What are some innovative approaches to selecting speakers for live events?

Live events are a great way to engage your audience, showcase your expertise, and generate leads. But how do you choose the right speakers for your event? How do you ensure that they deliver value, relevance, and diversity to your attendees? In this article, we will explore some innovative approaches to selecting speakers for live events, based on different criteria and goals.

1 Audience feedback

One way to select speakers for your live event is to ask your audience what they want to learn, who they want to hear from, and what topics they are interested in. You can use surveys, polls, social media, or email to gather feedback from your potential and existing attendees. This way, you can tailor your event content to their needs and preferences, and increase their satisfaction and loyalty. You can also invite them to nominate or vote for speakers, or submit questions or challenges for them to address.

Add your perspective

🎙 Zach Nadler

🎤 CEO of VaynerSpeakers | Elevating Voices, Transforming Events | Talk Less, Speak More 🌟 No Two Events Are The Same
Report contribution
Events are meant to deliver for their audiences, so asking for audience opinion is a great idea. However, the tweak I would make here is rather than asking for the names of people they want to hear, some of whom will inevitably be speakers out of budget, or people who are not speakers, ask your audience what they want to hear. What themes? What topics? Let them direct the conversation, but allow you to control the search.

Like

2 Speaker diversity

Another way to select speakers for your live event is to prioritize speaker diversity. This means choosing speakers from different backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and fields of expertise. Speaker diversity can enhance your event by bringing in fresh insights, stimulating discussions, and appealing to a wider audience. You can use platforms like SpeakerHub, WomenTalkDesign, or Diversify Tech to find and connect with diverse speakers, or partner with organizations that promote diversity and inclusion in your industry or niche.

Add your perspective

🎙 Zach Nadler

🎤 CEO of VaynerSpeakers | Elevating Voices, Transforming Events | Talk Less, Speak More 🌟 No Two Events Are The Same
Report contribution
Diversity should always be a consideration. Diversity within a panel and diversity of thought are two areas that groups neglect, and could be improved. I feel strongly that rather than having a "women's panel" or "people of color panel" at an event, it's more important to be sure that there are women and people of color on every panel. Let's put the focus and attention on inclusion rather than having panels for minorities that won't be attended by the people who need to hear them most!

Like

3 Speaker quality

A third way to select speakers for your live event is to focus on speaker quality. This means choosing speakers who have proven skills, knowledge, and credibility in their domain, and who can deliver engaging, informative, and inspiring presentations. Speaker quality can boost your event by adding value, authority, and trust to your content, and by attracting and retaining your audience's attention. You can use tools like SpeakerScore, SpeakerRate, or RateMySpeaker to evaluate and compare speaker performance, feedback, and ratings.

Add your perspective

🎙 Zach Nadler

🎤 CEO of VaynerSpeakers | Elevating Voices, Transforming Events | Talk Less, Speak More 🌟 No Two Events Are The Same
Report contribution
Testimonials and video should help differentiate speakers by quality. Hearing how others have viewed them and how their content played at an event will always be helpful, but ultimately, you need to determine what is best for your audience as no two groups are the same and it's essential that you know your audience well enough to program for them specifically.

Like

4 Speaker innovation

A fourth way to select speakers for your live event is to seek speaker innovation. This means choosing speakers who have original, creative, and cutting-edge ideas, projects, or solutions in their field, and who can challenge, educate, and entertain your audience. Speaker innovation can elevate your event by creating buzz, excitement, and curiosity among your attendees, and by exposing them to new trends, opportunities, and possibilities. You can use sources like TEDx, Wired, or Fast Company to discover and invite speakers who are innovating in their domain.

Add your perspective

5 Speaker alignment

A fifth way to select speakers for your live event is to ensure speaker alignment. This means choosing speakers who share your vision, mission, and values, and who can support your event goals and objectives. Speaker alignment can reinforce your event by creating coherence, consistency, and credibility in your message, and by building rapport and trust with your audience. You can use methods like interviews, references, or testimonials to verify and communicate speaker alignment.

Add your perspective

6 Speaker availability

A sixth way to select speakers for your live event is to consider speaker availability. This means choosing speakers who are willing and able to participate in your event, either in person or online, and who can fit your schedule, budget, and format. Speaker availability can facilitate your event by avoiding conflicts, delays, or cancellations, and by ensuring a smooth and seamless experience for your speakers and attendees. You can use tools like Calendly, Doodle, or Eventbrite to manage and confirm speaker availability.

Add your perspective

🎙 Zach Nadler

🎤 CEO of VaynerSpeakers | Elevating Voices, Transforming Events | Talk Less, Speak More 🌟 No Two Events Are The Same
Report contribution
Availability is fleeting. I find that asking availability is not always useful, which I recognize may seem contradictory. If you were to ask me if I'm available on Friday night, I would say, "no I have plans." However, if you said to me, I have an offer for you to speak, I could then determine how much my plans meant to me. You cannot expect speakers to share every detail of their personal lives with you, so sharing an offer lets them know you are serious and are ready to move forward and they can then determine their plans accordingly.

Like

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

What are some innovative approaches to selecting speakers for live events?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Audience feedback

2 Speaker diversity

3 Speaker quality

4 Speaker innovation

5 Speaker alignment

6 Speaker availability

7 Here’s what else to consider

Live Events

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Live Events

More relevant reading

What are some innovative approaches to selecting speakers for live events?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Audience feedback

2 Speaker diversity

3 Speaker quality

4 Speaker innovation

5 Speaker alignment

6 Speaker availability

7 Here’s what else to consider

Live Events

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills