As the world marks Professional Speakers Celebration Day on March 14, the day provides an opportunity to reflect on the value of a professional keynote speaker at conferences or events, and the benefit of those sharing their knowledge and expertise to boost the bottom-line.
- Booking the perfect keynote speaker can make or break an event, as they set the tone and leave a lasting impression on the audience.
- It is important to consider factors such as the speaker’s relevance to the event, and ability to engage the audience.
- By following a few key tips you can ensure that you book the perfect keynote speaker for your next event.
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When it comes to planning an event or conference, choosing the right keynote speaker can make all the difference in creating a memorable and impactful experience for attendees. A great keynote speaker can inspire, educate, and entertain, leaving a lasting impression on the audience. However, finding the perfect speaker can be a daunting task, with so many factors to consider – and familiar doesn’t always equate to fabulous!
Media entrepreneur and keynote speaker Alexander Leibner, who is invited by large local and international organisations to speak about the future, provides some helpful tips when it comes to securing the right speaker, having gained unrivalled insights both on stage and from an event organisers perspective for close on a decade.
Having worked with large companies and brands in providing them with the necessary insights on the world of tomorrow, Alexander travels both locally and internationally, delivering tailored presentations to C-suite management, executives and greater organisations, equipping them for the future ahead.
Whether you’re planning a corporate conference, a charity fundraiser, a networking event or executive forum, these tips will help you navigate the process of choosing the ideal keynote speaker for your event. Ensuring that your audience is engaged and motivated to take action, Alexander provides these bite-sized 7 Tips For Booking The Perfect Keynote Speaker & Unlock The Power Of Your Event:
#1. Define Your Goals
Before you start looking for a keynote speaker, it’s essential to define your goals and objectives for the event. Defaulting to the well-known or tried-and-tested speaker isn’t always the best route. Diversity can be key when looking for speakers too. Speakers that come from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, countries or industries can bring different thinking to the table, providing a solution to a problem that you never thought of before.
What message do you want to communicate to your audience, and what are your expectations for the keynote speaker? By defining your goals, you can identify the type of speaker you need and create a clear brief for potential speakers and their representation.
// Future Thinker & Keynote Speaker, Alexander Leibner
#2. Research Potential Speakers
Once you have defined your goals, it’s time to start researching potential keynote speakers. There are many ways to find potential speakers, including online research, recommendations from colleagues, attending events or working with seasoned agencies, like Unique Speaker Bureau.
Look for speakers who have experience in your industry, have a good reputation, are engaging, entertaining yet insightful and have a track record of delivering great talks.
// Future Thinker & Keynote Speaker, Alexander Leibner
#3. Check Availability
Once you have shortlisted a few potential keynote speakers, it’s important to check their availability. Keynote speakers tend to be in high demand, so it’s essential to book them well in advance.
Get in touch with potential speakers to discuss their availability and ensure that they can commit to your event. Better still, work with a speaker who has the right ‘office support’ that can ensure a professional and smooth booking and logistics service, allowing them to focus 100% on your event or conference.
// Future Thinker & Keynote Speaker, Alexander Leibner
#4. Set Your Budget
Booking a good keynote speaker can come at a premium, so it’s important to set a budget before you start negotiating fees. Consider the size of your event, the type of speaker you need, and the value that a great keynote speaker can add to your event. Also factor in travel arrangements and requirements.
Be realistic about your budget, but also be willing to invest in a great keynote speaker if they can deliver the results you are looking for. The old saying ‘you get what you pay for’ could not be more relevant in this instance and your future depends on it.
// Future Thinker & Keynote Speaker, Alexander Leibner
#5. Communicate Clearly
When booking a keynote speaker, it’s important to communicate your expectations clearly. Provide potential speakers with a detailed brief outlining your goals and objectives, the theme of the event, and any other relevant information. This can all be done during a pre-event briefing session in person or virtually.
This will help the speaker to understand your needs and tailor their presentation accordingly. Remember, a speaker is able to relay critical information or reinforce key messaging as an outsider to an organisation in a far more effective way than some senior management sometimes can.
// Future Thinker & Keynote Speaker, Alexander Leibner
#6. Consider Logistics
When booking a keynote speaker, it’s important to consider logistics such as travel, accommodation, and audio-visual equipment. Ensure that the speaker has all the information they need to travel to your event, such as flight details and accommodation arrangements. Many speakers also like to use their own technology that they are familiar with – allow for sufficient time ahead of the event to test all equipment.
Provide them with information about the venue, including the stage setup, lighting, and audio-visual equipment. A speaker with a strong support team and a seasoned ‘back office’ will be well versed in what needs to happen and is well worth the investment.
// Future Thinker & Keynote Speaker, Alexander Leibner
#7. Provide Feedback
Finally, it’s important to provide feedback to the keynote speaker after the event. This will help them to improve their performance and ensure that they are better equipped to handle your future events.
Provide them with constructive feedback. Highlight the things that they did well, and suggest areas for improvement. This will not only help the speaker to improve their performance but also ensure that other event organizers benefit from your experience. Also, speakers rely on testimonials to fuel their business, so if a keynote speaker really hit it out the ballpark, be sure to provide them with a suitable endorsement.
// Future Thinker & Keynote Speaker, Alexander Leibner
Booking a keynote speaker requires careful planning and consideration. By defining your goals, researching potential speakers, checking availability, setting your budget, communicating clearly, considering logistics, and providing feedback, you can ensure that your event is a success and leave a lasting impression on your audience.
Remember, a great keynote speaker can add value to your event, inspire your audience, leave a lasting impression, and often boost the bottom-line, so it’s important to invest in the right speaker for your needs. Agencies like Unique Speaker Bureau International, creatively pair the right speaker with the right event, aligning it with the client’s objectives and budget whilst offering seasoned support.
For details on booking Alexander Leibner as a keynote speaker for your next event or conference, visit the Unique Speaker Bureau International website.
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