How do you invite the best speakers to your conference?

1 Know your goals

Before you start reaching out to potential speakers, you need to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve with your conference. What is the theme, the format, the target audience, and the value proposition of your event? How do you want your speakers to contribute to these aspects? Having a well-defined goal will help you identify the speakers who are most relevant, credible, and engaging for your conference.

2 Do your research

Once you have your goal in mind, you need to do some research to find the speakers who fit your criteria. You can use various sources, such as social media, blogs, podcasts, books, articles, videos, and recommendations from your network. Look for speakers who have expertise, experience, and reputation in your field or topic. Also, pay attention to their speaking style, personality, and feedback from previous events. You want speakers who can deliver informative, entertaining, and memorable presentations.

3 Craft a personalized invitation

When crafting a personalized invitation to invite speakers to your conference, you should consider using email, phone, or video call, depending on your preference and the speaker's availability. Your invitation should include a brief introduction of yourself and your conference, as well as a clear explanation of the goal, theme, format, and audience of your event. Additionally, you should make a specific request for the speaker to talk about a topic that matches their expertise and interests. Furthermore, it's important to highlight the benefits and incentives for the speaker such as exposure, networking, feedback, and compensation. Lastly, use a respectful and flexible tone that expresses your appreciation and enthusiasm.

4 Follow up and confirm

After you send your invitation, you should follow up with the speaker within a reasonable time frame. You can use a friendly reminder, a thank-you note, or a question to show your interest and keep the conversation going. You should also be ready to answer any questions or concerns the speaker may have, such as the logistics, the agenda, the audience, and the expectations. Once the speaker agrees to participate, you should confirm the details in writing and maintain regular communication until the event.

5 Support and acknowledge

Finally, you should support and acknowledge your speakers before, during, and after the conference. This can be done by providing them with the necessary information, materials, and resources, introducing them to the other speakers and organizers, promoting them on your website, social media, and marketing materials, giving them feedback and recognition for their contribution, and sending them a thank-you gift or card. By following these tips, you can create a successful and memorable event for everyone involved that will attract the best speakers to your conference.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?