Nothing can kill a great event like a bad keynote speaker. Most speakers sound fantastic in the program listing. They have the name, and they have the credentials. Too often, though, event speakers fall flat in person.

Speakers can bore your audience — or simply fail to engage — for a number of reasons. The topic may be dull. The presentation style may be flat. The speaker may read directly off PowerPoint slides. Whatever the reason, underwhelming speakers can leave attendees with a bad taste in their mouths for your event, and they may not return. Before you and your keynote speaker sign on the dotted line, do some homework to ensure you’re getting the quality that you and your conference attendees expect.

Conduct advance reconnaissance

Don’t book a speaker — particularly for your keynote — without actually having heard that person speak live. Even video can be misleading, and it’s possible that a video may represent a one-off great speech that will never be replicated.

If possible, observe your speaker in several different environments, including big and small rooms, with both large and small crowds. Is she equally effective in different settings? Does she speak naturally, without reading from notes? Does she move around and interact with the audience?

Note how the audience feels about your prospective speaker. Look around during the talk to gauge how many people are checking their phones versus listening intently. This one simple exercise can reveal your speaker’s engagement level with the audience.

Evaluate speakers based on your audience

Not all great speakers are great in every setting and for every audience. The hot new tech guru who peppers his talks with “colorful” language isn’t going to be the right choice for every group.

Addressing topics of interest to your audience is just as important as booking big-name speakers. Whether you’re looking for keynote speakers under $20,000 or those well over that mark, relevance is the watchword. Even CEOs may need to justify their attendance with useful takeaways they can share with board members and employees back at the office.

Just because a speaker can address the general industry your conference targets doesn’t ensure relevance for your specific audience. Topics should be of interest based on the specific demographics of your attendees — age, gender, years in the industry and specific positions within their companies.

Understand the contract

Fortunately, booking a speaker tends to be simpler than booking entertainment. Typically, there are no complex riders covering required stage setup and lighting, dressing room food and other extras.

Still, you should understand all the contract provisions before executing. If you don’t have a contract template available for your organization, consider having an attorney draw one up that can be customized as needed for individual speakers who may have their own requirements. Well-known speakers may have their own contracts they ask you to sign; before you do so, have your attorney review the document as it will be signed, after any negotiated changes are made.

Your contract should include the date and place of the event, details of practice and set-up arrangements, the speaker’s fee, what happens in the event that either party cancels, who covers travel expenses and in what amounts, and who provides needed equipment such as laptop computers. If you need the speaker’s materials in advance, it should be spelled out. The contract also should stipulate your usage rights to handouts and digital files — you’ll need permission to make them available on your website.

Get help from reputable speakers’ bureaus

Starting from scratch with finding a speaker can be daunting. Especially if your event caters to a niche industry or audience, it can take weeks or months to find the right speaker. Making use of a reputable speaker’s bureau relieves a significant portion of the burden of finding an appropriate speaker.

A good speaker’s bureau will offer a range of speakers in various industries. You can select from keynote speakers under $20,000, or you can choose to pay more.

Get feedback from attendees for next time

As part of your follow-up survey, find out what attendees thought of your speakers, especially your keynote. Get specific, asking about the topic, the speaker’s presentation style, PowerPoint or other supplemental materials, length of the talk and relevance to the target industry.

Armed with this information, you can make an even better choice next time. And if your speaker receives universal kudos from your audience, you’ll have a good idea of the type of speakers to seek out for the next conference.

How do you book the best keynote speakers?

As Inc. notes, great speakers tell stories, and they build rapport with your audience. They keep their talks short, and they practice. They’re authentic. To find speakers with these qualities, do your research, understand the contract and consider working with a reputable speaker’s bureau. Once you’ve found your star speaker, you can continue creating events with impact by focusing on speaker logistics.

Source

http://www.eaglestalent.com/resources/best-ways-to-use-a-speakers-bureau/ins-and-outs-of-booking-a-speaker/, http://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/9-things-great-speakers-always-do.html