When planning an event, one of the most critical decisions you’ll make is choosing the right speaker. The right choice can inspire, educate, or entertain your audience, while the wrong one can leave attendees feeling disconnected or disengaged. So how do you make the right choice? Here’s what to consider.
Define Your Event’s Purpose
Before you start reaching out to speakers, take a step back and ask: What is the goal of this event? Are you trying to motivate, inform, challenge perspectives, or simply provide entertainment? Knowing this will help guide your selection.
Next, consider your audience.
Who will be attending? Think about their age, professional background, social affiliations, and expectations. A speaker who resonates with a corporate crowd may not be the best fit for a younger, more casual audience. The more you understand your attendees, the better you can tailor your speaker choice to their interests.
Influencers vs. Experts: Who Brings More Value?
In today’s world, influencers are a dominant force. They have built-in audiences, social media reach, and name recognition that can help draw people to your event. Their presence alone can generate buzz—but does that mean they are the right choice for your event?
Not always. While influencers are great at bringing attention, they aren’t always the best at delivering deep knowledge or industry insights. This is where experts come in. Experts might not have millions of followers, but they bring decades of hands-on experience and credibility. Unfortunately, they are often overlooked because they aren’t as “trendy.”
A successful event often finds a balance between both. If you can pair an engaging influencer with an experienced expert, you create an event that is both enticing and meaningful.
The 51% Rule: You Can’t Please Everyone
No matter how carefully you choose your speaker, there will always be some attendees who aren’t satisfied. And that’s okay. Aiming for 100% approval is unrealistic—instead, focus on making the event valuable for the majority.
A good rule of thumb? Aim for at least 51% of attendees to leave feeling satisfied and engaged. Of course, the higher the percentage, the better, but don’t get caught up in trying to please every single person.
Looking Ahead
Next time, we’ll discuss the “too many cooks in the kitchen” effect when planning an event and how to avoid speaker lineups that feel cluttered or disjointed. But for now, remember: the right speaker isn’t always the loudest or the most popular—it’s the one who best fits your event’s goals and audience.
Choose wisely, and your event will be a success!
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