Let’s be honest — we’ve all attended events where the keynote speaker was disappointing, predictable, and to be frank, downright boring. An engaging speaker at your next conference can make all the difference! When you select someone to speak to your audience, you place your audience’s trust in you onto that speaker, and you don’t want to let them down.
Do They Tell A Story?
In today’s world of Instagram celebrities and big-name bloggers, everyone feels like they’re a storyteller, but that’s not always the case. Make sure you’ve chosen an experienced speaker who knows how to read a room! They should be engaging, charismatic, and flexible. Most importantly, they need to appeal to your audience, and they should know how to connect with them — from beginning to end.
Do They Add Unique Value?
While you may have found a great speaker — or even a speaker that you know personally — you have to ask yourself: do they bring something to this event that your attendees can’t find anywhere else? What about their knowledge or experience makes them unique? Why should your audience care to sacrifice their time and listen? If there aren’t easy answers to these questions, it might be time to resume your search.
Are They Authentic?
The best speakers have real-life examples of success and failure, and they know how to share those stories in authentic, genuine ways that speak to their audience. Evaluate their credibility. Is your speaker of choice determined to stand behind a podium and preach at the audience? Do they refuse to walk into the crowd and meet guests? Are they more concerned with their appearance than delivering superior content? And quite possibly most importantly: are they equipped to prove their expertise during a Q&A session? Every speaker can appear qualified with a well-practiced presentation, but it’s the unexpected Q&A questions that separate the good from the great.
Can They Draw A Crowd?
While you shouldn’t choose a speaker based on their celebrity title, it’s important to consider if your speaker is willing to help you attract attendees. Are they going to market alongside you? Will they tell their loyal followers to come and check out your event? Think about if they will be able to get other influencers involved.
Are They Going to Stick Around?
When a speaker sticks around to talk to the audience, they humanize themselves. Their keynote presentation may thrill attendees and shake the ground, but the best opportunity to connect and make a difference is during one-on-one conversations. Ask potential speakers if they are willing to stick around after their presentation.
As you dive into Orlando corporate event planning for your next conference, don’t choose your keynote speaker without checking this list! Take the necessary time to review their qualifications. And if you need help with your event’s catering, audio equipment, or more, make sure to contact us at Fun Planners.
