A Professional Guide To Picking A Motivational Keynote Speaker

By Frances Smith


Participants to a conference are excited about very specific aspects when they receive the invitation. Some of them are social interactions, food, speakers and the venue or setting. It is easy to get the venue and food right. Social interactions are a bit personal. It is your choice of motivational keynote speaker that will make your event a hit or miss. How do you get it right?

A background check will give you an idea of the person you are about to engage for your meeting. There are amateurs and other guests who are hyped for marketing purposes. Attend an event where your target guest is speaking. Watch videos or podcasts to learn about his mastery of content, engagement with the audience, presentation skills and style. The decision you make will be based on first hand experience.

Go for an accommodative speaker who involves you in preparation. The conference is themed and intended to achieve a particular goal. Failure to stick to the theme will throw every participant off balance. Accommodating your theme means thorough research to understand and assimilate your concerns. The audience must feel as though the guest is one of their own. This cannot be achieved unless one is ready to research.

It helps to have a person who commits substantial time to your gathering. This means readiness to engage and interact with participants before and after his presentation. It shows disinterest and pure commercial interest to pop in a few minutes before you hit the podium and then out immediately you are done. It is necessary to build up to the presentation and later engage on one-on-one basis afterwards. These personal encounters leave an impression in the minds of participants.

Consider a referral from other organizations that have held similar functions. Peers recommend speakers who delivered to their expectations. Further more, some speakers can perform well for one audience and not the other. With a referral, your target guest is already tested. This enables you to know details that are impossible to get from the media or their publicity pamphlets.

Valuable speakers agree to co-promote events they are participating in. This taps into their fame or networks ensuring that you get the publicity you need to host a successful conference. It works best for new events or where you do not have a definite list of participants. People who admire the guest will be ready to attend because of his presence. Negotiate such details when signing a contract.

Caution should be exercised when the guest carries along personal promotion wares. You risk having your event or wares overshadowed by his. It is encouraged because participants have something tangible to carry home. However, the event must remain within your control and not appear as if it is centered on the guest.

Highly priced speakers are sometimes risky to use. They deliver a message that is predictable or in a style that is known. It pays to have a person who understands your mission and vision. He should also be ready to consult during preparation to understand your expectations and those of your audience.




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