M O D U L E O N E

Creating Your Talk

L E S S O N O N E

Different Types of Talks/Presentations

The type of talk you’re presenting will have a big impact on how you go about creating it.

Different Types of Talks

1. Keynotes

• Typically 45-60 minutes • For conferences, keynotes are generally the only ones that

get paid • Keynotes can be for a handful of people to several

thousand

Keynotes need to have some piece that keeps them engaging

• Stories (funny or serious) • Comedy/Humor • Music • Magic • Activities

My personal approach with keynotes

• Students = 75% entertainment and 25% content • Adults = 50% entertainment and 50% content

Depending on the audience, keynotes are

generally more motivational and

inspirational in nature.

2. Workshops

• Can also be known as breakout sessions • Typically 45-90 minutes • Usually not paid unless you’re also the keynote (good

booking strategy is to offer both) • Usually smaller audiences (25-100) • Workshops are more intimate than keynotes • Workshops are more casual than keynotes

My approach with workshops: 25%

entertainment and 75% content

Workshops are a great way to get your foot in

the door with conferences

Keynotes are more broad while workshops can be more niche.

• For example... • Keynote = “7 Personal Finance Habits Of Successful

People” • Appeals to entire audience

• Workshop = “How To Set Up A Retirement Fund" • Appeals to small portion of audience

• Workshop = Deep • Keynote = Wide

Workshops can make good follow ups to keynotes.

• “We just talked about the 7 personal finance habits of successful people, but if you’d like to go deeper on the subject, I’m doing a workshop this afternoon on this."

Workshops are good environments to learn

about your audience and try new material

But if workshops are generally not paid, why would you ever do one?

• Build relationship with conference organizer or event planner

• Conference you want to attend anyway (generally you’ll get free registration)

• Testing new material you would use online • Better understanding of your audience

3. Trainings/Seminars

• Anywhere from a few hours to a few days • Allows you to go really deep on a topic • Trainings are generally hired by companies for help with a

specific topic • You’ll want to have more interactions/activities in this

setting rather than just you talking.

Additional Thoughts on Talks...

Where can you find examples of talks?

• TED talks (generally keynotes) • YouTube • Attend conferences/local events

As a general rule, the length of your presentation is determined by the client

hiring you.

You Don’t Need To Create A New Talk Every Time!!!!

• Always look to improve your talk and try new pieces • Think of your talk like the set list for a band in concert

Create a Menu

• I offer 2 keynotes + 3-4 workshops • When getting started, what talks should you include on

your ‘menu’? • If you already know what you want to talk about and

the types of presentations you want to do, you can start with that

• If you have no idea, it’s better to identify your audience and niche first to better understand what topics get booked and what potential clients need

• Your “menu” will always be evolving and changing

Should You Customize Your Talk?

• It depends on you. • There is value in customization (also possible you can

charge more for more customization) • Some speakers never customize anything • Some speakers customize 5-10% of a talk (to better fit

audience, setting or theme of conference)

Now What?• Make a list of possible keynotes + workshops you could

speak present