Strategies for Hiring the Right Speaker

October 14, 2024

Brian Palmer

Senior Vice President

When organizing events, one of the most critical aspects is selecting the right speaker. A speaker can set the tone for the entire event, engage the audience, and leave a lasting impression. As Brian Palmer mentions in the video, taking inspiration from Bonnie Raitt’s song “Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About” can be a key strategy for hiring speakers. In this article, we’ll explore how to strategically select and place speakers to maximize their impact on the audience.

Why Good Speakers Matter

Good speakers do more than just deliver a talk—they become the highlight of an event. Attendees often remember and discuss these impactful speakers long after the event has concluded. When you hire a speaker who can effectively engage, inspire, and communicate ideas, their influence extends beyond their presentation. Attendees are likely to share those ideas with others, further spreading the message and giving your event added value.

Placing Strong Speakers Early

One key takeaway from Brian Palmer’s advice is the importance of placing strong speakers early in your event. By featuring an outstanding speaker in the beginning, you can create a buzz among attendees. This placement ensures that the ideas presented will be discussed throughout the event, allowing other participants to build upon those concepts during sessions and networking.

Engagement and Takeaway

Another critical factor in selecting the right speaker is ensuring their content is not only engaging but also actionable. Attendees should leave the event not just inspired but armed with concrete ideas to implement in their professional or personal lives. A good speaker’s influence doesn’t end at the podium; it continues through the conversations sparked by their presentation and the actions taken by those who absorb their ideas.

Hiring the right speaker requires more than just a focus on credentials. You need to consider the speaker’s ability to engage the audience, spark discussions, and leave a lasting impact. By positioning the best speakers early in your event and choosing individuals whose ideas resonate beyond the event itself, you increase the chances that attendees will leave not just satisfied, but inspired and motivated to act.