The success of any event rests on the speaker.

Whether it’s a corporate seminar, charity fundraiser or high profile conference, the right speaker will captivate your audience, deliver your key messages and lift the whole experience. But picking the perfect speaker isn’t as easy as choosing a name from a list. It takes planning, research and alignment with your event goals. Here’s how to choose the right speaker for your event.

Set Your Event Goals

Before you even start looking for a speaker, take time to define what you want your event to achieve. Your goals will be the foundation for choosing someone whose expertise and style matches your objectives.

Ask Yourself: What Do You Want the Speaker to Do?

• Educate: Is it a professional development event where attendees need practical takeaways?
• Motivate: Do you want to inspire your team or audience to do something or take on new challenges?
• Entertain: Is it to create a fun experience for your audience?

For example a corporate leadership summit might need a motivational speaker to inspire attendees to think strategically. A charity gala might require an engaging storyteller to connect with the audience and get them to donate.

Know Your Audience

Your audience is the core of your event. To choose the right speaker you need to know who will be attending and what they want from the experience.

Think About:

• Demographics: What’s the age range, profession and cultural background of your audience? These will impact the speaker’s relevance and appeal.
• Interests: Are your attendees looking for technical expertise, inspirational stories or light-hearted entertainment?
• Experience Level: For industry specific events consider whether your audience are beginners or experts. A highly technical presentation may resonate with the latter but confuse the former.

By matching the speaker’s content and style to your audience you’ll increase the chances of a great experience.

Research Speakers

Now you’ve defined your goals and audience, start researching speakers who match these. It can feel overwhelming but with a process you’ll get through it.

Where to Start:

• Speaker Bureaus: Professional agencies have a vast network and can recommend speakers based on your specific requirements. They also handle the logistics making it easier.
• Online Platforms: Many speakers have websites, videos and testimonials showcasing their expertise and delivery style.
• Personal Recommendations: Ask colleagues, industry peers or professional networks for referrals. First hand experiences are gold when assessing potential speakers.

As you narrow down your list look for speakers who have experience in your event niche. For example a tech conference might need an industry innovator, a charity fundraiser might need a motivational speaker known for their humanitarian work.

Check the Speaker’s Expertise and Style

Not all speakers are suited to every event. To make sure your choice is right for your event evaluate the following:

Key Points:

1.   Experience: Look for a track record. Have they spoken at similar events before? Do they have a history of delivering great presentations?
2.   Presentation Style: Watch videos of their previous talks to get a sense of their delivery style. Are they engaging, dynamic and relatable?
3.   Relevance: Does their expertise match your event theme and goals? A speaker may be great but if their content isn’t relevant the audience won’t connect.

Look at how the speaker interacts with the audience in the videos. Do they try to engage with the attendees, answer questions or personalise their delivery?

Budget and Logistics

Your budget will impact your speaker choice but remember this is an investment in the success of your event. When budgeting consider not only the speaker’s fee but also:

• Travel and Accommodation: Will the speaker need flights, hotel stays or transportation?
• Technical Requirements: Do they need specific audiovisual setups or equipment?
• Customisation Fees: Some speakers charge extra for adapting their presentation to your event needs.

Plan ahead to avoid last minute costs. Working with a speaker bureau can also help you find someone who fits within your budget and meets your event goals.

Communicate with the Speaker

Now you’ve chosen your speaker, clear communication is key.

Give a Clear Brief

Include:

• Event goals and audience profile.
• Event theme or purpose.
• Key messages or topics you want the speaker to cover.
• Logistical details like timing, venue and technical setup.

Pre-Event Call

This is an opportunity to confirm expectations, answer questions and make sure the speaker understands your event vision.

Don’t Forget

• Choosing Based on Name Alone: A big name doesn’t guarantee a good fit. Relevance and alignment with your event goals are just as important.
• Ignoring Audience Feedback: Even the most skilled speaker will struggle to engage an audience if their content doesn’t connect.
• Skipping the Vetting Process: Always check testimonials, videos and references to make sure the speaker meets your expectations.

Speaker Bureaus

Working with a speaker bureau or agency can make the whole process easier. They have the expertise and network to connect you with speakers who meet your needs. They also handle logistics, contracts and scheduling so you save time and effort.

Get the Most from the Speaker

A good speaker does more than deliver a talk—they create an experience. To get the most from them:

• Add Interactive Elements: Include Q&A, workshops or meet-and-greets to deepen audience engagement.
• Promote Their Presence: Use the speaker’s involvement to boost pre-event marketing through social media, email and press releases.
• Get Feedback: Post-event surveys can help you measure the speaker’s impact and identify areas to improve for future events.

About the Author

CSA Celebrity Speakers

Since 1983 CSA Celebrity Speakers has been matching organisations with the most famous and talented people on the planet. As a leading speaker bureau we specialise in finding exceptional speakers to motivate, educate, inspire and transform your audience.

With over 40 years of experience and the largest global network we pride ourselves on finding the perfect speaker to wow your audience and deliver long term results. Our expert consultants have deep industry knowledge and a passion for excellence so every speaker we suggest is right for your event.

At CSA Celebrity Speakers we believe in the magic of shared knowledge to power organisations and their people. More than just finding you a great speaker we want to make your event life changing. Let us help you create moments that will change the way people think and drive real change.