HOW TO BOOK THE PERFECT SPEAKER FOR YOUR EVENT
Booking a speaker for your corporate event may feel overwhelming. There’s much to consider from the type of event you are hosting to the expectations of your audience, your venue capabilities and even your budget.
When you have the right speaker booked, your event will feel seamless. Your audience will connect to your subject matter, and they will finish the day feeling positive about what they’ve heard and learnt. But if you have chosen the wrong person for the job, you may start to find unexpected stresses start to appear from unhappy guests to missed objectives.
As event entertainment specialists, we know how to make your event go off without a hitch. That’s why we’ve created a three-part series of articles sharing our insights into how you can book the perfect speaker for your next event.
- In part one (this edit) – we’ll talk about what type of speaker is best for your event, and whether you should choose a familiar name or a rising star.
- In edit two, we’ll turn our attention to the prospect of creating an AI-generated speaker. Good idea or not? Let us know what you think.
- Then, in edit three, we’ll give you all the information you need to know before you sign those contracts and confirm your booking!
By the end of this series – you’ll know exactly what to do to ensure that you’ve got the perfect speaker for your event.
The importance of a great speaker
A compelling event speaker does more than talk to your delegates and fill a spot on the schedule. They are there to set a tone, inspire action, educate audiences and leave a positive lasting impression.
Having the right person in place will help to add credibility and authority to your event, whether you are planning on hosting a corporate conference, employee training, hosting a podcast, launching a new product or a TED-talk seminar.
Your speaker is there to give fresh perspectives and new opinions and ensure that your event is memorable.
Matching your speaker to your event type
Before you start your search, think about what type of event you are having.
Choosing the right speaker type ensures your event achieves its objectives-whether that’s generating buzz for a new product, building brand loyalty, or facilitating deep industry learning and collaboration.
Who are the best speakers for a corporate event?
Whether you are planning a seminar, conference or workshop, your corporate event will likely need an industry expert or motivational speaker who can deliver up-to-date insights on trends and sector-specific information. Their skill may be in sharing the details of their success or explaining research and data in an easy-to-understand yet informative way.
Who are the best speakers for podcasts?
These speakers will need to be natural-born storytellers. Someone who can be interviewed in detail and be an engaging conversationalist. Great podcast guests and podcast hosts are those who can connect with listeners and have something exciting to say.
Who are the best speakers for training workshops and seminars?
The best guests for training workshops and seminars are those people who can teach and communicate clearly. They know how to deliver practical information insightfully and can tailor their speaking style to different levels of knowledge.
Who are the best speakers for TED talks?
TED talks are visionaries and thought leaders. They are typically entrepreneurs who have changed the world in some way and inspired others. The best speakers are those who can share their big ideas and encourage disruptive thinking.
Who are the best speakers for product launches and brand activations?
Typically, you might expect a senior leader or CEO to introduce a new product but you might also include product experts and/or customer advocates to explain why the new product is suitable. For younger demographics, the introduction of key influencers or brand ambassadors might be the best approach for your brand and product.
Should you choose a known speaker or an emerging voice?
As with any form of event entertainment, booking the right speaker relies on having an in-depth understanding of your event goals.
You need to think carefully about what your audience expects…
- Do they want to learn something new, or are they trying to learn from what has previously been done?
- Do they want to be educated, motivated or entertained?
The clearer you are from the outset, the easier it becomes to find the right person for the job.
Some corporate events may depend on having a well-known, even celebrity, speaker take to the floor. Others may be better suited to individuals who could be considered rising experts or someone who has a unique perspective on a specific topic.
Should I choose a well-known face as my speaker?
Choosing a recognisable face or name may be ideal for face-to-face events where ticket sales are a crucial part of any funding process. A high-profile name, or a celebrity speaker, is almost certain to get bums on seats, but they need to be the right person for the job.
Rather than booking someone on name recognition only, think about whether their expertise is credible. Do they have in-depth knowledge of your subject area? Will they need any particular briefings before they take to the stage or can they speak ‘off-the-cuff’? Will they be able to provide detailed answers to any particular audience question?
Would a rising star be more appropriate?
In some circumstances, a rising star might be more appropriate. You have the opportunity to add a fresh voice or perspective and separate your event from the ‘standard’ corporate speaker roster in your sector. Perhaps your speaker might be a different demographic and use their lived experience to say something new and exciting. Newer speakers are more likely to be prepared to take a risk and challenge the typical status quo. They may be more likely to be in tune with emerging trends and focus their discussions on what could happen, not what has happened.
It’s also important to think about who your audience demographics are. If you have a younger audience, you may be more suited to a speaker who is one of their peers; particularly for the digital-native generation who may be more interested in online or hybrid events.
We can help you discover the perfect speaker for your event.
Did you know that we do more than just event entertainment? We can also work with you to find the perfect speaker. One who understands your goals and objectives, can thrive in your chosen event format, and can blend seamlessly with your wider event entertainment.
Of course, there is another option available to you – the concept of an AI-generated speaker. Love it or loathe it, there’s no doubt that AI will continue to transform event entertainment, which is why in edit two of our series on event speakers, we’re asking you if you are brave enough to book an AI-generated speaker for your event.