Hiring a Keynote Speaker

Submitted By: A Nutt

Most businesses and organizations hire a keynote speaker to deliver a fresh view point. Their purpose is to encourage a sense of team work and breathe new life into a business. You can find a keynote speaker for just about every type of field such as sales, health, business management, information technology, and so much more.

A keynote speaker tends to be an expert in the area that he or she is giving a presentation. They deliver presentations designed to motivate people to look at situations in a new and different light. They also reveal different methods of increasing profitability. The goal of a presentation is to stimulate new thought and creativity.

Before enlisting the services of a keynote speaker, you have to make sure that the session will coincide with a company's needs and values. The following list outlines a number of considerations to be aware of before hiring a keynote speaker.

1) Consider why you are hiring a speaker. Some reasons why companies and organisations arrange for speaking events include: motivate, educate, entertain, promote an organisation, change unwanted behavior, and much more.

2) Consider what type of presentation you want delivered. Two forms of presentations include addressing an audience and holding a workshop. You need to have an idea of what you want viewers to learn from the experience. A speaker who does not tap into the particular issues and concerns of the viewers will not be successful. The speaker should have experience and have an understanding of the particular business or organisation. A good speaker will encourage questions and ideas as well ask for feedback. You want the viewers to be engaged. For instance, a morning address is usually more energizing.

3) Ask if any tools such as overhead projectors or power point presentation will be used. If too much time is spent using these types of tools, the viewers may get bored and tune out. A balance between using presentation devices and speaking directly to the audience is more beneficial.

4) Prior to the event, talk to the speaker about your company and audience. Explain what you are hoping to achieve from the presentation. Provide details about the room, the number of people attending, and the introduction of the speaker. Be sure to let your speaker know what you expect in a presentation. Ask if they follow a philosophy or guideline that incorporates entertainment and professionalism.

5) Make sure the information that is going to be presented is current. Old or out dated information is useless for a business. You also do not want the speaker to sound like a salesperson. Quality speakers will have proof of their expertise. This can be in the form of books, audiotapes or CDs, articles or stories in newspaper columns, magazines, business journals, and appearances on the radio or television.

6) If you have hired previous speakers, consider which ones were successful. Think about what your viewers liked about the presentation. You can even ask viewers what they liked best about a particular speaker.

7) Asking for references is a great way to find out if a speaker is good.

8) Think about your viewers' needs. Make sure the speaker will appeal to the audience. For instance, consider such aspects as age and gender. An audience that consists of only women may relate better to a female speaker.

9) After the event, ask viewers for feedback so you can determine if it was a productive session. This will allow you to improve future presentations. You should also discuss the event with the speaker to see if any improvements are needed.

Keynote speakers can be an asset to any company and organisation. Asking the right questions and imparting your vision will result in an educational, entertaining, and memorable event