what is keynote speech meaning

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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What is a Keynote Speech: How to Leave a Lasting Impression

Last Updated on December 27, 2023 by Milton Campbell

As an event planner or someone responsible for organizing a conference or seminar, you understand the importance of finding the right keynote speaker.

A keynote speech sets the tone for the entire event, leaving a lasting impression on the audience. In this article, we will explore the world of keynote speeches and share insights on how to write and deliver a captivating keynote.

What is a Keynote Speech?

A keynote speech is a powerful presentation given by a keynote speaker at the beginning or end of an event.

It is designed to capture the audience’s attention, set the tone, and provide key takeaways that attendees can apply to their lives or work. A well-crafted and captivating keynote speech can inspire, motivate, and leave a lasting impact on the audience.

The Role of a Keynote Speaker

A keynote speaker plays a crucial role in the success of an event. They are experts in their field, often seasoned speakers who have honed their craft over years of experience.

A keynote speaker not only delivers a thought-provoking speech but also brings a unique perspective, shares personal stories, and engages the audience through humor, emotion, and relatability.

Writing a Captivating Keynote Speech

Writing a compelling keynote speech requires careful planning, organization, and a deep understanding of the audience. Here are some key steps to follow:

Understand Your Audience: Before writing your speech, spend time researching your audience. Who are they? What are their interests, challenges, and goals? Tailor your message to resonate with them.

Define Your Key Message: Every keynote speech should have a central theme or message that you want the audience to take away. Clarify this message and make it memorable.

Craft a Powerful Opening: Grab the audience’s attention from the start with a captivating story, intriguing statistic, or thought-provoking question. This will set the tone and create a sense of anticipation.

Organize Your Speech: Structure your speech logically and engagingly. Begin with an introduction, then move on to key points or stories, and end with a memorable conclusion that reinforces your key message.

Use Personal Stories: Personal stories are a powerful tool to connect with the audience emotionally. Share experiences or anecdotes that relate to your key message and make it relatable to the audience.

Incorporate Visuals: Visual aids such as slides or props can enhance your speech and make it more engaging. Use visuals sparingly to support your key points and avoid overwhelming the audience.

Practice and Rehearse: Delivering a flawless keynote speech requires practice. Rehearse your speech multiple times to ensure smooth delivery, confident body language, and effective use of pauses and intonation.

Engage with the Audience: Interact with the audience throughout your speech. Ask rhetorical questions, encourage participation, and create moments of connection. This will keep the audience engaged and make your speech memorable.

Tips for Giving a Motivational Keynote Address

Giving a keynote speech can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. You have the unique opportunity to captivate an audience, inspire them, and leave a lasting impression. In this section, we’ll share some valuable tips to help you deliver a powerful keynote speech that engages your audience, conveys your message effectively, and ensures a memorable experience.

1. Know Your Audience Inside Out

Understanding your audience is crucial to giving a successful keynote speech. Research their demographics, interests, challenges, and goals. This knowledge helps you tailor your message to resonate with them and ensures that your content is relevant and relatable.

Connect with your audience by addressing their specific needs and aspirations. By showing that you understand them, you’ll build trust and captivate their attention from the start.

2. Craft a Clear and Compelling Key Message

Every great keynote speech has a clear and compelling key message. Define the central theme or idea you want to convey to your audience.

Keep it concise and memorable so that it resonates long after your speech concludes. Your key message should guide the entire structure and content of your speech, ensuring a cohesive and impactful presentation.

3. Start Strong with a Captivating Opening

The beginning of your keynote speech sets the tone for the entire presentation. Capture your audience’s attention from the outset with a powerful, attention-grabbing opening.

Engage them from the first moment with a captivating story, intriguing statistic, or thought-provoking question. A strong opening creates a sense of anticipation and hooks your audience, making them eager to hear more.

4. Structure Your Speech for Impact

A well-structured keynote speech keeps the audience engaged and enhances their understanding of your message. Organize your speech in a logical and impactful manner.

Begin with an introduction that establishes your credibility and builds rapport with the audience. Then, present key points or stories that support your key message. Finally, wrap up with a memorable conclusion that reinforces your main ideas and leaves a lasting imprint on your audience.

5. Use Stories to Connect Emotionally

One of the most powerful tools in a keynote speech is storytelling. Personal stories create an emotional connection between you and your audience. Share experiences or anecdotes that illustrate the key points of your speech.

Make them relatable and highlight the lessons learned. Emotionally compelling stories will leave a lasting impact, making your message memorable and inspiring.

6. Engage and Interact with Your Audience

Keep your audience engaged throughout your keynote speech by actively involving them. Ask rhetorical questions, encourage participation, or create moments of interaction.

This can be in the form of brief audience discussions, polls, or exercises. Interaction fosters connection and helps to break up the presentation, making it more dynamic and enjoyable for your listeners.

7. Utilize Visual Aids Effectively

Visual aids, such as slides or props, can enhance your keynote speech when used effectively. Use visuals sparingly and purposefully to support your key points, helping to reinforce your message visually.

Ensure your visual aids are clear, easy to read, and visually appealing. Remember, your spoken words should always be the main focus, with visual aids serving as supporting elements.

8. Practice, Practice, Practice

Delivering a flawless keynote speech requires practice and rehearsal. Practice speaking your speech out loud multiple times, focusing on your delivery, timing, and body language.

Rehearse in front of a mirror, record yourself, or seek feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors. This process allows you to refine your speech, build confidence, and ensure a smooth and impactful delivery.

9. Embrace Authenticity and Passion

Authenticity and passion are key to delivering a compelling keynote speech. Be true to yourself, speak from the heart, and let your enthusiasm shine through.

Your genuine passion for your topic will captivate and inspire your audience. Avoid trying to mimic someone else’s style or delivery. Embrace your unique voice and let your authenticity be the guiding force behind your speech.

10. Leave a Lasting Impression with a Memorable Conclusion

The way you conclude your keynote speech is just as important as how you start it. Summarize your main points, reiterate your key message, and provide a clear call-to-action for your audience to take away.

End on a high note, leaving your listeners feeling inspired and motivated. A memorable conclusion ensures that your speech lingers in their minds and prompts them to take action.

Finding the Right Keynote Speaker

When hosting a successful event, finding the right keynote speaker is paramount. This individual will not only set the tone for your gathering but also leave a lasting impression on your audience.

In this section, we will delve into the important factors to consider when searching for the perfect keynote speaker who will elevate your event to new heights.

Experience Speaks Volumes

Experience is a key ingredient in the recipe for a successful keynote speech. Look for speakers who have a proven track record of captivating audiences and delivering impactful presentations.

Seek out those who have spoken at similar events or within your industry, as they will have a better understanding of your audience’s needs and interests. Experienced speakers bring a certain expertise and authority that can leave a lasting impression on your attendees.

Expertise in Your Industry

While experience is important, finding a keynote speaker with expertise in your specific industry is a game-changer. These speakers have a deep understanding of the challenges, trends, and opportunities within your field.

They can relate to your audience on a deeper level and provide insights and anecdotes that resonate. By selecting a speaker with industry expertise, you are ensuring that your attendees receive targeted and relevant information that they can apply to their own work or lives.

Communication Skills that Command Attention

A keynote speaker may have an impressive resume and extensive knowledge in your industry, but if they lack communication skills , their impact will be diminished. Look for speakers who possess excellent public speaking abilities.

They should be able to engage the audience, hold their attention, and deliver their message with clarity and conviction. Seek out speakers who can combine storytelling, humor, and audience interaction to create a memorable experience.

Aligning with Your Event’s Goals

Every event has its own unique goals and objectives. When searching for a keynote speaker, it is crucial to find someone who aligns with your event’s overarching purpose. Consider what you want your attendees to take away from the event.

Do you want them to feel inspired, motivated, or educated? Look for speakers whose message and style resonate with your desired outcomes. Review their past performances and testimonials to gauge if they can deliver the results you are seeking.

Recommendations and Reviews

One of the best ways to find a keynote speaker is through recommendations from trusted sources. Industry colleagues, friends, or even professionals who have previously worked with speakers can provide valuable insights and firsthand recommendations.

Additionally, online platforms and speaker bureaus offer reviews and ratings from past clients, allowing you to make an informed decision. By tapping into the experiences of others, you can gain a sense of a speaker’s trustworthiness and suitability for your event.

Interviewing Potential Speakers

Once you have narrowed down your list of potential keynote speakers, it’s time to conduct interviews. This step allows you to assess their compatibility, professionalism, and understanding of your event.

Prepare a list of questions that delve into their experience, approach to speaking, and familiarity with your industry. During the interview, observe their communication style, responsiveness, and willingness to collaborate. A successful partnership with your speaker is essential for a seamless and impactful event.

Reviewing Past Performances

Before making a final decision, take the time to review recordings or videos of the potential speakers’ past performances. This will give you a firsthand glimpse into their presentation style, stage presence, and ability to engage an audience. Look for speakers who exhibit confidence, charisma, and an authentic connection with the audience.

Pay attention to their ability to tell compelling stories, convey key messages, and create an energized atmosphere. Trust your instincts and select a speaker who resonates with you and your event’s vision.

A well-crafted keynote speech has the power to captivate, motivate, and inspire an audience. By understanding your audience, crafting a compelling message, and delivering it with passion and authenticity, you can leave a lasting impression on your audience.

The right keynote speaker can elevate your event, set the tone, and create a memorable experience for attendees. So, take the time to find the perfect fit and unleash the power of a captivating keynote speech.

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What Is a Keynote Speech? Plus 5 Steps to Help You Write One.

Eleni Kelakos August 24, 2020 Peak Performance , presentation skills training , public speaking training , speech coaching

You’ve been asked to deliver a keynote speech at an upcoming event.  And while you may be flattered by the request, you have a lot of questions, like: “What is a keynote speech anyway? What makes it different that other presentations?  How long should a keynote speech be? And how do I write a keynote speech

Before I answer those questions, let me congratulate you for having been asked to deliver a keynote speech.  Because being invited to give a keynote speech means that have developed a perspective, a public persona, or a big idea that is interesting enough to be featured in the spotlight. Professionally speaking, you have arrived! 

Typically, keynote speakers are experts in their field.  Some professional keynote speakers, like me and many of my colleagues in the National Speakers Association , are even paid to deliver their keynote speeches. Whether you are paid or not, giving a keynote address is both an honor and a fantastic opportunity to share your expertise what an appreciative audience.

What Is A Keynote Speech?

The answer to “What is a keynote speech?” is inherent in the very language of the question:  The words key and note .  Essentially, a keynote speech is a speech in which you establish and develop a main (key) theme and set an overall tone (note) for the event. Often, the subject of a keynote address or keynote speech is intended to reinforce—and rally the audience around– the event’s chosen theme.  For example, if the theme of an event is performing at your peak as a leader, there is a good chance that the keynote speaker will be delivering a speech that underscores that theme.

Keynote speeches can be informational, inspiring, entertaining, and motivating. The best keynote speeches contain a bit of each those elements, expertly woven together.   

What Makes A Keynote Speech Different Than Other Presentations?

One of the best ways to understand what makes a keynote speech different that other speeches or presentation is to understand what it is not :   A keynote speech is not a speech or presentation in which you teach skills or concepts on a deep, experiential, nuts and bolts level.  It’s a speech in which you are doing most of the work.

If you are asking your audience to do individual or group work in spoken or written form through more than half of your speech,  what you are delivering is either a training program or a workshop, but not a keynote speech.  This is not to say that keynote speeches can’t have interactive elements; many of the best do, but in doses small and simple enough to allow the members audience to ingest the lessons while maintaining a focus on the speaker. Overall, keynote speeches tease out their key theme at a much higher level of focus than more involved, granular, and usually more lengthy workshops, breakout sessions, or training programs ( like these ).

How Long Should A Keynote Speech Be?

A keynote speech is typically thirty to sixty minutes in length. 

Generally speaking, the shorter the keynote speech, the better.  This is especially true when delivering a keynote speech after lunch or dinner, when people are winding down over a meal (or even a cocktail or two) and have a shorter attention span.  Whatever time slot you’ve been given as a keynote speaker, it’s your job to stay within its parameters—even if the event is running late, and you have to shave ten minutes off your keynote speech.

How Do You Write A Keynote Speech?

The question “How do I write a keynote speech” is often the reason thought-leaders, speakers, and business leaders contact me for support in writing one.  Because, if you’ve never put a keynote speech together before, it can be daunting.  As I always tell my online group keynote coaching or individual keynote coaching clients, organizing and crafting a keynote speech is a creative process. This means your keynote speech will often dictate what it needs to be as you’re writing it. You must be willing to nudge it into being, and be patient as it unfolds.

If you’re wondering “So, how do you write a keynote speech?” I suggest you start by asking yourself the following five questions:

• Who are the people the audience you are speaking to? The more you know about your audience, the more you can create a keynote speech that is relevant and of service to them.
• What pain, problem or challenge are you there to shine a light on or solve on behalf of your audience?
• Based on your answers to the first two questions, what is your big idea, the “key note” you are there to expand upon in your keynote speech?
• What are the three main points, lessons, or takeaways you want make (and flesh out with stories, data, and other sticky evidence) that are in support of your big idea, and will make up the body of your keynote speech?
• What can you choose to do to begin and end your keynote speech in a way that is maximally memorable and engaging?

If you are struggling to put together your keynote speech, don’t despair. You don’t have to go it alone. There are professional keynote presentation coaches who can help you turn your big idea into a magical, moving, memorable speech. 

Fill Your Keynote Speech With Who You Are

Whether you write keynote speech by yourself, or with the help of a trusted keynote presentation coach , remember this: The greatest resources you’ve got to draw upon are your unique experiences, expertise, and stories.  Fill your keynote speech with who you are and what you know. Be human and relatable, so your audience can connect more deeply with you.

And when the time comes for you to step up to the podium and give your keynote speech remember: Your words matter. Use your words responsibly. Use your words with intention. Use your words to change your world.  

Need support putting together your signature keynote speech? Check out my Build a Brilliant Keynote Online Group Course .

Would you rather work with me on e -on-one explore my keynote presentation coaching options..

Guide to Planning, Writing, and Delivering a Killer Keynote Speech

by Janice Tomich

• Presentation Planning & Public Speaking Skills

Being invited to deliver a keynote address is a great honor.

It’s exhilarating. A compliment to your expertise.

I’m a presentation coach . A client of mine recently was asked to deliver the keynote address at a large women’s tech event. She was new to public speaking. This was her first high-stakes conference opportunity.

She’s a seasoned leader in an industry with few female colleagues. Although she loves her job, at times her career has been rough. The conference organizers asked her to share her perspective with young women new to the field to help them navigate the inevitable difficulties of being a woman in tech—and also give them advice on how to enjoy the ride.

Her excitement and nervousness were palpable. That’s how it feels when you’re asked to give the keynote.

Being asked means that others value your ideas, thoughts, and vision. You know it’s a big opportunity. A keynote speech provides an opportunity to inspire others like no other.

But if you’ve been asked to share what you’ve experienced throughout your career (or even lifetime) it can be a daunting ask.

With the honor of delivering a keynote comes the responsibility to deliver an address that will inspire your audience to take action.

Table of Contents

What Is a Keynote Speech?

A keynote speech stands above other public speaking opportunities because event organizers make it the highlight of the agenda. Large events often leverage the keynote speaker to attract attendees.

The theme of a keynote is usually set by the event’s theme.

For multi-day events like conferences the keynote is often (but not always) scheduled on the last day. Scheduling the keynote for the end of the event builds excitement and anticipation. Other times the keynote is scheduled near the beginning of an event, and in this case the role of the keynote speaker is to set the tone. Knowing when you’ll be speaking (at the beginning or at the end of the event) impacts the type of keynote speech you should create.

A keynote speaker is usually given a substantial amount of time to speak, often 45 to 60 minutes over dinner. Unlike a shorter presentation, keynote addresses give you a brilliant opportunity to go deep. TO show the breadth of your expertise. To invite your audience along through the ups and downs, ins and outs of a storyline. Your speech can be complex and include unanticipated twists and turns (while of course staying on track with your core message.)

If you’re lost and unsure about how to make your presentation compelling, I can help.

How Long Should A Keynote Be?

There are only a few hard and fast rules about the length of a keynote speech:

• The length of the speech is ultimately dictated by the amount of speaking time allocated by the event organizer.
• The length of the speech should be however long it takes you to clearly and concisely deliver a speech that inspires your audience.

Essentially, just enough time and not too much. 

P ro Tip: The amount of time allocated by the organizers is not always set in stone, especially in the early days of organizing an event. Keep the line of communication open with your organizer. The time frame might be open to adjustment or negotiation.

What Makes a Keynote Speech Compelling and Memorable?

An engaging, inspiring keynote presentation encourages the audience to envision what they are capable of. The best keynote speeches don’t just inform—they compel the audience to take action.

Keep two things top of mind as you plan:

• Focus on one main message (your throughline).
• Put yourself in the hearts and minds of your audience. Think of this as a research project as much as an exercise in empathy. Take the time to learn about what your audience wants to know. Learn how they need to hear it.

Going back to my example, the key message of my client who keynoted at the tech conference was resilience .

How did this key message turn into a speech?

She told funny, heart-wrenching stories, including some stories which were excruciating for her at the time they happened. These stories showed her drive to succeed. She spoke candidly about the problems she had come up against in her career. Then she revealed how she solved these problems and the benefits that transpired. Throughout the whole speech, she tapped back into her key message— resilience.

How Much Time Should You Devote to Preparation?

More time than you think.

I have never had a client tell me, “I wish I had spent less time preparing my keynote.”

They’re always glad they invested a good amount of time. Feeling completely ready in the days leading up to the event is worth it.

Nancy Duarte, the author of Resonate , works with industry giants on their keynote speeches. Duarte recommends you spend 30 hours on content creation for a 1-hour speech. (This doesn’t include building the slide deck or practicing the speech).

Here’s my breakdown of the time it takes to be fully prepared to step on stage to deliver your keynote address:

• 30 hours to research your speech and develop the keynote content
• 30 hours to create your keynote slide deck
• 30 hours of practicing your delivery

90 hours likely seems like a lot of time, but that’s what it takes to create and develop an inspirational, career-boosting keynote.

Your first rough draft will be just that … rough. Keynote speech writing is never a one-and-done process. To really nail it you need to get feedback and let the speech, slide deck, and delivery evolve over time. The results are worth it.

How Much Lead Time Do You Need?

Keynotes are a rich opportunity to give an audience perspective into who you are and what you know.

You should allow for 3 months (and a minimum of 2 months) of lead time before you deliver your keynote.

However, life does not always go according to plan. You may not have a lot of time left to prepare. I offer a presentation coaching service called Crunch Time for when you’ve been asked on short notice (a speaker may have become ill) or you have been consumed with other projects and need support to deliver an engaging speech.

Planning a Keynote Speech: Who is your audience? What is your intention?

Your goal should be to take your body of work and experience and use that to resonate with your audience. Inspire them to action. Your words of wisdom will become part of their life experience and create a legacy which will stick with them for years.

“It’s all about the audience—not about you.” These are wise words I’ve never forgotten, delivered to us on the first day of class of my communication degree.

In my work supporting clients through presentation planning, I’m always checking in to ensure that the audience will be able to understand What’s In It For Them (WIIFT in marketing terms). Remembering to center on WIIFT is crucial. It’s the foundation for a successful keynote.

Your intention is important too—equally important, actually. Why are you giving the keynote? What do you want to have happen because of it? Knowing your own “why” and how it relates to the needs of your audience puts you on track to engage and inspire.

How To Write A Keynote Speech

1. establish your throughline.

After you have a good understanding of who your audience is and what your intention is in delivering your keynote it’s time to establish your throughline. Identify which theme or concept you want to speak about.

My client who was keynoting the tech conference planned to speak on resiliency, which is a broad topic. I encouraged her to dig deeper. Upon reflection, she realized that much of her success stemmed from her commitment to creating and building relationships.

She evolved the throughline. The theme of the keynote became developing resiliency through relationships .

2. Brainstorm with an open mind and big wall

Once you’ve decided on your throughline it’s time to find an open wall and a stack of post-it notes.

In freewriting-mode write down any and all ideas that come bubbling up that will support your theme. Take lots of breaks. I promise you’ll come back with fresh ideas each time.

3. Step back and group ideas into themes

Stand back once your wall is filled with ideas. Notice common themes. Place similar ideas into three groups.

What you see is three arguments or points of proof that support your throughline.

4. Pare down to the best ideas

Now sweep through and dispense of any of your ideas that strike you as weak or you don’t feel passionate about.

5. Order your ideas

Place the ideas that remain into a logical order, so that they flow from one idea to the next. That’s your outline. Transfer these concepts to a Google Doc or put pen to paper. You’ve got the bones of a good keynote speech already.

Don’t write out a script word-for-word. Instead, think about what you want to speak about for each of your points. Flesh them out, making notes about what you want to say.

You’ve invested a large amount of time creating the content. Every component of a keynote is important. So now let’s focus on how you open, close, and title your keynote.

How To Open A Keynote Speech

I suspect you’ve been to at least a few presentations where you felt bored by the speaker after just a few minutes.

Too many speakers begin with a status quo opening such as citing their CV or meticulously outlining what they “want to talk with you about.”

You can do better.

My client started her keynote off with a dose of humor rooted in her own personal experience. She talked about the inappropriate clothes she wore to an interview and the hilarious story of what she did to gain access to the building.

Here are a few more ideas to open your keynote speech:

• Start your speech by addressing the elephant in the room to address a negative bias your audience may be thinking. Perhaps you are quite young and your audience is older. You could begin by saying, “You are probably looking at me thinking she’s twelve years old and what could she know. And you’d be right…”
• Quote a startling statistic. Often keynotes focus on living out dreams. This statement will have your audience’s interest piqued, “The average person has over 1,460 dreams a year”.
• Begin a story that you can use to weave and thread your presentation together. You could begin by sharing a story of how a mentor helped. Throughout your presentation continue the story dropping the nuggets of wisdom of what your mentor said and how she helped.

It’s crucial that you grab your audience’s attention right from the start – that you hook them with your first words.

How To Close a Keynote Speech

Finish your keynote with clarity and power. I’ve listened to too many speeches and keynotes where the ending was weak. They didn’t live up to the energy of the body of work.

My client decided to loop back to the chain of events that happened before her interview, narrating how she hung in there, even when things weren’t going according to plan.

Here are some excellent approaches to closing your keynote powerfully:

Loop back to how you began your speech. If you began your speech by talking about the elephant in the room, tag back to provide assurance that you have.

Wrap up a story you teased in your opening and then threaded throughout the speech.

If you began your keynote with a stat or quote reference it again at the end by summarizing how you proved it was true.

A tenet I firmly stand by that it’s not good enough to just leave your audience inspired . You must leave them inspired to do somethin g. Close your speech with a clear call to action to do something tangible that will make a difference to them and/or their community.

Choosing a Title for Your Keynote

Your title is your audience’s first introduction to what they will hear. Finding the ‘right’ title makes them want to listen.

If a compelling title comes to mind before or as you are developing and creating your speech, write it down. But don’t worry if you’ve planned out your whole speech and still don’t have a title idea. The best titles often come to us right at the end. You’ll have lots of ideas to play with when you’ve finished gathering your content.

Here is a trick while working with an editor at Inc.com: first craft a title, then play with variations of that title by using words that will get attention or have an inherent hook embedded within them.

Here’s an example of how I played with titles before settling on one for this article:

My initial ideas were

Both titles are merely functional. They’re lackluster and don’t reflect the complexity of the article itself, which goes beyond merely “writing” a keynote.

I rephrased it to expand on the topic and add a bit more punch:

Better, but I knew I could do better.

I liked it. It is more eye catching and it indicates a comprehensive “guide” that promises not just a “how to” article, but in-depth advice that speaks to creating an excellent keynote that will be well received.

Invest the time in finding just the right title. It’s worth it. It piques your audience’s interest from their first interaction with you.

How To Practice Your Keynote Speech

Don’t put off practicing until the last minute. Conversely, don’t over-practice until you sound like a robot and have diluted every ounce of passion out of your presentation.

Making good use of your practice time is easy.

I’ve written an extensive guide on how to rehearse for a presentation and I’ve also written on this topic for Inc.com . Read them for tips and techniques to learn your keynote speech easily so you can walk on the stage confidently knowing you’ll nail it. 

I have never had a client tell me they wished they had practiced less. I encourage you to practice only as much as you need to and not a second more.

P ro Tip: When you have a few spots that are giving you difficulties just practice those sections. It’s a poor investment of your time to practice your keynote over and over in its entirety if only a few sections are tripping you up.

​​​​Sucheta Misra Associate VP Inclusion & Diversity and Social Impact Leader

Tips For Creating Your Slidedeck or PowerPoint Presentation

My take on PowerPoint is that it’s a powerful tool that has been dropped into the laps of people who, more often than not, don’t have the training or experience to wield it effectively.

Before PowerPoint, marketing and communication teams would strategize over the best content for the slides. Graphic designers would create them.

These are the three most important things to know about your slide presentation:

• If slides won’t add or support your presentation don’t use them. 
• Create your slides so that they are primarily image-based with a limited amount of text. 
• If you are not a graphic designer hire one. It’s worth it for the stroke of elegance and professional edge they will add. A graphic designer will bring your deck to life. 

If you do decide to use a slidedeck ensure it helps your audience connect the dots and visualize what you are sharing with them.

What To Do Before You Deliver Your Speech

I’m often backstage supporting clients at their events. It’s exhilarating to feel the energy of speakers waiting to go on stage. You can feel the excitement … hearts pounding and voices warming up.

Here are a few tips and techniques professional speakers use to ready themselves, calm their nerves , and warm up their voice before giving a keynote speech:

• If you find yourself not sleeping well or experiencing anxiety in the days leading up to your speech try 4 – 7 – 8 breathing . Three or four rounds should have you feeling calmer and able to fall back to sleep. 
• Keep yourself hydrated. The day before your event up your water intake. This will keep you feeling energetic and your voice lubricated. 
• Make sure you get a good sleep before your keynote. Lack of sleep will knock you off your game. 
• Fifteen minutes before your keynote move your voice up and down through your natural register with vocal exercises so you can use your voice like the fine instrument it is. 
• Just as you are about to speak, if you suffer from dry mouth, take these lozenges to help you articulate with ease. 
• When you arrive at the podium take a few deep breaths, feel your feet on the floor, touch a favourite amulet such as a ring or necklace…and away you go! 

What You Should Do After Your Speech

When you end your speech you’re still not quite finished yet.

Connect with people from your audience. Gather feedback. Some of the richest relationships you will create will happen if you take the time to talk with people after your speaking event. If you have the opportunity, ask for presentation feedback to help you learn what worked and what didn’t.

Don’t ask if they enjoyed your keynote because the response will probably be, “It was great!” Instead, ask what they took away that will make a difference in their life. Ask them what nugget stuck with them. The answers to these questions will provide information to improve your next keynote.

Having your keynote recorded provides a brilliant learning opportunity. Many of my clients tell me they can’t/won’t watch a recording of themselves. I ask them to separate themselves from their egos and embrace the opportunity to learn. You can gain insight into what landed and what didn’t by your audience’s reactions.

Ask for presentation feedback from a trusted advisor. Don’t ask family and friends. A trusted advisor or mentor has the perspective to provide unbiased feedback that your family and friends won’t be able to. A trusted advisor will be able to expertly able to weigh in about your content, your delivery, and the effectiveness of your speech. ¯

Keynote speeches are complex. They have lots of pieces that need to fit together to create an easy, simple flow and to hold your audience in your hands so they will be inspired and learn from you.

Do you need help with your upcoming keynote speech to make sure your audience will leave challenged to take action and be inspired? Let’s chat and learn how I might help. Here’s access to my calendar to schedule a time to talk.

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What Is a Keynote Speech & How to Deliver One With Impact?

Hrideep barot.

• Public Speaking

We’ve all heard about Keynote Speakers. They are all the rage given the pandemic and the hoards of webinars and conclaves and conferences that have come with it. They have also been a catalyst in spreading the assumption or myth that Keynote Speakers are celebrities or really famous people. However, that is not true! Sure, having a famous personality brings in the little extra “branded” tone to your event but it doesn’t really matter if your Keynote Speaker(s) have no substance or anything relevant to speak about.

Why is it called “Keynote” anyway?

If you are the curious type (like me) and usually loose track of time by going off on a tangent while researching about a topic, I’ve saved you some time:

Based on my research, a Keynote is the base note in Music which sets the tone for the track.

There you have it: The best way to explain what a Keynote Speech is!

A Keynote Speech, usually given at the beginning of the event, focuses on the central idea or theme for the event and elaborates on the same. It is given by someone noteworthy of presenting the same, like a professional or experienced scholar of the topic and sets the tone for the event.

Keynote Speeches could also have presentations and other visual aids. It is up to you and whatever your creative juices decide while preparing.

If you are interested in learning about presentations and how you can use it best in a speech, we’ve written an article just for that, check it out!: A Guide to the Techniques of Presentation

How to write a Keynote Speech?

Here’s the million dollar question (only if you are paying me to ask it)

Usually writing a speech is confusing business. With the transitions, delivery, tones, pitch, visual aids, and I could keep going but I don’t want you to begin fanning your armpits… yet!

The main thing, without it you have no speech. (duh!)

So how do you begin going about your topic? Easy, first things first: write down any keywords or points that you know about the topic.

Pro Tip: Always keep your ideation document different from your drafts (layout/colour wise). It may be helpful to have everything in one place but soon, your mind will get adjusted to using it as a rough ideation workspace and when you actually have to sit down and write your speech, it won’t come naturally and lo and behold – the writer’s block.

Once you have that, discard all the knowledge and running thoughts you have about the topic and open your browser and books. It is research time!

Learn whatever you can about the topic. If you find articles which are helpful (like this one) keep them open and close the rest of the tabs. If you are using books, use bookmarks or tabs or even highlighters if you are allowed to/comfortable using to mark all the points you found interesting and helpful.

Read through them again, now is the point where you start filtering information to decide if the content you liked is Keynote Speech worthy or not.

How do you know if it is worthy?

Simple: Can it lift Mjollnir? (For those of you who did not understand the reference, I got you: Search for – Thor’s Hammer.)

On a more serious note: Look out for points which are informative and something you can build on but ensure that they aren’t too complex. Why? Because, the time it takes for you to explain one point will take away the opportunity to touch base on the various other topics or points you would/are planning to cover.

This brings us to our next point:

How long should a Keynote Speech be?

If you have never given a Keynote Speech, or if you are reading this at 2:00 AM and have to deliver your speech today – Remember those speeches during webinars which you immediately slept after? My guess is, those speeches where the Keynote Speeches.

A Keynote Speech / Address can last anywhere between 15-60 minutes.

My Advice: Don’t let it cross the 30 minute mark. A Keynote Speech is expected to be a bit generic and revolve around the theme. If you keep talking about something generic and returning to the same point / theme, people tend to get bored, you unknowingly might become repetitive and overall, you might find someone else dozing off during your address.

PS: Different organisations have different plans of action, so it would be the safest to approach the organisers and find out how long they expect you to speak for and move ahead from there.

Content and Structure

You have researched your topic the best you can, you might have gone to the extent of the etymology as well, and filtered the clutter.

Now, what we need to do is, organise.

A great way to organise your content could be using this chart:

Introduction to the Main Theme Introduction to your area of expertise A few topics you find the most interesting / think that the demographic you are addressing to will find the most interesting* Future prospects about the industry Summary and Conclusion while rounding back to the main general topic.

*Targeting Demographic

Figuring out what your demographic would be interested in is a task! The easiest way to figure that out would be to divide them into three categories.

• Some Experience

How does this help?

Once you know what the majority of your audience’s demographic is like, you can tailor your content based on things they might be interested in.

For Freshers, you can add topics about future prospects and the career growth in the field.

For people who have spent some time in the industry but are still new, you can speak about the current trends, and how to navigate the various obstacles that may come with various deliverables.

If you are addressing a group of experts in the field, treat them like your equals and don’t dumb things down for them, some basic jargon can be allowed (usually it is a big no no in speeches) and it may even present you with the opportunity to segue into a joke about “back in our days.”

This is also a great opportunity to open the floor for discussions and take in points from the audience about the new and latest developments in your industry, because as experts, they would definitely have a well founded viewpoint and might even help you look at things from a new perspective – Who said you couldn’t grow and learn while giving a speech?

Opening a Keynote Speech

The beginning is where the audience decides if they want to listen to you. Creating an impression couldn’t be any easier!

You can start with one of the three Ss – Statement, Story or a Surprising Question.

Once Upon a Time, I used this phrase to begin my story in a speech and had the audience snoring by the next line!

The phrase “Once Upon a Time” may be classic, but remember it is a classic for bed time stories. Unless you are beginning a Fairy Tale or Folklore, steer clear of your temptations of using it.

Instead, begin with the setting of the story, fake or a real incident, it helps the audience picturise things better and relate and follow more closely.

To learn more about storytelling and how to use it in your speech, you can check our article on the same: 9 Storytelling Approaches for your Next Speech or Presentation

A statement, phrase or quote when used at the beginning of the speech, needs to be either controversial (who doesn’t love good tea?) or something powerful.

Make sure that if you use a quote or phrase it is in line or in some way related to your topic. Something which is completely different from the topic at hand would make it even more complex for you to get it back to the theme and what you want to talk about.

Surprising Question

When do you ask a question?

Did you answer this? Even if your answer was on the lines of: “How am I supposed to know that” It was still a response to the question.

This is what you can do with your audience as well. Anyone who hears a question, rhetorical or not, will answer it intuitively – be it a sarcastic answer, a rude one or an actual one. But there will be an answer and then there will an unconscious expectation of a response and there you have a hooked audience!

This was my take, if you want to explore deeper into figuring out your opening, check out our video on the same!

Tips for Writing and Delivery

Now that you know where you want to take your speech, here is a list of a few things which you can use to help you take your Keynote Address to the next level.

• Learn about your audience to tailor your speech to keep it relevant and relatable.
• Practice your speech, even if it is the 100th time you are giving one or talking about that specific topic.
• Embrace the nervousness but don’t let it be the better hugger.
• Be confident about your content. If you aren’t sure about a point, it is better to omit it rather than confuse the audience or provide them with poorly researched facts.
• Consider adding visual aids like a presentation or pictures to your speech.
• Connect with the audience, share your contact details and social media page with them via chat or on screen, and invite them to pick your brain. This way, you build your network and someone out there gets to learn and clarify doubts from an expert!
• Prepare. Preparation isn’t just practising your speech. It is checking your network connection (online), the stage and lighting and all the other tech support (offline), deciding what to wear, getting enough sleep and multiple other things like checking in with the organisers, etc.,.

Keynote Speech Examples

We’ve filtered through so many great speeches to bring you our top four, each cover a different aspect of a Keynote Speech and will help you gain a wider idea about what could work for your speech and what may be a possible new avenue you could take.

Oprah Winfrey – With Motivational Keynote Speeches being the most popular, the talk show host and entrepreneur spoke about following your passion and working on yourself. A great example of a good self-help and motivation Keynote Address.

Matt Damon – The actor spoke about this experiences in colleges and the financial difficulties he has faced. This speech is a great example of how you can connect to a younger audience and speak about a personal experience in a very engaging manner.

Sheryl Sanberg – A great example of mixing motivation with personal experiences and sensitive topics. This could help you with connecting various topics seamlessly and yet maintaining the umbrella topic/theme/genre.

Ken Robinson – To move into a more technical yet jargon free point of view on multiple topics and remaining objectively critical and motivational at the same time.

Keynote Speech Ideas

Often times, even though the theme of the event may be set, it can be a bit to vague, or the organisers might just tell you to talk about yourself, or anything you want!

One way to help you choose the perfect topic for you is:

Following the 3 KPI method. (No, not that KPI) KPI – Knowledge, Passion, Interest.

1. Knowledge

How much do you know about the topic? Is it something you can speak on without any or little preparation? Knowledge about the topic you’re speaking about builds your confidence, and it also shows the audience that you are a credible source of information! Another added benefit is that you will be able to explain really complex sections of the topic with ease and various examples – a great quality and it adds immense value to your speech since it makes it accessible to any demographic.

Why is being passionate about what you speak so important? Try out the below activity with someone.

1. Speak about a random story from the internet, it could be about a news article, social issue, facts, story, anything that is not your opinion or an opinion you particularly agree with. 2. Speak about any topic that you deeply care about, it could be the welfare of canines, politics, the impending doom of fast fashion, literally anything!

Ask your buddy to judge your delivery on both these occasions. Did you suddenly speak louder, clearer, and more well.. passionately?

When you speak about a topic you are passionate about, you tend to create that atmosphere around you that says “This is soo cool” and since humans generally have a herd mentality, their brain goes “This sounds cool, tell me more!” and there you have it, a room full of people who want to listen to you just because you made it sound “cool” .

3. Interest

If you’re passionate and know enough about your topic, I think it is safe to assume that you are interested in it. So, now enough about you, let’s think about your audience. Earlier in this article we spoke about how to gauge the demographic of your audience and based on that what sections of the topic you should pay attention to. The audience needs to find some value in your content to stick on till the second sentence. Work on building the quality of your speech by research and building your own knowledge. At the end of the day, you’ve learned something new and have a strong speech ready to provide your audience with a positive experience. Win-Win!!

If you would like to explore some more resources to gauge the best way to choose a topic, you can check out our video on the same:

To work on a speech with no real base is difficult, so we have gathered a few possible topics/themes you can cover in your Keynote Speech. These could also just be a simple, small section in your speech or you can base your speech completely on any of the following topics, the choice is yours!

• Technology and its affect/impact in your industry.
• Current Events – Eg: How the Pandemic has affected your industry.
• Leadership and Obstacles – The whole “Career in this Industry” package.
• Connecting your Niche to the theme.
• What you think about the future prospects of this industry and how to adapt to them.
• Multiple strategies and techniques which come in handy.
• Assess the Future and sharing your plans about a specific / general topic based on the industry / theme.

Being a Keynote Speaker is both an honour and an opportunity to learn. Remember to do your research and build your content the best you can. It is important to work on yourself and be patient with your process. If you are confident with your content, you could even do an improv on stage and still kill it!

Public Speaking is a skill that takes its own sweet time to develop and grow. Working on it is a constant process and can come in many forms! One step at a time and you won’t get exhausted or frustrated. Good luck!

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The Purpose of a Keynote Speech: Unveiling Its true Meaning

In the realm of education, a keynote speech holds a significant role, serving as a catalyst for professional growth and student success. But what truly is the essence of a keynote speech?

We’ll explore how a resonating keynote message can inspire, engage, and ultimately lead to improved teaching methods and boosted student achievement .

Whether you’re an educator, an event planner or an organization, strap in as we unveil the true meaning of a keynote speech and its potential to transform an educational event.

What is A Keynote Speech?

A keynote speech is a presentation that sets the underlying tone and summarizes the core message or most important revelation of a meeting, conference, or event.

It serves as the bridge between what was and what could be. A well choreographed keynote speech can ignite passion, spark discussion, and provoke thought.

In the context of educational events, keynote speeches serve a crucial role. They provide an opportunity for educators, students, and other stakeholders to gain new insights, challenge their perspectives, and engage in meaningful dialogue about crucial educational topics. These speeches can be a catalyst for change, sparking innovation and driving progress within the educational landscape.

Key Goals of an Exceptional Keynote Speech

The primary goal of a keynote speech is to leave a lasting impact on its attendees. It has the power to reshape perspectives, challenge the status quo, and ignite a spark of motivation in educators.

This influence can be instrumental in creating a ripple effect of positive change, both for the individuals present and for their respective educational environments.

In addition, keynote speeches have the potential to unite the audience around a common cause or goal.

When executed effectively, they can act as a catalyst for collaborative efforts, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose among educators.

This unity can have far-reaching effects, driving collective action toward improving teaching methods and enhancing student success.

The Process of Booking a Keynote Speaker

Booking a keynote speaker for a professional development event or a school function is a strategic process that involves several key steps.

Step #1: Define Objectives

The first step is to clearly define the objectives of the event. Understanding what you want to achieve helps in selecting a speaker whose message aligns with these goals.

Step #2: Research

Next, conduct thorough research on potential keynote speakers . Look into their expertise, their speaking style, and the topics they cover. Check out their previous speeches, read reviews, and consider their reputation in the industry.

Step #3: Reach Out

Once you have a shortlist of potential speakers, reach out to them or their managing agency. Discuss your event, its objectives, and how you envision their role in it. This conversation will help you gauge if they’re the right fit for your event.

Step #4: Negotiate

Once you’ve selected the keynote speaker, it’s time to negotiate the contract. The contract should detail the terms and conditions, including the speaker’s fee, travel and accommodation arrangements, and any specific requests from either party.

Once everything is agreed upon, confirm the booking. Remember to keep in regular contact with the speaker leading up to the event to ensure they are prepared and everything runs smoothly.

The Importance of Aligning the Keynote Speaker's Message with the Event Objectives

One of the primary considerations when booking a keynote speaker is ensuring their message aligns with the objectives of your event. This alignment is fundamental because it sets the tone for the entire event and can significantly impact the audience’s engagement and overall experience.

A keynote speaker whose message resonates with your event’s purpose and goals will be able to connect more deeply with the audience, inspiring them to reflect on the presented ideas and take actionable steps.

On the contrary, a misalignment between the keynote speaker’s message and the event’s objectives can lead to confusion, lack of interest, and even disengagement among the audience.

The keynote speech may fail to strike a chord, and the audience might not find the motivation to implement the learnings or carry forward the message of the event. Therefore, a well-aligned keynote speech is instrumental in driving the success of your event, keeping the audience engaged and motivated, and achieving the desired outcomes.

4 Big Benefits of a Keynote Speech at an Education Conference or Event

Keynote speeches play a monumental role in education, offering numerous benefits for both educators and students. They have the potential to introduce new perspectives, invigorate teaching methods, and ignite a passion for learning.

• Replenishes and Recharges – Keynote speeches have a huge motivational impact. They can recharge educators’ passion for their work, remind them of their purpose , and encourage them to strive for excellence. This motivational boost can lead to increased job satisfaction, improved performance, and ultimately, greater student success.
• Enhances Teaching Methods – Keynote speeches provide educators with fresh insights and innovative strategies, curriculum development, or student engagement strategies that they can implement in their classrooms. Through these speeches, teachers can discover new ways to foster creativity, critical thinking, and active engagement among their students. They can learn to incorporate technology, embrace diversity, and build a more inclusive learning environment.
• Creates a Sense of Community – Moreover, these speeches can foster a sense of community among educators. They can spark conversations about emerging trends in education , inspiring educators to adapt and innovate in their own classrooms. They provide a shared experience, a common reference point, from which to network, collaborate, and learn from each other. This sense of connection can enhance professional relationships, promote a culture of continuous learning, and contribute to a more supportive and productive work environment.
• Boosts Student Success – Keynote speeches often address critical issues in education, such as student engagement, motivation, and resilience. By inspiring teachers to adopt new strategies and approaches, keynote speeches indirectly influence students’ learning experiences. As teachers become more effective and passionate, students are more likely to be motivated, engaged, and successful in their studies.

In essence, by providing a platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences, keynote speeches catalyze change and progress within the education sector. They inspire educators to strive for excellence and empower them to make a real difference in their students’ lives.

Strobel Education's Approach to Keynote Speeches

With a rich history of delivering powerful, inspiring, and transformative speeches, Strobel Education has been the go-to choice for many educational institutions and professionals seeking keynote speeches that truly make a difference.

The backbone of Strobel Education’s success lies in its key speaker, Kim Strobel . With years of experience in delivering impactful and engaging keynote speeches, she knows how to leave a lasting impression on the audience.

For Kim Strobel, it’s not just about delivering a message. She delivers comprehensive, immersive experiences that are carefully crafted to inspire, enlighten, and provoke thought among the audience. The speeches are designed not only to impart wisdom and knowledge but also to evoke emotion and inspire action.

Strobel Education’s services go beyond just keynote speeches. They offer a suite of professional development services such as teacher workshops , online courses , and o nsite training . Everything that Strobel Education does is aimed at enhancing teaching methods, boosting student success, and fostering professional growth among educators.

This holistic approach to professional development makes Strobel Education a one-stop-shop for all educational development needs.

Click here to See Kim Strobel in Action

A great keynote speech can motivate your audience to create a positive shift in your establishment or organiization. Watch this quick video to see the transformative power of a keynote speech from Strobel Education.

Want A Keynote Speech that Ignites Passion and Fosters Growth?

As we’ve explored, keynote speeches are powerful tools that can profoundly impact educators’ teaching methods and students’ success. The best speeches deliver actionable advice and strategies, which can be applied directly to the audience’s professional practice.

They can provide fresh insights, provoke thought, and ignite passion in educators. Moreover, they are a vital tool for professional growth.

Strobel Education, led by the passionate and motivational Kim Strobel, offers keynotes that resonate, inspire, and empower. Consider booking a keynote speech with Strobel Education today.

Let’s take the first step together towards a more inspiring and impactful educational journey.

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18.3 Keynote Speaking

Learning objectives.

• Understand the purpose of keynote speeches in society.
• Explain the basic objective of an after-dinner speech.
• Describe the purpose and types of motivational speeches.

Acumen_ – Keynote Speech – CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

The last type of entertaining speech we will examine is the keynote speech. A keynote speech is delivered to set the underlying tone and summarize the core message of an event. Keynotes are often given at the end of an event; there can also be a number of keynote speeches delivered throughout a longer event that lasts for several days. People who deliver keynote speeches are typically experts in a given area who are invited to speak at a conference, convention, banquet, meeting, or other kind of event for the purpose of setting a specific tone for the occasion. Some keynote speakers will actually work for a speakers bureau , an agency that represents celebrity and professional speakers. One very important organization for all aspiring keynote speakers is the National Speaker’s Association (NSA, http://www.nsaspeaker.org ). NSA also publishes a widely respected magazine for professional speakers called Speaker magazine, which can be accessed for free from their website ( http://www.nsaspeaker-magazine.org ).

In the world of professional public speaking, there are two common types of keynotes: after-dinner speeches and motivational speeches. Let’s look at each of these unique speeches.

After-Dinner Speaking

After-dinner speaking gets its name from the idea that these speeches historically followed a meal of some kind. After-dinner speakers are generally asked to speak (or hired to speak) because they have the ability both to speak effectively and to make people laugh. First and foremost, after-dinner speeches are speeches and not stand-up comedy routines. All the basic conventions of public speaking previously discussed in this text apply to after-dinner speeches, but the overarching goal of these speeches is to be entertaining and to create an atmosphere of amusement.

After-dinner speaking is probably the hardest type of speaking to do well because it is an entertaining speech that depends on the successful delivery of humor. People train for years to develop comic timing , or the verbal and nonverbal delivery used to enhance the comedic value of a message. But after-dinner speaking is difficult, not impossible. Here is the method we recommend for developing a successful after-dinner speech.

First, use all that you have learned about informative or persuasive speeches to prepare a real informative or persuasive speech roughly two-thirds the length of what the final speech will become. That is, if you’re going to be giving a ten-minute speech, then your “real” informative or persuasive speech should be six or seven minutes in length.

Next, go back through the speech and look for opportunities to insert humorous remarks. Table 18.1 “Forms of Verbal Humor” lists various forms of verbal humor that are often used in the textual portion of a speech.

Table 18.1 Forms of Verbal Humor

Each of these is a possible humor device that could be implemented in a speech. Read the following speech delivered by Mark Twain on his seventieth birthday for a good example of an after-dinner speech ( http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/railton/onstage/70bday.html ).

Once you’ve looked through your speech, examining places for verbal humor, think about any physical humor or props that would enhance your speech. Physical humor is great if you can pull it off without being self-conscious. One of the biggest mistakes any humorist makes is to become too aware of what his or her body is doing because it’s then harder to be free and funny. As for props, after-dinner speakers have been known to use everything from oversize inflatable baseball bats to rubber clown noses. The goal for a funny prop is that it adds to the humor of the speech without distracting from its message.

Last, and probably most important, try the humor out on real, live people. This is important for three reasons.

First, the success of humor depends heavily on delivery, and especially timing in delivery. You will need practice to polish your delivery so that your humor comes across. If you can’t make it through one of your jokes without cracking up, you will need to either incorporate the self-crackup into your delivery or forgo using that joke.

Second, just because you find something unbelievably funny in your head doesn’t mean that it will make anyone else laugh. Often, humor that we have written down on paper just doesn’t translate when orally presented. You may have a humorous story that you love reading on paper, but find that it just seems to drone on once you start telling it out loud. Furthermore, remember there is a difference between written and verbal language, and this also translates to how humor is interpreted.

Third, you need to make sure the humor you choose will be appropriate for a specific audience. What one audience finds funny another may find offensive. Humor is the double-edged sword of public speaking. On one side, it is an amazing and powerful speaking tool, but on the other side, few things will alienate an audience more than offensive humor. If you’re ever uncertain about whether a piece of humor will offend your audience, don’t use it.

The following are some other tips for using humor from people who have professionally given after-dinner speeches and learned the hard way what to do and what to avoid:

• Personalize or localize humor when possible.
• Be clear about which words need emphasis with verbal humor.
• Be sure the punch line is at the end. Don’t let on where the joke is going.
• Don’t announce, “This is funny.” or “I’m not very good at telling jokes, but…”
• Don’t try to use humor that you don’t know well.
• Don’t use humor that you personally don’t find funny.
• Don’t apologize if others don’t laugh.
• Don’t try to explain the humor if it fails—just move on.
• Don’t drag it out! Remember, brevity is the soul of wit.
• Know when to stop joking and be serious.
• Be natural and have fun!

Motivational Speaking

The second common form of keynote speaking is motivational speaking. A motivational speech is designed not only to make an audience experience emotional arousal (fear, sadness, joy, excitement) but also to motivate the audience to do something with that emotional arousal. Whereas a traditional persuasive speech may want listeners to purchase product X or agree with ideology Y, a motivational speech helps to inspire people in a broader fashion, often without a clearly articulated end result in mind. As such, motivational speaking is a highly specialized form of persuasive speaking commonly delivered in schools, businesses, religious, and club or group contexts. The Toastmasters International Guide to Successful Speaking lists four types of motivational speeches: hero, survivor, religious, and success (Slutsky & Aun, 1997).

The hero speech is a motivational speech given by someone who is considered a hero in society (e.g., military speakers, political figures, and professional athletes). Just type “motivational speech” into YouTube and you’ll find many motivational speeches given by individuals who can be considered heroes or role models. The following clip presents a speech by Steve Sax, a former major league baseball player.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4ITFlbcu8g

In this speech, Sax talks about his life as a baseball player, along with issues related to leadership, overcoming obstacles, and motivation.

The survivor speech is a speech given by someone who has survived a personal tragedy or who has faced and overcome serious adversity. In the following clip, cancer survivor Becky M. Olsen discusses her life as a cancer survivor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuo1u_C9_3g

Becky Olsen goes all over the country talking with and motivating cancer survivors to beat the odds.

The religious speech is fairly self-explanatory; it is designed to incorporate religious ideals into a motivational package to inspire an audience into thinking about or changing aspects of their religious lives. One highly sought-after religious speaker in the United States is Joel Osteen, head minister at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. In this clip, Joel is talking about finding and retaining joy in life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp8KixxAk60

The crux of Osteen’s speech is learning how to take responsibility of one’s own life and let others take responsibility for their lives.

The final type of motivational speech is the success speech , which is given by someone who has succeeded in some aspect of life and is giving back by telling others how they too can be successful. In the following clip the then CEO of Xerox, Anne Mulcahy, speaks before a group of students at Dartmouth College discussing the spirit of entrepreneurship.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlnLfKWAPnw

In this speech, Mulcahy shares the leadership lessons she had learned as the CEO of Xerox.

Key Takeaways

• Keynote speeches are delivered to set the underlying tone and summarize the core message of an event.
• After-dinner speeches are real informative or persuasive speeches with a secondary objective of making the audience laugh. Effective after-dinner speakers must first know how to effectively write a speech and then find appropriate humor to add to the presentation.
• Motivational speeches are designed not only to make an audience experience emotional arousal (fear, sadness, joy, excitement) but also to ask the audience to do something with that emotional arousal. There are four types of motivational speeches: the hero, the survivor, the religious, and the success.
• Take one of the speeches you’ve delivered in class and think of ways to add humor to it. Ultimately, you’ll turn your original speech in to an after-dinner speech.
• Think about your own life. If you were asked to give a motivational speech, which type of motivational speaker would you be: hero, survivor, religious, or success? What would the specific purpose of your speech be?

Slutsky, J., & Aun, M. (1997). The Toastmasters International® guide to successful speaking: Overcoming your fears, winning over your audience, building your business & career . Chicago, IL: Dearborn Financial Publishing.

Stand up, Speak out Copyright © 2016 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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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 105,014 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 a keynote speech.

What is a keynote speech?   That’s not a trick question.   I ask because keynote speeches take so many forms it seems worth it to ponder the nature of the genre for a few minutes to see if we can find something essential in all those variations.

Let’s dispense with some of the easy misconceptions first.  Does giving a keynote speech mean a huge audience, giant IMEG screens, and a booming sound system?  Well, those are often involved, when the numbers are large, but there’s nothing essential about those attributes – unless the ego of the speaker demands it.

Does a keynote speech necessarily involve slides, video, or other such visual aids? Of course not. They are often present, but no one would seriously argue that they are essential to the keynote.

The traditional meaning of the keynote speech was that it began a conference or convocation and outlined the themes to be covered in ways that got the participants talking and thinking along the right lines. The dictionary definition implies two things mainly:  the idea of fundamentality – the keynote establishes, literally, the key in music, and primacy – the keynote comes first.

But that doesn’t happen all the time or even most of the time in conferences today – we sometimes start with a keynote speech, but just as often they come at the end of the gathering. Or the word gets applied loosely and uselessly to any speech that isn’t a breakout, that takes place in plenary session.

And here we begin to find something essential in the idea of a keynote speech. It should ideally come at the beginning of the conference it addresses, and it should cover the main theme or themes that they conference is about. Yet so specialized has the profession of keynote speaking become that few speakers actually are hired to introduce a conference with the specific task of highlighting what the gathering will cover during its several days of existence – and do so in a thought-provoking and argument-provoking way.

Making sense of a conference that you attend is hard work. You rush from session to session, trying to pack as much as possible in, and you fret about not having enough time to network. Very quickly, you get information-overloaded with new material and begin to wonder how you’re going to remember it all. With all that going on, a speech that thoroughly and helpfully previews the conference and tells you what to listen for would be very useful, wouldn’t it?

If there is such a speech, it’s more often given by the CEO of the company putting on the event, or someone else footing the bill, rather than an outside expert with deep understanding of the topic. And those CEOs have too many tasks to fulfill to do a good job keynoting. They are thinking about their company and its place in the world and they want to talk that up more than they typically care about the general topic at hand.

The ideal keynote speech introduces a topic to an audience at the start of a conference. The speech answers the following questions:  Why is this topic important? Why are we gathered in this particular way to address this topic? What might we expect the rest of the speakers to cover – what should we, the attendees, be on the lookout for? And what are the most important questions to keep in mind as we talk and think about this topic for the next few days?

I can’t remember the last time I heard a keynote speech actually address those issues. To give such a speech well requires a deep understanding of the topic, of course, but also a willingness to go beyond one’s specific expertise and point of view to define the entire topic and its possible approaches. And what speaker is willing to do that in this sectarian age?

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I speak about the patient perspective surviving oral cancer, yet at big dental conferences, they often have a celebrity as the conference keynote who touches on something vague relating to dentistry. I will use information in this post to persuade dental event planners to choose a keynote topic that motivates new thinking about the patient, a relevant topic pertinent to every course they will attend. After all, what is a dental practice without patients?

Excellent, Eva — here’s hoping the organizers listen to you!

Thank you so much for taking the time to explain that a keynote speaker will introduce the topic of a conference or an event to the audience and explain why the topic is important. For my graduate school project, I need to set up a conference that my whole university can attend, and I need to hire a keynote speaker that can tie up the topic of the event. It will be awesome to start looking for available services in the area, so I am really glad I gained so much information from your article.

Its nice detailed writing.

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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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How to Write a Keynote Speech: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Keynote speeches are an important part of many events, from corporate conferences and seminars to graduations and charity galas. If you have been tasked with delivering a keynote speech, you may be wondering where to start and how to create a presentation that will resonate with your audience. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll provide you with the tools and tips to help you write a compelling keynote speech that will leave a lasting impression on your listeners.

Understanding the Purpose of a Keynote Speech

A keynote speech serves as the foundation for the entire event. It sets the tone, establishes the main theme, and creates a connection between the speaker and the audience. Before you start working on your keynote speech, it's important to understand the various elements that make up a successful presentation.

When preparing for a keynote speech, it's important to consider the audience and their expectations. The speech should be tailored to the specific event and audience to ensure maximum impact. This means taking into account the demographics of the audience, their interests, and their level of expertise in the topic being discussed.

Additionally, a good keynote speech should be well-structured and organized. It should have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should grab the audience's attention and set the tone for the speech. The body should provide relevant and interesting information, and the conclusion should summarize the main points and leave the audience with a memorable takeaway.

Defining a Keynote Speech

A keynote speech is a presentation that is intended to inspire, motivate, and engage an audience. It's an opportunity for a speaker to share their ideas, vision, and insights on a particular topic. Unlike other presentations, a keynote speech is designed to be memorable and impactful. Good keynote speeches are able to capture the audience's attention and keep them engaged throughout the presentation.

One of the key elements of a successful keynote speech is the ability to tell a story. People are naturally drawn to stories, and a well-crafted story can help to convey a message in a memorable and impactful way. The story should be relevant to the topic being discussed and should help to illustrate the main points of the speech.

The Role of a Keynote Speaker

The role of a keynote speaker is to act as a thought leader and inspire the audience by conveying a compelling message that is relevant and meaningful to the event. They represent the values and goals of the event, and their speech should be aligned with the overall theme of the conference or gathering. The speaker should also be able to connect with the audience on a personal level, creating a memorable experience.

Another important aspect of being a keynote speaker is the ability to engage the audience. This can be done through the use of humor, storytelling, and interactive elements. Engaging the audience helps to keep them interested and invested in the presentation, which can lead to a more memorable and impactful experience.

Setting the Tone for the Event

A well-crafted keynote speech sets the tone for the entire event. The speech should establish the main theme, outline the goals of the conference, and motivate the audience to become more engaged. The speaker must understand the challenges facing the audience and offer insights that will help them overcome those obstacles.

In addition to setting the tone, a keynote speech can also help to build excitement and anticipation for the rest of the event. By providing a memorable and impactful experience, the audience will be more likely to stay engaged throughout the event and take away valuable insights and information.

Overall, a keynote speech is an important element of any event. It sets the tone, establishes the main theme, and creates a connection between the speaker and the audience. By understanding the various elements that make up a successful keynote speech, you can create a presentation that is memorable, impactful, and tailored to the specific needs of your audience.

Knowing Your Audience

One of the key elements of a successful keynote speech is understanding your audience. The more you know about the people you are addressing, the better equipped you are to craft a message that will resonate with them.

Researching Your Audience

Before you start writing your keynote speech, it's essential to research your audience. You need to know what their interests are, what motivates them, and what challenges they are facing. This will help you tailor your message to their needs and create a connection with them.

Adapting Your Message to the Audience

Once you have researched your audience, you need to adapt your message to their needs. This means using language and examples that resonate with them. You want to craft a message that is not only relevant but also compelling and memorable.

Engaging the Audience

Engaging your audience is the key to a successful keynote speech. You want to connect with them on a personal level and create an emotional response. This can be done through the use of storytelling, humor, and interactive exercises. It's essential to keep the audience engaged throughout your speech, so they leave feeling inspired and motivated.

Crafting a Compelling Message

A keynote speech needs to have a clear and compelling message that resonates with your audience. You want to provide insights and offer a new perspective that will leave a lasting impact.

Identifying Your Main Points

Your keynote speech should have a clear structure that outlines the main points you want to convey to your audience. Identify the key messages you want to communicate and how they relate to the event's theme. Make sure these key points are relevant to your audience.

Developing a Strong Thesis

Your thesis statement is the central message of your keynote speech. It should be clear, concise, and compelling. Your thesis should capture the main idea of your presentation and should be an underlying theme throughout your speech.

Using Stories and Examples

Stories and examples are a great way to engage your audience and make your message relatable. Use real-life examples and stories to illustrate your main points and help the audience understand the impact of your message.

Organizing Your Keynote Speech

The structure of your keynote speech is essential to its success. Proper organization helps the audience follow your message and stay engaged from start to finish.

Creating an Outline

A clear outline is the foundation of your presentation. It helps you create a roadmap that outlines the key elements of your keynote speech and ensures that you don't miss any important points. The outline should be structured in a logical order that makes sense to your audience.

Structuring Your Speech

Your keynote speech should have a clear structure that follows your outline. Begin with an opening that captures the audience's attention and establishes the main theme. Move on to the body of your speech, which should be structured around your main points. Finally, conclude your speech by summarizing your message and leaving the audience with a clear call to action.

Balancing Information and Entertainment

The best keynote speeches strike a balance between providing valuable information and entertaining the audience. You don't want to overload your listeners with too much information, as they may become overwhelmed. Use humor, personal anecdotes, and real-life examples to keep the audience engaged and entertained.

ChatGPT Prompt for Writing a Keynote Speech

Use the following prompt in an AI chatbot . Below each prompt, be sure to provide additional details about your situation. These could be scratch notes, what you'd like to say or anything else that guides the AI model to write a certain way.

Please craft a speech that will serve as the main address at an event, providing a comprehensive and engaging overview of the theme or purpose of the occasion. This speech should be well-crafted and thoughtfully written, incorporating a clear and compelling message that resonates with the audience and leaves a lasting impression.

[ADD ADDITIONAL CONTEXT. CAN USE BULLET POINTS.]

Writing a successful keynote speech takes time, preparation, and effort. By following these step-by-step guidelines, you'll be able to create a speech that is engaging, inspiring, and memorable. Remember, the key to a successful keynote speech is understanding your audience, crafting a compelling message, and delivering it in an organized and entertaining way. So, get ready to inspire and motivate your audience with your powerful keynote speech!

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What is the Purpose of a Keynote Speech?

Last Updated:  

September 4, 2023

A keynote speech is a powerful and influential form of public speaking that holds a significant place in various domains, including business, politics, and academia. While the purpose of a keynote speech may seem straightforward at first glance, a deeper understanding reveals its true value. 

In this article, we explore the multifaceted purpose of a keynote speech, shedding light on its role in informing, motivating, setting the tone, building credibility, and fostering collaboration.

Key takeaways on the purpose of keynote speech

• Informing and Educating : A keynote speech aims to inform and educate the audience by sharing valuable insights, research findings, and trends.
• Motivating and Inspiring : Keynote speeches have the purpose of motivating and inspiring individuals by incorporating personal anecdotes, success stories, and lessons learned.
• Setting the Tone and Creating a Theme : Keynote speeches play a crucial role in setting the tone and creating a theme for events or conferences, capturing attention and establishing the overarching message.
• Building Credibility and Enhancing Brand Image : Keynote speeches provide a platform to build credibility and enhance brand image for speakers and organisations, positioning them as authorities in their domains.
• Facilitating Networking and Collaboration : Keynote speeches act as catalysts for networking and collaboration, attracting professionals from various industries and sparking meaningful discussions.
• Overall Impact : A well-crafted keynote speech can leave a lasting impact, spark change, and empower individuals and organisations.

Informing and Educating 

One crucial purpose of a keynote speech is to inform and educate the audience. Keynote speakers, such as those from Shapiro Negotiations , bear a wealth of knowledge and expertise in their respective fields, making them valuable resources for disseminating information. 

By sharing insights, research findings, and trends, keynote speakers help the audience gain new perspectives and expand their knowledge base. A well-crafted keynote speech should provide valuable takeaways, leaving the audience with actionable information they can apply personally or professionally.

Motivating and Inspiring

Another essential purpose of a keynote speech is to motivate and inspire individuals. Keynote speakers often weave personal anecdotes, success stories, and lessons learned into their speeches to ignite passion, instil belief, and create a sense of purpose among the listeners. 

A powerful keynote speaker can touch hearts, awaken dormant dreams, and propel individuals toward positive change. By sharing their journeys and triumphs, speakers connect with the audience on an emotional level, leaving a lasting impact.

Setting the Tone and Creating a Theme 

Keynote speeches also play a crucial role in setting the tone and creating an event or conference theme. As the opening or closing act, a keynote speech sets the stage, captures the audience's attention, and establishes the overarching message of the event. 

It is vital to align the keynote speech with the event's objectives and desired outcomes. Hence, if you crafted a keynote speech, it should have a cohesive and memorable experience for attendees, tying together various presentations and sessions under a unifying theme.

Building Credibility and Enhancing Brand Image 

Keynote speeches provide a platform for individuals and organisations to build credibility and enhance their brand image. When industry experts or thought leaders deliver compelling speeches, they position themselves and their organisations as authorities in their respective domains. 

A successful keynote speech can have a long-lasting impact on an individual's reputation. It can catalyse future opportunities, such as invitations to speak at other events or collaborations with influential figures.

Facilitating Networking and Collaboration 

In addition to disseminating knowledge and inspiring individuals, keynote speeches serve as catalysts for networking and collaboration. Large conferences and events attract professionals from various industries, providing an ideal environment for connecting with like-minded individuals. 

Keynote speakers often become the focal point of attention, attracting eager attendees to engage in meaningful discussions, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations. Leveraging the momentum generated by a keynote speech is crucial to fostering valuable connections and creating opportunities for collaboration.

Conclusion 

In summary, the purpose of a keynote speech extends far beyond delivering a memorable presentation. It involves informing and educating the audience, motivating and inspiring individuals, setting the tone and creating a theme, building credibility and enhancing brand image, and facilitating networking and collaboration. 

A well-crafted keynote speech can leave a lasting impact, spark change, and shape the trajectory of individuals and organisations. By recognising the multifaceted purpose of a keynote speech, we can fully appreciate its role in transforming events and empowering audiences worldwide.

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Definition of keynote

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Definition of keynote  (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

• bottom line
• centerpiece
• meat and potatoes

Examples of keynote in a Sentence

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

Word History

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 2

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing keynote

keynote address

• keynote speaker

Dictionary Entries Near keynote

Keynesianism

Cite this Entry

“Keynote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keynote. Accessed 10 Apr. 2024.

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Kids definition of keynote.

Kids Definition of keynote  (Entry 2 of 2)

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Bernadette Boden-Albala to deliver keynote speech at AAN Healthcare Equity Symposium

UC Irvine Program in Public Health director and founding dean will share brain health insights

Irvine, Calif., April 8, 2024 — Bernadette Boden-Albala, M.P.H., Dr.P.H., director of the University of California, Irvine Program in Public Health and founding dean of the planned School of Population and Public Health, has been chosen to serve as the Cheryl A. Jay Keynote Lecturer at the American Academy of Neurology’s Health Care Equity Symposium as part of its annual meeting. This prestigious invitation was extended to recognize her expertise and advocacy in driving meaningful progress in health equity in neurologic care.

“It is an honor to be provided with this valuable platform to highlight the essential role of community-based research in addressing stroke and other neurological disease disparities,” Boden-Albala said. “I look forward to sharing successful initiatives that actively involve the community in all aspects of the process. These culturally sensitive interventions leverage trusted local facilitators and utilize social networks that address inequalities and help ensure equitable access to care for all, regardless of background or circumstance.”

The AAN’s 2024 Annual Meeting is April 13-18 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Boden-Albala will present her lecture on April 15 to open the half-day symposium to recognize disparities in care and move toward health equity in neurology. This meeting is the largest gathering of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, where they share educational opportunities, learn about the latest scientific discoveries and connect with colleagues from around the world.

Recognized as one of the leading professionals in her field, Boden-Albala, on Feb. 14, she spoke on behalf of the AAN and American Brain Coalition to the Congressional Neuroscience Caucus in Washington, D.C., providing insight into brain development, function and aging.

UC Irvine’s Brilliant Future campaign: Publicly launched on Oct. 4, 2019, the Brilliant Future campaign aims to raise awareness and support for UC Irvine. By engaging 75,000 alumni and garnering $2 billion in philanthropic investment, UC Irvine seeks to reach new heights of excellence in student success, health and wellness, research and more. The planned School of Population and Public Health plays a vital role in the success of the campaign. Learn more by visiting  https://brilliantfuture.uci.edu/school-of-population-and-public-health .

About the University of California, Irvine:  Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by  U.S. News & World Report . The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UC Irvine, visit  www.uci.edu .

Media access: Radio programs/stations may, for a fee, use an on-campus ISDN line to interview UC Irvine faculty and experts, subject to availability and university approval. For more UC Irvine news, visit news.uci.edu . Additional resources for journalists may be found at https://news.uci.edu/media-resources .

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ASD Space Policy Keynote Address for the 2024 Space Policy Symposium (As prepared)

Good morning.  Thanks to the Space Foundation for this incredible platform to communicate to the world the importance of space to national security.

Intro: The Four C's

I was sworn in as the first Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy in March 2022, shortly after Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.  My role as I saw it then and continue to see it now is to ensure the United States and our allies are utilizing space to strengthen integrated deterrence.  

The conflict in Ukraine has demonstrated to the entire world the essential role of space in modern warfare.  Russia and China both know that space is essential to the U.S. way of war, and they have developed a variety of means to attack our satellites. The United States Department of Defense is focused on China as our pacing challenge; space is both essential to deterring a potential conflict with China and prevailing if deterrence fails. 

Meanwhile, the commercial space sector is innovating at a pace and scale that is unmatched in our history.  

We are clearly in a time of rapid change in the space strategic environment, one which does not favor the slow or those resistant to change .  Recognizing this, since my first day in office I have hammered away at three priorities, which I have referred to as my “three Cs”: space control, space cooperation, and space classification.  Over the past year a fourth “C” has emerged: commercial space integration.  There is an urgency to these priorities.  This morning, I will update you on the significant progress we have made on all four.

Space Control

The first C is for space control.  When I first arrived in the Pentagon in spring 2022, the DoD and the IC were just beginning a Space Strategic Review at the behest of the National Security Advisor.  The SSR (“scissor”), as we called it, brought together stakeholders from across the national security space enterprise to assess how we matched up against the growing threats in the space domain.  It was a collaborative but difficult process. 

Our SSR analysis confirmed that China is the Department's pacing challenge in the space domain.  The SSR also confirmed that space is in fact an operational domain, one in which U.S. national security interests need to be defended, and one in which space-enabled adversary threats to U.S. service members need to be countered.

At the end of the process, and after many consultations between the Department and the National Security Council, the White House concurred with our analysis. As a result, last June, the President issued his Space Security Guidance, affirming the takeaways from the SSR, approving the Department's strategic direction on space, and focusing our efforts.

As we implement that guidance, our primary means of deterring conflict in space will be through resilience.  Because space is essential to our way of war, our adversaries may be incentivized to strike us in space.  With resilient architectures, we can withstand strikes against our satellites and degrade gracefully— perhaps not even noticeably— and continue to provide the critical space-based services the Joint Force relies on.  Resilient architectures should reduce the adversary's incentive to strike US satellites in the first place. 

But resilience can only get us so far. Our intelligence community assesses that, today, China's architecture could support tracking and targeting U.S. and allied forces across the Pacific . That capability challenges our ability to conduct joint operations in the Indo-Pacific region. No amount of resilience in our own satellite constellations can protect a carrier strike group from a long-range missile attack enabled by an adversary's satellites.

The United States will protect and defend our men and women in harm's way from space-enabled threats, just as we do for threats from land, sea, or air.  This may require the Department to take action to ensure that our potential adversaries are unable to rely on their space systems to find and strike U.S. and allied forces.  As part of the U.S. Government's integrated deterrence strategy, the United States may leverage counterspace options across all operational domains if necessary. In doing so the Department will continue to be a leader in the responsible use of space to ensure that the domain remains safe, stable, secure, and sustainable.

Space Cooperation

The second C is for space cooperation.  By working together with our allies, we broaden the number of systems collectively available for space operations, both on orbit and on the ground; we strengthen resilience; we expand our options for diplomatic and military responses; and we complicate an adversary's decision making. 

Space cooperation strengthens integrated deterrence, but only to the extent we can successfully work together in the space domain.  Today, combined military operations in space are a relatively new idea.  So for the past two years we have been working hard to fix this.

A leading example is the Combined Space Operations Initiative, or CSpO for short.  CSpO was formed ten years ago around a vision of improving cooperation, coordination, and interoperability to sustain freedom of action in space. Over the last two years, I have worked hard to take CSpO to the next level, expanding membership to Italy, Japan, and Norway, and focusing on the necessary groundwork to one day soon conduct true combined military operations in space. 

For that effort, U.S. Space Command is now leading the way with Operation Olympic Defender, and I am confident our Allied by Design approach will be successful.

The Department is also investing in bilateral space cooperation around the globe. Last year, my team conducted the first bilateral space cooperation dialogue with the Indian Ministry of Defense. We advanced discussions with our Japanese partners on finalizing our unique space domain awareness hosted payload partnership.  U.S.-Norway collaboration enabled the integration of U.S. payloads on two Norwegian satellites to provide 24/7 protected SATCOM for forces operating in the Arctic. And the list goes on.

Not Just Allies and Partners

But space cooperation is not only about working with allies and partners. It is also an important tool we use with our competitors to navigate challenging issues, avoid misunderstandings, and maintain stability. Since President Biden's summit with President Xi last year, my team has been part of several lower level bilateral exchanges with their Chinese counterparts on space security.  Both the United States and China have a vested interest in a safe, secure, stable, and sustainable space domain, and both parties will benefit from continuing to talk. 

As for Russia, the United States and Russia continue to operate the International Space Station together despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine.  That alone is a testament to the value of space cooperation, and to the shared responsibility spacefaring nations have to each other.

The Department also supports the Administration's work to advance space cooperation in the form of verifiable norms at the United Nations, including our commitment not to conduct destructive, direct-ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) missile testing, and we hope that more countries will make that same commitment.

We also strongly support the proposed U.S.-Japan UN Security Council Resolution, which includes reaffirming the Outer Space Treaty obligation not to place in orbit around the Earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons, or any other weapons of mass destruction. We believe all nations should support this UN Security Council Resolution as well.  A nuclear detonation in space would have indiscriminate, devastating effects for all space systems and all space users across the globe. 

Such a weapon is completely unable to discriminate between military, civil, or commercial systems, and it is completely unable to discriminate between nations.  No country should pursue such a capability.  It is in no nation's interest to do so, and puts all space-faring nations' interests at risk.

Space Classification

The third “C” is for space classification.  Our ability to work closely with allies and partners in the space domain, and our ability to use our space capabilities to protect and defend the Joint Force, requires the right information getting to the warfighter at operationally relevant speeds. But that information flow continues to be significantly hampered by the overclassification of space activities.

My office has led the charge on fixing this.  We started by illuminating the problem to the entire national security space enterprise, hosting a summit to identify what issues were limiting our ability to conduct operational cooperation in space with allies.  The number one culprit?  Overclassification of information.  

We then spent more than a year completely rewriting a 20-year-old legacy space classification policy, which reflected priorities of a different time and a different security environment.  That legacy policy limited our ability to share information within the Department, limited our ability to cooperate with our Allies and partners, and limited the ability of our industry partners to provide cost effective and timely solutions to difficult problems.  It limited our ability to adequately plan and train for conflict.  The truth is that over the past 20 years that policy has cost the Department both time and money, two scarce resources we cannot afford to squander. 

After a herculean effort by my team, in close collaboration with DoD and Intelligence Community stakeholders, Deputy Secretary Hicks approved our entirely new space classification policy in December.

Across the Pentagon, there is now a concerted effort to decrease the siloed nature of space activities. Services are reviewing programs to reduce their classification to a level that benefits the warfighter. And we are leaning forward on how much we can share with our Allies and partners, including industry, to allow more meaningful cooperation.

Our goal is to enable better integration of space in joint and combined operations, and to ensure that classified capabilities are accounted for in war plans and exercises.  That does not mean reducing things all the way to the unclassified level— apologies to the reporters in the audience!  But over time, the new policy should dramatically improve information flow and reduce the time and money required to build future systems.

Commercial Space Integration

Our fourth and newest “C” is for commercial space integration.

From launch to space domain awareness to satellite communications and more, over the past several years the commercial space sector's ability to innovate at speed and scale has been nothing short of breathtaking.  The Pentagon is keen to harness that innovation. And we are also keen to harness the speed and cost effectiveness the commercial sector promises, two areas the Pentagon could certainly use help in!

In order to drive the Pentagon to take better advantage of the innovative commercial sector, on April 2nd—just last week!—we released the Department's first ever Commercial Space Integration Strategy, signed by the Secretary of Defense.

The degree to which commercial space capabilities and services can benefit U.S. national security will ultimately be measured by how well the Department can actually integrate commercial solutions into the way we operate, not just in peacetime, but also in conflict.  To accomplish this, as Secretary Austin wrote in the forward to the strategy, the Department needs to eliminate the structural, procedural, and cultural barriers to overcoming legacy practices and preconceived notions of how the commercial sector can support national security.

Over the last year, my team engaged directly with space stakeholders across the Department and the interagency as well with commercial space entities of all sizes. We hosted roundtables, tabletop exercises, and informational sessions to better understand how commercial space solutions could support the Department, while taking into account the commercial sector's interests as well. Informed by that body of work, our new strategy directs the Department to pursue four lines of effort for commercial space integration:

• First, we will work to ensure access to commercial solutions across the spectrum of conflict: not just in peacetime, but also in crisis and in conflict.  
• Second, we will work to achieve integration prior to crisis. By integrating commercial space solutions in our day-to-day operations, we will be ready and able to rely on those solutions during crisis or conflict.  
• Third, we will work to establish the security conditions necessary to integrate commercial space solutions and help commercial providers reduce risk. While the Department will always maintain the option to use military force to protect and defend commercial assets, our primary approaches will be to: (one) create and support norms that enhance safety for all; (two) generate and share actionable threat information with commercial partners; and (three) explore different forms of financial protection, if required. Underpinning all of this is the Department's commitment to be a responsible actor in space.  
• Fourth, we will support the development of new commercial space capabilities that have the potential to support the Joint Force. The Department has a number of tools at our disposal to help commercial companies scale where our interests align.

The strategy is deliberately unclassified to be transparent about what we are trying—and need—to achieve, and to hold ourselves accountable to the strategy we have signed up for.  I am confident it will pay dividends for the Department for years to come.

So there you have it: space control, space cooperation, space classification, and commercial space integration.  Today's security environment demands action and decisions, and each of these four urgent priorities has been met with significant progress in the past two years, made possible by tremendous effort, focus, and teamwork.  And a sense of good humor all along the way.

On a personal note, it is now public news that I will be stepping down from my role in the next few weeks.  It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as the first Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy.  I will be deeply and forever proud of the work my team and I have done to both lead and push the Department forward at this critical time in history. 

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Bernadette Boden-Albala to deliver keynote speech at AAN Healthcare Equity Symposium

UC Irvine Program in Public Health director and founding dean will share brain health insights

• Publication date April 8, 2024

This article was originally published on the  UCI News website .

Bernadette Boden-Albala , M.P.H., Dr.P.H., director of the University of California, Irvine Program in Public Health and founding dean of the planned School of Population and Public Health, has been chosen to serve as the Cheryl A. Jay Keynote Lecturer at the American Academy of Neurology’s Health Care Equity Symposium as part of its annual meeting. This prestigious invitation was extended to recognize her expertise and advocacy in driving meaningful progress in health equity in neurologic care.

“It is an honor to be provided with this valuable platform to highlight the essential role of community-based research in addressing stroke and other neurological disease disparities,” Boden-Albala said. “I look forward to sharing successful initiatives that actively involve the community in all aspects of the process. These culturally sensitive interventions leverage trusted local facilitators and utilize social networks that address inequalities and help ensure equitable access to care for all, regardless of background or circumstance.”

It is an honor to be provided with this valuable platform to highlight the essential role of community-based research in addressing stroke and other neurological disease disparities. – Bernadette Boden-Albala, MPH, DrPH

The AAN’s 2024 Annual Meeting is April 13-18 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Boden-Albala will present her lecture on April 15 to open the half-day symposium to recognize disparities in care and move toward health equity in neurology. This meeting is the largest gathering of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, where they share educational opportunities, learn about the latest scientific discoveries and connect with colleagues from around the world.

Recognized as one of the leading professionals in her field, Boden-Albala, on Feb. 14, she spoke on behalf of the AAN and American Brain Coalition to the Congressional Neuroscience Caucus in Washington, D.C., providing insight into brain development, function and aging.

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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

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a group of four people who play musical instruments or sing as a group

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macOS 15: Everything you need to know about the next big Mac update

The next version of the Mac operating system, macOS 15, is expected to make its debut at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference , which kicks off with a keynote on June 10. After a beta period, the official release occurs in the fall.

Rumors of what macOS 15 will entail are scarce as usual–because software development doesn’t rely on third-party production and manufacturing like hardware does, rumors about macOS don’t happen often. But when rumors do leak, they will be tracked in this article. Here’s everything we know so far.

macOS 15 release date: When will macOS 15 arrive?

Since 2013, Apple has released macOS during the fall season in the U.S. The company has established a pattern of releasing iOS first, followed a few weeks later by macOS. Here are the release dates from the past five years.

・macOS 14 Sonoma: September 26, 2023

・macOS 13 Ventura: October 24, 2022

・macOS 12 Monterey: October 25, 2021

・macOS 11 Big Sur: November 12, 2020

・macOS 10.15 Catalina: October 7, 2019

Apple will unveil macOS 15 at WWDC during a keynote on June 10, where it will show off the biggest new features. Apple will also start the developer beta period at that time, followed by a public beta a few weeks later. Apple releases beta updates semi-weekly before the official release in the fall.

macOS 15 compatibility: Which Macs will get macOS 15?

No reports have been made about the macOS 15 compatibility list. On average, Macs get 6.6 years of macOS updates , with models older than that only receiving another year or two of security updates and bug fixes.

The compatibility list is becoming a pressing concern for users of Intel Macs. After Apple introduced its M-series Macs, the company said it will continue to support Intel Macs for several years, but it did not offer specifics. The last Mac to switch from Intel to Apple Silicon was the Mac Pro last year. The clock is ticking on Intel Macs, but it’s likely that the last generation of Intel Macs will be on the macOS 15 compatibility list.

Here is the current compatibility list for macOS Sonoma :

・iMac from 2019 and later

・Mac Pro from 2019 and later

・iMac Pro from 2017

・Mac Studio from 2022 and later

・MacBook Air from 2018 and later

・Mac mini from 2018 and later

・MacBook Pro from 2018 and later

Apple launched its first M1 Macs (MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro Mac mini) in late 2020, so some intel models will still get another year of updates with macOS 15. the most likely candidates to drop support are the 2018 models and the iMac Pro. To find out which version of macOS and older Mac can run take a look at our macOS compatibility list .

macOS 15 name: What will the new version be called?

Ever since Apple stopped using jungle cats with macOS 10.9 Mavericks, it’s used California places to identify its annual OS updates. The last several years have been Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, and Catalina. We’re not sure yet what locale Apple will choose for macOS 15, but it has trademarked several unused place names , including Condor, Mammoth, Redwood, and Sequoia.

macOS 15: Rumored new features

It’s possible that macOS 15 may not have a lot of new features. Last November, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple shifted from developing new OS features to fixing bugs and improving performance. Since that report came a few months ago, Apple may have finished that task and returned to developing new features. Regardless, the switch impacted the development time for new features and that could mean macOS 15 has fewer than originally planned.

AI everywhere

Several reports over the past few months have stated that Apple is doing a lot of work towards AI, and that generative AI (using AI to create content) will have a big role in macOS. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported in October 2023 that AI will be prominently featured in iOS 18 with macOS following at a later date. That seems to indicate that macOS 15 won’t get as many AI features as iOS 18.

If macOS 15 doesn’t match iOS 18 feature for feature, it’s not known when Apple would bring those missing features over. It could decide to introduce them in updates throughout the year, or it could wait until macOS 16 in 2025. iOS has long been Apple’s priority, so it won’t be surprising if macOS 15 doesn’t have the same new features as iOS 18. However, it’s bearly certain that macOS will have some new AI features baked in.

Accessibility

A report by MacRumors states the macOS 15 will have several new Accessibility features. These include Adaptive Voice Shortcuts, which activates accessibility features by speaking a phrase; a Live Speech enhancement that lets users create categories; and expanded app support for custom font sizes.

Freeform Scenes

MacRumors reports that the Freeform app will get a new feature called Freeform Scenes, which will let the user select specific sections on boards to ease navigation. Scenes will reportedly work with iCloud for sharing and editing.

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Remarks at SEC Speaks 2024

Gurbir S. Grewal Director, Division of Enforcement

Washington D.C.

April 3, 2024

Good morning everyone, and welcome!

Whether you’re here in person or participating virtually from around the country, or even overseas, I thank you for joining us.

As is customary, my remarks this morning are in my official capacity as Director of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Enforcement, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission, the Commissioners, or other members of the staff.

I want to start by thanking PLI for organizing this event and making it available for free to all this year. It is important for us to speak directly to not just the securities bar, but also to everyone that is interested in our work.

And that is precisely what we’d like to do today—speak to you directly. In a few moments, my Enforcement Division colleagues will talk to you about the “what” of our work — in other words, the issues that are top of mind for us.

Whether that’s explaining how we’re thinking about penalties, disgorgement and remedies; highlighting enforcement initiatives; discussing legal developments; or outlining the many ways in which we are encouraging and rewarding cooperation; this type of dialogue benefits all of us.

By hearing about issues significant to the Enforcement program, you all are better able to counsel your clients. And, together, we are better able to protect investors – which, after all, should be our shared mission.

But before we get to the “what,” I’d like to discuss the “why” of our work.

It goes without saying that we are facing significant headwinds in our enforcement efforts. There are some that question our authority, hoping for a different regulatory regime altogether for their industry. And there are others that question our motivations. And in rare cases, there are also those that question the integrity with which we approach our work. I’d like to address each of these headwinds, in turn, underscoring the importance of our work in the process.

In the decade since we brought our first crypto enforcement actions, our approach has been consistent, principled, and tethered to the federal securities laws and legal precedent. After all, every lawyer here knows what the test is to determine whether a crypto asset was offered and sold as an “investment contract,” and therefore a security: it’s the Howey test. [1] It’s not the “essential ingredients” test, [2] or the Beanie Baby test, [3] or some other test that industry folks might like to create for themselves.

And for years, the SEC has clearly and consistently applied Howey and its progeny to protect investors in the crypto space. We have applied it to the alleged facts in dozens of orders, complaints, and briefs. These are not secret analyses; they are public documents for the whole world to see. [4] Even parties that argue in court that their conduct does not implicate the federal securities laws have themselves used the Howey framework internally for years to evaluate crypto offerings. [5]

Of course, that doesn’t mean that all crypto products are offered as “investment contracts” and are therefore securities. But it does mean that the analytical framework—the test—for whether something is an “investment contract” is the same whether we’re dealing with transactions involving crypto products or with transactions involving the many other kinds of offerings that courts have analyzed under Howey . [6]

Nevertheless, over the past decade, we have confronted significant non-compliance and many, many creative attempts by market participants to avoid our jurisdiction, with some claiming that we are making it up as we go or regulating by enforcement, and others arguing that we are recklessly exceeding our authorities.

They have variously argued that their crypto products were “currencies” and, therefore, beyond our remit; that the term “investment contract” was unconstitutionally vague and could not be applied to crypto; that their offerings were “utility tokens” not securities; that there was a “lack of fair notice” their conduct implicated the securities laws; that everything was “decentralized” and because there were no entities or entrepreneurs involved, we lacked jurisdiction; that there needed to be an actual “contract” for there to be an “investment contract” under Howey ; and more recently that there was something called the “major questions doctrine” that prevented us from using our tools to protect investors in the crypto markets.

At the same time, we’ve been accused of picking winners and losers, stifling innovation, and driving crypto businesses to more favorable, foreign jurisdictions, wherever they may be.

A decade’s worth of verbal gymnastics that are just a backhanded way of saying, “we want a different set of rules than those that apply to everyone else.”

A decade’s worth of arguments that have served as nothing more than a distraction from the very real issues and risks that the crypto markets present for the investing public.

And most importantly, a decade’s worth of arguments that have been serially rejected in one way or another by court after court. [7] As we have consistently maintained, and as court after court has confirmed, the federal securities laws apply equally to everyone. You don’t get your own rules.

Indeed, as one federal court recently stated, “the ‘crypto’ nomenclature may be of recent vintage, but the challenged transactions fall comfortably within the framework that courts have used to identify securities for nearly eighty years.” [8] The court went on to observe that “[u]sing enforcement actions to address crypto-assets is simply the latest chapter in a long history of giving meaning to the securities laws through iterative application to new situations.” [9]

These crypto enforcement actions have not been, and are not, without challenge. Given the stakes and the resources available to our adversaries, they have been among the most hard fought that I’ve seen in my career. But I am incredibly proud of the perseverance of the staff, who push forward for one reason alone: because investor protection demands it.

Last year, the Pew Research Center released a survey finding that nearly a third of Americans who had ever invested in, traded, or used crypto, no longer held any. [10] The same survey found that a whopping three-quarters of Americans who have heard about crypto do not believe that it is reliable and safe. [11] Given the continued noncompliance in this space, they have good reason to be concerned.

One need look no further than last week’s sentencing of Samuel Bankman-Fried to see the impact of noncompliance. [12] In advance of the sentencing, the Department of Justice filed hundreds of victim statements with the court. [13] The victim statements reflect the incredibly broad cross-section of people who were harmed by the fraud that Bankman-Fried was convicted of: single parents, retirees, young people, grandparents. People who were forced to sell their home, their car, or take on a second job to make up for their losses. People who had to figure out a way to pay for their mortgage, education, retirement, and so on.

And as another example, just last month, the SEC charged 17 individuals for their role in an alleged crypto Ponzi scheme that raised $300 million from more than 40,000 investors, primarily from the Latino community. [14] Several defendants allegedly solicited investors with promises of financial freedom and “risk free” crypto and foreign exchange investments. [15] As alleged in our complaint, in true Ponzi fashion, most of the funds raised were not used for any investments; they were instead used to fund the defendants’ lifestyles and to pay supposed returns to other investors.

The “predatory inclusion” tactics that certain crypto entities are directing at Black, brown, and other marginalized communities are extremely troubling. [16] Here, I’m talking about the familiar (but so far unsupported) narratives that crypto will increase financial inclusion; [17] that it will uplift the unbanked or underbanked; and that it will help them build wealth and increase upward mobility.

We’ve seen unlawful tactics on full display in cases where the SEC has charged “influencers” for touting unregistered crypto asset offerings to investors without disclosing that they are being compensated to do so. [18] We even charged one celebrity with making materially false and misleading tweets about supposed returns from his crypto investments while not disclosing that he was being paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for his tweets. [19]

Whether it’s the direct result of these types of efforts or for other reasons beyond the scope of these remarks, crypto assets are the only major financial products that Black Americans are more likely to own than white Americans. [20] And there is some evidence that Black and brown investors were disproportionately harmed during the downturn of crypto markets over the last few years. [21]

In the end, the stories of the victims in all of these cases are absolutely devastating and they are our “why.” But somehow they are constantly drowned out by tired industry talking points about us exceeding our authorities and destroying innovation, among others. But regardless of the headwinds, we remain committed to using all the tools at our disposal to protect the investing public, including against risks in the crypto markets.

It’s my hope that, after the latest in a long and growing string of courts affirming our authority to police the crypto markets, we can move past them and address the very real issues present in this industry that lead to elevated investor risk: fraud, lack of transparency, commingling of assets, conflicts of interest, and lack of oversight, to mention just a few.

I’d like to end by addressing a particular headwind that we face from certain market participants: attacks on our integrity. I am now coming up on three years in this role, and like so many of my colleagues I have spent the majority of my career in public service. During that time, I have had the privilege to work alongside thousands upon thousands of dedicated public servants at the local, state and federal levels. And here’s what I’ve learned: we don’t do this work to round corners and notch wins. Nor do we do it for financial incentives or personal gain. The overwhelming majority of us do it for one reason alone: we believe in standing up for others. In the case of the Enforcement Division, that means standing up each and every day for the investing public.

That’s why, as we speak, there are investigative teams across the division poring through voluminous records to, for example, seek emergency relief to stop ongoing frauds.

And it’s why there’s a trial team in New York walking into district court, as we speak, to present evidence to a jury concerning a massive alleged crypto fraud—all in an effort to hold accountable the individual and entity responsible for alleged widespread investor harm. [22]

And it’s why in just a few hours, a trial team in California will walk into district court to hold accountable an insider that allegedly benefitted from his position in a way the rest of us cannot—by engaging in, as we allege, insider trading. [23]

Our ability to do all of this work depends on trust and credibility. As I’ve spoken about previously, the public must have confidence that we will hold bad actors accountable when they violate the securities laws regardless of who, or how powerful, they are. And the public, courts and the bar must all have confidence in the representations we make when we are advocating to protect investors.

We can never let our zeal to address misconduct compromise that reservoir of trust and credibility that we, and the other public servants that came before us, have spent careers building and protecting; after all, it’s what allows us to do so much of the good we are trying to do. [24]

That also means if we fall short, we must acknowledge our mistakes and recommit ourselves to doing everything we can to never compromise that reservoir, as we recently have. [25]

But what we will not do is let any criticism that we may face overshadow the incredible work being done by the Enforcement Division on a daily basis on behalf of the investing public. Instead, we will embrace any scrutiny we face to highlight it.

With that, I’ll turn it over to Sanjay Wadhwa, Deputy Director of the Division Enforcement, for some brief remarks and to introduce the Enforcement panel, which will discuss some of our investor protection efforts.

Thank you, and I look forward to speaking with you throughout the day.

[1] See   SEC v. W.J. Howey Co. , 328 U.S. 293, 297 (1946) (setting forth the test for what constitutes an “investment contract,” and therefore a security, for purposes of the federal securities laws). Courts have since divided the Howey test into three elements: (1) an investment of money; (2) in a common enterprise; and (3) with a reasonable expectation of profits derived from the efforts of others. See , e.g., SEC v. Edwards , 540 U.S. 389, 393 (2004); Reves v. Ernst & Young , 494 U.S. 56, 64 (1990); see also cases cited herein.

[2] See SEC v. Ripple Labs, Inc. , 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 120486, at *19 (S.D.N.Y. July 13, 2023) (“The Court declines to adopt Defendants' ‘essential ingredients’ test, which would call for the Court to read beyond the plain words of Howey and impose additional requirements not mandated by the Supreme Court.”).

[3] See SEC v. Coinbase, Inc. , 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 56994, at *74-75 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 27, 2024) (“Unlike in the transaction of commodities or collectibles (including the Beanie Babies discussed during the oral argument . . . ), which may be independently consumed or used, a crypto-asset is necessarily intermingled with its digital network — a network without which no token can exist.”)

[4] SEC pleadings filed in federal court are available at www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases . SEC settled orders are available at www.sec.gov/litigation/admin .

[5] See , e.g., SEC v. Coinbase, Inc. , 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 56994, at *49 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 27, 2024] (citing allegation in SEC’s complaint that Coinbase used Crypto Ratings Council “to assess whether certain crypto-assets had the characteristics of securities under Howey ”); SEC v. Ripple Labs, Inc. , 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 120486, at *14-15 (S.D.N.Y. July 13, 2023) (noting that Ripple received two memoranda from counsel analyzing whether XRP tokens constitute investment contracts under Howey ).

[6]   See , e.g., SEC v. Edwards , 540 U.S. 389, 391, 397 (2004) (payphone sale-and-leaseback agreements); Eberhardt v. Waters , 901 F.2d 1578, 1579, 1582 (11th Cir. 1990) (cattle embryos); Smith v. Gross , 604 F.2d 639, 641–43 (9th Cir. 1979) (earthworms); Glen-Arden Commodities, Inc. v. Costantino , 493 F.2d 1027, 1035 (2d Cir. 1974) (casks of Scotch whiskey); SEC v. Koscot Interplanetary, Inc. , 497 F.2d 473, 485–86 (5th Cir. 1974) (cosmetics distributorships); SEC v. Glenn W. Turner Enters., Inc. , 474 F.2d 476, 482–83 (9th Cir. 1973) (self-improvement courses); Miller v. Cent. Chinchilla Grp., Inc. , 494 F.2d 414, 415–16 (8th Cir. 1974) (chinchillas); Cont’l Mktg. Corp. v. SEC , 387 F.2d 466, 468, 471 (10th Cir. 1967) (beavers).

[7] See , e.g., SEC v. Coinbase, Inc ., 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 56994, at *3, *43 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 27, 2024) (explaining that “the challenged transactions fall comfortably within the framework that courts have used to identify securities for nearly eighty years"); SEC v. Genesis Glob. Capital, LLC , No. 23-cv-00287 (ER), 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 44372, at *44-45 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 13, 2024) (“Under both Howey and Reves, the SEC has plausibly alleged that Defendants offered and sold unregistered securities through the Gemini Earn program.”); SEC v. Wahi , No. 2:22-cv-01009-TL, 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 36788, at *21 (W.D. Wash. Mar. 1, 2024) (holding that, “under Howey , all of the crypto assets that Ramani purchased and traded were investment contracts,” including to the extent that the assets were traded on the secondary market); SEC v. Terraform Labs Pte. Ltd. , No. 23-cv-1346 (JSR), 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 230518, at *43 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 28, 2023) (stating that “ Howey’s definition of ‘investment contract’ was and remains a binding statement of the law, not dicta” and finding that “[t]here is no genuine dispute that the elements of the Howey test – ‘(i) investment of money (ii) in a common enterprise (iii)with profits to be derived solely from the efforts of others’ [ ] have been met for UST, LUNA, wLUNA, and MIR [the crypto assets at issue]”); SEC v. Ripple Labs, Inc. , 20-cv-10832 (AT), 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 120486, at *19-20 (S.D.N.Y. July 13, 2023) (rejecting defendants’ argument that, in addition to satisfying the  Howey  test, all investment contracts must contain certain additional "essential ingredients" and finding that Ripple’s institutional sales of its XRP crypto token constituted the unregistered offer and sale of investment contracts and therefore securities); SEC v. Terraform Labs Pte. Ltd. , No. 23-cv-1346 (JSR), 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 132046, at *21-22 (S.D.N.Y. July 31, 2023) (rejecting argument that the Major Questions Doctrine “prevent[s] the SEC from alleging the company's digital assets to be ‘investment contracts’” and explaining that “Defendants cannot wield a doctrine intended to be applied in exceptional circumstances as a tool to disrupt the routine work that Congress expected the SEC and other administrative agencies to perform.”); SEC v. LBRY, Inc. , 639 F. Supp. 3d 211, 221–22 (D.N.H. 2022) (granting summary judgment for SEC and rejecting fair notice defense, explaining that “[t]he SEC has not based its enforcement action here on a novel interpretation of a rule that by its terms does not expressly prohibit the relevant conduct. Instead, the SEC has based its claim on a straightforward application of a venerable Supreme Court precedent that has been applied by hundreds of federal courts across the country over more than 70 years.”); SEC v. NAC Found., LLC , 512 F. Supp. 3d 988, 994 (N.D. Cal. 2021) (denying motion to dismiss and noting that motion “falls well short of demonstrating that the SEC's characterization of ABTC as a ‘security’ is implausible for pleading purposes”); SEC v. Kik Interactive Inc. , 492 F. Supp. 3d 169, 174, 182–84 (S.D.N.Y. 2020) (granting SEC summary judgment on grounds that Kik offered digital currency Kin as a security); SEC v. Telegram Grp. Inc. , 448 F. Supp. 3d 352, 371 (S.D.N.Y. 2020) (granting the SEC’s motion for a preliminary injunction notwithstanding Telegram’s argument that investors “bought Grams with the expectation to use them as currency” and not “with an expectation of profit”).

[8] SEC v. Coinbase, Inc. , 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 56994, at *3 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 27, 2024).

[9] Id. at *43.

[10] Michelle Faverio & Olivia Sidoti, Majority of Americans aren’t confident in the safety and reliability of cryptocurrency , Pew Rsch. Ctr. (Apr. 10, 2023), www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/04/10/majority-of-americans-arent-confident-in-the-safety-and-reliability-of-cryptocurrency/ (“Roughly three-in-ten adults (31%) who have ever invested in, traded or used cryptocurrency say they currently do not have any cryptocurrency.”).

[11] Id. (“Among the vast majority of Americans who say they have heard at least a little about cryptocurrency (88%), three-quarters say they are not confident that current ways to invest in, trade or use cryptocurrencies are reliable and safe, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted March 13-19.”)

[12] See Press Release, DOJ, “Samuel Bankman-Fried Sentenced to 25 Years for His Orchestration of Multiple Fraudulent Schemes” (March 28, 2024), available at www.justice.gov/opa/pr/samuel-bankman-fried-sentenced-25-years-his-orchestration-multiple-fraudulent-schemes .

[13] United States v. Samuel Bankman-Fried , Case No. 22-cr-0673 (S.D.N.Y., March 18, 2024) [Docket No. 411].

[14] See Press Release, SEC, “SEC Charges 17 Individuals in $300 Million Crypto Asset Ponzi Scheme Targeting the Latino Community” (March 14, 2024), available at www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2024-35 .

[15] Id., Complaint ¶ 37.

[16] See , e.g., Litigation Release, SEC, “SEC Halts Crypto Asset-Related Fraud Victimizing Latino Investors” (Oct. 3, 2022) (explaining that the SEC obtained emergency relief in an action alleging that defendant held paid classes for the ostensible purpose of educating and empowering the Latino community to build wealth through crypto asset trading, but was running a Ponzi scheme that raised over $12 million from more than 5,000 investors), available at www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/lr-25547 .

[17]   See , e.g., Tonantzin Carmona, Debunking the Narratives About Cryptocurrency and Financial Inclusion , Brookings (Oct. 6, 2022), www.brookings.edu/articles/debunking-the-narratives-about-cryptocurrency-and-financial-inclusion/ (“[C]rypto may offer access to financial services (according to the industry’s narratives), but with the caveats of high risks and insufficient consumer protections.”); see also Alex Fredman & Todd Phillips, Claims That Crypto Bolsters Financial Inclusion Are Dubious , Ctr. for Am. Progress (Mar. 25, 2022), www.americanprogress.org/article/claims-that-crypto-bolsters-financial-inclusion-are-dubious/ (noting that advocates’ claims that cryptocurrencies improve access to financial services lack evidence).

[18] See , e.g., Press Release, SEC, “SEC Charges Crypto Entrepreneur Justin Sun and his Companies for Fraud and Other Securities Law Violation” (Mar. 22, 2023) (settled orders against some parties) (alleging that celebrities Lindsay Lohan, Jake Paul, DeAndre Cortez Way (Soulja Boy), Austin Mahone, Michele Mason (Kendra Lust), Miles Parks McCollum (Lil Yachty), Shaffer Smith (Ne-Yo), and Aliaune Thiam (Akon) illegally touted crypto asset securities Tronix (TRX) and/or BitTorrent (BTT) without disclosing that they were compensated for doing so), available at www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2023-59 ; Press Release, SEC, “SEC Charges NBA Hall of Famer Paul Pierce for Unlawfully Touting and Making Misleading Statements about Crypto Security” (Feb. 17, 2023) (settled order), available at www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2023-34 ; Press Release, SEC, “SEC Charges Kim Kardashian for Unlawfully Touting Crypto Security” (Oct. 3, 2022) (settled order), available at www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2022-183 .

[19] See  Paul Anthony Pierce, Securities Act Release No. 11157, Administrative Proceeding File No. 3-21305 (Feb. 17, 2023) (settled order) (finding that Pierce tweeted misleading statements related to EMAX tokens, which he was paid to promote, including tweeting a screenshot of an account showing large holdings and profits without disclosing that his own personal holdings were in fact much lower than those in the screenshot), available at www.sec.gov/files/litigation/admin/2023/33-11157.pdf .

[20] See , e.g., Why the crypto crash hit black Americans hard , The Economist (May 20, 2022), available at www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2022/05/20/why-the-crypto-crash-hit-black-americans-hard .

[21] See , e.g., id.; see also Adrian Ma, The promise and peril of crypto for Black investors , NPR (June 28, 2022), available at www.npr.org/2022/06/28/1108413738/the-promise-and-peril-of-crypto-for-black-investors ; Paulina Cachero , Crypto Collapse Threatens to Leave Black, Hispanic Investors Further Behind , Bloomberg (July 7, 2022), www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-07-07/crypto-collapse-threatens-to-leave-black-hispanic-investors-further-behind .

[22] See Press Release, SEC, “SEC Charges Terraform and CEO Do Kwon with Defrauding Investors in Crypto Schemes” (Feb. 16, 2023), available at www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2023-32 .

[23] See Litigation Release, SEC, “SEC Charges Biopharmaceutical Company Employee with Insider Trading” (August 17, 2021), available at www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/lr-25170 .

[24] Cf Comey, James B., A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership, Flatiron Books , 2018 (recounting that he told new prosecutors that a “reservoir of trust and credibility” had been built for them by the integrity of prior public servants, that this gift came with a responsibility to maintain it, and that the reservoir took a long time to fill, but could be drained in an instant by a single misdeed).

[25] See SEC v. Digital Licensing Inc. dba DEBT BOX , Case No. 23-cv-00482-RJS-DBP (D. Utah, March 18, 2024) [Dkt. 233-6] SEC’s Response to the Court’s November 30, 2023 Order to Show Cause, Exhibit 6: Declaration of Gurbir S. Grewal.