How to Turn an Idea Into a Talk That Truly Resonates
Every great talk starts with an idea — but what makes it truly resonate? In this reflection from my Budapest keynote, I share five lessons on turning ideas into talks that connect, inspire, and create real value — drawn from my Zero to Keynote book and Idea to Value course.
Turning an idea into a talk that truly resonates - on stage doing my keynote
Hey,
I hope you are safe and well. Sorry for the radio silence but I've had a manic 2-3 weeks which I'm excited to share with you.
For the first two weeks I locked myself in the studio and spent 11 hours each day pulling together my "Idea to Value" video course and companion workbook - super excited to share this with you.
Consider this my consultancy playbook in video form.
26 principles, 4.5 hours of video content and a beautiful companion guidebook on how to go from idea to value smoothly and quickly.
I cover Watermelon reporting, costs and value, people being the engine of success, fun as an early warning system and much more - it's my consulting in a video series. Find out more here.
Last week I was in Budapest for my Keynote on the very same topic. Why, when we understand the path from idea to value (and how financial value is external to the business and how everything inside the business is cost (the arguments, debates, delays, meetings, indecision) ), we can elevate our career.
The talk went well - got a very high score and of course, you'll know I love Budapest - so much so I did a travel guide a few months back for anyone looking to get the most from the city.
There are some photos at the end of this newsletter.
If you'd like to get the most from your career, help to keep your business alive and learning, and understand how a consultant helps companies unlock epic value (and cultivate a workplace that enriches the lives of all within it), then you can find the video series here on special offer until December.
I also did a video on 5 ways to land a great keynote, catch that below with this week's topic!
Anyhow, I hope you are all well - and welcome to the new subscribers!
For those new to the Meeting Notes newsletter, welcome, I’m Rob, ChiefIdeas to Value Officer at Cultivated. This newsletter is about mastering the art of communication and creativity - and cultivating a bright future of work.
How to Turn an Idea Into a Talk That Truly Resonates
Last week in Budapest I’d planned to record this reflection whilst at the conference — in the conference hall, surrounded by that buzz of energy and nerves — but, you know how it goes. Life got in the way. Too busy, too many moving parts, too many socials and not enough quiet moments. I still struggle to just set up camp and record videos in public.
So here I am, sharing what I wanted to say then: five lessons about creating a keynote that truly resonates. Including some b-roll from the conference.
Because when people show up to hear you speak, they’re investing something incredibly valuable — their time, energy, and attention. And that’s worth designing for and using carefully.
1. Every keynote starts with an idea
It could be a spark in a notebook, a story that won’t leave your head, a theme that keeps circling back to you. Whatever it is, that’s where it begins - with an idea that you think other people would benefit from playing with.
From there, you invest your time, energy, and attention to turn that spark into something valuable.
You build a small activity set — researching, doodling, outlining, writing, designing slides, rehearsing. This is the messy middle - the creative action that brings those activity sets to life; turning an idea into something valuable and tangible, something worth paying for - and listening to.
Piece by piece, those small actions build towards something bigger.
And when all those parts come together — that’s when you step on stage. That’s when the value finally gets realised.
2. Have a point of view
A keynote isn’t a lecture — it’s a perspective. It’s something you believe. Something that might challenge people.
Not everyone will agree with you, and that’s okay. The goal isn’t to please everyone — it’s to help the right ideas land with the right people.
3. Use stories
Facts inform. But stories connect.
Stories make information memorable.They give shape to emotion and context to detail.
Every story has an arc — a challenge, a change, a resolution. And so does a good keynote.
When you’re designing your talk, ask:
What moments can I share as stories to help people feel the message, not just hear it?
4. Do the hard work
A great keynote looks effortless — but that ease comes from hours of invisible work.
In my book Zero to Keynote, I talk about how almost all of the hard work happens before you take to the stage: designing, scripting, rehearsing, and yes — cutting those wonderful lines you'd love to include but don’t serve the story.
That preparation gives you the confidence to show up fully. On the day, the nerves may come – they do for me – but the process takes over. You’ve done the work. Now you can shine.
5. Give generously
When the moment comes, your job is simple: Give the audience exactly what they deserve — a valuable use of their time, energy, and attention.
That’s the real exchange of value. You’re sharing an idea that others can carry forward, something that was worth their investment in.
And when you give generously, that’s when the real value happens.
Every creative act — every project, every piece of work in the workplace, every keynote — follows this same journey.
A spark of an idea. An investment of energy and attention. An activity set that needs doing. A process of creative action - the craft, hard work, and refinement. Regular shipping of work. And finally, a moment of generosity — when you share it with the world – a valuable moment.
That’s what it means to go from idea to valuable keynote.
If you’d like to dive deeper into how this applies beyond talks — to work, creativity, and leadership — then please do check out my brand new Idea to Value Video Course.
It’s a practical, human framework for turning ideas into outcomes that matter.
Some of the links on this page are Amazon affiliate links. If you decide to buy, I earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). It helps keep the lights on here — thank you for the support! Full details in the privacy policy.
Quote of the Week
“You have a finite amount of focus, time, and energy to offer the world, and it can never be reclaimed once itʼs spent.” — Todd Henry, Die Empty (aff)
Photos from Budapest
Official photos from the HUSTEF conference:
Some of my photos:
Books I’m Reading
Zero, zilch, nada. Nothing at all. Been locked away in my studio for two weeks.
