Planning an event thoroughly is important in creating a fantastic experience for those in attendance. One of the most effective ways to captivate your attendees is by hiring an experienced professional speaker for your event. A great speaker can really elevate the experience, but it’s important to take the time to find someone who is both qualified, engaging and relevant.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of finding and booking a speaker for your business’s next event. We’ll cover everything from establishing the tone and topics of your event to negotiating fees and schedules with the speaker.
By following these tips, you can find the perfect speaker to engage and inspire your audience.
First steps
Before sourcing a speaker, it’s important that you first consider the event itself. There are many different types of professional speakers, and choosing the wrong one could hinder the overall experience for those in attendance. So, follow these steps to make sure you can find a suitable speaker for your event:
Establish the tone and topics of your event
The first step in finding and booking a speaker for your business’ next event is to establish the tone and topics. What kind of event are you planning? Is it a formal conference, a casual networking event, or something in between? Once you know the tone, you can start to think about the topics that you want your speaker to cover. Once you know that, you’ll be in a much better position to select a suitable speaker for the event.
Define your event’s target audience
Once you have the tone and topics down, you need to define your target audience. Who are you trying to reach with your event? What are their interests? For example, if you’ve brought together a room filled with healthcare professionals looking to learn about the latest innovations in medicine, a professional speaker with a medical background would be perfect. Once you know your target audience, you can start to look for speakers who will appeal to them and provide something of value.
How to find a speaker for an event
Once you know what your audience would like, it’s time to source a suitable speaker. You’ve got plenty of choices here, so use the information you’ve gathered about the event to guide your decision-making. Here’s how you should go about finding a speaker for your event:
Leveraging networking resources
One way to find speakers is to leverage your networking resources. Talk to your colleagues, friends, and family to see if they know of any good speakers. You can also attend industry events and meet potential speakers in person.
Researching event speaker bureaus
Another option is to research speaker bureaus. These agencies specialise in finding and booking speakers for a variety of events. They can help you find speakers who are a good fit for your event and your budget. So in many cases, speaking with them directly can help provide you with insight into who the right person for the job is.
Making final decisions and bookings
Once you know who you want to speak at your event, you’ll need to book them. Although it’s a relatively straightforward process, it’s always useful to perform your due diligence at this stage to make sure everything goes as planned. So follow the tips below to help make your final decision about your potential speaker:
Review speaker profiles, credentials and requirements
After narrowing down your speaker selection to a few candidates, it’s time to start doing your research. Read their speaker profiles and check their credentials to make sure they’re qualified to speak on the topics you’re interested in. You should also ask about their availability and fees.
Negotiate fees and schedules with the speaker
Once you’ve found a speaker who you’re interested in booking, it’s time to negotiate fees and schedules. Be sure to get everything in writing, including the speaker’s fee, travel arrangements, and any other requirements.
Conclusion
Finding and booking a speaker for your business’ next event can be a lot of work, but it’s worth it to make sure your event is a success. By following these tips, you can find the perfect speaker to engage and inspire your audience.
