There are several things to consider before you hire a guest speaker for your event. Just because someone has name recognition or is a celebrity, it doesn't mean he or she will be a good match for your audience. Picking the right speaker takes just as much planning and consideration as the catering menu and seating. Here are some tips that might help.
View Previous Speeches
You'll want to view previous talks given by the person you're thinking of hiring. You might find videos online, but if you don't, ask to be mailed or emailed a speech you can watch. Since speakers tend to give the same or similar speeches at various events, this is an excellent way to judge the content and style to see if the speaker is a good match for your group. You'll want the content and tone to match the demographics of your group as well as the event's purpose.
Consider The Cost
You can pay a lot of money for a famous speaker. However, even speakers that seem to have a low fee can cost a lot when you add up all the associated costs. Be sure you know in advance what you must pay for. There might be additional expenses added to the fee later that include transportation, lodging, and meals. While hiring a celebrity makes your group feel special, it doesn't mean you'll have a higher quality speaker. You can also hire local speakers at a more affordable cost and that will eliminate travel and lodging expenses too.
Learn What's Included
Professional speakers are not always as sociable as you might like. Some speakers may charge a set fee based on time. This limits the time allowed for questions and mingling. You might prefer a speaker with more relaxed rules that allow plenty of time for questions from the audience followed by mingling afterward that includes picture taking. The important thing is to know in advance what your speaker is willing to do so your attendees won't be disappointed if they don't get to have a picture taken with the speaker.
Hiring a guest speaker locally, such as from eSpeakers, is easy since you can contact the speaker directly and agree on the terms. However, when you want a well-known speaker, you'll probably need to work with an agency that handles all the details. Working with an agency is easier on both of you. It keeps the speaker from being bothered constantly with information about hosting an event and it gives you access to a larger number of speakers than you could find on your own.
