explanation of keynote presentation

What Is a Keynote? 5 Things You Should Know

• The Speaker Lab
• March 14, 2024

Table of Contents

Have you ever been so mesmerized by a speaker that their words stayed with you long after their speech ended? That’s the magic of a keynote . But what exactly is a keynote speech and why does it matter?

In essence, a keynote speech sets the tone for an event. It serves as its heartbeat, pulsating with ideas and insights that energize attendees. Picture yourself standing before an audience, delivering not just any speech but one where every word strikes like lightning, illuminating minds and sparking conversations.

This post promises to take you on a journey exploring captivating keynotes, dynamic speakers, and exciting events. Together, we’ll look at how keynotes influence everything from business success to social media activity; unveil strategies for creating impactful presentations; and provide tips on becoming an effective speaker yourself.

What is a Keynote?

A keynote is a defining presentation or speech centered around the main theme of an event. The term “keynote” in relation to speaking is based on the musical term “key note,” or the note around which the key is based. Just like a musical ‘key note’ defines the harmony of a composition, a keynote speech lays down the central theme or message of an event.

The Importance and Impact of Good Keynote Speakers

As one of the main highlights of an event or conference, keynote speakers are expected to inspire audiences with their unique perspectives and insights. A great speaker has the ability to not only communicate effectively but also engage with their audience in meaningful ways. This engagement forms the bottom line for successful presentations—it can make or break an event.

The Hallmarks of Professional Keynote Speakers

What sets apart good keynotes from merely average ones? The answer lies in several factors:

• An understanding of both their subject matter and audience : Top-tier keynote speakers know how to connect deeply with those listening while delivering high-value content that resonates long after they’ve left the stage.
• Dynamism and energy : Audience members are more likely to stay engaged when your presentation style mirrors your passion for what you’re discussing.
• A knack for storytelling : Narratives help us process information better; therefore good storytellers often leave lasting impressions upon their audiences.

Fostering Engagement Through Effective Speaking Techniques

Surely we’ve all attended lectures where, despite our best efforts, our minds wandered off mid-presentation. So what’s different about engaging speeches?

One major difference is novelty. Unique insights delivered compellingly pique interest. Professional keynote speakers know how to weave facts and figures into a captivating narrative that is relevant to the audience.

Additionally, good keynotes strike an emotional chord with listeners. This not only keeps them engaged but also helps in better recall of information presented. A great speaker uses storytelling techniques effectively for maximum impact .

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Role of Keynotes in Events

As mentioned earlier, a keynote sets the stage for an event, serving as a compass that directs the overarching theme. Whether it’s delivered by national speakers or industry leaders, this keynote can ignite audience engagement and set the tone for what follows.

Opening vs. Closing Keynotes

While both have significant roles, there is a clear difference between opening keynotes versus closing ones.

An opening keynote often aims to energize attendees at the start of an event. It’s like turning on a lamp in an unlit area—suddenly, everyone can make out what is before them and where they are headed. This initial spark helps draw people into the experience and makes them eager to learn more.

In contrast, closing keynotes help solidify connections made during events, creating memorable moments that continue to resonate with attendees even when they’ve returned home or back to their desks. Professional keynote speakers are skilled at creating such lasting impressions through powerful storytelling techniques coupled with actionable takeaways.

Leveraging Keynotes for Business Success

Keynote speeches are more than just a way to kick off an event. They have the potential to become powerful tools in leadership development, client relationships, and attracting attendees. A good keynote speaker will help their audience visualize their own paths towards success.

The Role of Keynotes in Leadership Development

A keynote speaker has the power to ignite change within an organization or industry by providing new perspectives on established practices or unveiling innovative approaches to overcoming challenges. Their influence often extends beyond the stage as attendees continue discussing their ideas long after the event finishes.

This is particularly true when speakers share personal stories from their careers—experiences that demonstrate resilience during difficult times or highlight how unconventional thinking led them to unprecedented levels of success.

Creating Strong Client Relationships Through Keynotes

An engaging keynote speech also serves as a starting point for fostering strong client relationships. When a keynote speaker shares insights relevant to their clients’ industries or discusses issues close to their hearts, that speaker shows understanding and empathy. This resonates with audiences on both professional and personal levels, which can lead directly into fruitful partnerships down the line.

Drawing Attendees With Impactful Speeches

Beyond fostering connections with current clients, delivering compelling keynotes helps attract attendees too. Attendees are likely to show up if they hear a well-known figure in the industry is giving a talk. They look forward to learning from their insights and getting inspired by their journeys.

In conclusion, leveraging keynotes for business success involves understanding the multi-faceted role of these speeches in events. Whether it’s developing leadership skills among attendees or attracting potential clients, a powerful keynote can become your ticket towards achieving unparalleled growth and success.

Tips and Best Practices for Effective Keynote Speaking

Being a keynote speaker is no small task. To ensure a memorable presentation, there are several techniques to consider. Let’s explore some best practices.

The Power of Preparation

As any experienced public speaker will tell you, preparation is critical. Thoroughly understanding the subject matter helps build confidence, which translates into more effective delivery techniques. As a result, a keynote speaker needs to know what opinions are expressed in their field so that they’re able to anticipate questions from attendees and answer them competently during Q&A sessions.

Connecting With Your Audience

A successful keynote isn’t solely focused on delivering content; it’s also about making connections with the audience. By incorporating relatable stories or analogies, a good speaker will not only engage listeners, but also help simplify complex ideas for them. Want more storytelling tips? Check out this podcast episode with Ravi Rajani for more ways aspiring speakers can weave narratives into their talks for greater impact.

Constantly Improving: Asking for and Using Feedback

Although a keynote speaker may be tempted to pat themselves on the back after giving a talk, their job isn’t done yet. For any talk they give, it’s important to seek out constructive criticism in order to learn how best to improve. What worked? What didn’t? What did the audience find most engaging and why? The answers to all these questions are worth their weight in gold, and a good speaker knows it. By incorporating audience suggestions into his or her presentation, a keynote speaker ensures that they are at the top of their game.

The Digital Age and Keynote Speaking

As the digital landscape evolves, so does keynote speaking. Social media channels have become powerful platforms for speakers to reach event attendees and amplify their messages. In fact, these platforms are now a fundamental part of any successful speaker’s toolkit.

Online Presence of Keynote Speakers

Digital tools like social media offer than just exposure—they let speakers interact directly with potential audiences and industry peers alike, fostering relationships that transcend physical boundaries.

Live streaming options available on multiple social media platforms allow speakers to share their message with audiences near and far, while also providing attendees an unparalleled opportunity to connect with influential voices.

This broadened reach doesn’t only benefit the speakers themselves, but also enhances the overall experience for event attendees who get unprecedented access to their favorite thought leaders in real time.

Social Media as A Promotional Tool

The days when flyers were enough to attract attendees are long gone—we’re living in an age where captivating visual content reigns supreme. So, if you’re planning to deliver a keynote or organize an event soon, remember: your social media activity could be the starting point of creating buzz and anticipation around it.

Increasing Number of Digital Aids

From Canva to Prezi, there are now tons of digital tools designed for keynote speakers. This LinkedIn post provides a helpful list of these tools , as well as some pros and cons.

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FAQs on Keynotes

What is a keynote.

A keynote is a defining presentation or speech centered around the main theme of an event.

What is the purpose of the keynote?

The purpose is to energize, inspire, or challenge attendees to see things from a fresh perspective.

What is the difference between a keynote and a presentation?

A presentation shares information while a keynote aims to spark change. The latter inspires action through powerful storytelling around central themes.

What does it mean to give a keynote?

Giving a keynote means delivering an impactful speech that guides an event’s direction, motivates listeners, and provides valuable insights related to the core topic.

What qualifies as a keynote speaker?

A credible figure with expertise in their field who delivers engaging speeches inspiring change or providing new perspectives on pertinent topics usually qualifies.

The essence of keynote speaking lies in creating an overarching theme that captivates audiences from start to finish. Opening keynotes set the stage while closing ones wrap up event objectives with finesse.

Together, we’ve explored strategies for delivering engaging presentations and using social media for promotion.

Now you know that a great keynote isn’t about just standing before an audience; it’s about resonating with them long after you leave the stage. Remember this as you step onto your own path of public speaking!

• Last Updated: March 22, 2024

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Pro Speakers on How to Give a Perfect Keynote Presentation

Updated: January 13, 2021

Published: November 03, 2020

Two years ago, I was asked to give a presentation about my HubSpot article on emotional marketing . It was by far the most exhilarating and nerve-wracking experience of my professional life.

I don’t necessarily hate public speaking. However, leading up to the event, I felt the full responsibility of not only delivering a good presentation but also teaching the audience valuable , actionable information — and that was very intimidating.

I wanted to do a good job, and I wanted to be a good teacher.

Therein lies the importance of keynote presentations : to be effective, they should be educational and entertaining. Do you have a keynote presentation in your future? Read on for some advice from professional speakers.

First, what is a keynote presentation? Glad you asked.

You may also be tasked with a keynote presentation in order to secure funding, make a sale, or update stakeholders or executives. Whatever stage you find yourself on, delivering a keynote presentation is an important responsibility as a public speaker.

How to Give a Perfect Keynote Presentation, According to the Experts

I spoke with four professional speakers on how to deliver a near-perfect presentation. Here are five pieces of advice they shared.

1. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.

When it comes to public speaking, practice quite literally makes perfect. Every expert I spoke with mentioned how frequently they rehearse their presentations.

“However much you think you need to rehearse, rehearse 10 times more than that. When you show up to a concert, you expect that the musicians know their songs, and you certainly don't want the first time they try to play it to be right there on stage. You owe your audience and the folks hiring you to speak the same respect,” said Melanie Deziel , international keynote speaker and founder of StoryFuel . (She received this advice herself from Michael and Amy Port at Heroic Public Speaking .)

Provided by Melanie Deziel

As more presentations and events become fully virtual, the likelihood of technical difficulties also grows. Rehearsing your content can help you weather any interruptions or last-minute changes.

Rehearsal not only leads to content mastery; it allows freedom in your presentations. “The more you rehearse and become comfortable with the content, the freer you'll be to take chances, experiment, and truly focus on your delivery, rather than trying to remember what comes next,” shared Deziel.

How do these experts recommend practicing your presentations? “[Use] a mirror,” said Olivia Scott , keynote speaker and founder of Omerge Alliances . “I take the time to see how I'm being received, I look at my body posture, and I look at everything to make sure that I feel good about what I'm delivering. This isn’t exactly a tool or technology, but it's a way to practice and rehearse.”

Additionally, consider asking friends, family, and trusted colleagues to listen to your practice runs and provide feedback on your presentation.

2. Ask for feedback.

Speaking of feedback, expert orators know to ask for it on a regular basis — from friends, peer groups, mentors, audience members, and clients. “Find a support crew and connect with other speakers in the industry,” mentioned Karen Hopper , keynote speaker and data strategist at M+R. Hopper personally recommends Shine Bootcamp , which provided her with lifelong friendships, helpful feedback, and a priceless education about public speaking.

Provided by Karen Hopper

“We help each other with feedback on our pitches, topics, outlines, and presentations, and we celebrate each others' wins,'' said Hopper. “ ... It’s well worth surrounding yourself with people who will cheer for you and who will give you honest feedback — the fastest way to get better is to ruthlessly seek out that feedback.”

Clients can also be an incredibly helpful source of feedback. If you’re asked to speak at an event or conference, consider asking the people who hired you. “I ask my client for their reaction immediately after every presentation. It’s important to know how they felt, and whether the presentation achieved their goals. Every time my client is happy, that’s my most successful presentation,” said Jeff Toister , keynote speaker, author, and customer service expert.

Lastly, the best feedback often comes from the source — in this case, your audience. Whether you ask questions during your presentation (which we’ll discuss next) or ask for feedback following your presentation, it’s never a bad idea to know what your audience thought about your keynote.

Feedback may look different if giving a remote keynote presentation, but it's still possible.

“It’s been a creative challenge to adapt a talk I'd hoped to give in person to work in a virtual environment. It's much harder to tell how your talks are received online, without being able to see nodding and note-taking and hear laughter and clapping. But all the feedback I have received [over email] indicated that my talk successfully changed the way many people are thinking about their content idea generation process, and that was the ultimate goal of the talk: to change how people think ,” shared Deziel, referring to her recent keynote at Content Marketing World 2020.

3. Engage your audience.

Nobody likes being talked at . Sure, delivering a keynote presentation involves you doing most of the talking, but it doesn’t have to be a one-way conversation. Many of the experts I interviewed encouraged some sort of audience engagement or interaction to enhance your presentation.

“People love to be involved in a presentation. Rather than explain a concept to my audience, I find a way to have them experience it,” said Toister. “For example, when I share how multitasking hurts productivity and causes us to make more errors, I have the audience try a brief multitasking exercise so they can experience the problem themselves.”

Did you know that audience engagement levels drop considerably (14%) if a presenter does most of the talking, versus if the audience talks just as much? Moreover, 64% of people believe that a presentation with two-way interaction is much more engaging than a one-way presentation.

Presentation engagement also takes practice — just like your presentation content itself. “ ... Entertainment comes from the performance itself: the way in which you deliver that content and the energy you bring to that delivery. This is a separate skill you need to practice. Work with a coach, watch back recordings of yourself to identify opportunities to improve your craft, and watch videos of top-notch comedians, poets and other speakers to see what you can learn from them,” encouraged Deziel.

Lastly, as important as engagement is, don’t let technology stand in the way. While smartphones and polling software can make audience interaction easier, they can also get in the way of you connecting with your audience. “I prefer to just have people stand up, raise their hand, or clap to participate in the poll. It gets the audience moving, and I don’t have to worry about WiFi connections or whether the polling software is working,” said Toister.

4. Prioritize your content as much as the delivery.

While entertaining and interacting with your audience is helpful and exciting, it shouldn’t take precedence over your presentation content itself. “Nearly all of what the audience can learn from you comes from the content: the stories you tell, the examples you share, the facts you cite and the other information you explain. Carefully crafting those materials and testing it out ensures that the audience will get the information they were promised from your session,” said Deziel.

Tools like PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides, and Canva can help you hone your content and develop a story within your presentation. A 2018 Prezi study (another presentation tool option) showed that 90% of people believe a strong narrative makes for a more engaging, interesting presentation. Data can help form arguments and explain facts, but stories stay with your audience long after your time on stage.

Storytelling is yet another way to engage with your audience, especially by evoking emotions like humor. “It’s entertaining to ask questions, saying, ‘Can anyone relate to this? Has anyone ever had this type of experience before?’ and then getting them involved with some laughter around those experiences. Laughter always helps,” said Scott, who presented at INBOUND 2020 .

Hopper, who was also a Breakout Speaker at INBOUND 2020, agreed: “Don't be afraid to be funny or drop in jokes — there are studies that show that laughing actually helps your brain retain information better, so not only will your audience have a good time laughing with you, but they'll also get more out of your presentation. It’s a win-win!”

5. Focus on the audience.

Finally, everyone can agree that public speaking is either revered or feared. If you relate to the latter and find yourself nervous when giving presentations, turn your focus on the audience.

“Speakers easily get nervous when they focus on themselves and worry too much about their own performance. Focusing on your audience first takes the nerves away and redirects your attention to making sure your audience gets something of value from your keynote,” shared Toister.

That’s the goal of a keynote presentation — to provide value to your audience. Regardless of what story you’re telling, what tools you’re using, or how you’re engaging the crowd, as long as you deliver a presentation that inspires your audience to think differently — even for 30 minutes — you’ve given a perfect keynote presentation.

Note: HubSpot Marketing teams reserve the right to use guest blog author’s likeness across our content as we see fit, including but not limited to HubSpot’s social media channels.

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Here’s an Excellent Keynote Speech GUIDE: With 2 Great Examples

You’ve probably been asked to give a keynote speech and you are afraid of it. Well, if you’ve never done this before, then there’s no need to panic. Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s start with the basics, shall we? 

So, what is a keynote speech? 

Simply put, a keynote speech is usually given to set the theme of the entire event. It is a speech that is generally delivered by an expert, renowned and well-respected individual, depending on the theme of the event.

Being asked to give a keynote speech in front of a large audience can be a little intimidating. However, it’s the greatest honor to be selected as a keynote speaker. That said, you must deliver the best speech you possibly can. 

Now that we’ve covered what a keynote speech is, it’s time to key steps that you should take when preparing a keynote speech. 

Related Article: 7 Basic Elements of Public Speaking

How to prepare a keynote speech

Keynote speeches are very important. With that in mind, it’s one of the best opportunities for you and your business. Therefore, if you’ve been asked to be the keynote speaker, take advantage of such an opportunity. But, first, you will have to prepare your speech: 

1.     Find out the theme for the day

For any first-timer, you will probably be given the theme for the day by the event organizer. But if you are an experienced speaker, I’m sure everyone will applaud anything you say. All the same, both scenarios still require you to plan and organize your thoughts for your speech. 

2.     Outline your presentation

Sadly, most speakers always skip this part. And, it’s usually visible in their delivery and line of thought. The best way to handle this situation is by creating a sort of blueprint for your presentation which will include: 

• Highlight some of the key structural elements, for instance, introduction, conclusion, or even stories. 
• Highlight your key element in the presentation. What do I mean? Start by answering the question-what messages are you using to support your logical key point? 
• Link all the elements together in a systematic sequence
• Also, try mapping out the transition from one key point to the next and ensure that it’s flawless. 

3.     Now fill each section

Following your outline, use keywords to convey a clear message to your audience. This will also help in keeping the audience’s attention. On top of that, it will ensure you have a great flow of thoughts in your presentation. 

Write down the topic you’d like to present. Then go ahead and add principal keywords. Afterwards, write what you derive from each keyword. Thankfully, the structure of your keynote speech will give you a set of new keywords to follow. 

Make sure that you are brief and clear when filling each section. More importantly, don’t crowd up your content. You will also need to ensure you have most of the keywords in your mind. This will save you the time you use to check on your keynote speech instead of maintaining eye contact with the crowd. 

4.     Make the work visually attractive

Without a doubt, you should always ensure that your work has some visual ideas that would be easy to interpret. Add graphs or charts where necessary, but only where necessary. Too much of anything will lead to you losing the attention of your audience. 

5.     Add personal stories

Anecdotes and stories will assist you in illustrating your ideas to the audience. On top of that, it’s the best way to show your research. With stories, you should be able to capture the attention of your audience. Additionally, your audience will be emotionally invested which will differentiate you from nervous and inexperienced speakers. 

Play a game, add a question, or simply just maintain eye contact with your audience. This will help you gain their full attention throughout your speech. 

6.     Finally, rehearse

There’s no shortcut in this section. For you to present a killer speech in front of your audience without sounding nervous is through research. By rehearsing your speech several times, you can understand what it means to your audience and also see places where you can improve your speech. 

Actually, you can even record yourself while giving your keynote speech. That way, you will be able to work on your body language and speaking rate. If you have stage freight, this is a good way to avoid the effects of it. 

Now that you already know how to get ready for your speech, let’s take on how to open a keynote speech. 

The next points of discussion are: how to open a keynote speech, how long should a keynote speech be, and some great examples of keynote speeches. Before digging into that, let me add below some of the top related and interesting articles that can add to what you’re learning from this one. If any of the titles picks your interest, please click and open in a new tab, so you can check them out later. Enjoy!

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How to open a keynote speech?

I bet you are probably worried about your opening lines in your keynote speech, right? Well, first thing’s first, don’t be in a rush to speak. Before you open your mouth, the attention is usually high at this moment. Therefore, once you arrive up there, pause for a moment. To the audience, you will appear like you are trying to be confident and collected, so use that moment. 

The audience will lean in to try and hear your first few words. And at that moment, the audience will form their first impression of you with the first words you utter. An example of the first opening words include, ‘um, good evening everyone….I’m happy to be here in front of you. I will like to thank you so-so-so-so much…..’

Trust me if you start your speech with these words, the audience will feel like you are repeating words that will sound the same as the conversations they have been trying to avoid. 

To get the full attention of your audience, here are some quick tips on your opening statements. 

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Key tips on the opening statement in your keynote speech

• Name someone central to your message
• Use a provocative question
• Use a short, pithy quote
• Start with a personal association
• Tell an Interesting and relatable Story
• Paint a picture with your words, and so on…

How long should a keynote speech be?

Usually, the maximum length of the keynote speech depends majorly on the skill of the speaker. Therefore, the minimum length of the keynote speech depends on how long the speaker will need to make an impact on the audience.

You will know when the keynote does not last long enough when the message said by the speaker doesn’t have a deep effect on the audience. Additionally, the length of the keynote speech depends on the time allocated to the event. 

Examples of Excellent Keynote Speeches 

If you follow the instructions above, you won’t even need examples to sharpen your skills. However, here are some of the examples you can check out to give you a deeper understanding of keynote speeches

• Fire Antony speech
• A speech by Briana Scurry

With these two examples, you will be able to draft your speech in no time. 

To wrap it all up…

A keynote speech is an incredible way to get over public speaking and be able to introduce yourself to the audience. It doesn’t matter the number of people in the gathering. Always remember to count every opportunity that comes your way. 

Also, a great speech is not one that strings different elements together-no siree! A great speech is one that weaves them in the minds of the audience in such a way that they are not able to tell the difference between the segments. The speech shouldn’t be repetitive or random. It should be something that you sat down and constructed to perfection. 

Give the audience something that they can remember you by. A speech that will make them concentrate on the best course of action. Someone once told me that, ‘words can change the world’ and I believe it. Now, this is your opportunity to change the world. 

REFERENCES & FURTHER READING

https://business.tutsplus.com/tutorials/what-is-a-keynote-speech–cms-31420

https://www.thebalancesmb.com/how-to-write-a-keynote-speech-2295879

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10 Expert Tips to Create and Deliver a Killer Keynote Presentation

So you’ve got a keynote presentation coming up, and you’re hitting the books to make sure you’re armed with the best plan possible. Besides taking notes from all the greats on TED, you’re reading up about a message structure that works, and looking for the perfect template.

While it seems like you’ve got your bases covered, like all things in life, there’s always a way to streamline the planning process.

According to Aaron Weyenberg , the UX Lead for TED and a self-professed “master of slide decks,” and the wizards behind Apple’s presentation slides , there are a number of tricks of the trade that you can rely on to create a rocking keynote presentation .

Below are some of our favorites. And to easily create a professional-looking presentation , sign up for Piktochart . It’s free and it allows you to make beautiful visuals without being a graphic designer.

1. Do your slides last

While most keynote speakers will typically build their presentation around the structure of a template, Weyenberg says that “building your slides should be the tail end of developing your presentation.” Before working on your slides, you should put together your main message, structure, supporting points – then practice and time your presentation. The reason for this, he says, is that the presentation needs to be strong enough to stand on its own. Approaching a keynote like this requires a shift in thinking.

While a beautiful set of slides is imperative to your presentation, it should not be central to it.

Weyenberg said it best: “The slides are just something you layer over [the presentation] to enhance the listener experience.”

Observe these 2017 Google I/O keynotes, especially CEO Sundar Pichai’s – the role of the slides are to support what the speaker is saying – not the other way around.

2. Get creative with photos

Often times, presenters will be far too literal or cheesy with their image choice. Weyenberg suggests to use images that are simple, yet punchy – and pairs nicely with your spoken words. He says to look for photos that are:

• Related to your keynote’s concept
• Are not complex in terms of composition

3. Simplify charts and graphs

While most presenters will simply drop an image of their charts and graphs into their deck, Weyenberg points out that it might be a bit “unsightly.” If you need to use data to back a point that you’re making, you should make the extra effort to make it more attractive – and this can be done by recreating it in your presentation maker .

There are a couple benefits to doing this:

• It will make your presentation seem consistent and well-thought out
• You’ll have control over colors, typography, and more.

4. One theme per slide

According to the designers of Apple presentation slides, less is certainly more. Trying to cram too many ideas on one slide can only work to your detriment. Beyond ideas, the same goes for statistics.

Let’s play a little game: For the following idea, how many slides would you use? “The developer program is incredibly vibrant. We have over six million registered developers. Demand for this show has never been greater. We sold out in just over a minute [71 seconds].”

While the average person might think that 6 million and 71 seconds would belong on the same slide and be short and sweet enough, let’s compare it with what Apple’s CEO Tim Cook did.

He only leveraged two slides: The first said “6 million,” and the second: “71 seconds. Sold out.”

5. Create a visual experience with data

Taking a leaf again from Apple’s presentation book, once you’ve gotten the hang of having just one stat per slide – you should also make it as visual as possible.

One data point per slide, combined with it being visually interesting – is sure to be memorable.

6. Practice Really Makes Perfect

Imagine the late Steve Jobs, a legendary keynote presenter, still rehearsed for months before a presentation. According to Brent Schlender , one of the co-authors behind the Steve Jobs biography “Becoming Steve Jobs,” Jobs would rehearse and prepare “exhaustively” for all of his public appearances.

Despite being a natural on the stage, Jobs never would wing it, he came to the show well prepared.

“I once spent an entire day watching him run through multiple rehearsals of a single presentation, tweaking everything from the color and angle of certain spotlights, to editing and rearranging the order of the keynote presentation slides to improve his pacing,” remembers Schlender.

While you may not be a perfectionist like Jobs, you are likely also not nearly as good of a presenter as he is – so practice really makes perfect in this case.

7. Tell A Consistent Story

Circling back to Weyenberg’s tips – he suggests that in a good slide deck, every slide should feel “like part of the same story.” Think of your deck like a story – every slide should feel cohesive to the big picture message you’re trying to communicate – as opposed to random ideas juxtaposed together.

You can do this by:

• Using the same or similar typography, colors, and imagery across all slides
• Using presentation templates can help with maintaining the same look and feel

8. Less is more

We explored the less is more concept earlier in the article by suggesting you keep to one idea per slide. The same can be applied to text.

When it comes to creating slides for your next keynote, the cardinal sin is a slide with ample text that is verbatim of your spoken presentation.

What this does is encourage people to keep their eyes on your slides instead of listening to you.

Weyenberg also points out that a text-heavy slide forces the brain to multitask between focusing on what it’s reading and hearing – which is quite difficult and will compromise your presentation.

9. Consider topic transitions

While you want to make your slides look like a cohesive unit, you want to also keep in mind that making every slide look the same may be boring. Weyenberg suggests to:

• Create one style for the slides that are the “meat” of the message
• Then create another style for the slides that are transitioning between topics

For example, if your overall slides have a dark background with light text, you can use transitional slides that have a light background with dark text. This way, they’ll still feel like they’re from the same presentation family without being completely uniform.

10. Tell a captivating story

It is fitting that our final tip comes from likely the greatest keynote presenter of all time. The late and great Steve Jobs had the ability to captivate and inspire his audience with his talks, and that’s because he was a very good storyteller. And that’s the golden leaf that you can take from Jobs’ book today.

Always aim to tell a captivating story.

One example is perhaps when he introduced the iPod: “In 2001, we introduced the first iPod. It didn’t just change the way we all listen to music. It changed the entire music industry.” Listen to Steve Jobs weave a story about the digital music revolution when unveiling the iPod.

Bonus Round: Tips From Piktochart Designers  

• Always remember that your audience is sitting far away . So ensure that your title font size is large enough to be seen from a distance, and that your body text is no smaller than 20px.
• Use only two colors for your entire presentation – a primary and secondary color. If you must use a large color palette, your maximum choice should be up to five colors.
• Make sure that there is enough white space throughout your presentation . This will give your content room to breathe. Less is definitely more in this case.
• Emphasize only one object per slide – whether it’s an image, statistic, quote. This will make sure your audience stays focused.

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What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation

• Carmine Gallo

Five tips to set yourself apart.

Never underestimate the power of great communication. It can help you land the job of your dreams, attract investors to back your idea, or elevate your stature within your organization. But while there are plenty of good speakers in the world, you can set yourself apart out by being the person who can deliver something great over and over. Here are a few tips for business professionals who want to move from being good speakers to great ones: be concise (the fewer words, the better); never use bullet points (photos and images paired together are more memorable); don’t underestimate the power of your voice (raise and lower it for emphasis); give your audience something extra (unexpected moments will grab their attention); rehearse (the best speakers are the best because they practice — a lot).

I was sitting across the table from a Silicon Valley CEO who had pioneered a technology that touches many of our lives — the flash memory that stores data on smartphones, digital cameras, and computers. He was a frequent guest on CNBC and had been delivering business presentations for at least 20 years before we met. And yet, the CEO wanted to sharpen his public speaking skills.

• Carmine Gallo is a Harvard University instructor, keynote speaker, and author of 10 books translated into 40 languages. Gallo is the author of The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World’s Greatest Salesman  (St. Martin’s Press).

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How to Write a Keynote Speech

Last Updated: October 28, 2022 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Lynn Kirkham . Lynn Kirkham is a Professional Public Speaker and Founder of Yes You Can Speak, a San Francisco Bay Area-based public speaking educational business empowering thousands of professionals to take command of whatever stage they've been given - from job interviews, boardroom talks to TEDx and large conference platforms. Lynn was chosen as the official TEDx Berkeley speaker coach for the last four years and has worked with executives at Google, Facebook, Intuit, Genentech, Intel, VMware, and others. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 106,665 times.

A good keynote speech is gripping and inspiring. It sets the tone for the event, program, or conference, and it can really unify the audience. If you’ve been invited to write and give a keynote speech (congrats!), you might not be sure where to start, or maybe you’re looking for tips to elevate your speech to the next level. Either way, we’ve got you covered! This article will walk you through how to craft a memorable keynote speech from start to finish.

Brainstorming Ideas for the Keynote Speech

• If there is a theme of the event, you may use this as your purpose or inspiration for the speech. For example, if the theme of the event is “Social Responsibility,” the purpose of your speech may be to explore your experiences with social responsibility on a professional and personal level.

• For example, if your audience is within an age range of 20-30 and are social responsibility advocates, you may make the speech light, engaging, and full of specialized language that you know your audience will understand.

• For example, if you are writing a speech around the theme of social responsibility, you may focus on three key points: the history of social responsibility, the current state of social responsibility, and where social responsibility is headed next.

• You can find the top keynote speeches of 2016 at https://www.bigspeak.com/best-keynote-speakers-of-2016 .

Crafting the Keynote Speech

• For example, if you are writing a keynote speech on diversity in the classroom, you may tell a story about a student of color that you worked with in your classroom as a teacher.
• You may also look in the news for a story about a student of color who publicly spoke out about difficulties with diversity in the classroom, preferably a news story based in your area or country.

• For example, if the purpose of your speech is to discuss social responsibility in the corporate world, you may open with a fact about how consumers tend to buy more if a brand is socially responsible.

• For example, your purpose may appear as, “I am here today to talk to you about social responsibility, the theme of this conference and the theme of much of my professional work.”

• For example, you may make a funny aside that is self-deprecating, such as, “I wasn’t always a great teacher. Sometimes, I was known as the fun teacher or the angry teacher. Not always the great one.”

• For example, you may highlight terms like “unity,” “engagement,” and “social consciousness” in your speech by returning to them at least twice. You may begin the speech by mentioning these terms and then return to them again later in the speech.

• For example, you may use a funny saying that you use with your students in your classroom in the speech. Or you may use less formal words and terms to keep the tone of the speech conversational.

• For example, you may have a call to action that refers to the story or fact you used at the beginning of your speech: “Just like my student who reached out to a peer in need, I ask you all now to be vulnerable, to try to reach out to someone in your community who needs help.”

Polishing the Keynote Speech

• When you read the speech aloud, notice if you skip over any words. You may be able to remove any words you skip over for flow.
• If you read the speech aloud to others, you can ask them for feedback. Ask them if they found any parts of the speech boring or hard to follow. Be open to getting constructive feedback on the speech so it is at its best.

• Correct punctuation is especially important if you are going to read the speech aloud to an audience, as the punctuation will tell you when to pause or take a breath. Often, a comma means pausing in your speech and a period means taking a short breath.

• If there is a time constraint for the speech, you should also time yourself reading the speech to confirm it is within the limit.

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/brainstorming/
• ↑ Lynn Kirkham. Public Speaking Coach. Expert Interview. 20 November 2019.
• ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mitch-ditkoff/post_3868_b_1868754.html
• ↑ https://professional.dce.harvard.edu/blog/10-tips-for-improving-your-public-speaking-skills/
• ↑ https://www.toastmasters.org/Magazine/Articles/Six-Rules-of-Humor
• ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffschmitt/2013/07/16/10-keys-to-writing-a-speech/#25d3cdba4fb7
• ↑ https://open.lib.umn.edu/publicspeaking/chapter/11-2-steps-of-a-conclusion/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/reading-aloud/
• ↑ https://www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/student-resources/writing-speaking-resources/editing-and-proofreading-techniques

About This Article

A good keynote speech is inspiring and can set the tone for an entire event. Start your speech with an engaging anecdote to grab your listeners' attention. The story can be from your own experience and should relate to the topic of the event. Then, tell your audience what the purpose of your speech is. You might say something like, “I am here to talk to you today about social responsibility, which is the theme of the conference and the theme of my professional work." Use a little humor and a light-hearted tone to keep the speech engaging and make it more memorable. Make sure to write the speech along the lines of how you normally talk so it sounds natural when read out loud. At the end of your speech, finish with a strong call to action. This part of the speech should compel listeners to do something to help the cause. For example, if you're giving a speech for a humane society, you may encourage listeners to volunteer at their local shelter. To learn how to polish your keynote speech, read more from our Writing co-author! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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What is the difference between a presentation and a keynote?

Glad you asked

It’s a question I get quite often and the lines can, and are often blurred – but the way I like to look at it, is that a presentation is something you might give to a small room, a customer or an internal business audience to get a specific set of messages across, but a keynote is much broader, typically it’s to a bigger audience and its far more prepared, staged and carefully executed.

The underlying idea of a keynote is to take some key points, they can be business points, or points about something, and turn them into an immersive, engaging experience for your audience.  This is how keynote speakers succeed.

It’s all about preparation, delivery and variety

Some great examples of keynotes are those produced by big software companies such as Apple and Microsoft, and of course the wonderful TED talk content that most of us listen to in awe.

A keynote is not something that should be delivered with little preparation.  Even professional keynote speakers will typically have an area of expertise they speak about, and then when employed to speak at an event, will spend many hours customising based on interviews with their client.

Another key to keynote success is variety in delivery and also content.  Getting up on stage and clicking through slides won’t win an audience, you need to be prepared with an armoury of content to keep things exciting.  Yes, you will have static visuals (slides), but you also need video, demonstrations, props, audience participation and stories.  The right mix and you will deliver a keynote that the audience won’t forget.

Executives can be under a false impression of success

Business executives that are tasked with giving a keynote believe that because of their business success, then speaking in keynote form will be naturally successful for them.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

I always tell my clients that there needs to be two of you.  The business you which you have had great success with and the on-stage or keynote you, in which you are inexperienced with and that you need to be flexible and creative with.  Just because an executive may have given thousands of presentations in the past, it does not qualify them to get up and deliver a keynote – the situations are entirely different.

Audience credibility is very different to corporate credibility

Executives who do many presentations are typically presenting to an audience in which their credibility is already earned, in other words, the audience don’t need to be convinced.  However, in the keynote world, the audience is at first your critic, and then either your supporter because they start to like the on-stage you or, on the downside, they just switch off – and we’ll leave that topic for another time.  Many executives also are comforted by the fact that once they finish their presentation they are naturally commended by their peers and subordinates, this is where you must ensure you have a trusted critic, someone that will not get superficial with you and help you improve.  That’s been my role with many senior executives over the years and interestingly the balanced honesty is normally refreshing and welcomed by them.

Having the audience engaged is a feeling only a truely successful keynote can give

As a keynote speaker myself, I’ve done some pretty crazy things on-stage to spike up the audience and keep them interested, and there is nothing like the feeling of taking an initially cold keynote room and having an audience smiling, engaged and intently listening.   That’s one of the reasons I started my company Bespoke Factor – I love helping executives bring their business success to the keynote stage.

Hopefully now I’ve provided a little insight into the world of keynote creation and delivery and how it is very different to your stock standard presentation.

About the Author: Adam Jaques

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Pro tips: How to approach your presentation or keynote slides

Presentations that stand out. Beautifully.

With its powerful tools and dazzling effects, Keynote makes it easy to create stunning and memorable presentations, and comes included with most Apple devices. Use Apple Pencil on your iPad to create diagrams or illustrations that bring your slides to life. And with real‑time collaboration, your team can work together, whether they’re on Mac, iPad, iPhone, or a PC.

See what’s new in Keynote

Present your story. Your way.

Keynote sets the stage for an impressive presentation. A simple, intuitive interface puts important tools front and center, so everyone on your team can easily add beautiful charts, edit photos, and incorporate cinematic effects. And Rehearse Mode lets you practice on the go, with the current or next slide, notes, and clock — all in one view.

Start with a gorgeous layout.

Choose from over 40 eye‑catching themes that instantly give your presentation a professional look. Or create your own slide designs, background images, and page‑by‑page customization.

Create next-level animations.

Add drama to your presentation with more than 100 cinematic transitions and effects. Make your words pop by adding textures, color gradients, and even photos — with just a tap. And animate objects along a path using Apple Pencil or your finger on your iPhone or iPad.

Make every slide spectacular.

Add subtle movement to your slides with dynamic backgrounds. Illustrate your point with over 700 Apple-designed shapes, or add photos, videos, music, image galleries, and charts. Easily remove backgrounds from supported images and live videos or manually refine adjustments as needed. You can even use your iPhone to take a photo or scan a document, and Continuity Camera can send it straight to Keynote on your Mac.

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Get started with dynamic themes.

Start with one of three beautiful new animated themes, then customize it to set the tone for each slide with 18 adjustable background presets — from understated to highly visual, monochrome to colorful, calm to energetic.

Captivate your audience with dynamic backgrounds.

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Present over video conference. Like a pro.

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Plays well with Office.

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Home > Blog > Speaking 101 > The Difference Between Guest Speakers And Keynote Speakers

The Difference Between Guest Speakers And Keynote Speakers

In just about any profession, the key to success is knowing your role, and professional speaking is no exception. When you prospect for speaking leads, for example, are they looking for guest speakers or keynote speakers ? How long do they expect their speaker’s presentation to be? What’s the ideal tone, content, and approach for your presentation, and what do they hope their attendees will gain from it? In all of these areas, the more you know, the greater your chance of succeeding. Combine that knowledge with knowing your role – and, by extension, how to exceed their expectations – and you’re sure to succeed.

So, where are we going with all this? Simple. If you’re going to ramp up your career and fine-tune it as you go, you need to know the specific differences between being a guest speaker versus being a keynote speaker. That way, before your next sales call, you can know your angle ahead of time and approach the opportunity accordingly. 

With that in mind, in this guide, we’re going to answer the question, “What is the difference between guest speakers and keynote speakers?” We’ll also look at this distinction from both sides of the aisle, the first being those who are speakers (or aspiring speakers ), and the second being those hiring speakers.

What is a keynote speaker?

First, let’s start with the basics: What exactly is a keynote speaker? Simply put, a keynote speaker is the lead speaker for an event or a conference. Although there may be two keynote speakers – one at the start of the event and a second at the end – most events opt for a single keynote speaker at the beginning. Occasionally, there are events with multiple keynote speakers, but these are relatively rare. 

Beyond that, the role of the keynote speaker is usually to set the tone for the event. This can be done in many ways, such as through motivational or inspirational elements, storytelling, or theatrical performances. Depending on the hosting organization’s industry and focus, one or more of these elements can be appropriate in the keynote speech.

Let’s take an industry-specific conference, for example. For this kind of event, the keynote speaker may choose to deliver a state-of-the-industry speech, to ensure the audience begins the event on the same page. Alternatively, they may focus on company news, product developments, or perhaps a shift in the industry as a whole. 

In any case, the keynote speaker is responsible for delivering any overt or hidden messages associated with setting the tone. Generally, this means following a script of sorts, but some keynote speakers may take their own approach, especially if their individual goal is to be dynamic and inspiring. 

However, keynote speakers are also usually chosen because they have a high level of visibility in their chosen industry and a unique level of expertise. This gives them the authority to give an overview of the industry, positioned as an expert, and, to some degree, approach the keynote with their own flair and personal style. It also means they can generally command a higher fee than standard guest speakers. 

What is a guest speaker?

Speaking of guest speakers, let’s jump into the second half of the equation: What exactly is a guest speaker? For the most part, guest and keynote speakers are relatively similar in terms of speaking capability. That said, between the two groups, there are a few key differences.

For one thing, guest speakers aren’t typically hired to open an event or set the tone. Instead, they’re hired for a variety of other purposes in order to add value for attendees after the opening keynote. Many events, for example, hire guest speakers to focus on a specific subtopic of the event in detail. Another reason they may be hired is to break up the more serious segments of a multi-day event or to provide a unique perspective on the overarching theme of the event. Either way, while keynote speakers are the “lead” of an event’s speaker roster, guest speakers fulfill the “supporting” roles. 

Similarly, the second key difference between guest speakers and keynote speakers is how much of their career depends on professional speaking. For keynote speakers, speaking is usually a full-time career. By contrast, guest speakers generally focus on speaking as a part-time component of their career or are full-time speakers that are still building their speaking businesses .

Nonetheless, whether a speaker falls into the “keynote” or “guest” category depends largely on the event in question. A full-time speaker, for example, may deliver the keynote for a mid-sized event in their industry but act as a guest speaker for an event with more prestigious industry experts. Think of it like the biological example of “All thumbs are fingers, but not all fingers are thumbs”. In the speaking industry, all keynote speakers can be guest speakers, but not all guest speakers can deliver keynotes.

When do event planners hire a keynote speaker?

In total, there are many reasons why an event organizer might hire a keynote speaker, most of which depend on the nature of the individual event. Leading up to it, organizers have to keep in mind a number of questions, such as “How big is it?” and “Is the tone of the event or conferences loose and free-wheeling, or buttoned down?” Most importantly, they also have to ask themselves, “What’s the overall goal and purpose, and how is the event organized to achieve those specific ends?” 

From there, planners break these different elements down and match them to specific reasons to hire a keynote speaker. If it’s a large, “buttoned-down,” conference, for example, event planners might hire a keynote speaker to educate and motivate attendees. If it’s a fundraising event, planners might hire a keynote speaker to promote awareness for the theme of the event. In short, many of the event planner’s keynote speaker requirements depend on the needs of the event as a whole. But, the main reason to hire one is still to kick off the event with a bang.

At that point, after finding keynote speakers that meet the event criteria, a secondary reason to hire one is to help the audience members connect with the event material. In any industry, it’s not exactly challenging to find marketing experts, motivational speakers, or even industry professionals who can analyze trends and forecast future industry changes. 

However, hiring a keynote speaker that relates to the audience elevates these benefits. After all, no one really loves learning about marketing statistics or industry trends. But, if event planners find someone that makes it interesting from the beginning – and connects with their audience – everything else about the event automatically becomes worth listening to.

When do event planners hire guest speakers?

On the flip side, because of the supporting nature of guest speaking, event planners don’t always have to be as meticulous when hiring a guest speaker. They simply have to choose a speaker that reinforces the theme(s) outlined by the keynote speaker and builds on a related topic. 

This added flexibility allows event planners to choose guest speakers for a wide range of reasons. For example, at a multi-day event, guest speakers may be hired to share their specific experience related to the total event theme or to emphasize the importance of a new technology or technique. Conversely, at a small corporate event, guest speakers may be hired standalone, to accomplish a single one of these goals as part of a one-day event. 

In some cases, though, event planners take a completely different approach and hire guest speakers simply to provide a change of pace. These include: 

• Hiring a guest lecturer or educational speaker to re-engage student audiences.
• Bringing in industry experts to present on recent industry changes or challenges.
• Working with a facilitator to inspire your audience and help them connect with each other.
• Enlisting a magician or hypnotist to present a motivational speech with a dose of humor. 

In these instances, guest speakers may even be celebrities from outside the industry or the scope of the event. More often than not, however, event planners hire guest speakers to add support for their audience. Sometimes, that support is in conjunction with a keynote speaker, sometimes not. As with keynote speakers, the exact purpose of a guest speaker’s presentation depends on the individual event.

What do event planners look for in a speaker?

But, whether you’re a guest speaker or a keynote speaker, what makes you stand out? For better or worse, there are many different answers to this question. So, let’s break down the most noteworthy ones first. 

Industry Intelligence

First, event planners consider the speaker’s level of knowledge. This may seem obvious and fundamental, but if the event in question is technical, a visionary speaker may lack the necessary chops to connect with attendees at the desired level. Likewise, if the event is narrowly focused, the level of knowledge takes on far more importance in framing the search. If you’re a motivational speaker, for example, that’s undeniably useful but you won’t necessarily be well-suited for an in-depth cryptocurrency conference. 

Speaking Ability

Second, event planners look for a speaker’s ability to connect with people. No one wants to sit through a speech from a speaker who lacks basic knowledge of pacing, presentation, and how to engage an audience. Consequently, event planners almost always want to see the mastery of specific skills. These include timing, a sense of narrative, and the ability to include stories, in addition to the requisite ability to present specific techniques and use data and analysis to support the presentation. 

Third, planners look for speakers that are relevant. Is the speaker a match with what their attendees are looking for? Is the presentation likely to stray? Will they need to reel in a prospective speaker, or can he or she stick to a script? All of these answers may affect their decision. 

Speaking Fees

Fourth, another aspect event planners consider when hiring keynote or guest speakers is their event budget. Although it’s important not to go over budget, it can be easy for planners to fixate on the glitz of a high-profile speaker before seeing their fee. To avoid this, many planners look for a diamond in the rough. Some of the best speakers are lesser-known people whose value makes up for the “glitz” they lack. As an aspiring speaker, this is one of the most important considerations to keep in mind, especially if you hope to eventually increase your speaking fees .

Finally, the majority of event planners also look at the diversity of their speakers. Well-organized events tend to vary when it comes to the gender and race of the speakers, in order to provide different opinions and angles of the main topic. In fact, according to a 2020 study by the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), 56% of event planners include diversity goals in their speaker hiring process. With that in mind, if you’re not chosen for a given event, don’t take it to heart. In some cases, event planners may have absolutely loved to hire you. They just wanted to give someone with less visibility a chance to be heard.

So You Want to Be a Keynote Speaker…

If you’re an aspiring keynote speaker, there are a handful of things you can do immediately to increase your credibility. These include establishing – or modernizing – your personal brand and investing in the visibility of your speaking business. This can be done through a variety of avenues, such as sales and marketing efforts, social media campaigns, and an updated website. But, of all these ways to grow your speaking business , the key thing to remember is not to neglect them. 

If you’re already actively marketing yourself as a keynote speaker, on the other hand, the key important thing to remember is to do your homework in advance. Before each event, make sure you know the event details, who is hosting it, and what the event planner hopes to gain for their audience. Additionally, plan ahead of time how you want to position yourself and the mechanics of your presentation. Beyond writing a great speech and knowing your message, you also need to anticipate how the audience will perceive you and organize your presentation with that in mind. That way, you can be confident of your positive impact (even after leaving the stage). Plus, your client will want to invite you back for future events. Win, win!

So You Want To Be a Guest Speaker…

Conversely, if your goal is to be a guest speaker and you’re just starting out, start with the basics. Rather than focusing solely on stagecraft or finding speaking opportunities, start by building your reputation in a certain niche or two. Among the SpeakerFlow team, we have a saying that “niches lead to riches”. In other words, tailoring your content to a specific audience will make it easier for you to sell your services.

From there, like a keynote speaker focuses on promoting their personal brand, focus on building yours. From your sales collateral to your presentations, the more you prepare, the more event planners will want to hire you. And the more planners hire you, the quicker you’ll segue into keynote speaking, if you want to speak full-time. 

For more information about starting a speaking business, check out our previous guides, including “ How To Start A Speaking Business: The Ultimate Guide ” and “ 7 Professional Speakers To Model Your Business After .”

Additionally, to learn more about how you can grow your speaking business – with the help of technology customized to the speaking industry – check out our operating system or drop us a line at [email protected] . 👍

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You made a good point when you said that a keynote speaker is being hired to ensure that the audience members could connect with the event material smoothly. This reminded me of my supervisor who wants to hire a speaker for a leadership development conference next month. She wants to ensure that all the attendees would get something out of the conference as they want everyone to act as leaders.

Exactly! Couldn’t agree with you more. 👏

[…] regardless of whether there are two keynote speakers – one at the start and one at the end. multiple keynote speakers are rare, but it is possible to host these events on […]

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Keynote User Guide for Mac

• What’s new in Keynote 14.0
• Intro to Keynote
• Intro to images, charts, and other objects
• Create a presentation
• Choose how to navigate your presentation
• Open or close a presentation
• Save and name a presentation
• Find a presentation
• Print a presentation
• Undo or redo changes
• Show or hide sidebars
• Quick navigation
• Change the working view
• Expand and zoom your workspace
• Customize the Keynote toolbar
• Change Keynote settings on Mac
• Touch Bar for Keynote
• Create a presentation using VoiceOver
• Add or delete slides
• Reorder slides
• Group or ungroup slides
• Skip or unskip a slide
• Change the slide size
• Change a slide background
• Add a border around a slide
• Show or hide text placeholders
• Show or hide slide numbers
• Apply a slide layout
• Add and edit slide layouts
• Change a theme
• Add an image
• Add an image gallery
• Edit an image
• Add and edit a shape
• Combine or break apart shapes
• Draw a shape
• Save a shape to the shapes library
• Add and align text inside a shape
• Add 3D objects
• Add lines and arrows
• Animate, share, or save drawings
• Add video and audio
• Record audio
• Edit video and audio
• Add live video
• Set movie and image formats
• Position and align objects
• Use alignment guides
• Place objects inside a text box or shape
• Layer, group, and lock objects
• Change object transparency
• Fill shapes and text boxes with color or an image
• Add a border to an object
• Add a caption or title
• Add a reflection or shadow
• Use object styles
• Resize, rotate, and flip objects
• Move and edit objects using the object list
• Add linked objects to make your presentation interactive
• Select text
• Copy and paste text
• Use dictation to enter text
• Use accents and special characters
• Format a presentation for another language
• Use phonetic guides
• Use bidirectional text
• Use vertical text
• Change the font or font size
• Add bold, italic, underline, or strikethrough to text
• Change the color of text
• Change text capitalization
• Add a shadow or outline to text
• Intro to paragraph styles
• Apply a paragraph style
• Create, rename, or delete paragraph styles
• Update or revert a paragraph style
• Use a keyboard shortcut to apply a style
• Adjust character spacing
• Add drop caps
• Raise and lower characters and text
• Format fractions automatically
• Create and use character styles
• Format dashes and quotation marks
• Format Chinese, Japanese, or Korean text
• Set tab stops
• Format text into columns
• Adjust line spacing
• Format lists
• Add a highlight effect to text
• Add mathematical equations
• Add borders and rules (lines) to separate text
• Add or delete a table
• Select tables, cells, rows, and columns
• Add or remove rows and columns
• Move rows and columns
• Resize rows and columns
• Merge or unmerge cells
• Change the look of table text
• Show, hide, or edit a table title
• Change table gridlines and colors
• Use table styles
• Resize, move, or lock a table
• Add and edit cell content
• Format dates, currency, and more
• Create a custom cell format
• Highlight cells conditionally
• Format tables for bidirectional text
• Alphabetize or sort table data
• Calculate values using data in table cells
• Use the Formulas and Functions Help
• Add or delete a chart
• Change a chart from one type to another
• Modify chart data
• Move, resize, and rotate a chart
• Change the look of data series
• Add a legend, gridlines, and other markings
• Change the look of chart text and labels
• Add a chart border and background
• Use chart styles
• Animate objects onto and off a slide
• Animate objects on a slide
• Change build order and timing
• Add transitions
• Present on your Mac
• Present on a separate display
• Present on a Mac over the internet
• Use a remote
• Make a presentation advance automatically
• Play a slideshow with multiple presenters
• Add and view presenter notes
• Rehearse on your Mac
• Record presentations
• Check spelling
• Look up words
• Find and replace text
• Replace text automatically
• Set author name and comment color
• Highlight text
• Add and print comments
• Send a presentation
• Intro to collaboration
• Invite others to collaborate
• Collaborate on a shared presentation
• See the latest activity in a shared presentation
• Change a shared presentation’s settings
• Stop sharing a presentation
• Shared folders and collaboration
• Use Box to collaborate
• Create an animated GIF
• Post your presentation in a blog
• Use iCloud Drive with Keynote
• Export to PowerPoint or another file format
• Reduce the presentation file size
• Save a large presentation as a package file
• Restore an earlier version of a presentation
• Move a presentation
• Delete a presentation
• Password-protect a presentation
• Lock a presentation
• Create and manage custom themes
• Transfer files with AirDrop
• Transfer presentations with Handoff
• Transfer presentations with the Finder
• Keyboard shortcuts
• Keyboard shortcut symbols

Record Keynote presentations on Mac

You can record a presentation with voiceover narration on your Mac to play later in Keynote or export as a video file. This is especially useful when you want to distribute or present a prerecorded presentation virtually, or if you want to record a slideshow for someone to play in your absence.

Record a presentation

Open the presentation, then click to select the first slide in the slide navigator .

Choose Play > Record Slideshow (from the Play menu at the top of your screen). The presenter display appears with recording controls visible at the bottom of your screen.

The timer counts down from 3 before recording begins.

Do any of the following while recording the presentation:

Go to the next slide or build: Press the Right Arrow key.

Go back a slide or reset the builds on the slide: Press the Left Arrow key.

Jump to a different slide: Press any number to make the slide navigator appear, enter the slide number, then press Return.

Open or close a list of keyboard shortcuts: Press the Question Mark (?) key on your keyboard. You can use the shortcuts to control your presentation.

To edit the recording, do one of the following:

Press Esc to exit the presenter display.

The recording is saved with your presentation and can be played in Keynote. To export a recorded presentation as a video or another file format, see Export to PowerPoint or another file format .

To remove a recording from your Keynote presentation, choose Play > Clear Recording, then select Clear in the pop-up menu.

Play a recorded presentation in Keynote on Mac

With the presentation open, do one of the following:

Play recorded presentation in full screen: Choose Play > Play Recorded Slideshow.

Play recorded presentation in a window: Choose Play > Play Recorded Slideshow in Window.

To stop playing the presentation, press Esc.

• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Meaning of keynote in English

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• at the core of something
• focal point
• foundation stone
• heavyweight
• precondition
• the grandaddy of something idiom
• the name of the game idiom

keynote | American Dictionary

Keynote | business english, examples of keynote, translations of keynote.

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keynote address

Definition of keynote address

called also keynote speech

Examples of keynote address in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'keynote address.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

1863, in the meaning defined above

Dictionary Entries Near keynote address

keynote speaker

Cite this Entry

“Keynote address.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keynote%20address. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

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Example sentences keynote presentation

At my count, more than 40 titles are covered in the keynote presentation alone.

Instead of following, they want to lead, and everyone wants his keynote presentation to be remembered.

There are normally 7 to 8 papers presented, including a keynote presentation .

Close to 2,000 attendees participated in important dialogue with thought leaders in digital media, through keynote presentations and interactive breakout sessions.

A detailed list of publications as well as downloadable videocasts and slideshows of conference keynote presentations.

Definition of 'keynote' keynote

Definition of 'present' present

COBUILD Collocations keynote presentation

Browse alphabetically keynote presentation

• keynote address
• keynote lecture
• keynote presentation
• keynote speaker
• keynote speech
• All ENGLISH words that begin with 'K'

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How to Use AI for Powerful Presentations

Creating compelling and visually engaging presentations has always been a challenging task. As technology continues to evolve, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a game-changer in this field. AI-powered tools and platforms can significantly enhance your presentation by automating tedious tasks, improving design, and even analyzing audience engagement. This guide will walk you through the various ways you can utilize AI to create powerful presentations that captivate your audience.

Table of Contents

Introduction.

• Definition and Overview
• Time Efficiency
• Design Optimization
• Audience Analysis
• Presentation Creation Tools
• Design Enhancement Tools
• Interactive Audience Tools
• Analytics Tools
• Choosing the Right AI Tool
• Designing with AI
• Enhancing Content with AI
• Analyzing Audience Engagement
• Corporate Presentations
• Educational Lectures
• Marketing Pitches

Best Practices for Using AI in Presentations

Challenges and limitations of ai in presentations, future of ai in presentations.

In an era where attention spans are dwindling, the need to create impactful presentations has never been more critical. Traditional approaches often fall short in engaging audiences and conveying messages effectively. Enter AI – a revolutionary technology transforming presentations by automating routine tasks, optimizing design, and providing deep insights into audience behavior.

This guide will explore how AI can be leveraged to craft presentations that not only inform but also inspire and engage. Whether you’re a corporate professional, educator, or marketer, mastering AI-driven presentations can set you apart and drive your message home with unparalleled clarity and impact.

Understanding AI in Presentations

Artificial Intelligence, commonly known as AI, refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines. These systems are programmed to think, learn, and make decisions, often mimicking human cognitive functions. In the context of presentations, AI can automate processes, predict needs, and provide analytical insights that enhance the overall quality and effectiveness of your content.

Benefits of Using AI in Presentations

One of the most significant advantages of AI is its ability to save time. Preparing a presentation traditionally involves hours of creating slides, designing, and editing. AI tools can automate these tasks:

• Slide Creation: AI can auto-generate slides based on the input text, saving hours of manual work.
• Content Suggestions: Tools like Grammarly or Wordtune can provide content improvement suggestions.
• Design Templates: AI can choose the optimal design from a plethora of templates based on your content and audience.

AI excels in enhancing the visual appeal of presentations.

• Layout and Styling: AI can recommend layouts that suit your content structure, ensuring a clean and professional look.
• Color Schemes: Tools like Canva and Adobe Spark use AI to suggest color palettes that enhance readability and aesthetics.
• Image Optimization: AI tools can suggest or auto-insert images that are relevant to your content, improving engagement.

Understanding your audience is crucial for effective presentations.

• Predictive Analysis: AI can analyze past presentations and audience interactions to predict which elements will engage your current audience.
• Sentiment Analysis: Tools like IBM Watson can analyze audience reactions and provide insights into their engagement levels.
• Personalization: AI can help tailor your presentation to meet the needs of different audience segments based on their preferences and previous interactions.

AI Tools for Presentations

• Microsoft PowerPoint Designer: Uses AI to suggest design ideas as you create your slides.
• Google Slides Explore: An AI-powered tool that offers design recommendations and insights.
• Beautiful.ai: Automatically designs slides based on your content input.
• Canva: Utilizes AI to suggest templates, layouts, and color schemes.
• Visme: Offers data visualization tools powered by AI to create compelling infographics and charts.
• Adobe Spark: Provides AI-driven design suggestions and automates complex design processes.
• Mentimeter: Uses AI to create interactive polls, quizzes, and Q&A sessions.
• Sli.do: Enhances audience interaction through live polls and feedback using AI algorithms.
• Poll Everywhere: Engages audiences with AI-powered polling and real-time graphics.
• Prezi Analytics: Uses AI to track viewership, engagement, and interaction with your presentation.
• Zoho Showtime: Provides detailed analytics on audience participation and feedback.
• Tableau: A powerful tool that uses AI to analyze data and provide insights into audience behavior.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using AI in Presentations

The first step towards leveraging AI for your presentations is selecting the appropriate tool based on your needs:

• For design and layout: Tools like Canva and Beautiful.ai are ideal.
• For interactive elements: Consider Mentimeter or Sli.do.
• For analytics: Opt for Prezi Analytics or Zoho Showtime.

Once you’ve chosen your tool, start by inputting your content:

• Upload or Input Text: AI will begin analyzing your text to suggest appropriate layouts and designs.
• Select Templates: Choose from the AI-recommended templates that best fit your content.
• Customize: Use AI-powered customization tools to adjust colors, fonts, and other design elements.

AI tools can help polish and enrich your content:

• Content Suggestions: Use tools like Grammarly for grammar and style improvements.
• Incorporate Multimedia: Automatically add relevant images, videos, or infographics.
• Interactive Elements: Embed AI-powered polls, quizzes, or live Q&A to engage your audience.

Post-presentation, use AI to analyze performance metrics:

• Viewership Analytics: Track who viewed your presentation and for how long.
• Engagement Metrics: Analyze interaction points such as slide transitions, quizzes, and polls.
• Feedback Analysis: Use sentiment analysis tools to gauge audience feedback and adjust future presentations accordingly.

Real-World Examples

Case Study: Tech Giants Tech companies like Apple and Google utilize AI-driven tools to craft their keynote presentations. By analyzing previous audience interactions, they tailor content to maintain engagement and ensure information retention.

Case Study: Universities Universities employ AI tools to design interactive lectures. Tools like Sli.do enhance student engagement through live polling and real-time feedback, creating a dynamic learning environment.

Case Study: Startups Startups use AI-powered platforms such as Beautiful.ai to create compelling investor pitches. By leveraging AI design recommendations, they create visually appealing decks that succinctly convey their business value propositions.

• Understand Your Tool: Familiarize yourself with the AI tool’s capabilities and limitations.
• Combine AI with Human Touch: Automatically generated content should be refined by human intelligence and creativity.
• Keep the Audience in Mind: Use AI insights to tailor content effectively to audience preferences.
• Stay Updated: Continuously explore new AI tools and features to stay ahead in presentation design.

While AI brings numerous benefits, it is not without limitations:

• Quality Control: AI suggestions may not always align with your vision, requiring manual adjustments.
• Data Privacy: Handling and analyzing audience data must comply with privacy regulations.
• Technical Issues: AI tools may experience bugs or glitches, potentially disrupting the presentation flow.

The future of AI in presentations is promising, with ongoing advancements in machine learning and natural language processing. We can expect:

• More Personalization: AI will increasingly tailor presentations to individual audience members.
• Enhanced Interaction: Future tools will offer more immersive and interactive experiences.
• Greater Integration: Seamless integration with various platforms will streamline the presentation creation process.

AI has revolutionized the way we create and deliver presentations, offering tools that save time, optimize design, and enhance audience engagement. By leveraging these AI-driven solutions, you can craft powerful presentations that leave a lasting impression. Stay informed about the latest trends and tools in AI to continually improve your presentation game and effectively communicate your message to any audience.

Dive into the world of AI-powered presentations today, and watch your presentations transform from ordinary to extraordinary.

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20+ Brand Presentation Templates (For PPT, Keynote & More)

In the dynamic world of branding, the effectiveness of your presentation plays a critical role in determining the success of your brand strategy. Whether you’re a new startup looking to establish your identity or an existing business aiming to pivot or expand, a well-structured and engaging brand presentation can make all the difference. This post is designed to help you take your brand presentations to the next level, with a comprehensive collection of versatile presentation templates.

We’ve scoured the internet to bring you over 20 top-notch brand presentation templates suitable for various presentation platforms – from PowerPoint (PPT) to Keynote and beyond. These templates are designed to accentuate your brand’s unique features and help articulate your vision compellingly. They not only save you precious time but also ripple a more professional vibe to your audience.

Whether you are on a lookout for free or paid templates, this list has got you covered. Curated with care, these templates promise to deliver your brand narrative effectively, while ensuring your presentations never fail to impress. So, let’s dive in and explore these creative assets to master the art of presenting your brand.

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Clean Business PPT

Agency Portfolio PPT

Bolo PPT Template

The X Note Template

Analysiz Powerpoint

Ciri PPT Template

Vaselina brand presentation.

The Vaselina Brand Presentation is a meticulously designed asset offering an ultra-modern and professional layout. It features 20 unique designs, image placeholders, and numerous layout and text variations. Key assets include business guideline pages, easy customization, and full HD quality. This user-friendly presentation, created with Slidemaster, does not include preview images. Free support is provided for further convenience.

Nanase Brand Presentation

The Nanase Brand Presentation offers an ultra-modern, professionally designed template that’s built with painstaking attention to detail. This multipurpose offering can be utilised for various presentation needs—from business to branding. It boasts 35 unique layouts, easy image placeholders, and full customization including color changes. Its user-friendly design ensures you can create a professional, high-definition presentation with ease.

Consulting Brand PPT Template

Offered by a third party, the Consulting Brand PPT Template is a versatile tool for business presentations. Featuring 37 editable pages in a contemporary 16:9 aspect ratio and a professional blue theme, this template allows for easy customization. From drag-and-drop image insertion to editable charts and resizable graphics, it’s designed for total convenience. Please note, images from the demos are not included.

Branding – Presentation Template Bundle

The Branding – Presentation Template Bundle is a versatile tool that seamlessly integrates with PowerPoint, Keynote and Google Slides. It offers 90 unique custom slides with intuitive image placeholder functionality, making adding visuals to your presentation a breeze. With its theme colour options, you can customize your slides according to your preference or branding, ensuring your presentation is both impactful and professional.

Luminor Brand Presentation Keynote

The Luminor Brand Presentation Keynote template is a minimalistic yet creative solution for companies or individuals looking to showcase their projects. It comes with 23 unique slides, easy customization options, and supports a 16:9 screen ratio. The template offers features such as drag-and-drop image placement, free font use, and animated transitions. The pack includes the main .key file and a useful documentation PDF.

Yeloma – Branding Presentation

Yeloma – Branding Presentation Template Powerpoint is perfect for various purposes including business, fashion, or startups. It offers a clean, elegant look with a unique design ideal for enhancing your presentations. Its features encompass 31 total slides, full HD, free web fonts, and a professionally laid out, editable and resizable graphics. Remember to install necessary Google Fonts before use. The powerpoint file (ppt) is what you’ll receive; image and photo are not included.

Bara Brand Presentation

Bara Brand Presentation is a versatile, professional-quality asset boasting a modern and unique design. Offering 20 individual layouts, room for image placeholders, and a 1920X1080px ratio, this asset is crafted with Slidemaster for easy drag-and-drop customization. The package also provides various layout and text variations, business-guidelines pages, and free support, giving you the utmost versatility in your presentations.

Stint Creative Brand Presentation

Stint Creative Brand Presentation is a versatile, high-resolution template with a minimalist design perfectly tailored for fashion or lifestyle brands. This one-of-a-kind pitch template, filled with careful color choices, unique styles, and classy typefaces, offers an eye-catching on-screen or print display. It offers entirely customizable, modern slides with drag and drop image placeholders and plenty of useful features for your marketing and business strategies.

NO BRAND – Google Slides Presentation

The NO BRAND – Google Slides Presentation is a powerful, professional solution for creating presentations in just minutes, not hours. Boasting a striking, contemporary design, this template offers over 40 unique, fully responsive, wide-screen slides which are also easy to edit. It comes with pixel-accurate master slide options allowing drag-and-drop image upload for added efficiency. Note, images are not included due to Envato policy.

Luminor Brand Presentation for Powerpoint

The Luminor Brand Presentation for PowerPoint is a versatile, minimalist template perfect for businesses or personal projects. Tailored to exhibit and promote to potential clients or partners, this template features 23 unique slides, an easy drag-and-drop interface for images, and customizable animation and transitions. It includes a 16:9 screen ratio and a file documentation for ease of use.

Brand Guidelines Presentation

The Brand Guidelines Presentation Template is a dynamic, easy-to-use tool that effortlessly showcases your work and company profile in a sleek, modern design. The template includes customizable photo layouts, infographics, tables, vector icons and diagrams. It offers 24 slides and an image-change feature, all adaptable to both technical and non-technical users. This resource is compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint and can be used on both iMac and Windows systems.

Picolor Brand Presentation Template

The Picolor Brand Presentation Template is a versatile, professionally designed tool ideal for a variety of presentations, from business to branding. Crafted with precision and a keen attention to detail, the template includes 50 unique slides, customizable themes and colors, high-quality media placeholders, and a strong emphasis on typography. This user-friendly, HD template will make any presentation shine. Please note, preview images aren’t included.

Brand Guidelines Presentation Template

The Brand Guidelines Presentation Template is a versatile and professional tool for presenting your work or company profile. It boasts an array of features, including creative photo layouts, infographics, tables, and vector icons. This easy-to-use template, which comes in various formats for tech-savvy and non-tech users, elevates your presentation to the next level with its contemporary design and user-friendly, drag-and-drop editing system.

Brand Strategy Template

The AURA Brand Strategy Template is a modern, professionally designed PowerPoint presentation specifically tailored for creative portfolios or showcases. It boasts a range of features such as drag-and-drop photo replace, a customizable theme color, and 32 editable slides. The template, which is designed in a 16:9 format with a cool resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, incorporates minimalistic design with free fonts and resizable vector elements.

Brand Identity and Proposal Presentation

The Brand Identity Proposal is a versatile and professionally designed template perfect for brand development and promotion activities. You can easily tailor the template according to your needs, with all necessary files included for a swift set-up. The download comes with a web or screen size Brand Proposal template presentation and helpful tutorial files. Feel free to modify or retain its original design.

Brand Guide Lines Presentation

The Brand Guide Lines Presentation is a versatile and customizable asset, offering 50 editable pages catering to a 16:9 aspect ratio. With a size of 34×19 cm and a resolution of 1920×1080 px, it’s easy to update with simple drag and drop functionality. Please note, images used in the demo are not included.

Brand Manual PowerPoint Presentation

The Brand Manual PowerPoint Presentation Template is a versatile tool designed for a range of applications, such as corporate business presentations, company profiles, project proposals, digital marketing, and more. It features 30 editable slides, a 16:9 widescreen format, and a simple drag and drop interface. With recommended free web fonts, Master Slides basis, and easy picture placeholders, it’s built to be easily customizable according to your needs.

Brand Guidelines

The Brand Guideline Presentation Template is a easy-to-use, creative tool that allows you to professionally showcase your brand. With an appealing minimalist design, just add your logo, choose your brand colors, and select your typography. It features 28 unique slide formats, all with a 16:9 ratio and resizable vector elements. The template can be easily customized and exported in pdf or pptx format to present to clients.

Brand Strategy Presentation

The Brand Strategy Presentation Template is a minimalist design tool that allows you to effortlessly create a brand proposal for your client. Simply add your logo, images, brand colors and typography to get started. This flexible toolkit includes a full HD 16:9 ratio, 22 unique slides, reusable vector elements, and more. It can be customized and exported in PDF or PPTX formats.

Brand Guideline PPT

The Brand Guideline Presentation is an essential tool for establishing your brand identity. Designed with a minimalistic approach inspired by the classic Aesop brand, it allows you to easily insert your logos and images, and modify colors and typography. The template consists of various sections including a portfolio and resume, and features 25 unique slides, all vehicles for showcasing your brand. Microsoft Powerpoint compatible for effortless editing, this creative asset simplifies the task of brand guideline creation, leaving more time for you to focus on other aspects of your brand development.

Brand Keynote Guidelines

The Brand Keynote Guidelines is a user-friendly tool designed to streamline your branding work. It provides a customizable template where you can effortlessly input your logo and images, aptly define your brand colours and typography, and even comfortably manage your photography style. Essentially, it packs six sections complimented with 30 slides that are easily adjustable. A tool compatible with both Apple & Windows machines, promises a full HD experience while abolishing the need for any professional designing skills.

Brand Proposal Presentation

The Brand Proposal Presentation Template is a tool designed to simplify the creation of brand pitches. This plug and play template, which sports a minimal design inspired by the Aesop brand, allows easy incorporation and editing of logos, images, colour schemes, and typography. With sections such as ‘Special Service’, ‘Team Management’, and ‘Data Chart & Infographic’, this comprehensive template suits a variety of clients and can be easily exported as a pdf or pptx.

Brand Analysis and Business Template

The Brand Analysis and Business Template is a professionally designed PowerPoint template ideal for presenting brand guidelines. It features a clean, creative, and simple design with 25 unique slides, a master slide layout, theme color, and a full HD 16:9 ratio. All elements are resizable vectors and the template allows easy photo replacement, and color change to suit your brand aesthetic.

The Brand Guidelines Presentation is a versatile and easily-editable tool offered by a third-party. Included are a total of 22 slides, with resizable graphics and recommended free web-fonts based on Master Slides. The 16:9 wide screen ratio design includes picture placeholders and Google fonts. For your convenience, the package contains a Google Slide .PPTX file, and a Documentation File to simplify editing. Please note, images included in demonstration are not available in actual files.

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Controlled Presentation and the Keyword Mnemonic

There is some evidence suggesting that an unstructured learning environment, where learners are presented with all the information to be studied and given a set period to review it, enhances learning outcomes, particularly when using repetition strategies.

Confining rote repetition within strict time constraints may diminish its effectiveness. An unpaced study session resembles more closely the typical learning scenario.

The Importance of Individual Instruction and Practice

It is evident that instruction in mnemonic techniques is crucial. Notably, the keyword mnemonic method shows greater efficacy when students receive individualized instruction rather than group instruction. This trend holds true for adults and adolescents, but not for children.

Children can benefit from group instruction in mnemonic techniques, although the reasons for this are not entirely understood. It is possible that older students have established their own learning strategies, necessitating more personalized instruction to override preexisting habits.

Additionally, children often receive more guidance in employing the technique, such as being provided with keywords and detailed images, simplifying the process compared to generating their own keywords and associations.

Creating durable keyword images requires significant practice. Initially, you should focus on creating distinctive images. With extensive practice, you can reliably produce images that effectively integrate the relational qualities of the information being learned.

Effectiveness of the Keyword Mnemonic for Different Types of Words

Research indicates that the keyword mnemonic is particularly effective for concrete words, which can be easily visualized. While the mnemonic technique should not be limited to concrete words, generating concrete images for abstract words can be challenging.

However, verbal mnemonics, such as sentences linking the keyword and the definition, do not face this limitation.

The Role of Images in Mnemonics

Most learners use images to connect the keyword with its definition.

A study examining children’s learning of Spanish vocabulary compared the use of images with sentence mnemonics and found no significant difference in effectiveness. Interestingly, sentence mnemonics scored slightly higher, though the difference was not statistically significant.

In conclusion, the keyword mnemonic technique, particularly when tailored to individual learners and given ample practice, can significantly enhance vocabulary retention. Whether using images or sentences, the key lies in creating strong, memorable associations. Try it!

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Club MacMost Exclusive: Creating Bento Box Presentations In Keynote

It is easy to create presentations that combine multiple pieces of information on one slide and then use transitions to build it gradually.

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FinTech LIVE Dubai – Mastercard Keynote Presentation

Taking to the virtual stage at FinTech LIVE Dubai, Amnah Ajmal, Group Executive Vice President of Market Development (EMEA) at Mastercard delivered a keynote presentation on Accelerating Growth – Strategies for Market Expansion and Partnership. 

The human aspect of technology and its transformative impact

In the era of AI, Amnah starts her keynote by discussing the intersection of technology and human leadership. She highlights the significant changes technology brings to various industries, particularly in banking. She also notes the shift from traditional banking to the current demand for financial services.

"I'm a passionate believer that artificial intelligence would redefine every possible industry in every possible way," says Amnah.

Technology and the healthcare industry  Using the healthcare industry to illustrate technology’s impact, Amnah discusses the rapid increase in healthcare information and the necessity of AI to keep up with the pace. Amnah continues to delve into the healthcare challenges in rural areas and how technology helps to bridge that gap and make healthcare more inclusive.

Addressing the bias in AI

Amnah stresses the collective responsibility to ensure technology advances inclusively, sharing a personal experience of using AI image generation to emphasise the importance of fair representation in technology. 

She also discusses the need to train AI models to avoid replicating historical bias data, and the need for ongoing research and leadership efforts to rectify biases in AI.

The social impact of technology and privacy concerns

Reflecting on how technology affects social behaviours – for example, making the world both more connected and more isolated –  she shares statistics about the impact of social media and technology on children and society.

She also discusses the impact of privacy and cybersecurity particularly for children, highlighting the challenges for parents to protect their children in a digital world.

"Technology has made us very social, but has it made us antisocial also? [...] Most children spend like 75% of their waking life with their eyes fixed on a screen," says Amnah.

The role of leadership

When it comes to making technology human-centric, leadership with be vital. Amnah advises businesses to focus on customer problems and prioritise significant issues for better market expansion and maintaining a competitive edge. She also emphasises the importance of surrounding yourself with talented individuals and staying up to date with technology advancements. 

"We have to learn to surround ourselves with talented, smarter people than us and better than us because with so much happening around technology, it's impossible to keep up to pace with everything," says Amnah.

More to come in 2024…

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• FinTech LIVE London 
• The Global FinTech Awards

Make sure you check out the latest edition of FinTech Magazine and also sign up to our global conference series – FinTech LIVE 2024

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Watch the Microsoft Build 2024 keynote live here: More on Copilot+ and AI-enhanced PCs

New surface pcs with qualcomm arm chips were just the beginning.

The annual Microsoft Build developers officially conference kicks off today — but the tech giant has already revealed a laundry list of AI-centric hardware news. In a jam-packed Monday press conference, Microsoft unveiled one of the biggest changes to the Windows PC landscape in a long time. Copilot+ PCs , led by new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro models, are a promising new line of computers powered by Qualcomm Arm chips that enable significantly improved battery life without (if Microsoft is to be believed) the performance and compatibility compromises that have afflicted earlier Windows-on-Arm iterations over the past dozen or so years. Read our full wrap-up of the Surface/Copilot+ event for the details.

So what else does Microsoft have up its sleeve this week? Even more AI news, no doubt. With the hardware and Windows 11 news already on the board, CEO Satya Nadella and crew can provide even more detail on how the company's OpenAI partnership will further develop, and how Redmond will continue to counter Google's Gemini upgrades which were announced just last week.

You can follow along in real-time when the Build keynote starts Tuesday, May 21 at 12 PM ET/9 AM PT, and is scheduled to run for two hours. Watch the entire event live on YouTube (which is also embedded above) and at Microsoft's site (registration required).

If you want even more in-depth Microsoft Build news, there's also a second keynote session on Wednesday entitled Next generation AI for developers with the Microsoft Cloud . That one is scheduled for 11:30 AM ET/8:30 AM PT on May 22 and slated to run for 90 minutes.

Microsoft Build 2024 news so far

Microsoft surface and copilot event: everything announced including new surface laptops, copilot+ pc and more, microsoft surface pro copilot+ hands-on: slimmer bezels and ai smarts.

The Surface Pro Flex is Microsoft's revamped keyboard for 2-in-1s

Here are Dell’s five new Copilot+ PCs

HP Omnibook X hands-on: Vintage branding in the new era of AI

ASUS’ first Copilot+ PC locks when you walk away and unlocks when you return

Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs will be available this fall

The Yoga Slim 7x is Lenovo’s attempt at a MacBook Air

Microsoft rebuilt Windows 11 around AI and Arm chip

AI isn't the star of Microsoft's Copilot+ PC push — improved Arm support is

With Recall, Microsoft is using AI to fix Windows' eternally broken search

Here are all of the just-announced Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon X Chips

Microsoft Paint is getting an AI-powered image generator that responds to your text prompts and doodles

Microsoft unveils Copilot for Teams

Microsoft teams up with Khan Academy to make the Khanmigo AI teaching assistant free

This story was originally posted earlier and has been updated to reflect Monday's Copilot+, Surface and Windows 11 announcements and Tuesday's pre-keynote Build news.

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Microsoft wants to put its Copilot everywhere. It's only a matter of time before Microsoft renames its annual Build developer conference to Microsoft Copilot. Hopefully, some of those upcoming events will be a bit less lackluster than this year's edition, which lacks any real standout announcements after Microsoft already announced its new Arm-based laptops and AI features in Windows 11 at a separate event the day before Build.

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Acer joins Microsoft, Dell and others in announcing a Copilot+ PC

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Microsoft wants to make its brand of generative AI more useful for teams -- specifically teams across corporations and large enterprise organizations. This morning at its annual Build dev conference, Microsoft announced Team Copilot, the latest expansion of its Copilot family of generative AI tech. Unlike Microsoft's previous Copilot-branded products, Team Copilot isn't so much a point solution as a set of capabilities together aimed at "improving collaboration" and "streamlining project management."

Pre-order Samsung’s first Copilot+ laptop and get a free 50-inch 4K TV

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Microsoft's new Surface Pro, its first hybrid Copilot+ PC tablet, doesn't look much different than its predecessors.

Microsoft outage impacts Bing, Copilot, ChatGPT internet search and other sites

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Microsoft’s new 'Volumetric Apps' for Quest headsets extend Windows apps into the 3D space

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ASUS isn’t sitting out the rush of AI-enhanced Copilot+ PCs. The company’s Vivobook S 15 has Windows AI features like memory assistant Recall, the image generator Cocreator, and several ASUS-exclusive AI apps.

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Copilot Workspace is GitHub's take on AI-powered software engineering

Ahead of its annual GitHub Universe conference in San Francisco early this fall, GitHub announced Copilot Workspace, a dev environment that taps what GitHub describes as "Copilot-powered agents" to help developers brainstorm, plan, build, test and run code in natural language. Jonathan Carter, head of GitHub Next, GitHub's software R&D team, pitches Workspace as somewhat of an evolution of GitHub's AI-powered coding assistant Copilot into a more general tool, building on recently introduced capabilities like Copilot Chat, which lets developers ask questions about code in natural language.

Data and trends that will define 2024 season: This WR stat can help ID potential draft sleepers and busts

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SRECon 2024 Keynote: Is It Already Time To Version Observability? (Signs Point To Yes)

SRECon 2024 Keynote: Is It Already Time To Version Observability? (Signs Point To Yes)

Recording: https://www.usenix.org/conference/srecon24americas/presentation/majors-plenary

Pillars, cardinality, metrics, dashboards ... the definition of observability has been debated to death, and I'm done with it. Let's just say that observability is a property of complex systems, just like reliability or performance. This definition feels both useful and true, and I am 100% behind it.

However, there has recently been a generational sea change in data types, usability, workflows, and cost models, along with what users report is a massive, discontinuous leap in value. In the parlance of semantic versioning, it is a breaking, backwards-incompatible change. Which means it’s time to bump the major version number. Observability 1.0, meet Observability 2.0.

In this presentation, we will outline the technical and sociotechnical characteristics of each generation of tooling and describe concrete steps you can take to advance or improve. These changes are being driven by the relentless increase in complexity of our systems, and none of us can afford to ignore them.

Charity Majors

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@mipsytipsy Is It Already Time To Version Observability?

@mipsytipsy engineer/cofounder/cto https://charity.wtf, what does “observability” mean “in control theory, observability is a, 2016 2017 2018 “what would the control theory definition mean,, observability is a ✨property✨ of complex systems., 1.0 ➡ 2.0 observability “three pillars:” metrics, logs, traces single, observability 1.0 metrics, logs and traces, captured separately many. apm,, observability 2.0 wide, rich structured logs (aka events or spans),, you have observability if you have… 1. arbitrarily-wide structured raw, observability 1.0 observability 2.0 how the data gets stored •, observability 1.0 observability 2.0 who uses it, and how •, observability 1.0 is about how you ✨operate✨ software observability 2.0, observability 1.0 observability 2.0 how you interact with production •, observability 1.0 observability 2.0 how you debug • you flip, observability 1.0 observability 2.0 the cost model • you pay, why does observability 1.0 cost so much because you have, envelope math: cost of a custom metric 5 hosts, 4, observability 1.0 observability 2.0 the cost model • ballooning costs, there are only three types of data: 1. the metric, tiny, fast, and cheap each metric is a single number,, unstructured logs to understand our systems, we turn to logs., we have learned to be insanely clever when it comes, metrics are a bridge to the past. structured logs are, what you can do ✨now✨ to start moving towards o11y, observability 2.0 is much faster, cheaper, and simpler to use., complexity is exploding, but our tools were designed for predictable, observability for software engineers can you understand what is happening, you build better systems by building software this way. you, here’s the dirty little secret: it can’t be done. the, those who try will lose. we can no longer hold, observability 2.0 advances the craft of software engineering. we are, the biggest obstacle between us and a better world, is, charity majors @mipsytipsy.