Planning a corporate event is a daunting task. From choosing a theme and a venue to booking the last workshop and triple-checking the food service, a meeting planner has a massive responsibility.
Their planning could mean the difference between a time of massive influence and cultural change within the company and industry and a massive waste of time. It all comes down to logistics and internal consistency.
A major component of any event is the keynote address. The perfect speaker will be able incorporate your needed themes and key points into their speaking topics, blending their expertise with your company’s needed content to create a uniquely tailored experience.
The best keynote speakers aren’t just motivational speakers, nor does being a New York Times bestselling author guarantee a great speech to inspire the audience.
If you aren’t sure how to choose among the thousands of keynote speakers in the market today, never fear. Here are some ways to find appropriate candidates, narrow the field, and hire the right speaker for the job.
Narrow Down Your Speaking Topics
The first step in finding the right speakers is to choose the right speaking topics. Once you know this you will have criteria for weeding out keynote speakers who do not cover the topics you are excited about.
Consult the Speaker’s Bureau to Find Motivational Speakers
If you aren’t even sure where to start looking, a speaker’s bureau may be a great place to start. Browse thousands of speakers, assess their content and expertise, and work to narrow your field to those who match your needs.
Speaker’s Bureaus like AAE Speakers have wonderful resources for finding motivational speakers. From customized selections of speakers based on your criteria, to experienced booking agents if you need more support, thousands of keynote speakers are booked through AAE every year.
They even help with contract execution logistics, removing one more stressor from your planning. Whether you are looking for a best selling author or an expert in a specific field, a speaker’s bureau is a great place to start.
Reach Out: Ask Top Experts For Keynote Proposals
Once you have narrowed down a list of a few keynote speakers, don’t be afraid to contact them.
Let them know the thematic content of your event, including any main themes or slogans and topics of workshops; then ask them for a proposal describing how their speaking topics in their area of expertise can be tailored to fit your needs.
A keynote speaker is among the most costly parts of running a conference or event, so don’t be afraid to seem picky. They are used to competing with other global gurus and thought leaders in order to make sure they leave a lasting impression.
Embrace Future Trends: The Best Keynote Speakers Have An Unexpected Viewpoint
While it is important to ensure that your keynote address will align with your event’s theme, keep an open mind for keynote speakers with a fresh take on your chosen speaking topics. Just because it isn’t exactly what you looked for doesn’t mean it isn’t exactly what you need.
Maybe a specific New York Times bestselling author whose focus is perfectly matched to your theme will stand out as a candidate. This could be the ideal match. But maybe there is another keynote speaker, also a best selling author, and the relation of their speaking topics to your theme at first seem a little tangential, but the more you think about their proposal the more sense it makes.
Speaking topics can be surprisingly versatile. The real question isn’t whether the speaker’s ideas will match your theme, but whether the speaker is adept enough to pull it all together.
The Perfect Speaker
Choosing a speaker is always partly a matter of credentials. A bestselling author, managing director or co founder of some company that all attendees have heard of will definitely get audience attention from the start.
But choosing a speaker who specializes in innovation and audience connection is even more important. Credentials and entertainment will only get a speaker so far; to create lasting change, keynote speakers need to find and utilize connections with your theme and your company.
So if your company needs inspiration in their professional careers and seems to be finding stagnation instead of success, choose the right keynote speaker and see how far their influence can take your employees.
