How to Give a Keynote | Hacker News Reader

How to Give a Keynote

chadfowler.com

62 pointschadfowler12 comments

Great article. As an attendee I really love it when a conference starts and ends with a keynote just like you described. Inspiring, not to specific and fun. At the start of conference it is fun to set the tone and wake you up if it is early. When the conference has multiple tracks I love it when the last talk of the conference is the same for everybody, just to end together. That talk should send you home with the energy to start doing something. Again not to specific about something so you just reflect that on what you are doing instead of what somebody else is doing.

As a conference organiser these thoughts help me make decisions on who I invite to speak at the beginning and at the end of our conference. Maybe not only who, but definitely the content of the talk. We ask our keynote speakers to make it fun, inspiring and so far that always worked out for us and our attendees.

As somebody who would like to start speaking at conference your ideas and links really boosted that idea. Not that I want to start do keynotes, but I think those rules and the link to the questions Kent Beck sums up.

By the way, really loved your talk at Nordic Ruby!

Thanks Joren! Great points about opening and closing. Conferences use the word "Keynote" really loosely, but I think they're best when used to open and/or close to set the context and mood for the event.

Its fairly instructive to watch early Steve Jobs keynotes (say iMac and iPod) to compare them with later keynotes. The things that change are really interesting. I get the feeling reviewing them might make you change how you do things. It needs to be adapted (of course), but the thought process is interesting.

Could you give a synopsis of what you felt has changed?

I've been investing time into speaking but haven't seen many keynotes yet. I would find your opinion very helpful, and any links you may have for direct comparison more so.

Most of the videos are available on youtube. I would say polish. The early presentations have worse graphics (really weird fonts after you look at the modern version), timing is off, and less mistakes. The difference between the iMac / iPod and iPhone is pretty incredible.

I delivered an opening keynote earlier this week, probably my 10th. Fully agree with the comments in the article, especially the comment about the application of a story arc. I believe the keynote should set a tone that the can serve as compliment or contrast to the talks and panels for the rest of the conference. I'd rather set forth a unique framework or lens for viewing the rest of the day/week vs. the presentation of a completely new set of data points or theory. Importantly, the keynote should get the audience fired up about the oncoming day's events. Its a unique opportunity to inspire.

Well said!

I remember his first two keynotes, they were at CUSEC in 2006. They were great. Still remember the line about "Yeah, jobs are moving to India, but they are not the jobs you want" line.

Cool :)

You can't give a good keynote if you gave only one conference talk before.

I think the article has a list of nice suggestions, but if you're asked to give a keynote and you haven't given more than 100+ talks/lectures/presentations before, you should do one thing only: Stop. Decline the invite.

That aligns with the general rule that if you are inclined to give advice on the internet and you have nothing backing it up, you should probably stop and refrain from posting.

Any keynote speakers, conference organizers, or frequent conference attendees have other tips?

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