In nearly twenty years of working in the events industry, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with speakers from all over the world and engaging with clients from diverse sectors and cultures. Every event has its own identity, but there are key points that always help make the right choice when it comes to finding the most suitable speaker.
Here’s a practical guide to help you navigate:
- Define the Event’s Objective
Do you want to inform, inspire, train, motivate, or perhaps entertain? Each objective requires a different type of speaker: from the professional with concrete experience in the field, to the communicator capable of stirring emotions and engaging the audience, or even a famous name to attract the crowd. - Know Your Audience
Who will the participants be? Managers, students, clients, internal employees? Age, background, and expectations influence the communication style and the depth of the content that works best. - Choose the Right Format
Is it an in-person or online event? Do you need an inspirational keynote, a practical workshop, a roundtable discussion, or internal training? - Choose the Type of Speaker: Famous or Impactful?
Some speakers move confidently solo on stage, while others shine in interaction with an interviewer. Do you prefer a well-known name that the audience instantly recognizes, or a lesser-known expert with great impact? Would you rather have a formal expert or a disruptive personality who can engage the crowd with charisma? The speaker’s style must align with the company’s identity and the mood you want to set for the event. - Define a Realistic Budget
There are speakers for every budget range. Having a clear idea of your possible investment helps narrow down the options and evaluate proposals more rationally. - Every Speaker is Unique
The best speakers don’t just talk: they create connections. They know how to adapt their content to the context, the company’s values, and the people in front of them. But every word they speak carries the mark of their story, passion, and uniqueness. This is what makes a speech truly memorable. - Request Experiences and Feedback
Watch videos, read reviews, listen to testimonials. The ability to connect with the audience is just as important as expertise on the topic. - Define the Topic and Let It Guide You in the Selection
Each speaker has their own focus, an area of expertise they know deeply and that often evolves over time: new books, changing scenarios, personal or professional experiences lead them to update their content, constantly enriching it.
Therefore, it’s important to start with a clear definition of the theme you want to address and be guided in choosing the speaker who will best tell that story with competence, passion, and vision. - Organization and Booking Tactics
Once you’ve selected the speaker, book them early to ensure their availability and to organize every detail, from agreement specifics to speech content, from presentation to logistics. - Take Care of Every Technical Detail
Impeccable audio and video enhance the speaker’s presentation. A good stage manager makes everything flow more smoothly. If the speaker is foreign, consider the translation carefully: consecutive translation can slow down the pace and diminish the effectiveness of the speech. It’s better to opt for simultaneous translation or, if possible, real-time subtitles on a big screen. There are advanced systems to handle this efficiently.
It’s not just about finding a speaker: it’s about choosing someone who will tell your story.
