Why Engaging Speakers Matters for Trainers
- Enhanced Content Quality: Motivated speakers deliver better presentations, leading to a more valuable attendee experience.
- Marketing Amplifiers: Engaged speakers are more likely to promote the event to their own networks, expanding your reach.
- Reputation Boost: A positive experience for speakers reflects positively on your event and brand, attracting high-caliber speakers in the future.
- Training in Relationship Building: Event marketing is about relationships, and engaging your speakers teaches trainees this vital skill.
Key Concepts for Training
- Early & Clear Communication
- Expectations: Outline what you seek from them (talk length, format, any specific themes to tie into).
- Deadlines: Be upfront about submission deadlines for slides, bios, etc.
- Logistics: Provide clear information about travel, accommodations, and any speaker-related logistics well in advance.
- It’s Not Just About the Stage
- Promotion: Empower speakers with easily shareable social content, images, and event details.
- Networking: Facilitate speaker-attendee connections (dedicated lounge, Q&A session, etc.)
- Beyond the Event: Offer speakers post-event content, audience feedback, or footage of their talk for their own use.
- Make Them Feel Valued
- Acknowledge Expertise: Publicly introduce them, highlighting their credentials and why they’re the perfect fit.
- Small Touches Count: Speaker gift, personalized thank you note, or access to a VIP area.
- Feedback Loop: Share positive attendee comments about their session if possible.
- Tech is Your Friend
- Pre-Event Check-Ins: Schedule brief tech run-throughs for remote speakers or those with complex presentations.
- Speaker App (If Feasible): A centralized hub with the agenda, attendee updates, and messaging makes them feel connected.
Training Activities
- “Oops!” Scenarios: Provide examples of common speaker mishaps (late arrivals, missing slides, etc.). Trainees brainstorm solutions and preventative measures.
- Draft the Outreach: Have trainees craft an initial outreach email to a potential high-profile speaker, emphasizing the value proposition for them.
- The Perks Package: Using an event scenario, groups design a speaker ‘goodie bag’ or benefits package tailored to the audience.
Training Resources
- Speaker Management Tools: Research platforms that streamline speaker communications and logistics (some examples include SpeakerHub and SummitSync)
- Event Planning Blogs: Many blogs will have speaker-focused articles. Search for “how to engage event speakers.”
- Speaker Feedback Forms: Look up examples of post-event speaker surveys, discussing which questions are most valuable.
Trainer Tips
- Showcase Success: Share examples of speakers who became huge advocates after having a positive event experience.
- The Power of Personalization: Emphasize finding ways to make each speaker interaction feel tailored, not mass-produced.
- Budget-Conscious Perks: Discuss creative ways to make speakers feel valued even if large gift bags aren’t possible.
