Tips for Structuring a Keynote Presentation

Here’s how I turn one keynote talk into infinite customized talks. It all starts with this: I built my talk modularly. For context: I speak to many different audiences, who have many different needs. Making a new talk for everyone is impossible — but I want to serve every client uniquely. A modular structure fixes that. The intro and outro are the same (and I improvise personalization for each audience). Then the meat of the talk is built on modules. Each module is about 7-12 minutes long. I start each with a big idea, then tell a compelling story to illustrate it, then offer a takeaway and exercise. Over time, I add, refine, and retire modules. I have five active ones now, and maybe 10 that I've retired. When I’m hired to speak, I do an intro call with the client to learn about the audience, their needs, and their interests. Based on that, as well as how much time I have on stage (30 minutes? 45? 60?), I assemble the talk. Maybe I’ll use the intro, plus modules 1, 2, 4, and 5, and then the outro — and no Q&A. Maybe I’ll use the intro, plus modules 2, 3, and 4, and then the outro — and 15 min of Q&A. Or whatever. A talk easily snaps into place. In my notes, I also give myself suggestions of how each module connects to a certain audience need. For example: If they’re going through X, then I can relate that to a point I make in Module 2. As a result, I have one talk that can be used and delivered in infinite ways — giving me more opportunities to work with clients, but with a lot less work. Want to be more strategic about YOUR work? My newsletter can help — subscribe for free at jasonfeifer.com/newsletter (Or want to explore my speaking at your event? Info at jasonfeifer.com/speaking)

You’ve been asked to speak at a conference. One side of your brain says, "You rock! This is awesome. Wow for me!" The other side of your brain says, "I think I'm gonna hurl. What the heck am I going to say for 45 minutes? Does anyone care what I have to say?" Here's some quick relief... You don't need a TED Talk. You don't need 100+ slides. You need a structure that works to make this process easier on you and most importantly, high impact for the audience. Here’s how to outline your first 45-minute speech (easily adjusted for shorter or longer events): → Start with a story. Think about some analogy or story that relates to your core point and big idea Let's say your core concept is about "simplification". Here's some starter ideas for a story... “I walked into the cafe and was presented with a menu with dozens of options...” “Last week my daughter came to me…” “I was driving on a foggy highway in a new city, and suddenly driving under 4 highway signs. I needed to quickly assess and decide...” Hook them with a story, then hit them with the point. → Define the problem. What is the real and undeniable challenge your audience is facing? Call it out in a way that helps them immediately know that you "get them." It could be stating the problem specifically, along with how it makes you or others feel. Add a stat or research nugget to prove it's legit. → Show them why you are the one to guide them through it. Share your perspective. Your credibility. Share the scars and experience that give you authority. → Break it down into 3-5 core ideas. These are the building blocks of your message. Each core idea should include: ✔️ A data point ✔️ A real-world story (about you, a client, or someone they know) ✔️ A tangible takeaway → Bring it all home. Remind them of the core idea. Reconnect to your opening story. Leave them with one thing to remember, and one thing to do. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection. Your story, your lessons, your voice - they’re powerful when you put structure behind them. Okay, now go get to work!

Here's the world's simplest presentation tip (when you're sharing to execs). Start the presentation with a summary of your takeaways. "What 4-5 major points do I want my audience to walk away knowing?" I ask myself that before I have any major presentation. I had to learn this lessons that hard way btw... I used to put my takeaways on the last slide. In journalism, that's called burying the lead. I didn't realize it was a problem - until one day a mentor pulled me aside. "Andrew, you're forcing us to do a lot of work to understand your main takeaways. On every slide, we're trying to guess if this is a good story or a bad story!" "Next time, start with an executive summary. Then share more details in the following slides. We'll ask better questions and you'll be more likely to get your resources." That very simple change has made a huge impact when presenting to senior audiences.

📖💡#UnforgettablePresence Insight of the Week: Why is it that subpar business presentations have become an accepted norm? As keynote speaker and founder Richard Mulholland shared with me, if your punctuality was as poor as the average presentation, you’d be fired on the spot. In my latest conversation with Rich Mulholland, a presentation expert and one of my awesome mentors, we dug deep into what makes or breaks a presentation. But — what makes a presentation bad isn’t what you might automatically think. He emphasized that the key to a memorable presentation isn’t just beautiful slides. Tools like Canva have certainly made it easier to create visually stunning content, but that’s not enough. The core issue lies in the structure and content. According to Rich, a presentation needs three critical components: ✅ Good Content – Content that resonates with your audience. ✅ Proper Structure – A framework that makes your message digestible. ✅ Compelling Visuals – Slides that enhance, not overshadow, your message. Rich’s Action Framework is a powerful tool to structure your presentations effectively: 1️⃣ Give them a reason to care If your audience doesn't care about your topic, they won’t listen. 2️⃣ Give them a reason to believe Establish credibility. Why should they trust you? 3️⃣ Tell them what they need to know  Focus on three big takeaways. 4️⃣ Tell them what they need to do Your call to action. What’s the next step? At the end of the day, delivering a great presentation is about making your audience remember your message and, most importantly, inspiring them to take action. 💬 What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to creating presentations? What are some subpar presentation norms that get on your nerves? 😂 How do you ensure your message sticks with your audience? Share your thoughts below! (I share more about how to turn presentations into your superpower in Chapter 7 of my upcoming book.) ************** Do you feel like you’re doing everything right but struggling to reach the next level in your career? In my upcoming book 𝘜𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, I share my personal strategies and lessons from top business leaders to help you build the presence needed to thrive in your career. Sign up for updates and bonuses: lorraineklee.com/book #UnforgettablePresenceBook #BookInsights #UnforgettablePresence