When people decide whether or not to attend a conference, the quality of the speakers and entertainment is often the deciding factor. How do you locate the best presenters, panelists, and entertainers who will help to make your event a success?
The Impact of Presenters and Entertainers
When looking at a brochure or website for an event, the first thing people will look at (after noticing the main topic) is the list of speakers, lecturers, and/or entertainers. They’ll want to see if they recognize any names. For those that aren’t familiar, they’ll want to confirm that the presenters have credentials and qualifications in their field. Having a renowned keynote speaker can, by itself, attract a larger audience. The same goes for a popular entertainer.
Top Considerations When Seeking Presenters and Talent
Here are some points to consider when searching for the right participants for your conference.
What is the Theme?
While it’s great to find people with excellent credentials and large numbers of followers, you also want to stay relevant to the conference’s central theme. For example, having a famous athlete speak at a science conference would be irrelevant.
Think Outside the Box
While speakers and presenters should be relevant to the conference, they can be outside the specific field or industry that the conference is about. To return to the example of an athlete, someone who is retired from sports and is now an entrepreneur could be an excellent addition to a business-related conference.
What is Your Budget?
Budget is always a consideration when seeking speakers and entertainers. You need to consider the fee for different presenters and how much of your budget can be allocated to this. Naturally, the better known and in-demand speakers are, the more they can charge. Many events allocate a large portion of their budget to a keynote speaker and the rest to presenters who charge less. Some speakers are willing to appear for free in exchange for exposure. Free Speaker Bureau is a site that lists free speakers, though their emphasis is mainly on business and motivational topics.
Who is Your Audience?
Consider the demographics of your audience when choosing presenters. You want the event to be an appropriate match for the people attending. If your audience is a mixed bag, such as representing multiple generations, you may want to find diverse speakers who will appeal to different segments.
What are the Location and Venue?
The location and venue where the event is held are closely related to your list of speakers, presenters, or entertainers.
- Location – The city, state, or region where the event occurs is a significant factor in attracting presenters. Not everyone will want to travel a long distance to participate. It will also affect the cost as you’ll most likely have to pay for travel expenses.
- Venue – What is the size and style of the venue? Potential presenters may have preferences for different types of venues. For example, if it’s a centrally located hotel, it’s a short trip from the airport, and guests can stay overnight in the same location as the event. On the other hand, if it’s a rural retreat center, it will have a different atmosphere and may be harder to get to.
- Size – The size of the venue is also a factor. Some presenters may not want to bother with smaller spaces that can only accommodate a small audience.
How to Find Talent
Let’s review some of the most effective ways to find the right speakers and talent for your event.
Speaker Lists and Websites
There are dedicated lists of speakers that can be found on sites such as the Speakers Hub and the National Speakers Association. On these sites, you can search for speakers by their specialty. Success also recommends its top 7 Best Professional Speaker websites. Some speakers on these sites are highly in demand, so you should book them far in advance.
If you’re searching for entertainers, you can search locally or use a national or global site such as Entertainers Worldwide. With entertainment, it’s a little simpler because you don’t have to consider things like topics or credentials in a field. However, you still need to find someone who fits your budget and the event’s overall atmosphere.
Networking Within and Beyond Your Organization
One of the best ways to find talent is through your personal and professional network. You may have members, employees, or volunteers who would be good presenters or entertainers. Similarly, they may be able to recommend someone in their network. It’s often easier to arrange a booking with a personal connection.
Social Media
Social media sites can be a way to connect with potential presenters. LinkedIn is especially good for this purpose. You can also look at YouTube, Instagram, and other sites depending on your niche or industry. These channels give you an idea of someone’s following, not just in numbers but also engagement. Videos of speakers in action, such as filmed TED Talks, are beneficial because you get to see the speaker in action and what kind of response they get from the audience.
Ask For Proposals
Inviting people to submit proposals is an effective way to attract talent. You can place a notice on your website, email list, social media pages, and any other channels on which you’re active. This gives your followers and members a chance to forward the request to anyone they may know. When requesting proposals, provide guidelines such as the theme, date of the conference, and approximate length of presentations. Ask candidates to propose a topic. They might submit an outline or slide deck and links to any content or presentations they may have done in the past, such as videos or podcasts.
Websites and Publications
Search websites and print publications for potential speakers. Trade publications, academic journals, and magazines devoted to niche topics can help you identify potential candidates.
Research and Qualify Speakers
If you’re considering a specific speaker who you need to become more familiar with, make sure you do some research on them. Check their credentials and look up any material they’ve written or links to other events they’ve participated in. Check their social media profiles, podcasts, videos, and Amazon if they’ve written any books. For lesser-known speakers, it’s a good idea to request references. It’s also helpful to understand the speaker’s style and personality to find out if they’d be a good fit for your conference.
Find Speakers and Presenters Who Will Elevate Your Event
Finding the right speakers, entertainers, and other presenters is vital for putting on a successful event. Make sure you research and leave plenty of time to book the appropriate talent. You should book at least six months in advance for speakers and talent who are widely known and in demand. Above all, keep your audience in mind. Ask yourself who you’d like to hear at the conference if you were an audience member.
Contact us today if you’re interested in finding out how AMO can take your association and your events to the next level.
