The main objectives of a guest speaker are to engage with other speakers, host the event, and bring a fresh perspective to the discussions.
So, a speaker is an expert on a specific subject and is very important for the success of the event, as attendees are going to listen to and interact with speakers only.
What characteristics distinguish an outstanding guest speaker?
There are some characteristics that a guest speaker should have, like:
Scheduling in advance:
Competent guest speakers should schedule their appearance well in advance.
Early scheduling allows for better event preparation and promotion.
Body Language Awareness:
Pay attention to body language during a webinar.
Posture is essential; sit or stand comfortably with good posture.
Eye contact illusion:
In webinars, direct eye contact with the camera is crucial.
It creates the illusion of making real eye contact with the audience.
Test Run Preparation:
Conduct a test run with the webinar crew before the event.
Familiarise the guest speaker with the webinar platform.
Use the test run to ease any nervousness and establish rapport.
Before a presentation, it can also be used to break the ice and ease any nervousness.
How should you choose a guest speaker?
When it comes to selecting a guest speaker for your corporate event, you need to look into several things such as their skills, expertise, speaking style, years of speaking, and more. Because it is one of the main factors in the overall success of the event. You are taking an important step towards a successful and memorable event so there are a few things you should look out for in choosing an ideal guest speaker.
- Define the Event Objective: First of all, define the primary objective of your program. Ask yourself whether you want to inspire, entertain, or educate your audience on a specific topic. When you have a clear goal for the event, it ensures that you and the speaker both have a common understanding of the event’s purpose.
- Consider Budget: Every program has a budget, and if it exceeds it, financial difficulties may arise. High-profile speakers have high fees and are sometimes unaffordable so when choosing a speaker, ensure it fits into your budget.
- Do Research on Potential Speakers: Start with thorough research to choose the speaker that you want and will meet all your needs. See how much the speaker charges per session. Consider their speaking way, knowledge, and experience before negotiating rates with them.
How to research speaker
- Explore platforms like SpeakerHub to discover potential speakers and their profiles
- Visit the speaker’s website and get in-depth details about them
- Connect with speakers on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook to learn more about their experience and expertise
- Watch video clips of their past speeches on YouTube to assess their speaking style, the art of engaging people, and more
- Check the types of events they have spoken at (corporate events, conferences, seminars)
- Read testimonials from past attendees
- Contact Them: Reach out to speakers via email or phone call. Clearly tell the speaker about the purpose of your event, when and on which day it will take place, who is the target audience, etc. Also, explain how they fit in your event objective and how speaking at your event can benefit them.
Types of Guest Speakers
1. Paid guest speakers
These guest speakers are compensated for their time, expertise, and presentation. They are typically professionals and renowned faces in their field. The compensation can vary depending on various factors, like speaker reputation, the event’s prestige, and more.
2. Free guest speakers
Such speakers are willing to offer their time and knowledge without charging any fee. Free guest speakers are significantly benefiting small businesses, new companies, or companies with budget constraints.
There can be instances where mutual collaborations happen, benefiting both parties without directly involving monetary aspects.
3. Panel guest speakers
Panel guest speakers or panelists are generally made of a group of 3-5 experts. They participate in discussions, share their experience on the subject, and often engage with audiences, addressing their questions and doubts. These speakers can be paid or free.
4. Keynote guest speaker
Keynote guest speakers are usually the most prominent speakers, delivering the main address and setting the tone or central theme at an event. These individuals are well-respected and popular for their ability to inspire, motivate, or inform audiences.
5. Celebrity public speakers
Celebrity speakers are actors, athletes, or famous public figures who often engage in public speaking efforts. These celebrities are often invited as guest speakers to a variety of events.
6. Subject-matter experts
These guest speakers are experts in particular fields or targeted topics.
For example,
Cyber security guest speaker
Specializes in digital security, cyber security risks & threats, and prevention strategies.
Content creators and influencers
Share insights and strategies to enhance personal branding, content strategy, and audience following. Many of such individuals are also industry experts across various fields.
Motivational guest speakers
Focuses on inspiring and motivating audiences with the help of their own life-changing experiences, challenges faced, and coping strategies.
How do I approach a guest speaker?
- Determine the requirements for your event. Determine the goal, date, and topic of the event. Determine the sort of speaker you need by considering their experience and relevance to your audience.
- Create a Speaker Profile: Write a clear and succinct speaker profile that includes event information, expectations, and any potential pay or incentives.
- Determine Potential Event Speakers: Conduct research and compile a list of potential speakers who fulfil the event’s objectives. Personal relationships, industry referrals, and online databases are all possibilities.
- Contact potential event speakers: Reach out to potential event speakers by email, phone, or professional social networks. Explain the purpose of your event, the date, the attendees, and the type of speaker you’re searching for.
- Provide specific information. Share event details such as venue, time, duration, audience number, and any technological needs. Outline your expectations for the speaker, including the format (keynote, workshop, panel), topic, and any materials they need to prepare.
- Discuss compensation and logistics. With the speaker, negotiate compensation, costs, and other agreements. Ascertain that you both have a shared knowledge of your travel, lodging, and audiovisual equipment requirements. If required, draft a contract.
- Promote the event: Once the speaker has been confirmed, use their name and reputation to draw a wider crowd.
- Follow-Up and Preparation: Communicate often with the speaker in the run-up to the event. Share any updates or changes, and make sure they have all they need for a successful presentation.
- Thank the speaker for their participation and, if required, provide comments or assessments following the session. Keep a good attitude in order to collaborate in the future.
Remember that an orderly and courteous invitation procedure boosts your chances of getting an interesting guest speaker for your event. We welcome you to contribute your important views, experiences, and knowledge to help us develop our online community.
What is the Purpose of Inviting Guest Speakers to Corporate Gatherings?
One of the great ways to make a corporate event more prestigious is to invite a guest speaker to speak at an event. Guest speakers not only bring fresh perspectives to discussion but also increase the appeal and enhance the credibility of a program. This person is not part of the event’s production staff, but their subject matter expertise qualifies them to speak on stage.
Let’s understand the aims of inviting guest speakers to corporate gatherings.
- Inspires and Motivates Attendees: Guest speakers have the power to attract attendees through their personal stories, and experiences, leaving a lasting impact.
Their knowledge and valuable insights can spark new ideas and bring fresh perspectives to the event. Plus, their enthusiasm and passion for their work can motivate people to pursue their goals and objectives.
Whether it’s a keynote speaker, celebrity speaker, or a subject matter expert, the presence of a guest speaker can elevate the overall experience and leave a lasting impact on attendees. - Enhances Event Credibility: Guest speakers add value and credibility to the overall program through their expertise and reputation. Their appearance makes the event more important and worth paying attention to.
By bringing such influencers to the event, you establish yourself as a trusted source of information which helps build strong relationships with a target audience. After all, the presence of an esteemed guest speaker really transforms an ordinary event into one that people will remember. - Drives Engagement and Participation: High-profile speakers can significantly increase the engagement and participation levels of attendees through their unique perspectives, and inspirational speeches, as well as sharing real-life experiences.
When attendees see that a respected industry leader is on stage to speak, they pay attention and listen carefully. Guest speakers engage with attendees through Q&A sessions or panel discussions, encouraging them to ask questions freely and get responses. - Educates and Upskills Employees: Guest speakers will play a vital role in educating and upskilling employees. By providing specialized industrial knowledge and skills, subject matter experts (SMEs) can help employees become highly skilled in their fields.
Plus, they will help keep employees up-to-date on industry best practices, the latest trends, emerging technologies, and more, making them ahead of the curve.
Be it technical workshops, leadership seminars, or anything else, guest speakers can help employees develop new capabilities, improve their performance, and advance their careers. Experts in the field can eventually promote a mindset of lifelong learning which is crucial for employee growth.
- Boost Event Attendance: Having a special guest speaker can brighten up the program and draw in more people. Since a well-known or respected speaker is known for attracting a larger pool of attendees.
When the audience knows that a well-known speaker will be speaking at the event, they are more likely to attend the event, which increases the event attendance rate.
Additionally, a guest speaker himself/herself creates buzz and excitement through social media and word of mouth that further increases your event’s reach and attracts potential attendees to the event.
The Impact of Guest Speakers at Corporate Events
A guest speaker plays a huge role in this competitive world. They actually have the potential to change the business landscape. Guest speakers aren’t just brilliant speakers, they are influential agents who can change the attitudes and perceptions of the audience and society through their extraordinary speeches in the program. Moreover, a guest speaker will add glamor to the program and enhance its prestige.
Event speakers inspire transformation on both a personal and corporate level which makes your event more energetic, engaging, optimistic, and productive as they navigate through motivational, inspirational, and personal narratives. By bringing fresh perspectives and unique insights, guest speakers add some kind of thrill to business gatherings. Their expertise and experience captivate the audience, pique their curiosity, and naturally stimulate their thinking.
A guest speaker, whether a famous industry leader, inspiring motivational, or thought-provoking academic can leave a lasting impression by elevating the intellectual level of an event. By sharing inspirational stories, practical advice, and humorous anecdotes, guest speakers will inspire the attendees, resulting in a memorable experience for all.
FAQs
A visiting speaker is an external expert or industry professional who is invited at the event to deliver a keynote, talk, presentation, or lecture. A guest speaker can also be addressed as a visiting speaker.
There are several factors that can affect the payment requirement of your guest speaker, such as reputation, experience & expertise, designation, event duration & standard, and travel expenses (if any).
To show appreciation for guest speaker, you can:
- Show special recognition or public acknowledgement during promotions and events
- Bestow the guest speakers of your event a gift
- Extend a formal thank-you letter
- Offer an invitation for upcoming events relevant to speakers
A guest of honor is usually given special recognition at the event and stays at an event for a shorter period of time.
On the other hand, a guest speaker is a subject-matter expert who takes hold of the entire event as a primary speaker and presenter, addressing the central idea of the topic and engaging with the audience.
You need to book an event speaker 2-3 months in advance. This will allow enough time to confirm the speaker’s availability on your preferred date & time and increase your chances of securing your desired speaker. If you plan to invite a celebrity speaker, book 6 to 8 months in advance, as their schedules are very busy.
- Encourage the keynote speaker to share their personal stories and real-life examples.
- Allow attendees to communicate with guest speakers.
- Encourage the audience to submit their questions.
- Encourage the guest lecturer to divide the attendees into two groups to have a brief discussion on a specific topic.
- Request the guest presenter to pose a riddle, question, or challenge to the audience and ask them to figure it out within a specific time limit.
Inviting several guest speakers will enrich your corporate event with diverse perspectives and expertise as well as greatly enhance the credibility of the program. However, the participation of multiple speakers can lead to information overload and increase the overall cost of the event.
The role of guest speakers includes:
- Energizing and inspiring the crowd
- Reinforcing key event themes
- Entertaining, educating, and engaging the guest
- Driving positive change in attendees
- Bringing fresh perspectives on event-related topics
- Using storytelling to connect with the audience on an emotional level
