Looking to learn how to increase event engagement with speakers who can truly captivate your audience?
You’re not alone
The solution may be simpler than you think: book the right speaker.
A well-chosen keynote or featured speaker isn’t just a talking head – they’re a powerful engagement catalyst. The right speaker can captivate your crowd, spark conversations, and leave a lasting impact that extends far beyond the event itself. In fact, working with a top-tier speaker can help you triple attendee engagement, transforming your event from a passive listening experience to an interactive journey of growth and connection.
But how do you go about finding and securing that perfect presenter?
What qualities should you look for, and how can you set your speaker up for success?
At IconEleven Speakers, we’ve made it our mission to connect event planners like you with speakers who move the needle. We’ve seen firsthand the incredible ripple effects the right speaker can have on an audience – and on an event’s overall impact.
In this post, we’ll walk you through our proven process for booking speakers who wow crowds and keep them buzzing long after the lights go down. Get ready to change the way you approach event programming – and to watch your engagement levels soar as a result.
Know Your Audience Inside and Out
Before you even start your speaker search, you need to develop a deep understanding of your audience. What are their pain points, aspirations, and challenges? What kind of content will resonate with them on a profound level?
Do the legwork to uncover your attendees’:
– Demographics (age, role, years of experience, etc.)
– Psychographics (interests, attitudes, values)
– Learning preferences (hands-on, visual, discussion-based, etc.)
The more intimately you know your crowd, the better equipped you’ll be to find a speaker who connects with them. Consider sending a pre-event survey to registrants to gather insights you can share with potential speakers. The more context they have on your audience, the more they can tailor their content for deep impact.
Align Your Speaker with Event Goals
Your speaker should reinforce the key themes and objectives of your event. Are you looking to educate, motivate, challenge the status quo, or all of the above? Clarify your “why” for hosting the event and the key messages you want attendees to take away. Then, seek out speakers with the expertise and stories to bring those themes to life.
Say your event aims to help financial advisors better engage female clients. Rather than selecting a generic sales expert, you’d want to find a speaker with deep insight into the unique financial needs and preferences of women. The more specific and relevant your speaker’s knowledge is to your objectives, the more impactful their session will be.
Prioritize Engagement Savvy
A speaker’s subject matter expertise is certainly important, but it’s only part of the equation. To truly captivate your audience, you need a presenter who knows how to deliver their content in a way that inspires action and participation.
When evaluating potential speakers, look for evidence of engagement mastery, like:
– Compelling storytelling that humanizes key learning points
– Visually dynamic presentations that go beyond bullet points
– Skillful facilitation of discussions and activities
– Authentic audience interaction throughout the session
– Creative use of multimedia, props, or other engagement tools
Check out speaker demo reels, read testimonials, and ask for references to get a sense of a speaker’s ability to connect with a crowd. A charismatic stage presence and warm, approachable demeanor can go a long way in disarming attendees and drawing them into the experience.
Provide Ample Context and Support
Even the most talented speakers need context and support to deliver a home run session. The more background you can provide on your audience, event themes, and desired outcomes, the better your speaker can craft their content and engagement plan.
Share key details like:
– Event agenda, session length, and format
– Audience profile and pain points
– Highly relevant themes and topics to cover (or avoid)
– Engagement expectations (Q&A, exercises, etc.)
– Logistics info (room setup, AV capabilities, etc.)
Also look for ways to extend your speaker’s engagement beyond the stage. Could they contribute a pre-event blog post or video to build buzz? Might they host a VIP roundtable discussion or mingle at a networking reception? Would they be willing to share bonus resources or participate in a post-event AMA?
Brainstorm creative ways to help your speaker connect more deeply with attendees and continue the conversation. This positions them (and your brand) as a valuable ongoing resource while strengthening the ROI of your event.
Embrace Diversity and New Voices
It’s easy to default to the usual suspect speakers in your industry – the big names with flashy marketing. But often, the most engaging speakers are the up-and-comers with fresh perspectives and a hunger to overdeliver.
Prioritize diversity in your speaker selection across race, gender, age, background, and thought. A broad range of voices reflecting your audience makeup will resonate more authentically. Attendees want to see themselves reflected in your on-stage talent.
Amplifying underrepresented voices also sets your event apart as a place to access new ideas. Many of the most in-demand speakers today got their start because an event organizer was willing to take a chance on an emerging expert. Be open to rising stars who can shake up stale industry dialogues with timely insights.
Measure Engagement Early and Often
Engagement isn’t just a feel-good metric – it’s a critical indicator of event success and ROI. And it’s not something you should only measure in a post-event survey.
Build in touchpoints throughout your event to gauge how your speaker is resonating with attendees, such as:
– Live polls and quizzes during their session
– Social media monitoring of speaker mentions and quotes
– Casual conversations with attendees after their talk
– Feedback buttons (a la Netflix) outside session rooms
– Networking chat transcripts and participation rates
By keeping your finger on the pulse of engagement, you can quickly address any issues and double down on what’s working well. This data is also invaluable for proving speaker impact to stakeholders and informing future programming decisions.
When you book the right speaker and equip them to succeed, the results can be transformative. At IconEleven, we’ve seen powerful speakers:
– Inspire record-breaking event survey completion rates
– Spark viral social media conversations that trend for days
– Attract press coverage and build buzz for future events
– Boost attendee-reported net promoter scores
– Drive post-event action, from website traffic to membership
In short, an engaging speaker is the gift that keeps on giving. Their impact extends far beyond their time on stage to enrich your attendees, your event, and your brand.
So if you’re ready to unlock new levels of engagement at your next event, let’s talk speakers. We’ll work with you to understand your unique needs and curate a dream shortlist of speakers who will connect with your crowd.
Together, we can create an unforgettable attendee experience with meaningful results. Reach out today to start the conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about increasing event engagement with speakers? We’ve got answers to help you make the best choice for your next event:
How Far in Advance Should I Book an Event Speaker?
We recommend booking 6-12 months ahead for top-tier speakers. This gives you time to plan engagement strategies and build pre-event excitement. Contact us to start your search today.
What Makes IconEleven Speakers Different?
As a Black and woman-owned bureau, we bring fresh perspectives and diverse voices to the speaking industry. Our modern approach focuses on speakers who create genuine connections and drive meaningful engagement.
What Should I Budget for an Engaging Speaker?
Speaker fees typically range from $5K-$50K based on experience and expertise. Investment varies depending on engagement level, customization needs, and session format. We’ll help find the perfect speaker within your budget.
How Do I Ensure Maximum Event Engagement?
Success comes from careful planning and execution:
- Pre-event: Build buzz with speaker content and social media
- During event: Interactive sessions and real-time engagement
- Post-event: Follow-up resources and continued connection
We’ll guide you through every step.
How Do I Measure Speaker Impact?
We help track key metrics including:
- Attendee engagement rates
- Feedback scores
- Social media buzz
- Post-event actions
- Long-term results
Our speakers deliver measurable ROI.
Ready to Transform Your Next Event?
Don’t settle for passive audiences and forgotten presentations. Let IconEleven help you find speakers who create lasting impact and drive real engagement.
Ready to boost your event engagement?
Contact IconEleven Speakers today for a free consultation. We’ll match you with speakers who align with your goals and inspire your audience to take action.
