How to choose speakers for a corporate event
Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2024 10:32 am
Finding speakers for corporate events is a fairly common task. But it is never an easy task. On this occasion, we spoke with Alejandro García , our Senior Executive , about how to choose speakers for a corporate event, to give you some practical tips and advice.
Hi Alejandro. First of all, a traditional question. How did you get into the events sector?
Well, my case is curious, because I actually started studying computer engineering. I even worked as a programmer for a while. But while I was studying, I ios phone number data started to collaborate in the production of events on an ad hoc basis . After finishing my degree, I got into another one, business sciences. And since 2011 I have been working in event production agencies.
We wanted to talk to you about speakers, because finding them is your daily bread. And you know better than anyone that most of the time the client doesn't know what he wants. So, where do you start?
To begin with, there are several things to consider: format, objectives and type of audience . First, the format. Is it a professional meeting, a congress, a convention…? Or is it something more recreational, an internal event, a celebration…?
Then, you have to somehow get the client to explain their objectives to you . That is, what content they want to offer the public and what effect they want to achieve. Because both the figure of the speaker and the content are brand building tools and must be handled carefully. For example, if you want the speaker to talk about the main theme of the event, but from a different perspective. Or, the opposite. Even if it is a pharmaceutical event, let's say, you want a professional athlete to talk about a case of overcoming. And that has nothing to do with the main theme.
And finally, it is very important to know what type of audience you are going to find . National or foreign, young or old, internal or external, more male or female (which can also be important sometimes). Having these points clear helps a lot to start the search.
Alejandro Garcia, Senior Executive at 4foreverything
And when you search, the first ones you find are obviously those who work on their personal brand. To what extent is self-promotion something reliable?
It is a good entry filter . You can get to know them through their websites and their social media profiles. Their tone, the content they offer, whether they are dynamic or not. But really everything is detected in the personal treatment . With the first call it will be clear to you if it is a person you can rely on and who will not give you a bad face if you ask for an extra effort. Or, on the contrary, they will give you problems. That is detected immediately. But be careful, social media is essential today . Youtube, LinkedIn, Instagram can be very helpful tools. In addition, often the client himself asks that the speaker have them active and use them to spread information about the event.
But you have to be careful. For example, should you read comments? Yes. Can you trust them 100%? No. You know very well, because it has happened to us, how far the positive reactions of followers on social media can differ from the feelings you have when working with this person.
Networking is great, but not everyone is there. What other ways are there to search? Word of mouth, previous experience, specialized agencies…
Your previous experience helps a lot when choosing speakers for a corporate event. You may have a certain number of options and have made your judgement. But there are thousands of people offering to speak. That's why it's inevitable to use recruitment agencies . The advantage is that they can find profiles with very specific qualities . For example, a start-up founder who talks about AI, but also does so in French... The problem is that, after all, her goal is to sell. And you can't blindly trust her recommendations.
Hi Alejandro. First of all, a traditional question. How did you get into the events sector?
Well, my case is curious, because I actually started studying computer engineering. I even worked as a programmer for a while. But while I was studying, I ios phone number data started to collaborate in the production of events on an ad hoc basis . After finishing my degree, I got into another one, business sciences. And since 2011 I have been working in event production agencies.
We wanted to talk to you about speakers, because finding them is your daily bread. And you know better than anyone that most of the time the client doesn't know what he wants. So, where do you start?
To begin with, there are several things to consider: format, objectives and type of audience . First, the format. Is it a professional meeting, a congress, a convention…? Or is it something more recreational, an internal event, a celebration…?
Then, you have to somehow get the client to explain their objectives to you . That is, what content they want to offer the public and what effect they want to achieve. Because both the figure of the speaker and the content are brand building tools and must be handled carefully. For example, if you want the speaker to talk about the main theme of the event, but from a different perspective. Or, the opposite. Even if it is a pharmaceutical event, let's say, you want a professional athlete to talk about a case of overcoming. And that has nothing to do with the main theme.
And finally, it is very important to know what type of audience you are going to find . National or foreign, young or old, internal or external, more male or female (which can also be important sometimes). Having these points clear helps a lot to start the search.
Alejandro Garcia, Senior Executive at 4foreverything
And when you search, the first ones you find are obviously those who work on their personal brand. To what extent is self-promotion something reliable?
It is a good entry filter . You can get to know them through their websites and their social media profiles. Their tone, the content they offer, whether they are dynamic or not. But really everything is detected in the personal treatment . With the first call it will be clear to you if it is a person you can rely on and who will not give you a bad face if you ask for an extra effort. Or, on the contrary, they will give you problems. That is detected immediately. But be careful, social media is essential today . Youtube, LinkedIn, Instagram can be very helpful tools. In addition, often the client himself asks that the speaker have them active and use them to spread information about the event.
But you have to be careful. For example, should you read comments? Yes. Can you trust them 100%? No. You know very well, because it has happened to us, how far the positive reactions of followers on social media can differ from the feelings you have when working with this person.
Networking is great, but not everyone is there. What other ways are there to search? Word of mouth, previous experience, specialized agencies…
Your previous experience helps a lot when choosing speakers for a corporate event. You may have a certain number of options and have made your judgement. But there are thousands of people offering to speak. That's why it's inevitable to use recruitment agencies . The advantage is that they can find profiles with very specific qualities . For example, a start-up founder who talks about AI, but also does so in French... The problem is that, after all, her goal is to sell. And you can't blindly trust her recommendations.