07 Mar CHOOSING THE BEST SPEAKERS FOR YOUR EVENT

The type of speaker you choose for your event can make all the difference in the world.  When planning a conference or event, one of the key elements to its overall success is having the right speakers. They can help set the tone of the event and make it memorable to your audience.

When selecting guest speakers, you have a number of considerations from technological know-how and diversity to their ability to engage and inspire your specific audience.

Selecting a good speaker can bring your entire event into a sharp focus.

The speaker needs to be capable of entertaining an audience, engaging them and inspiring them to take action when they leave the room but most importantly, the right speaker for you will depend on your specific vision for the event and what you are looking to achieve.

What makes a good guest speaker?

A good guest or keynote speaker needs be able to do at least some of the following:

o             Attract attendees

o             Engage an audience

o             Reinforce key event themes

o             Entertain an audience

o             Educate audiences

o             Inspire audiences and drive positive change

o             Provide fresh insight and perspective on event related topics

o             Provide actions and motivational takeaways

 What to consider when choosing a good Speaker?

o             Level of Knowledge

You have to decide how important it is that your guest speaker has industry knowledge. If you want an expert in a field that is relevant to your event, its key themes and your audience then this will narrow the field dramatically.

An industry thought leader adds value by being highly relevant to attendees. They are able to provide insight into emerging trends, predict future trends, share data and offer actions that have a genuinely positive impact on attendees and their organisations.

o             Relevance to Audience

When looking for speakers, be sure to match them to your audience.

There’s no point picking your favorite author, comedian or motivational speaker to deliver the speech, if they aren’t likely to appeal to the attendees.

o             Budget

When planning an event, it all comes down to staying on budget. This means knowing exactly what your budget is for guest speakers.

It’s worth pointing out that celebrity or high-profile keynote speakers aren’t always the best option, even if you have the budget. Being a great and relevant speaker should always be priority over their status.

o             Engagement

It doesn’t necessary matter how, but one thing your speaker must do is engage the audience. Audiences today are more demanding that ever before. They expect to be entertained, be able to interact with the presenter and to see technology utilized. Storytelling is a key element to engaging an audience and having a strong narrative helps bring a talk together and maintain interest throughout.

o             Adaptability

When choosing your speaker, you should look out for an eagerness and ability for them to adapt and tailor their presentations to your needs.

It can indeed be overwhelming trying to decide and source speakers for your events. Give us a call at emca to help you get the most suitable speakers for your events and at the best rates!

Photo credit: emca, gtb

Ijeoma Okoli

emca