Start Small, Keep Going
A practical guide to building a creative habit, translated into eight languages.
- Copies
- 90k
- Languages
- 8
- Reader Rating
- 4.6★
Sample speaker Spring 2027 dates available
Casey Lane
Keynote Speaker & Author
I speak and write about turning an idea into sustained creative work. My talks bring practical exercises and honest examples to teams, conferences and learning groups.
- Keynote Speaking
- Creative Leadership
- Writing
- Workshop Design
- Storytelling
- Moderation
Stages I’ve spoken on
- tedx
- makers
- creativeuk
- northfest
- wordfest
- summit
Speaking Topics
Talks on creativity, leadership and turning ideas into sustained work.
- Creative LeadershipLeading makers
- Ideas into ActionFrom spark to habit
- Writing HabitsDaily practice
- Creative TeamsSafe to try
- StorytellingIdeas that travel
- ModerationPanels & firesides
Talks that leave audiences with a next step.
Every keynote pairs honest stories with a short exercise, so people leave with something they can try the same week.
View Full ProfileTalks audiences act on
Each talk can be tailored to your audience and event format.
Ideas into Action
Why good ideas stall — and the small daily habits that move them forward.
For creative teamsThe Brave Middle
Keeping creative work alive after the exciting start fades.
For leaders & makersWrite Every Day
A practical writing habit, built live with the audience.
For groups of 10–40
About Me
I speak and write about turning an idea into sustained creative work. My talks bring practical exercises and honest examples to teams, conferences and learning groups.
I spent ten years as a creative director before writing my first book, Start Small, Keep Going. Today I split my time between writing, keynotes and workshops with teams who want to make more of their best ideas.
A good idea is a beginning. A small daily habit is how it becomes real.
— Casey Lane
Profile Match
96% match: Excellent Match
Highly relevant for creative, leadership and innovation-themed conferences and offsites.
- Consistently top-rated sessions
- Published, recognized author
- Interactive talk formats
- Dates open in spring
Talks & Publications
Ideas audiences act on. Books readers return to.
Opening Keynote for 3,000 Creatives
“Ideas into Action” — a talk with a live exercise the whole audience completed together.
- Audience
- 3,000
- Rating
- 4.9
- Session
- #1
Creative Leadership Workshop Series
A quarterly workshop for design leads on building teams where new ideas are safe to try.
- Sessions
- 8
- Leaders
- 160
- Ideas Shipped
- +27%
Speaking Formats
Keynotes, workshops and conversations tailored to your audience.
Career & Publications
- 2019 – PresentCLIndependent (Speaker & Author)Keynote Speaker & Author
180+ keynotes in 24 countries. Author of three books on creative work.
- 2023HHarbour PressAuthor, “The Brave Middle”
A book on keeping creative projects alive after the exciting start.
- 2012 – 2019TThistle StudioCreative Director
Led a 30-person studio creating campaigns for arts and cultural clients.
- 2008 – 2012LLoch & Co.Senior Copywriter
Wrote campaigns for tourism, retail and cultural brands.
Organizer Reviews
“Casey was the highest-rated speaker of our festival — and the only one the whole audience actually took notes for.”
Education & Recognition
- UoEUniversity of EdinburghM.A. English Literature (2003 – 2007)
- GSAGlasgow School of ArtCreative Leadership Programme (2014)
- TEDx SpeakerTEDx Edinburgh
- Bestselling AuthorNational Book List
- Certified Speaking ProfessionalPSA
- Verified SpeakerAliveProfile
Speaking & Writing Toolkit
- Keynote
- Ulysses
- Notion
- Miro
- Riverside
- Substack
- Zoom
- Calendly
- Canva
Available For
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Let’s give your audience something to act on.
Check dates, request a speaker pack, or invite me to your podcast.