Choosing The Right Speakers for Your Event- An Effective Guide

Imagine you walked into an event hoping to hear insightful details from the speakers, but sat through endless presentations with no interactions. You wouldn’t want your attendees to feel the same about the events you put together. And the most effective way to organize a high-quality event is to invite good speakers. 

Your speakers are the face of your event, so you need to put enough thought into choosing the right ones. Now, we know that the options are endless when it comes to selecting the speakers for your event, but should you choose speakers based on the hype or the number of TED talks they have delivered? Not every good speaker will be the right fit for your event. 

In this blog, we have discussed some valid points on choosing the right speakers for your upcoming events. 

Choose Speakers with Expertise and Authority

When looking for speakers for your conference, select the ones with practical knowledge and expertise in their specific field. Find individuals who are considered thought leaders in their fields. These individuals will have a proven track record of success, be it through academic achievements or industry recognition. The credibility of your speakers shapes the way your event will be perceived by the attendees. The stories and insights that these speakers share are based on real-life applications that the attendees will find engaging. 

Select speakers who can start meaningful discussions and offer interesting perspectives that attendees can use in their own work. 

Consider How Your Speakers Can Help With Your Event Goals

You are not looking for a speaker to fill a spot; they need to add value to the event and help you achieve our goals. Think about your event goals and answer these questions above: 

Who is your audience? 

What kind of engagement does your event need? 

What is the speaker’s purpose? 

If you’re planning a business event, you need speakers for conferences who can provide Interesting industry information. On the other hand, if you’re organizing an academic symposium, you need an acclaimed researcher who can share ideas and anecdotes on his/her area of expertise. 

Find Speakers Who Can Engage With the Attendees

When searching for the right speakers, always pick the ones who have the natural ability to simplify complex topics and make them more engaging. They should be able to deliver the information with clarity and energy and maintain a confident body language. Above all, they should be able to keep the audience motivated. 

Find experts who can adjust and change their delivery based on the tone and pace of the event. This way, they can communicate the crucial points effectively. 

Set the Budget Before Roping in the Speakers 

Get the budget considerations out of the way before inviting speakers for events. It’s easy to get carried away while doing your research for the speakers, but it’s important to know your limitations. When deciding on your event’s budget, always ensure to consider the following: 

• • The speaker’s fees
  • Accommodation costs 
  • Travel expenses 
  • Food and beverage expenditure 
  • Miscellaneous expenses 

The speaker’s remuneration depends on multiple factors, such as the type of event and the number of attendees. Remember that the more established the speaker, the higher they will charge. Hence, you need to set a realistic budget when selecting the speakers. 

Do Your Research and Explore Your Options 

Once you have a clear idea about the kind of speakers you want to invite and have decided on the budget, start your search for the right one. 

Similar events: Look into similar events that took place in the past and go through the speaker lineup. Does anyone in that list seem like they align with your event’s purpose? If yes, then approach them. 

Social Media: Most event organizers check social media to find speakers for their events. This gives you a chance to look into the speakers’ profiles and understand the kind of work they have done in their chosen field.

Referrals: Ask for recommendations from other event planners or industry leaders who may know people suited to be a speaker at your event. 

Personal connections: If you know someone with an exemplary achievement, consider them for your event’s speaker lineup. 

Give Your Potential Speakers a Reason to Join Your Event

Before you reach out to the potential speakers, have more than one plan ready. Not everyone will be available to speak on the day of your event, so having a few backup options doesn’t hurt. 

Always keep your event’s theme in mind when selecting the speakers. Give them the chance to express their opinion since they’re going to be the main attraction at your event. 

Ensure the Availability of Speakers at the Earliest

Start talking to potential speakers as soon as you’re done with the event planning. Make sure that their schedules don’t clash with the event dates and that they can fully commit to taking part in pre-event activities such as rehearsals and technology checks. 

Additionally, engaging speakers in the pre-event marketing, like sharing promotional content on social media, helps build excitement. 

Securing early confirmation helps avoid a last-minute rush and allows the speakers to get acquainted with the processes you have in place for your event.

Choose Speakers Who Are Easy to Collaborate With 

There is no dearth of good speakers, yet the best speakers are the ones who collaborate with you. Understand how they prepare by asking the following questions: 

• • Can they incorporate the theme and other sessions into their keynote? 
  • Will they attend the networking sessions that usually happen before the main events? 
  • Will they coordinate with the presenter and moderators so that it turns into a seamless experience? 

Set a Diverse Lineup Based on Experiences and Perspectives 

Reach out to speakers from different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to keep things interesting at your event. Invite speakers from different geographical regions, industries or professional backgrounds. A diverse lineup brings a certain depth to the event, presenting different views and broadening the scope of ideas. 

A speaker lineup that displays various lived experiences and expertise creates an event that allows attendees to see the subject matter from different angles. Attendees gain valuable insights that they may not have thought of otherwise. 

Consider the Logistics of Their Travel 

Logistics is the most challenging part of hosting an event. From arranging their hotel accommodations and flights to arranging transportation to and from the event, everything needs to be taken care of. 

It doesn’t leave a good impression if the speakers are made to wait for hours or are rushed to get from one place to another. Have a plan in place and ensure they’re aware of it as soon as they confirm their presence. Sorting out the logistics demonstrates your professionalism. 

Wrapping It Up 

Finding good speakers is the first and most important way to win over your event attendees. If you want your attendees to be excited about your event, the speaker lineup needs to be top-notch. Looking for the speakers that align with your event goals can be a bit overwhelming, but we promise you that a great speaker lineup is worth all the trouble. The strategies and advice mentioned in this blog will help you in the process. 

And for all other essential elements related to your events, such as registration, scheduling, and attendee engagement, opt for a trustworthy event management system. Speaking of which, Dryfta comes with all these features and more. It even allows you to manage your speakers effectively. Schedule a free demo to get a thorough understanding of our features.