Long speech, short speech or impactful speech?
Welcome to the ninety-eighth edition of “In-Touch”. As always, I would love to continue the conversation so please hit reply and let me know what you think.
Story of the Week: “Long speech, short speech or impactful speech?”
What makes a meal memorable? Is a seven-course one automatically more delicious than a three-course one?
Is a three-hour concert better than one that lasts half that time?
Is a 500-page novel always more impressive than a short story?
The same principle applies to keynote addresses. All too often, organizations approach speakers as if they’re ordering from a takeaway menu: “We’d like a 30-minute keynote, please.” And while it’s important to respect time constraints, what really matters isn’t the duration but the depth of the message. Think of an impactful keynote address as you would a great story — its effect isn’t measured by the number of pages in the book but by how it stays with you long after you’ve finished reading.
A keynote should educate, energise and inspire the audience. The speaker’s primary goal is to deliver a memorable and impactful message that resonates with the listeners.
I am referring not only to myself, but to all those who are invited to deliver a keynote at some stage, when I say that once we step onto that stage, we’re not just delivering words. We’re processing an idea, moulding it to speak directly to your team, your corporate culture and your needs. It’s about speaking your language, understanding your challenges and inspiring your people to see beyond the ordinary. It’s a free-flowing structure that engages and educates, not something bound by the rigid confines of time.
I’ve often found that the most memorable experiences come from the unexpected moments in a keynote — the way the audience connects with a story, the spark in their eyes when something resonates, or the ripple effect of ideas that continues long after the session ends. That’s what we bring to the table: inspiration, insight and a lasting impact that you’ll remember long after the clock has reached the 30-minute mark.
At the end of the day, our goal isn’t just to fill a time slot. It’s to make those who decided to hire us proud — to have them sit in the audience, feeling confident that their investment wasn’t in minutes but in transformation. Because it’s not about the half-hour keynote; it’s about how that half-hour can shift perspectives, ignite change and, as they exit the auditorium, leave your people feeling more empowered than they did when they walked in.
Words of Wisdom
“Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
A Question to Ponder, dear friend.
When you listen to a keynote speaker, do you focus on the duration of the address or on the message it conveys?
