4 Easy Ways to Start Your Keynote with a Bang (Minus the Cheese Factor)

Hey there, keynote speakers! Ready to learn how to start your keynote speech with a bang, without using any cheesy words like “kings,” “queens,” or “boss babe”?

Your keynote opening is crucial. It’s your chance to grab your audience’s attention and set the tone for the rest of your presentation. So it’s important to make sure that your opening is engaging, informative, and memorable.

Here are a few tips to help you create a killer keynote opening, without relying on any cheesy words:

Start Your Keynote With a Strong Hook:

This could be a bold statement, a thought-provoking question, or a relevant anecdote. Just make sure that it’s something that will grab your audience’s attention and make them want to listen to more.

For example, instead of saying something like, “I’m so excited to be here today to talk to you about the power of personal branding,” you could start by saying something like, “Personal branding is the new currency. It’s how you get noticed, get heard, and get paid for what you know.”

This is a bold statement that is sure to grab your audience’s attention and make them want to learn more about personal branding.

Be Yourself:

People can spot BS from a mile away. So be yourself and let your audience fall in love with the real you. Share your own stories, experiences, and insights. This will help your audience connect with you on a deeper level and make them more interested in what you have to say.

For example, instead of telling a generic story about a customer who succeeded, you could tell a story about a time when you personally helped a customer achieve their goals. By providing the personal experience, you will create a more engaging experience.

Be Specific:

Don’t just tell your audience that you’re going to talk about a topic. Tell them specific things that you’re going to teach them and what they are going to takeaway from your session. This will help them understand the value that they will receive and make them more likely to listen to your entire keynote. Keep in mind, everyone always wants to know what’s in it for them!

For example, instead of saying something like, “I’m going to talk to you about the importance of social media marketing,” you could say something like, “I’m going to teach you three specific strategies for using social media to generate leads and sales for your business.”

This is much more specific and tells your audience exactly what they can expect to learn from your keynote.

Always Have a Clear Call to Action:

Tell your audience what you want them to do next. Do you want them to visit your website? Sign up for your newsletter? Follow you on social media? Be clear and concise in your call to action, and make sure that it’s easy for your audience to follow. This always you to easily grow your email list every time you speak!

For example, instead of saying something like, “I hope you enjoyed my keynote,” you could say something like, “Visit my website today to learn more about personal branding and download my free ebook on the 5 steps to building a strong personal brand.”

This is a clear and concise call to action that tells your audience exactly what you want them to do next.

By following these tips, you can create a killer keynote opening that will grab your audience’s attention, set the tone for your presentation, and provide value to your audience. And you can do it all without being a cheeseball… unless that’s your thing!

Elle Petrillo sitting on a stool in a pink blouse and dark blue jeans.

Meet your truth-tellin’, straight-shootin’, die-hard hype woman, fueled by equal parts passion and purpose. 

With 15 years of experience as a behind-the-scenes powerhouse for influential personal brands, I’ve honed the skills and insights necessary to help you build a reputation that truly represents the person you are. I won’t stop there.  I’ll show you how to scale that reputation with ease.

free course

How to Turn Every Conversation Into an Opportunity to Convert

It’s time to change the way you approach sales.

free brand strategy call

Tap Into The Power of Your Irreplaceable Personal Brand