Introduction
Hey Perth, it’s Nathan Baws here. I’ve been up on stages all over Western Australia, from sweaty community halls in Kalgoorlie to slick conference rooms in the CBD, trying to figure out how to become a keynote speaker. Let me tell you, it’s been a ride—flubbed lines, shaky hands, and all. But I’ve also seen rooms light up, with folks leaving my talks ready to shake things up at work. This article’s got six practical steps to help you nail how to become a keynote speaker, packed with stories from my own gigs, tips you can use, and a bit of cheeky humour to keep it real. Let’s get you ready to own that stage.
Key Takeaways:
- Straight-up steps to learn how to become a keynote speaker.
- Tricks to click with Perth’s one-of-a-kind crowds.
- Ways to build confidence and make talks people remember.
- Ideas to turn your passion into a speaking gig.
- Tips to shine in Perth’s event scene.
1. Find Your Own Voice
To crack how to become a keynote speaker, you need something that’s just you. It’s what makes a room of strangers—miners, baristas, or suits—hang on your words.
Dig Up Your Story
Your life’s your gold. I started by sharing my own stumbles, like bombing a talk in a tiny Perth venue and pushing through. What’s your story? What’s made you who you are?
Pick What Fires You Up
Choose a topic you could yap about all day. For me, it’s helping teams work better, sparked by Perth’s mix of businesses. Find what gets you going and lean in.
Throw in Some Perth Flavour
Perth loves a local nod. Mention a crazy morning on the freeway or a chilled Freo market day, and the crowd feels like you’re talking to them. It’s a small thing that lands big.
2. Get Good at Speaking
Figuring out how to become a keynote speaker means working on your craft. It’s not just talking—it’s connecting with people.
Practice Like Mad
I started at small Perth meetups, bombing my first talk—forgot my lines, voice all over the place. But each one got better. Find local gigs, like community groups, to cut your teeth.
Work the Stage
How you move matters. I learned to walk around naturally, not like a wooden puppet, by watching how Perth crowds react. Practice your gestures and eye contact to feel like you.
Tame the Nerves
Everyone gets the wobbles. I still do before big gigs. A couple of deep breaths and a mental picture of a quiet beach settle me. Find what calms you down and keeps you focused.
3. Make Talks People Remember
To crack how to become a keynote speaker one needs talks that stick like a good flat white. It’s about stories, clear ideas, and giving something useful.
Tell Stories That Hit
I once told a yarn about a Perth shop owner who got his team back on track by listening more. The crowd ate it up because it felt real. Use your own stories or local ones to hook them.
Keep It Dead Simple
Fancy words put people to sleep. I break things down, like comparing a business plan to a footy play—easy to get. Make your point so clear even a knackered tradie follows.
Give Them Something to Use
Every talk needs a takeaway. I tell folks to try a quick five-minute team catch-up daily. It’s small but changes how teams click. Give your audience something they can try tomorrow.
4. Connect with Perth’s Vibe
Perth’s got its own beat—part beachy chill, part hustle. To learn how to become a keynote speaker, you’ve got to fit your talk to this city.
Speak Their Language
Dropping a line about a hectic CBD commute or a Rotto weekend makes your talk feel like it’s for Perth. It’s a quick way to get the crowd on your side.
Reach the Whole Room
Perth’s got tradies, techies, and coffee slingers. I mix stories that work for everyone, so no one’s left out. Make sure your talk speaks to all sorts in the audience.
Be Real
Perth spots a fake fast. I share stuff like the time my cat jumped into a client call, and it gets laughs because it’s honest. Stay yourself, and you’ll win them over.
5. Get Your Name Out There
To nail how to become a keynote speaker, people need to know who you are. Getting noticed in Perth’s tight-knit scene takes some hustle.
Start Where You Are
I kicked off at Perth community groups and business meetups. It got my name floating around. Look for local clubs, charity events, or networking nights to get going.
Get Online
A basic website or LinkedIn profile does the job. I post clips of my talks to show Perth event planners what I’m about. It’s like a digital handshake—simple but it works.
Work the Network
Perth’s business world is small but connected. I’ve met event organisers over coffee in Subi or at industry nights. One quick yarn can land you a stage, so get out there.
6. Keep Getting Better
Learning how to become a keynote speaker doesn’t stop when you book a gig. Keep sharpening your skills to stay sharp.
Ask for Straight-Up Feedback
After every talk, I bug someone for real thoughts. A Perth organiser once told me to slow down, and it made my next talk way better. Listen and tweak what you do.
Watch the Pros
I’ve learned heaps from seeing other Perth speakers do their thing. Notice how they pause or crack a joke, then try it your way. Borrow little tricks, not their whole act.
Stay in the Loop
Keep up with Perth’s business scene. I read local news to drop relevant bits into my talks, like a nod to a new startup hub. It keeps your talks fresh and on point.
Conclusion
Cracking how to become a keynote speaker is about finding your story, getting good at your craft, and connecting with Perth’s unique crowds. From telling tales that stick to building a name in our city, these six steps can set you up to shine. At Nathan Baws, we’re all about helping folks like you turn passion into a stage-worthy career. Ready to take the leap? Pop over to nathanbaws.com and let’s have a yarn about getting you on stage.
Also Read: 10 Unorthodox Growth Hacks That Helped Me Thrive After Shark Tank
FAQs
How do I even start this whole keynote speaking thing in Perth?
You’ve got to dig into what makes you tick. When I kicked off, I leaned on my own story—mucking up a talk at a tiny Perth community hall and scrambling to recover. Find something you’re pumped about, like fixing team messes or firing up businesses, and test it at small gigs, like a networking night in Northbridge. It’s not pretty at first—think shaky voice and sweaty hands—but that’s where you find your feet and start getting noticed.
How do I keep my nerves from tanking my talk?
I still get the wobbles before big Perth gigs, so don’t sweat it—it’s normal. I take a few deep breaths and picture a quiet moment, like a coffee at Cottesloe with the waves rolling in. Practice your talk until it feels like a yarn with your mates. Start with small crowds, like a local business group in Subi, to ease in. Each time you do it, the nerves fade, and you’ll start enjoying the spotlight.
Why does a Perth crowd need a talk that feels local?
Perth’s got its own pulse—FIFO life, beach weekends, that mad CBD rush. Mention getting stuck on the Kwinana Freeway or grabbing a flat white in Freo, and the crowd feels like you’re one of them. I’ve seen folks light up when I talk about a sunset at Kings Park. It’s not just a speech; it’s like you’re sharing their daily grind, and that makes it hit harder.
How do I know if my talk’s going to actually connect?
Try it out on a small group first. I did early talks at Perth meetups, eyeing who laughed or looked half-asleep. Ask for blunt feedback—Perth folks don’t hold back. Use local stories, like a shop owner turning things around in Vic Park, and add tips, like a quick team catch-up idea. If it feels real and gives them something to use, it’ll stick with them.
How long’s it take to get decent at keynote speaking?
It’s a slow burn. I spent a year grinding at small Perth gigs before bigger ones came my way. Start with local events, practice for 6-12 months, and build your name. Hit up business meetups in the CBD or Freo and keep tweaking your talk. If you keep at it, you could be booking solid gigs in a year or two, maybe quicker if you’re out there hustling.
How long’s it take to get decent at keynote speaking?
It’s a slow burn. I spent a year grinding at small Perth gigs before bigger ones came my way. Start with local events, practice for 6-12 months, and build your name. Hit up business meetups in the CBD or Freo and keep tweaking your talk. If you keep at it, you could be booking solid gigs in a year or two, maybe quicker if you’re out there hustling.
What skills do I really need to make this work?
You need to spin a cracking yarn, hold a room, and keep it real. I learned by watching Perth speakers—how they pause for effect or land a joke. Practice speaking clearly, with moves that feel like you, not some stiff act. Listen to what your crowd needs, like team tips or leadership hacks. Share useful stuff, like a time-saving trick, and don’t try to fake it.
How do I score speaking gigs in Perth?
Start where you are—Perth’s got networking nights, business groups, and community events galore. I landed my first gigs by chatting at cafes in Subiaco over a coffee. Get a basic online profile with clips of your talks—nothing fancy, just real. Reach out to event planners over a cold one or LinkedIn. One good yarn can get you on a stage, so get out there.
Can anyone really pull off being a keynote speaker?
You don’t need a fancy degree—just a story and some guts. I started with nothing but a love for helping Perth crews sort their stuff out. Find your message, practice at small events like a local club, and connect with audiences.
How do I make my talks stand out from the pack?
Be yourself and lean into real stories. I share stuff like bombing a talk in front of a Perth crowd—it gets laughs because it’s honest. Add local flavour, like a nod to a Rotto ferry ride, and practical tips, like a team alignment trick. People remember talks that feel like a chat with a mate and give them something to take back to work.
How do I get in touch with Nathan Baws for some speaking help?
Swing by nathanbaws.com and fill out the contact form. Tell us what you’re after—your first talk or a big Perth stage. We’ll have a yarn over coffee or a call about how to get you ready to rock the stage and build a speaking career that really takes off.
