What Event Planners Expect from a Speaker Today!

Recently I was having a conversation with Kelly Bjorseth, President, of?Upside Speakers, about what event planners and those looking for speakers are telling us they are looking to see in choosing a speaker today; and what they are going through with the many challenges they face, which affects their expectations.?

In our discussion, we decided we needed to share this important information so that speakers and ourselves, could schedule time to review our materials. Since it’s officially summer and we are halfway through the year, we liked the idea of calling it a “Summer Tune-up”.

We found these are the Top 10 Factors that matter most to those who are looking to hire a Professional Speaker for their Virtual, In-Person, or Hybrid event:

• Your content. It should be designed to create a unique experience for the audience, which includes engagement, involvement, humor, and actionable takeaways.?
• Virtual is here to stay. In today’s environment, we know?it’s a possibility for in-person events to be canceled. Clients want the confidence to know that if the in-person event gets canceled, the speaker can also present virtually. Speakers that are excelling today have created an interactive virtual experience that is visually appealing, and they have mastered all the technological breakthroughs that are available.??
• Adjust the timing of the experiences you offer.?
• Updated website. Your website is your personal brand. Is your message clear? Are your photos and videos newer? New content, videos and photos show that you are relevant and current. Take a look at the bottom of your Homepage and what date do you see there? Revisit your site quarterly.
• Updated One-Sheet- Yes, they are still asking for them, and they are a great marketing tool as well. Make sure they have links to all of your latest and great content and videos.
• Updated Virtual and In-person/Hybrid Videos- They can be separate or together, but they need to see all areas. Video is key today, and the date on them is important!
• Social Media-Show your presence, especially on LinkedIn. You should be seen as a thought leader for what you speak about. Take advantage of all the new additions LinkedIn offers, make connections, post, publish articles, and comment often.?
• Recommendations- These give clients confidence in hiring you but, make sure they are current and list your Top 5 on your website, and invite those to add recommendations to your LinkedIn profile.?
• Hi-Def Photos-Make sure your photos on your website and on your social media platforms are current, and you keep them updated. They should be high resolution and taken by a professional.
• Don’t Be a “Diva” or “Divo”- Clients want to work with speakers that are easy to work with. They have enough on their plates to worry about! Don’t make crazy demands and be ready to go with the flow, be flexible, kind, and remember:

“You Can Have Everything In Life You Want, If You Will Just Help Enough Other People Get What They Want, First.” ? ? ~Zig Ziglar

We both know that speakers of today are having to go through more challenges than ever before, at a faster speed and pace, and even though it may take some planning and extra time speakers, it will be worth it to get your “Summer Tune-Up” now so you can finish strong in 2022 and beyond!?

We would love to hear your thoughts and comments on this valuable topic in our industry, as we are all in this together!

?Kelly Bjorseth- https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/kelly-caffrey-bjorseth-upsidespeakers/

Sue Falcone- https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/suefalcone/