It can take a lot of time and effort to develop a plan for carrying out a successful event. You may find that you lack the mental capacity to make the best choice when it comes to selecting the speakers for your event. Additionally, while searching for speakers for conferences or events, it’s simple to find yourself drawn to prominent figures. But the real question is, are they appropriate for your event?
The secret to getting the best results is taking the time to choose a suitable speaker for your event. Don’t know where to start from? That’s why we have come up with this blog. We will go through every detail you need to know about the speakers including guest speakers for events. Additionally, we will look at the important factors to consider before confirming your speaker panel and effective tips to complete the speaker-hunting task successfully.
What are the types of speakers you must know for any event?
The variety of event speakers available can be daunting when organising an event. Let’s explore a few professional speaker types that are typically appropriate for all kinds of events.
- Keynote speakers– They are the main performers at your event; they establish the tone and theme of the whole discussion.
- Panellists– These are experts with wide experience in their field of specialisation who get together to provide varied opinions about one single theme and, at the same time, provide an opportunity for a lively discussion and sharing of ideas.
- Guest speaker– They are invited by the organisers because of their knowledge or interest in a particular topic. They remain guest speakers as long as this person is not part of the organising team or corporation.
What is the role of a guest speaker?
The purpose of guest speakers is to make a difference, not just to talk. Sharing their knowledge is one of their primary responsibilities, perhaps by giving a thorough presentation, responding to enquiries, or facilitating a light conversation.
Some of the roles that may be played by the guest speaker include: inspiring a crowd, motivating them, reinforcing the themes of the event, bringing added value through insider knowledge, bringing a new perspective, breaking up some of the more mundane segments of the event, and entertaining. Selecting a guest speaker who can assist you accomplish your goals is much easier if you know exactly what you want from your event. In addition, guest speakers engage with the audience instead of lecturing or dumping information.
Why are guest speakers important?
Having the proper speakers is one of the most important aspects of organising a conference or event. This encompasses sessions, keynote speakers, and guests. A great speaker can help set the tone of the event and send your audience home remembering the event. A guest speaker showing appreciation for the chosen topic or theme of your event can add credibility to your gathering. Your guest speaker should be the next priority on your list of considerations once you have confirmed your event.
What is the distinction between a guest speaker and a keynote speaker?
Depending on the event, you might have a keynote speaker, guest speakers, and a mix of your own employees speaking. Usually speaking at the beginning of an event after an introduction or opening statement, keynote speakers are in charge of establishing the tone for the event. On the other hand, guest speakers typically take on a more supporting function. They might, for instance, separate more serious parts of an event or concentrate on a specific subtopic.
Your keynote speakers may draw people to your event, but making sure you select the right guest speakers will guarantee that your attendees will leave happy.
What makes a good guest speaker?
Instead of viewing speaker selection as just another task to complete, it’s critical to view it as a positive opportunity. Choosing a strong speaker can help your event come together. At least some of the following skills are necessary be it for a keynote speaker or guest speaker:
- They should have the power to engage the audience.
- Their speech should be educating but entertaining at the same time.
- They should spread an inspiring tone to motivate the listeners.
- The main aspect of their speech must reinforce the main theme of the event.
- They must provide fresh and positive perspectives on event-related subjects.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Speaker
As an event planner or organiser, here are a few factors you must double-check before confirming your event’s speakers-
Speaker’s Expertise
The first factor that you must consider is the speakers’ level of knowledge and proficiency. Their expertise can keep your audience interested and involved throughout the event, which makes it an essential component. Having the level of knowledge that is the bare minimum for your event is definitely a must-have for any speaker you’re reaching out to. An audience can be drawn in, and the session can become more educational when the speaker is a well-known authority. Consequently, their proficiency ensures the delivery of superior information and fosters audience trust.
Speaker’s Style
An excellent speaker must be able to engage and fascinate the audience in addition to having a high level of expertise. Examine their presentation style: do they convey in a more measured, deliberate manner, or are they energetic and passionate? To understand how speakers will deliver the speech or express some aspects depend a lot on their personal style or way of performing. To gauge their charisma on stage and audience-connecting skills, its best to look through their previous speeches or presentations.
Speaker’s Topic
Another critical issue to think about is how much the speaker’s subject is related to the theme you are celebrating and the interests of your audience. The matter has to correlate to the objectives of the event, be it the educational, motivational, or entertainment functions. A speaker whose theme resonates with the audience can make the interaction more exciting and bring noticeable changes. It is also a critical factor to select a speaker who can tailor his or her topic to the vibes of the event and the demographic characteristics of the audience.
Audience Feedback
A frequently neglected yet crucial element is the possible effect of audience feedback. After all, the audience occupies a central position in your event; thus, their preferences should significantly impact your choice of speakers. If your event recurs, examining feedback from previous occasions can produce valuable insights into which types of speakers and subjects go best with participants. Surveys, polls, or post-event evaluations can assist you in deciding whether the audience leans toward motivational speakers, subject matter experts, or those who deliver interactive and engaging presentations.
Speaker’s Availability and Fees
Finally, logistical considerations include availability and speaking fees. To improve your chances of getting the speaker of your choice, get started early. Events looking for speakers often make the mistake of contacting speakers at the last minute, which should not be the practice. Budget-wise, keep in mind that although a fantastic speaker can significantly enhance your event, you must evaluate this expense against the total cost of the event. You may have to settle for some of the middle items listed, but remember that some speakers are more flexible if your event is directly associated with their selected area of interest.
Tips for Finding the Perfect Speaker
Let’s look at some valuable tips so that you can find your next event speaker easily and without any unnecessary hassle-
Define your event goals
Whether it’s to celebrate, inspire, educate, or generate money, every event has a goal. The first stage in the speaker selection process is to define this goal. Consider what you would like guests to remember from your event. Is it a call to action, inspiration, or new information? The objectives of your event will have a direct impact on the kind of speaker you choose. For example, you could want a speaker who can offer innovative research and thought-provoking ideas if the event is an academic conference.
Research potential speakers
When choosing a speaker, you must do extensive research to make sure they meet all of your needs. To begin, view videos of their prior speeches to assess their interest and speaking style. You can tell right away if they can hold the interest of the guests. Reviewing their blog and social media activities is also beneficial. You can see a preview of their most recent work and their interactions with their followers on these channels. Additionally, it can show you if their values go with the tone and message of your event.
Contact speakers directly
After narrowing down your list of speakers, if you are wondering how to find speakers for an event, the best way would be to contact them directly. This helps you understand their availability and interest better and if they can tailor their presentation to your event. Contacting these speakers gives them more information about the event and helps them identify the event. You can share information such as the theme of the event, the audience’s demographics, the goals of the event, etc. Clearly, this will make sure you and he/she are on the same page. A phone call would be nice to discuss fee structures, how far they have to travel, and if the speaker requires any sort of technical equipment for their address.
Request speaker samples
It would also be quite essential that at the time of booking the speaker, one may ask for a sample of past speaking services. This may include written small pieces of their past talks, or any resource showing expertise and style of presentation. These samples will give you an idea of how the speaker can deliver a message that meets the purpose of your event and engages your audience. Observe their connective relationship with the audience, how clearly the messages are communicated, and their flexibility in handling any given situation. Samples offer a trustworthy means to know in advance if a speaker is suitable for your event before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
First, draw attention to a significant aspect of the audience or the situation. Next, ask questions. Your ability to impress your target audience will improve with your understanding of them. Present an eye-catching visual image. Finally, mention a noteworthy, humorous, or troubling fact.
Some excellent questions to ask guest speakers include:
“Could you describe a personal experience that shaped your viewpoint on [topic]?”
“How would you guide someone who is just starting out in [a specific field]?”
“What do you find most difficult about [topic], and how do you overcome it?”
Identifying the audience and customising a speech to their interests, comprehension level, attitudes, and beliefs is known as audience analysis which is necessary for speakers to consider. Adopting an audience-cantered approach is crucial since speakers can select a topic based on what audience might like and be well prepared for presentations that will increase a speaker’s effectiveness.
A speaker chooses the tone of a speech in multiple ways, but the primary one is to assess what would be appropriate in the given circumstance. The tone of the speech should reflect its audience and purpose.
To help the audience remember the main point of their speech, speakers usually place it near the end. The first and final items in a series are easier for individuals to recall than the middle ones, a phenomenon known as the primacy and recency effect.
Conclusion
The right selection of the speaker for your event will make all the difference between applause and sluggish head shakes. Here, we have discussed each and every aspect of the speaker selection process that you must know to make your event a complete success. If you follow these tips and tricks and customise it further with the specific requirements of your event, we believe you will have a successful event.
