The 3 Secrets Behind A Great Keynote (From CYBERCON MELB 2024)
Ever wondered what makes a great keynote?
I definitely have.
So, during Joe Sullivan’s opening keynote for CyberCon Melb 2024 – I was taking notes 🤓
As a Public Speaking Coach, I was fascinated by how he had us hanging on every word. For nearly 1hr.
So I wanted to decipher – the Top 3 things he did really well.
Then share them here, for you to leverage too.
So in today’s Article, i’m sharing the Top 3 things he did really well in his Keynote.
Guess what though?
Joe was generous enough to sit down with me (virtually) and share what he’s learnt from giving keynotes all around the world.
The most enlightening thing I got out of the conversation with Joe was:
If you think you’re not cut out for a Keynote, you’re wrong.
I say this because:
Joe told me that in school he got an award for the “Most Shy” person! 🤯
Which is the best proof that even if you’re not at that stage now (pardon the pun!), it can be something that you work up to.
FYI – Whilst this article is focussed on the Keynote itself, if you scroll to the bottom, I compiled some additional tips Joe shared with me into a PDF (so you didn’t miss out on the rest of the conversation I had with him). As I couldn’t fit it all into this article!
Let’s get back to the Top 3 Things I Think He Did Really Well In His KeyNote:
#1 – HE HEAVILY LEVERAGED STORYTELLING
Most people’s talks are filled with information (i.e. tips and guidance) and very little storytelling.
If I was to put a percentage to it, I’d say roughly:
90% of people’s talks are ‘information’ and 10% are ‘stories’ (if that).
Joe’s on the other hand?
About 90% of his talk was a ‘story’ and only 10% was ‘information’.
He didn’t just come out and share the lessons he’s learnt along the way.
He told the story, in chronological order, bit by bit.
So we felt like we were vicariously living through it along-side him.
Which is important because people learn the most when they experience something.
Stories are more relatable, more memorable and more persuasive than information alone.
Joe himself said that he always tries to humanise what he’s sharing. i.e. bring a human into what he’s sharing.
Because, whenever people come up to him after a Keynote and mention what bit really resonated with them, it’s always a moment from his stories.
E.g. Where he mentioned his daughters, the work he does with Ukraine, or even his personal struggle.
How can you replicate this?
Realise that people generally prefer to hear:
“What you’ve done” VS “What you know”.
Be restrained with your use of information. Let your stories support your points.
Aim to fill your talk with more stories than information.
PRO TIP: If you’d like more tips on how to do this, checkout this article: 7 Story Ideas for a Tech Speaking Gig.
#2 – HE HAD VERY ‘VISUAL’ SLIDES
Most people’s slides are busy and filled with text.
Again, if I was going to give a percentage to it, I’d say roughly:
90% of people’s slides are text-based and 10% is something visual.
This can feel like walking through quick-sand.
It makes it harder to pay attention. It distracts and overwhelms.
Joe’s Slides?
Almost all his slides were simple + highly visual (e.g. photos, drawings and screenshots)
Here’s some photos of 3 of his slides as an example (they’re a little grainy because I was sitting right at the back, but you get the gist!):
I don’t believe there were any bullet points in the whole story.
Only at the end when he talked through some tips did he have traditional text-based slides.
His slides were 90% visual and 10% text.
Joe says the biggest mistake he used to make is starting with Slides and finding a pack he’s done before and editing that.
How can you replicate this?
Realise that people’s ears like ‘words’ but their eyes prefer ‘pictures’.
Aim to create your slides as visually as possible.
But only go to slides once you’re clear what you’re saying.
Be restrained with text + stick to the Billboard Rule (they’re glanceable in a second).
Review your slides and tweak as required until they’re simple and visual.
PRO TIP: If you’d like more tips on how to make slides more visual, checkout this article: 15 Ways To Create More Visual Slides.
#3 – HE SHOWED TRUE VULNERABILITY
Not many speakers show vulnerability up on stage.
Because a lot of us feel vulnerable enough just being up there presenting.
But most people in the audience start off not knowing you at all.
They don’t want to see a perfect robot up on stage. They want to see glimpses of rawness, of authenticity.
So that we feel we can relateto that person.
I’ve learnt an important lesson myself that:
>> Through vulnerability comes connection.
People come up to Joe after his keynotes and talk to him like he’s a friend.
Because he’s shared so much up on stage and wants it to feel like he’s having a conversation with just 1 person.
How can you replicate this?
Instead of aiming for perfection, aim to be real.
You can be vulnerable through either
- Self-deprecating humour (OR)
- By sharing your failures as well as your wins
- Giving an insight into your inner most feelings and conversations
Even though it’s difficult, try and share the hard parts as well.
We not born with all the answers.
So share some of your failures and how you felt about these difficult moments as well.
That’s where the true connection comes from.
IN SUMMARY
If you want to deliver a keynote (or a keynote-worthy presentation), don’t bore people with information, attempt Death By PowerPoint or aim to be perfect.
Stick to these 3 secrets instead:
#1 – Storyelling
#2 – Visual slides
#3 – Vulnerability
You’ll have the audience hanging on every word.
Cheers,
Emily
P.S. Joe shared more tips with me on the call I had with him, but I couldn’t fit everything into this Article. If you’re keen to find out a bit more (about how he beat his fear of public speaking, what he focusses on regarding delivery and how he preps in the lead up) here’s Joe Sullivan’s Extra Speaking Tips.
Hey, I’m Emily Edgeley, a Public Speaking & Storytelling Coach for the Tech industry.
Since 2017 I’ve transformed the lives of thousands, by helping them to communicate with more power. I’ve run 300+ group coaching sessions, coached more than 250 people privately, and helped more than 100+ others give their first ever Conf talk (including but not limited to BSides, CyberCon and BlackHat).
I’m on a mission to help anyone (in Tech / Cyber) communicate with more clarity, impact and confidence. To boost your brand, career and industry influence.
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