How to Choose a Motivational or Keynote Speaker
By Daryl Wizelman
Choosing the "right" motivational or keynote speaker for your event can be challenging. If you make the right choice you are the hero and your event is a success. If you choose the wrong speaker your event may lack the power and influence you desire and expect. This article illustrates what characteristics I believe an event planner should look for when hiring a speaker, helping to create the best event possible.
Get the Best Visual Possible
In a perfect world the decision maker would have the opportunity to see the speaker candidates speak in a live setting before making their choice. This, however, is rarely possible. Instead, I suggest that you ask the speaker and/or his bureau for video of a live presentation. Most qualified speakers will have this handy and should be more than happy to provide you with a DVD or web link. Always request the video be live whenever possible so you can gain a sense of how the audience reacts.
Look for Practical Experience
I am grateful to have built and owned a 3 billion dollar financial services firm with over 550 employees. This 17 year experience as a leader and owner taught me a lot of valuable lessons about leadership, communication, hiring, recruiting, retention of key employees, work/life balance and emotional intelligence. These lessons are not taught in books or schools. These lessons are learned through the practical experience of doing.
Many presenters are speaking on a variety of topics without having the benefit of their own practical business experience. I would recommend you stay away from those speakers who have not demonstrated measurable success in the areas they are speaking about.
Take-Away Tools
It is always nice to leave a keynote address feeling motivated, invigorated and ready to conquer the world. However, it is even more meaningful and long-lasting if the attendees leave with several practical tools that can be immediately implemented into their lives and careers.
I suggest you select a speaker who provides at least three, and as many as six, practical tools that can be distributed to the attendees either on paper or via email. These tools must be easily understandable and adaptable to the end-users business and life.
Dynamic Delivery
Boring is bad! Our attention spans have become shorter and shorter and for many people, the prospect of sitting in on a speaking session may seem tedious. The speaker you hire must be dynamic and inspiring so the attendees are both informed and entertained. They should be deep thinking and feeling people who deliver passionate and practical messages based on their own personal experiences and knowledge.
Interview the Candidates and ask for References
Hiring a speaker to motivate, inspire and/or teach your group can take on the same process as hiring an employee for your company. Interview several people and get a feel for their style, the content of their presentation and the relevance to your event. In addition, ask for references and be sure to contact them as well. Know what you want out of the event and formulate your questions based on these goals. Have a good understanding of the tools and topics the speaker is going to speak on so there are no surprises and that they are relevant to your group.
Conclusion
Bringing in the right voice to address your audience is no small responsibility. It is essential that you do your homework to find the perfect match for your audience. By following some of the simple guidelines I have provided, you should be well on your way to a terrific and highly successful event.
Daryl Wizelman is a leadership, work/life balance and emotional intelligence speaker and consultant.
Daryl@Wizelman.com
www.darylwizelman.com
818 876 7337
"Daryl's services would be extremely beneficial to many sports teams."
