: the conductor tunes the keynote = keynote before each song so that the choir begins with the same chord. He tunes the choir to the song and determines the key. In the figurative sense, this means:
A keynote speaker tunes his audience into the core message of an event.
It summarizes the most important topics of the conference, the staff meeting, the congress or the sales kickoff. This is a challenging task. He (or she) should open the audience to the basic ideas of the event, inspire and inspire them.
A keynote speaker is usually a professional speaker.
He has learned to address a larger audience in the “right key” and to tune in to the themes of the event. He has a high level of craftsmanship in communicating with a large group. There is just a difference whether someone holds a pure information lecture before 40-50 humans or whether he is to convince hundreds or even thousands of listeners of the goals of the Event and to inspire them for the further exchange. That’s why before the event, he’ll be dealing extensively with his audience, the goals of the event and the industry – but rarely be an expert on the industry he’s speaking to.
Words work
Yes, they are “only” words, and yet they can be decisive for the success of the event. As the “transport worker of the word,” a keynote speaker must be a proven expert in the art of speech. The right images, stories and comparisons can have a lasting effect. For this he needs a lot of experience on stage, with which he can capture and express moods in the audience. In addition, an external speaker has the advantage of being able to address uncomfortable truths without being suspicious of personal motives. His view of the company is certainly not objective, but it is neutral. In doing so, he occasionally slips into the role that the fool used to play at the Fürstenhof: he was the only one allowed to address everything.
The right keynote speaker for your event:
Are you planning an event and want it to be particularly good?
Do you want people to go home enriched and inspired?
Do you want a highlight that the participants will talk about for a long time to come?
Are you looking for a suitable speaker who offers you significant added value?
Tips: How to find the right Keynote Speaker
Can you say that in one sentence? For a company party where you want to say thank you to the employees, and where it’s mainly fun, you’ll need different speakers than when it’s an annual event where great presentations have touched and fascinated people in the past.
What is the mission of the Keynote?
Do you want to create added value for the audience? Do you want to shed light on the theme of the event from a different perspective and thus make it possible to look beyond the end of one’s nose? Do you want it to form a meaningful link between two programme items? Should it shake people up and sensitize them to a new topic? The more concrete you formulate the assignment, the clearer the choice of possible speakers will be.
What is the timeframe for the keynote speech?
A dinner lunch between the starter and main course of a banquet lasts about 20 minutes. If the presentation is to be a main part of the event, 60-90 minutes can be useful. Usually a good keynote will be between 45 and 60 minutes long.
How do I search the net for a suitable speaker?
Use the search mask to narrow down the queries as precisely as possible, otherwise you will get too many unsuitable candidates. So instead of “Speaker” better “Speaker Motivation”, instead of “Keynote Speaker” better “Keynote Speaker Communication” and so on.
Watch the speaker live
Ask potential candidates where they can give a presentation. Even if the venue is a little further away: It’s worth taking some driving time for this. Only in this way can you really find out whether the speaker suits you and your event.
In a detailed briefing in advance by telephone it is good to clarify the following questions:
What else do people experience that day?
The more detailed the speaker knows what to expect, the more precisely he can prepare himself.
What are the technical requirements in the hall?
For 50 or more people it is advisable to use a microphone, preferably a cordless headset with a radio link, so that the keynote speaker can move freely on the stage. Most hotels can provide this conference technology.
A small stage pedestal (at least 60 cm high) is recommended for 100 people or more, so that everyone in the audience has an unobstructed view of the speakers.
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