The right event speaker doesn’t just fill time on an agenda – they create moments that allow people to think, act and grow. Whether you are planning a corporate meeting, leadership retreat or sales conference, finding a speaker who can connect with your audience is what will make your event memorable. Here are five attributes of an event speaker that will turn your event from a good one to a great one.
Meets the Audience Where They’re At
The concept of “reading the room” is a commonly used phrase that is vital for event speakers. While preparation is crucial, it can’t shape the audience’s energy in the moment. A well-versed event speaker meets an audience where they’re at by using the tools in their arsenal to achieve the right energy level.
Comes in Ready to Go
An experienced event speaker does thorough research to prepare for the engagement. The top keynote speakers will bring their expertise to any table, as well as their targeted research or ideas for your event. Their job isn’t just to show up on stage, but to combine their area of expertise with yours.
Collaborates with Event Team
A speaker who collaborates and works well with an event team is a speaker who sets the tone for success. They come to the selection committee with an open mind, focused on collaboration and achieving shared goals. Accomplishing event objectives stems from more than an hour on-stage; it’s preparing and collaborating with the event team. A strong event planner lays out predetermined event expectations, and a strong speaker meets those expectations with their own expertise.
Relevant Experience
A leadership speaker’s expertise is shaped by trial and error in past engagements. Expert speakers have been through it all – the audience that’s difficult to engage with, and the overly talkative one. With a breadth of speaking experience, leadership speakers can be better prepared to adapt their style to each keynote’s unique goals and audiences – all paving the way to a successful event and engaged audience.
Combines Clarity with Personal Interpretation
An effective, well-versed event speaker will balance the task of communicating specific details with allowing the audience to connect with the content or messaging in their own way. An over-explanation of concepts that don’t need it often leaves attendees feeling patronized or as though there’s only one way to view something. Often, a goal of a large event or keynote is to encourage conversation and individual action. An experienced event speaker will identify straightforward calls to action that the audience can immediately implement and put into use.
Are you ready to hire your next keynote speaker? Check out Boaz’s expertise and see how it checks the boxes you’re looking for!