4 Keys to Avoid the Wrong Guest Speaker

I was in research mode and blog-land this morning, and stumbled upon this article about how long speeches should be. That immediately sparked the thought how difficult it can be for meeting planners to find the “right” speaker. Seriously, we’ve all been there, right? The keynote speaker at the high school or college graduation ceremony that goes on and on and on and on and on …. zzzzzzz. Or  how about the company conference, and the guest speaker has the personality of your ordinary front porch steps. As I’m sure you know, if they are on the platform, it’s too late.

To avoid these kind of issues, here are four helpful keys:

1. Take the time to learn about the speaker, and their presentation. It’s okay to ask (and you should!) how long a speaker’s presentation lasts (although most speakers will tailor their program and length to your needs).
2. Be familiar with their talking style–and this is a must: see them in action, live or a video. After all, we do that, why shouldn’t you? Prior to listing speakers on our site, we want to see them in front of an audience. Ask yourself: how do they interact with the audience?
3. Imagination helps. When you watch their video (or see them in person), try to imagine a few things:
   A) How you think YOUR audience will respond to the speaker.
   B) Do you have your presenter speaking in the morning, afternoon, or evening? Where’s the best placement for the speaker?
4. Have a conversation with your guest speaker before booking them. See if they are the right fit–see that this speaker is aligned with your organization’s culture and the message you hope to send.

Just by following a few of these keys can be the difference of a sleepy or an energized audience.

Need help putting the right guest speaker in front of your attendees?  Clients searching for speakers are always welcome! Connect with Eagles Talent for guidance here.

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