I’ve been helping people for many years to confidently share their ideas on stages. It is a true honour and something that gives me so much joy and energy.
I’ve been out and about a lot this year, soaking up conferences and events and watching many speakers take the stage.
And here’s what I’ve seen over and over again:
Brilliant experts starting talks with “Hi, I’m…” rather than opening with a bang.
No clear journey for the audience means they get lost, distracted and start yawning.
No emotional build or takeaway moment leaves the talk flat and uninspiring.
I’ve worked with speakers at all levels, from TEDx speakers to established consultants and founders. And the biggest thing holding most people back from keynote level impact is that they’ve got too much to say and no clear frame to hold it all.
We often confuse sharing our story with sharing our message. But when you create a signature keynote talk, you’re delivering transformation that leaves a mark long after the event.
It needs structure. And that structure sets the tone for everything that follows.
What Makes a Talk Truly Keynote-Worthy?
The best signature talks aren’t long origin stories, presentations or data heavy slide decks.
They are:
Anchored by a clear, audience-relevant message
Guided by a structured journey (from challenge to remedy to insight)
Backed by logic, emotion and credibility: the holy trinity of rhetoric
Delivered in a way that connects and teaches
This week I’ve gone into the podcast archive to share some golden advice on:
✅ Why structure matters more than charisma
✅ How ancient rhetoric still shapes great talks today
✅ What every keynote needs (and what it doesn’t)
✅ A simple structure I use with every single client to build standout keynotes
You can listen to the episode here
Why Now?
We’re heading into the back half of the year. Events are ramping up. Teams are planning their off-sites. Conferences are being curated.
If you want to position yourself as a speaker with a clear message and unforgettable presence, now is the time to start building.
And if you’re thinking: “I don’t want to just write my talk… I want to deliver it on camera, with confidence?”
I’ve got something coming for you this autumn.
Watch this space. Or drop me a DM with “TALK” if you want early access.
And if you’d like to take action now, there are a few spaces left on my summer offer intensive. 2 hours to create your signature talk framework using my tired and tested structure. Find out more here
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