Looking for Speakers for Your Next Corporate Event? Here's What to Consider
Imagine your team walks out of a corporate event bursting with ideas, inspired to take on challenges with renewed energy.
That’s the power of great speakers!
But finding the best speaker can feel daunting. Where do you even begin? No need to stress out. This article will help you secure the perfect speaker!
Whether you’re an event planner, an HR professional, an entrepreneur or a company executive, you’ll learn everything you need to make your corporate event an inspiring success.
Let’s dive in!
What Are the Different Types of Speakers?
A speaker is a professional who motivates audiences by sharing actionable strategies, inspiring stories, and practical tools to help them overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
Here are some common types of speakers:
Keynote Speakers
A keynote speaker sets the tone for an event. They focus on broader themes that inspire and unify the audience.
Inspirational Speakers
Inspirational speakers uplift audiences with personal stories and combine motivation with actionable strategies for change.
Guest Speakers
A guest speaker is invited for their expertise on specific topics, offering unique insights and engaging content tailored to the event.
Business Speakers
Business speakers bring industry-specific expertise and practical skills, often drawing from their experience as business leaders.
Their presentations focus on topics like leadership, management, and innovation, offering valuable insights to help businesses enhance operations and achieve success.
Political Speakers
Political speakers are experts who provide insights into the complexities of politics, including government structures, economic policies, and their social implications.
Hiring political speakers can enhance audience understanding of current political issues and encourage critical thinking.
Factors to Consider for Choosing the Perfect Speaker
Now that you understand what sets speakers apart, let’s explore the key factors to consider when choosing the perfect one for your event.
1. Understand Your Audience and Event Goals
Who is Your Audience?
Are your attendees entry-level employees, senior leaders, or a mix?
Their preferences and expectations matter to have an effective event.
For example, a young, dynamic team may appreciate a high-energy, humorous speaker, while senior leaders prefer a more strategic, insightful approach.
Additionally, considering the event location can help connect you with speakers who are already traveling to specific venues, making the planning process more cost-efficient and tailored to your audience’s needs.
What Are Your Objectives?
Every successful event has pre-defined event objectives to achieve.
Are you aiming to boost morale, drive innovation, or address specific business challenges?
Speakers specialising in team dynamics or resilience might be ideal for fostering collaboration, while a leadership expert could resonate with executives’ challenges.
2. Research and Evaluate Speakers
Know Where to Look:
Take advantage of resources beyond traditional speaker websites, such as industry associations, social media platforms, and academic circles. These resources can help find unique speakers like a serial entrepreneur who brings fresh perspectives on business success.
These often-overlooked sources are goldmines for discovering speakers who may not be widely known but bring fresh ideas, unique world perspectives, and potentially more budget-friendly rates.
Review Credentials and Speaking Style:
This is very important; you don’t want an unqualified speaker talking for your highly qualified teams.
Watch videos of their past engagements and read testimonials. Also look at their delivery style; it should match your event’s tone: inspirational, humorous, or serious.
Choose to hire someone with a proven track record who can captivate your audience from start to finish.
3. Budget and Costs
Setting a Realistic Budget:
Speaker fees can vary widely based on experience and demand.
While choosing the cheapest option is tempting, remember that quality often correlates with cost. Set a budget that balances impact and affordability.
Hidden Costs to Consider:
Logistics are just as crucial as the speaker’s message.
Factor in travel expenses, accommodations, and potential extras like custom workshop materials. For instance, inviting a high-profile speaker, such as a managing director or even a vice president, can significantly increase these costs.
Being proactive about these can save you from surprises later and for future trends.
4. Ensure Cultural Fit
Why Cultural Fit Matters:
Imagine inviting a speaker known for a hard-driving, “hustle culture” philosophy to a company prioritising work-life balance.
The mismatch could alienate your audience rather than inspire them. The right speaker will align with your organisation’s ethos, reinforcing rather than clashing your message.
Personalisation is Key:
Great speakers tailor their talks to your audience’s needs and challenges.
Whether that’s addressing industry-specific concerns or weaving in your company’s mission, personalisation makes the message more impactful.
Practical Tips for a Successful Event
Once you’ve chosen the perfect speaker, it’s time to ensure your next event, is set up for success.
These tips will help you maximise the impact of your speaker’s message:
Prepare Your Team
Build excitement by sharing details about the speaker and their expertise. A quick survey or teaser can help gauge what your audience hopes to gain from the session.
Plan for Engagement
Interaction boosts impact. Set aside time for a Q&A session, or ask the speaker to host a brief workshop after their talk to deepen engagement.
Be Technical Ready
Ensure your venue is equipped with the right setup. Coordinate with the organization and speaker beforehand to understand their technical needs.
Leverage Speaker Agencies to Find Speakers
This is a PRO-TIP! Finding the perfect speaker doesn’t have to be a solo effort.
Speaker agencies, like Experts in Asia, specialise in connecting you with talent tailored to your specific goals.
These agencies streamline the whole search process by providing a hand-picked roster of vetted professionals, ensuring they align with your event’s themes, goals, and budget.
Beyond matching you with the right talent, they handle logistics and offer expert guidance, saving time and stress!
By leveraging their expertise, you eliminate guesswork and ensure your event strategy is successful.
Inspire, Engage, and Succeed with Experts in Asia's Top Speakers!
Choosing the right speaker is more than just a task!
It’s an investment in the success and impact of your corporate event.
At Experts in Asia, we make this journey effortless by connecting you with dynamic speakers who inspire, engage, and align with the diverse needs of Asian audiences.
With over 15 years of experience and partnerships across multiple industries, we’ve built a reputation for delivering excellence in speaker selection and event impact.
Our roster of top-tier best keynote speakers includes industry leaders, best-selling authors, and innovative thinkers who transform events into inspiring experiences.
Explore our award-winning speakers and be ready to motivate your team, spark creativity, or foster leadership!