But often, event organizers miss out on tapping into the true potential of this arrangement, by neglecting one simple aspect of pre-webinar promotions – Creating the perfect speaker bio.
While it may seem like a tiny aspect in an otherwise huge sea of event deliverables, crafting an effective speaker bio can play a pivotal role in attracting audiences and promoting your event’s offerings effectively.
In this blog, we will walk you through all the nuances surrounding this small but important detail of event management. How to write a speaker bio, sample templates for reference, some real-life bios of famous speakers for inspiration, and also where all you can use this write-up to boost webinar promotions.
Read on!
What is a Speaker Bio and Why is it Important?
A speaker bio is a short description of your keynote speaker’s achievements, their experience, and expertise. The purpose of including this is to familiarize prospective attendees with the speakers and to get them excited about attending an event where they can learn from the experts.
In fact, the bio is the first encounter your audience has with the event speaker. A well-written bio piques the audience’s interest in the event and can increase registrations as well as attendance.
How to Write a Speaker Bio that Drives Registrations?
A good speaker bio is one that will attract the desired audience, and create a buzz about your speaker. The following tips will help you write a professional speaker bio.
1. Identify the most impressive details about the Speaker: First, make a list of all the impressive details you want to include about the speaker in the bio. This will inform your audience about them in a way that builds their trust and credibility in the speaker, your event, as well as your brand. Here are some details every bio must include:
- The speaker’s full name
- Education/Qualification
- Number of years of experience
- Worked with (Brand Name)
- Relevant expertise in the field
- Notable accomplishments and achievements
- Current position held
- Niche/area of specialization
- Unique hobbies, and interests outside of professional work
2. Start with a Compelling Hook: The introductory sentence of the speaker bio is crucial to grab the reader’s attention. It sets the tone for the whole bio. Instead of an ordinary introduction, begin the bio with an interesting fact about the speaker to pique the reader’s interest in learning more about them.
3. Structure the Bio Properly: After writing an opening hook, effectively structure the next set of information such as educational background, work experience, and more. Use bullet points and short paragraphs to make it easy for the audience to consume the information.
4. Tailor the Bio to the Audience: Ensure the speaker bio is aligned with the event theme and target audience. For example, if the event theme is “Innovation in Healthcare” then you can highlight the speaker’s groundbreaking research in medical technology or samples of their creative projects.
5. Incorporate Social Credentials: Include any award or recognition the speaker has received in the past. If the speaker has spoken at any reputable organization or event, mention it in the bio to highlight their expertise.
6. Review the Bio: Once you are done with writing the speaker bio, check if there’s anything left to include. Also, check for typos and grammatical errors to ensure it is error-free. Get it reviewed by a trusted source to ensure that the speaker’s bio and its details are effectively presented.
Samples of Speaker Bio
Sample 1
[Speaker Name] is an international motivational speaker, and entrepreneur, as well as the founder & CEO of [Company Name]. He/she is widely recognized as an expert in [industry, field]. [Speaker Name] has been invited to speak at several renowned organizations across the world, including [List of Enterprises Names].
[Speaker Name] holds a Ph.D in Psychology, Communication, and Sociology from Stanford University in the US. He/she has over 30 years of experience as a speaker and entrepreneur. Currently, he/she works at [Company Name] as an [Position Name]. When not speaking, he/she may be found [Hobbies/ Interests].
Sample 2
[Speaker Name] is a global keynote speaker, advisor, and innovation expert. He/she has made an impact in over 25 countries and on 10 million people the world over, as the author of the award-winning and best-selling book: [Book Name & Link].
15 years ago, he/she started out his/her career as a Data analyst. Now, he/she runs his/her own company called [Company Name]. In 2023, he/she was awarded for his/her [Innovative Work]. When he/she is not busy advising companies or motivating people, he/she enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with family.
Sample 3
[Speaker Name] is a leadership expert who delivers high-energy keynote speeches, encouraging audiences to broaden their focus and pay attention to what is most important at work and in life. He/she has over 15 years of mentoring experience.
[Speaker Name] earned his/her MBA from [University/Institute Name] and is a Certified Keynote Speaker from the National Speakers Association. He/she has received multiple honors as a motivational speaker throughout his/her career.
[Speaker Name] is currently the director of [Company Name]. When He/she is not inspiring people, you will find him/her reading books and life journeys of great leaders.
Sample 4
[Speaker Name] is one of the leading corporate presenters, motivational speaker, and orator. He/she has delivered numerous keynotes and has performed at thousands of shows including [List of Enterprises Event Names]. Over the last 20 years of his/her career, he/she has influenced and inspired many lives.
[Speaker Name] has made headlines and graced the stage many times with his inspirational messages. He/she is passionate about serving people and empowering them to overcome challenges and achieve greatness in their fields of work.
When he/she is not changing lives, you will see him/her meditating, gardening, and spending time in nature.
Sample 5
[Speaker Name] is a computer researcher, engineer, and a professor at [Institute/Centre name]. He/she has made several great contributions to the computer science field and received numerous awards for his/her efforts.
His/her speech on the importance of mindset and its role in achieving success is famous worldwide. He/she has dedicated his life to making sure that millions of people worldwide gain access to superior education. When not inspiring future generations, he/she can be found practicing tai-chi, riding a motorcycle, or bird-watching.
Famous Speakers and their Speaker Bios
Bishop T. D. Jakes
Bishop T. D. Jakes is a charismatic leader, visionary, provocative thinker, and entrepreneur who serves as senior pastor of The Potter’s House, a global humanitarian organization and 30,000-member church located in Dallas.
Named “America’s Best Preacher” by Time Magazine and CNN, Jake’s voice reverberates from the world’s most prominent stages from the White House to the Aspen Institute to the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Beyond the pulpit, Jakes’s worldwide impact is also felt through high-profile conference series such as MegaFest which recently drew tens of thousands to Dallas in June 2017, world-renown “Woman Thou Art Loosed” which sells out at every appearance, and the standard-bearer for ecclesial learning, the annual “International Pastors & Leadership” conference.
(Excerpts taken from the official website)
Robert Kiyosaki
“Best known as the author of Rich Dad Poor Dad—the #1 personal finance book of all time—Robert Kiyosaki has challenged and changed the way tens of millions of people around the world think about money. He is an entrepreneur, educator, and investor who believes the world needs more entrepreneurs who will create jobs.”
(Speaker Bio as mentioned on the official website)
Kim Perell
Kim Perell is a CEO, serial entrepreneur, prominent angel investor, and author of two best-selling business books.
Kim has spent the last 20 years starting, scaling, and selling technology companies ranging from $0 to $1B in annual sales. Kim started her first company from her kitchen table when she was 23, and grew it to a $100 million company. She sold her last company for $235 million to Singtel, one of the most prestigious telecommunication companies in the world.
A great believer in paying it forward, Kim loves to help aspiring entrepreneurs and executives. This dedication to empowering the next generation of business leaders is what led her to become an investor in over 100 companies. She’s partnered with Entrepreneur Magazine to create educational courses that over 10,000 business leaders have taken.
Kim devotes her time to helping others achieve their dreams by using her decades of real-life experiences as a blueprint to help others navigate challenges in business and life. The hallmark of her hands-on, informative, and inspiring talks has made her one of the top 50 keynote speakers in the world.
Kim has appeared as a guest on Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Drew Barrymore Show, and CNBC. Kim has been featured on Fox, CNBC, and MSNBC and profiled in CNN Money, The New York Times, Forbes, Inc, and The Huffington Post.
(Excerpts taken from the official website)
Whre Can I Use the Speaker Bio for Maximum Impact?
Whether you’re hosting an online event or an offline one, you can feature the speaker bios in a range of ways:
- Event Website: This is the prime location to mention the speaker bio. Feature the speaker bio on the dedicated event landing page.
- Event Agenda: It is commonplace to include a speaker bio. Insert it into your event calendar to pique attendees’ interest.
- Printed Promotional Materials: Incorporate the speaker bio in printed marketing materials such as flyers, brochures, banners, and other printed materials. This allows audiences to keep the speaker’s profile handy.
- Email Campaign: A speaker bio is one of the most important marketing materials. Include a speaker bio in an email marketing campaign to build the credibility of the email template.
- Social Media: Post your speaker bio on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. This way you can make it easy for your audience to get to know the event speaker and generate excitement about an event.
- Event App: If you have an event app, include speaker bios there as well. It is a convenient way for attendees to learn more about speakers before, during, and after the event.
- Press Releases: If you are issuing a press release about your event, include a brief bio about the speaker. This will assist in getting your event covered by the media effectively.
Conclusion
A speaker bio is a comprehensive overview of the expert’s professional background and areas of specialization. A brief and quick overview of the speaker not only draws the audience’s attention but also raises their interest in taking part in the event.
From making a list of the speaker’s important details and writing a compelling hook to tailoring the bio and including social proof, every component is vital to crafting an appealing speaker bio.
A well-written speaker bio is a kind of marketing effort that can leave a lasting impact on the people you are targeting. When creating one, make sure you highlight the speaker’s qualifications, experience, and expertise.
The right speaker bio will help you build excitement among event audiences, boost registrations, and guarantee your next event will be memorable and successful.
Frequently asked questions
Although there is no set rule for writing a speaker’s bio, keeping it between 100 and 150 words is considered effective, generally.
No, the bio serves to establish a quick, credible, and impressive overview of the speaker, highlighting notable achievements and unique contributions; whereas a resume outlines all details relating to a person’s educational background, professional experience, and more.
