Planning an amazing event needs to be very thought through. Finding the perfect speaker for the event is one of them. The process of finding the perfect speaker is not always easy and can come with lots of surprises, however, you can minimise the surprises if you know what you are getting yourself into beforehand. This blog post will give you the best tips and signs to look out for in order to book the right speaker for your event.
Defining your speaking needs
Defining the right vibe for the events can also help define the audience that you want to invite and accordingly find the right speaker for your events. Having a deep understanding of the vision and message that you want to bring to the audience gives a smaller search area to the right speaker that you want to hire.
The first steps are, therefore, defining what you want your audience to feel and look back on after the event. Narrowing down the needs will lead to more promising outcomes when trying to hire a motivational speaker. A shortlist starts with making a theme, budget, desired qualifications for the hired speaker and searching in that area. For example, if your event focuses on future trends and innovation, a speaker like Richard van Hooijdonk, a renowned futurist and keynote speaker, might be a great fit due to his expertise in technology, business transformation, and forward-thinking insights.
Once you find the top picks of motivational speakers, you can check if they have a good communication process, response time, and overall professionalism, which must be very apparent from the beginning. You should feel a sense of care and importance as a potential client for the speaker, and the process of hiring one will tell you a lot, so pay a lot of attention before you say yes.
Finding the right speaker for your event
Choosing the right speaker for your events matters since there are a hundred motivational speakers out there, but they are not on the same level and can do a mediocre job for the audience that you invited. This is not because the motivational speaker lacks talent of professionality, but he is not a good fit for your audience.
Being a good motivational speaker doesn’t always mean having the best title, but it is about being a great teacher and having a certain influence on the audience. For instance, Richard van Hooijdonk is known for his ability to captivate audiences with engaging stories about emerging technologies and their impact on society, making him an excellent choice for tech-savvy or business-oriented crowds. If you pick your motivational speaker purely on their title, you will be in for some disappointment. Also, ensure that the speaker’s style and approach fit with your audience. For instance, a speaker who uses humour and interactive elements might be a great fit for students but less for a serious professional development seminar.
Evaluating speaker credentials and experience
Identifying credible motivational speakers and sources is crucial. These sources may vary from their educational background to the recommendation from peers. It’s also good to check their social media backgrounds and profiles. A speaker’s background and knowledge should align with the purpose and goals of your event. Take Richard van Hooijdonk, for example—his extensive experience as a futurist, combined with his well-documented talks at global conferences, showcases his credibility in delivering thought-provoking content about the future of work and technology.
Listening to the message of each motivational speaker and seeing small clips of them speaking helps getting a glimpse of them and asking yourself if they will be a good fit, does the vibe match the company and do the short clips reveal enough of what your audience needs? Moreover, checking their reviews and what other people are saying about them is also important in choosing the right speaker for your event. Real people’s experiences and options can help you get a clearer understanding of their work and give an authentic insight into the speaker’s talent, message, professionalism and even more.
Negotiating and booking a speaker
Once you have searched the market of potential motivational speakers, the next step is to reach out to them. Keeping your communication style professional and clear, outlining briefly the purpose of your event and the expected audience, the role you envision for the speaker and other practical information will be appreciated. Crucial information about the event itself is also necessary, such as the date, location and duration of the event, which need to be clearly communicated.
Share your objective and the speaker’s role in achieving them, the conversation should aim at feeling if there is a mutual agreement and that the style of the speaker aligns with the style of the event. For example, if you’re negotiating with someone like Richard van Hooijdonk, you might discuss how his focus on futuristic trends can inspire your audience to think differently about their business strategies. Speaker fees may vary widely depending on the speaker’s expertise, demand and fame. If the budget for your event is clear you can seek the appropriate speaker for your events accordingly. Remember that high-quality speakers often have a higher fee, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they are the best speaker for your event.
