How do I know if a conference speaker will deliver the right message?

Over the years I’ve spoken at hundreds of business events, for all sorts of clients. Companies of all sizes have booked me as their conference speaker, and a question I am asked, a lot, is how do we make sure that the message the company wants to convey, is delivered through my presentation.

Being able to tailor a message to the audience isn’t just about what the speaker does on the day, but what goes into the preparation too.

Here’s what I suggest you do, to make absolutely sure that your team, your distributors, your franchisees or whoever attends your event leaves knowing exactly what is expected of them, as well as being entertained and enthused.

Preparation is key

Any professional keynote speaker won’t just deliver an out of the box presentation, but will spend time listening to you and understanding what you need to achieve from the event. If you’re investing in the event, and your team are investing their time, then let’s make sure that everyone get’s value from their investment.

The first step should be an initial meeting with the speaker, probably on Zoom or similar, to explain what you need, and to ask the speaker to propose how they will get those messages across. It might take more than one meeting, and tweaking the message a few times, but any speaker worth their salt will be happy to work with you, and become part of the team, rather than just turning up on the day.

Listen to the speaker

Your chosen keynote speaker may well have ideas themselves. I’ve worked with all sorts of sales teams, in all sorts of industries, and can often give a fresh pair of eyes and some new ideas for your conference. I’ve delivered some really innovative ideas, with some of the biggest companies and organisations in the UK, and can help you to absolutely wow your audience, and make sure that the messages they receive, and any changes in behaviour and results, are long lasting - well past the end of the conference. 

As much as the speaker should listen to you, listen to them too, we’re professionals at what we do, and want your conference to be successful as much as you do.

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn,

As well as delivering a keynote presentation, ask your speaker if they have any exercises they can suggest to really implant any new information and help your team fully understand what is being said from the stage. Remember that people learn in different ways so any presentation or exercise should be tailored to different members of the audience with different learning styles.

Some exercises can be completed in groups, some individually, and some may extend past the end of the conference too. But work with your speaker to make sure that the exercises are meaningful, and will engage as many of your team as possible.

Check that your professional speaker has the right experience.

Who else have they worked with who is similar to you, or has a team similar to yours? Can they engage with your team in language your team will understand and respect?

Check out their website, their LinkedIn, their showreel and their social media. It really is worth doing your research here to make sure that you get the right speaker for your event, and that they deliver on the day - this is an occasion where you really only do get one chance to make the right impression.

If you need help or advice on this, or are looking for the right speaker for your event, drop me a message, and I’ll be more than pleased to help.