If you are planning an upcoming event of conference where you are looking to inspire and motivate your audience, then you might be looking to hire a motivational speaker.
As there are many things you are going to need to consider, the selection process can be quite daunting.
A good speaker can bring life to your event and get the attendees talking for days, while a low-energy speaker can leave a bad impression on the event.
Therefore, choosing the right motivational speaker is undoubtedly one of the most important steps in organizing your event.
Here is everything you need to know about how to choose a motivational speaker for your event so that everything goes well and its a big success.
A good speaker can bring life to your event and get the attendees talking for days, while a low-energy speaker can leave a bad impression on the event.
Define the Purpose Of Your Event
Having a clear understanding of what you want to accomplish and who your attendees are is going to be critical in helping you determine the best speaker for your event.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself before you begin your search:
What is the event that you are hosting?
Is it a community gathering?
Is it a company event to boost morale?
Is it a major conference where you are going to be selling high-priced tickets?
Is it a knowledge sharing session for university or high school students?
Motivational speakers specify in a wide range of areas, including organizational development, entrepreneurship, personal development, counseling, etc.
Even if they share the same expertise, each expert has a unique message and perspective that helps them tackle the problem at hand.
Whatever your event’s theme is, there are countless options of motivational speakers to choose from, and it can be overwhelming.
Defining the purpose of your event will be the first step in helping you choose the right motivational speaker.
Then, you need to examine what you want to accomplish.
Is it just to fill the time?
Is it to boost employee’s morale?
Is it to teach your students the importance of discipline and perseverance?
Answering these questions can help you narrow down the specific message, tone, and qualities you are looking for in a motivational speaker.
These professionals often tailor their supporting stories and ideas to suit your event to ensure that they enhance and support your overall theme and objective.
Knowing the goal will not only help you choose the right motivational speaker but also help the speaker craft their speech for your event and audience later on.
Define Your Audience’s Needs
Who is your audience?
Is it a group of employees attending a mandatory company event?
Is it a group of fresh graduates eager to conquer their first challenges in the workforce?
Is it a village of parents hoping to learn the secret to raising successful children?
Do they need a boost in morale, or hard facts and information to help them start a business?
Your audience’s needs will help you determine the level of expertise that the motivational speaker is required to have.
If you are speaking to a group of industry experts, the speaker needs to have years of relevant experience and can explain clearly the supporting facts in his or her arguments.
If you are speaking to young entrepreneurs, you need a speaker with experience in business who can share resume-building stories.
If you are speaking to community members, perhaps a message of hope and overcoming trauma and personal challenges will be more suitable.
Whatever the case, your audience’s level of knowledge and their current situations are the key in helping you determine the message you need a speaker to deliver.
Define Your Budget
This is arguably the most important factor since each speaker charges a different speaking fee that can range from $1,000 to $50,000 (if you’re hiring a celebrity motivational speaker).
Your budget can help you determine the range of options you have in hiring a motivational speaker.
Consider Your Options
Once you know your budget and the qualities, message, and delivery style you need in a motivational speaker for your event, ideally, you can narrow down your options to a few names.
Before you hire someone to be a motivational speaker at your event, here are a few things you need to check:
A. See a speech they delivered in the past
Many motivational speakers post their past speeches on their website or publicly on YouTube and Facebook. Their performance in a past speech is a good indicator of how they will perform during your event.
B. Check if they have relevant live experience
Have they delivered a speech at an event similar to yours?
How did their speech affect the outcome of that event?
This can also help you anticipate how the speaker will impact the success of your event.
C. Speak to them in person
Think of this as a new employee interview – You are an employer looking to hire them.
Talking in person or via a video/phone call is an opportunity to discuss the requirements for your event, and you will get an idea of how they work as a professional motivational speaker.
Browse their social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.).
Do they share meaningful ideas and messages online?
Do they engage with their audience in a positive and supportive way?
This will help you gain a sense of how engaged they are as a motivational speaker.
If you have done all of these steps, we hope that you have selected a suitable motivational speaker who suits your event’s and your audience’s needs.
Choosing a memorable speaker is not easy, but once you have found the right person, your event will be a success.