Agreeing with my wingman, Waldo Waldman, relevance is a key to the success of any event promoting a speaker. Why hire a speaker who delivers a message with no meaning for the audience? Even if a speaker is hired purely for entertainment purposes, the speaker had better connect with the audience and their needs on some level.

A good speaker finds out those needs before the event. An honest speaker will pass on the event if he/she feels the fit is not a good one. A generous speaker will recommend a fellow speaker who is a better fit.

Is relevance the ONLY key to a successful event? Not hardly. A speaker may have relevancy stamped on his/her forehead, but if delivery techniques are poor, the message will be lost no matter how relevant the message.

Delivery techniques include the effective use of body language, vocal variety, tone, use of relevant humor and stories, and a professional appearance. In addition the speaker must be easy to work with. Divas aren’t worth the effort or the price. Moreover, the speakers must demonstrate that they have the concerns of your event uppermost in their mind. Speakers do this by asking lots of questions up front, doing everything they can to promote the event both before and after the event and working with the meeting planner to ensure a great presentation.

If you find a speaker whose message is relevant, has excellent presentation skills, has your concerns in mind and is easy to work with, write the check – the price is worth the investment.

Performance Strategies, Inc. – Diane Bogino

I truly believe the most important drivers in hiring a keynote speaker are:
1. Relevance to the audience – The speaker should know how to relate to the audience (pre-mission planning) and customize beyond knowing their name! For major association or corporate meetings, its important to drive traffic to the meeting and get folks saying – “WOW, That speaker really hit home. I found value in what they said and I’m sure glad I came to this conference. I will take the message with me to work tomorrow!
2. Being Memorable – like you said…will they talked about by the water cooler? When they remember the speaker, they remember the conference, and they will normally remember who put it on!
3. Supporting the theme – Find a speaker who truly lives and breaths the theme of your event. If you’re trying to promote teamwork, get a speaker who’s been there done that (perhaps a sport coach or a business leader who recovered a flailing company).

Before hiring – make sure you:
1. Look at an up to date video clip. See the speaker live if able
2. Talk to the speaker direct on the phone. Get a feel for who they are other than their website.
3. Explore clients and references. No video can take the place of reference from a trusted industry partner.
4. Credibility – look for certifications in the speaking industry and real world experience.

Speakers are a commodity these days…Search for someone that dares to be different. Sometimes the difference in choosing a speaker is the personal connection. If they don’t take thew time to connect with you and learn about you before the meeting, they probably wont do it at the meeting. If they command a high fee, they should earn it while on and off the platform while at your event.

Never Fly Solo! Waldo Waldman, Your Wingman

Sure speakers know the mechanics of speaking, timing, and technology (like fancy musical equipment that they tap their ankles to produce). And here is the “much more.” Speakers who are often given opportunities to present to audiences know how to connect with each person who is listening. There can be a crowd of three thousand and leading speakers make each person feel that the speaker is having a personal conversation with that particular person. And it’s real; it’s genuine. We feel it deeply and honestly. When people later thank us for making a difference in their work and their lives, we are humbled, because it was our privilege to have the opportunity to touch the life of another – not just a performance.

As businesspeople are gifted and talented in the areas which make them successful, such as math, sales skills, or organizational and management abilities, so are we speakers gifted in the art of truly connecting with another person, even when they are in a crowd. And it’s not studied, or manipulated, or manufactured; it is a natural part of who we are. Jo Ann Canada, Motivational Keynote Speaker