Book Anna to Speak
I’ve spent a decade producing one of the country’s most successful TEDx events and writing talks with hundreds of speakers.
In Anatomy of a Great Talk, I take that formula apart and hand it to your audience — how to hook a room in the first line, hold it through complicated material, and end with people ready to do something. Works for a board presentation, a conference keynote, or a Monday morning stand-up.
I promise I will not tell too many jokes, just the right amount.
PROBABLY TRUE FACT
98 out of 100 audience members agree/strongly agree:*
“Watching a speaker get up there and just read from their PowerPoint slides fills me with uncontrollable rage/extreme boredom.”
* The other two were Robert Gaskins and Dennis Austin, inventors of PowerPoint, who would like to point out that there are a lot of other reasons presentations are boring.
Most of us have gotten some advice about how to deliver a presentation.
Slow down.
Make eye contact.
Picture the audience in their underwear.
But unless you were on the Speech and Debate team (hello, fellow nerds), nobody ever taught you how to write the thing. As in: what do you actually say? So we fall back on reading the slides, because at least that feels like a plan.
With Anatomy of a Great Talk I will show a better, proven way to engage, enthrall, and en-motivate your audience.
Anatomy of a Great Talk
Takeaways
Open strong.
Get them to sit up and listen from the very first line.
Find your big idea.
The one unifying idea that drives the whole talk — and how to know when you've found it.
Build your spine.
A repeatable structure that works at any length, from a stand-up to a keynote.
Make the data stick.
Storytelling techniques that turn numbers and findings into something people remember.
Land the ending.
Know exactly what you want your audience to do with what they just heard.
Anatomy of a Great Talk Formats
Both formats can be delivered in person or virtually, and are customized to your audience.
Keynote + Q&A (45-60 minutes)
The talk, with live participation and a Q&A.
Keynote + facilitated workshop (90 minutes to two hours)
The talk plus a working session where participants get hands-on practice drafting their own presentations.
“I hired Anna to speak at my event to help high-level influential leaders learn how to communicate their ideas in a way that connects with their audiences. Attendees raved about her workshop and left with so many valuable skills they can put into practice right away!”
AMY POCSIK
Founder & CEO, Bold Moves
What people are saying
“Anna’s talk was one of the highest-rated sessions of our entire event. Attendees loved her humor, her clarity, and the immediately useful tools she shared. If you want a speaker who can command a room, book her.”
JAMIE CRAIN
President, Maine Women's Conference
“Anna was a big hit with our audience of more than 1,000 women. Attendees loved how relatable she was and shared how useful her insights were in their professional and everyday lives. I recommend her to any organization looking for an inspiring, thoughtful, and highly effective speaker.”
MADELYN GLIST
Senior Director of Programming & Events, AHLA
Bring Anna to Your Company or Conference
No pressure. No pitch. Just a conversation.
During your free 15-minute Zoom, we’ll talk about your goals, challenges, audience needs, and internal communication style to see if we're a good fit. Book a time that works for you (no back-and-forth email necessary!).