Entrepreneurs as Keynote Speakers.
21-January-2013
I received an email recently about Evan Bailyn, bestselling author of Outsmarting Google,
http://www.amazon.com/Outsmarting-Google-Secrets-Business-Biz-Tech/dp/0789741032. The email sender wanted to share his blog with me, http://evanbailyn.com/keynotespeakers/, and see if I might share a link to it with my own readers at Bacon & Potatoes.
In the email, Evan is described as “ a serial entrepreneur who launched one of the biggest kids' websites in the world. It also noted that Evan also does a lot of keynote speaking, mainly about how small business owners can profit from search engine optimisation (SEO) and social media. “
I visited his blog and it is prominently described as a Keynote Speakers Blog.
This got me to thinking that aside from sharing his links, I might delve into the aspect of Keynote Speaking, specially those done by entrepreneurs.
In reading about this topic, I discovered that many people and organisations often interchange the use of the words “ speech”, “workshop”, “seminar”, “training”, as well as use the term “keynote speech” when what they needed or meant was an “instructional talk”, a “technical presentation” or something else.
Keynote speeches are, as described by many, a “motivational speech”.
This is just partly correct. Although keynote speakers do inspire or motivate, it is also important that they set a theme or “key note” of the gathering, whether it is a conference, a political convention or any other such gatherings.
As described in Wikipedia, “ A keynote in literature, music, or public speaking establishes the principal underlying theme. In corporate or commercial settings, greater importance is attached to the delivery of a keynote speech or keynote address. The keynote will lay down the framework for the following programme of events or convention agenda; frequently the role of keynote speaker will also include the role of convention moderator. It will also flag up a larger idea — a literary story, an individual musical piece or event.”
So what does an entrepreneur get to contribute in such an objective. Or why would an entrepreneur be a possible or even ideal “keynote speaker” .
No doubt, an entrepreneur would be able to instruct or teach an audience on the finer points of running an enterprise. Entrepreneurs would also be excellent in conducting workshops and seminars on their respective fields and industries.
But, so would managers and technical persons who are non-entrepreneurs.
What entrepreneurs bring to the table of keynote speaking, is the culture of inspiring oneself and others in building their enterprise to the next level, or making that quantum leap that would establish their organisation into a leadership position.
Famous entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs and Richard Branson are recognised not only for their business success but in their ability to motivate and inspire millions of entrepreneurs in pursuing their aspirations.
Many successful entrepreneurs, like Evan Bailyn, even launch a second career as a keynote speaker, specifically, in the field of Search Engine Strategies and Social Media.
So how does an entrepreneur get to be a keynote speaker?
First of all, you have to be good at a specific entrepreneurial skill. Whether it is in building a great company like Apple or Virgin, or in a particular skill like “search engine optimisation”.
Second, you must have the ability to communicate your message effectively.
GlobalChange.com - http://www.globalchange.com/keynotespeakers.htm – gives good pointers on how you can emulate successful keynote speakers.
Great Keynote Speakers - what are they like?
- Keynote speakers grab attention.
- Keynote speakers have provocative ideas which last.
- Keynote speakers give people hope and boost morale.
- Keynote speakers change the lives of those they meet.
- Keynote speakers communicate the most complex ideas in a single phrase.
- Keynote speakers take the wider view - setting the tone and perspective for everything that follows.
- Keynote speakers entertain as well as inform.
- Keynote speakers create a buzz, and boost conference morale.
- Keynote speakers are intensely interested in other people.
- Keynote speakers are warm and confident in what they are saying without being arrogant.
- Keynote speakers are flexible: your event's success is more important to them than their great ideas.
- Keynote speakers work closely with organisers to make the message fit well.
- Keynote speakers are good team workers.
- Keynote speakers pay the closest attention to detail to get it right.
If and when you have to sell yourself as a keynote speaker, you might want to learn how to tackle these recommended tests that prospective clients and organisers employ:
These are tests recommended by GlobalChange.com for organisations getting a keynote speaker. Knowing what they are looking for can help you prepare when you receive their call.
Audition them on the phone
- Do they listen?
- Do you like them?
- Do they really get what you are trying to do?
- Do their ideas really fit your keynote theme?
- Are they persuasive, getting your attention?
- Can they communicate powerfully in a direct and simple way?
- Do you think you can work with this person?
- Have you talked to others they have worked with?
- Has anyone actually heard them give a keynote speech at an event?
- Have you at least seen a keynote video?
- Have you looked at the slides from a sample keynote presentation?
- Do they give keynote speeches at a lot of events like yours?
- Do they speak well of other contributors or slag other people off?
- Are they rigid or accommodating?
- Do they have a sense of humour?
- Do they have an agent representing them, with a strong reputation, as a further badge of quality and guarantee of past success?
- Perhaps a well established company like Leigh Bureau?
- Have you searched the web using the speaker's name to see what others are saying about them?Remember your conference delegates may well do the same.
- Do they have a high profile on the web?
- Have you searched press files to see how often they are quoted?
If you can address these tests, then you have a pretty good shot at establishing a career as a keynote speaker.
Please feel free to send me a message at – adluzuriaga@gmail.com - if you have any questions about entrepreneurship or keynote speaking.
