One of the consistent surprises for me in the keynote speaking world has been the reluctance of speakers to engage in significant audience interaction, despite the real benefits to both audience and speaker in doing so.  Some speakers want to give their canned speech and leave, of course; it saves wear and tear on the speaker.  Speaking can be a grueling profession and minimizing the interaction with audiences is one way to save on the gruel.

Other speakers don’t want to introduce the element of chaos that bringing an audience into a talk will potentially create.  What if they ask a question I can’t answer – or don’t want to answer?  And some speakers want to keep control of timing and agenda and don’t want to relinquish either to an unruly mob.

But those speakers are all missing the bigger point.  If you are speaking about a serious topic with the ambition of changing the world – of spreading your message as far and wide as it will go – then allowing the audience to get active in some way will ensure that they buy in to — and remember — your messages rather than simply hearing it and moving on to the next thing.

So in this blog post and the next several, I’ll identify ways in which you can think about engaging the audience effectively for their benefit and for the propagation of your message. I’ll phrase the interactivity challenge as a series of questions.

First up, how can you promote networking in your speech?  Every single conference that collects feedback from its conferees always learns that the participants wish they had had more time to network.  Organizers overstuff events with keynotes and breakouts in order to deliver value for money.  But the result is that conference-goers never get enough time for networking.  So, make it easier for them – figure out a way to build a little networking in your speech.  It can be as simple as a ‘turn to your neighbor’ exercise, or as complicated as writing letters to your future colleague’s self or coaching someone to make a change.  Creating some accountability through networking is a particularly effective way to join people together.

Post-pandemic, we are experiencing an upsurge in the epidemic of loneliness.  People crave being seen and delivering their stories to others in order to feel less alone.  Keynote speakers can help with the therapy of the national psyche by building in connections and techniques that bring us easily together.

One of the ways you can feel less lonely is in learning how much of what you are feeling is widely shared and how much is yours alone.  Drawing those kind of boundaries clearly will help people to move into connection, and to choose it when it is offered.

Through good conference design, planners can set up opportunities for networking, but these opportunities are even more powerful when they are connected with the keynote speeches themselves.  And speakers, your ratings will improve if you do this imaginatively and well – guaranteed.

To learn something about your field of expertise, or even a new aspect of your profession is an oft-stated goal of attending a conference.  But to learn something together with a new networking connection in your field makes for an unforgettable event.  Speakers take note.