When You Book A Keynote Speaker

As a professional speaker, I have participated in many events across the globe. One challenge facing many event organizers is selecting a keynote speaker with relevant
appeal to the intended audience. There are two key components when you book a keynote speaker: The message and the speaker’s experience.

The Message

Before you book a keynote speaker, determine the goal of your event and the needs of your audience. Next, identify your message, which can include:

• Inspiring new ways of doing, thinking or being. Are you launching a new product or service, expanding your reach through new offices or markets, or simply wanting to achieve more with current resources? You need to inspire your audience to embrace this new order and strive for success.
• Creating new outlooks, structures or paradigms. The world is changing at a rapid pace and success often depends on an organizations ability to redefine itself.
• Informing your audience about changes to an industry, market, service or process. While factual, the message should also address the questions and concerns of the
  audience as well as the information’s impact on the organization.
• Addressing internal or external challenges that threaten the prosperity of the organization. In addition to discussing the specific challenges faced by your
  organization, the message should provide your audience with the tools they need for success in these circumstances. By clearly identifying your message, you can select the best candidate to present the keynote speech.

The Speaker

To have relevant appeal, a keynote speaker should have direct expertise in the message topic. But you do not want them to present a canned speech. He or she should be relatable, yet recognized as an authority. The speaker’s priority should be to meet your needs, not sell a product or service. A keynote speaker with relevant audience appeal should have:

• Strong speaking skills and credentials
• The ability to actively engage the audience
• Expertise on the message you’ve selected
• Understanding of your organization’s situation as it relates to the message
• The ability to combine this information to create a personalized keynote address.

When planning a conference or meeting, giving careful consideration to your keynote speaker selection can make or break the success of your event. When you identify your
message and book a keynote speaker with relevant audience appeal, you will start things off on the right foot.