How to Hire a Speaker

By Blaze Driscoll, BSSW, CH

Hiring a speaker for your event can be a daunting task.  There are many ways to find a speaker.  You may go through a speakers bureau or an agency.  They have screened the speakers they represent and will be able to match up a speaker with your event.  If you do not wish to go through an agency or bureau, speakers can be found in the phone book and on the web.

Another good source for finding a speaker is to ask your fellow colleagues in other companies or associations who they have used in the past.  Using these four tips can help you find a professional corporate speaker who will help contribute to the success of your event.

1.  When initially contacting your prospective speaker, have the date of your event and an estimate of your speaking budget.  Be ready to discuss your budget with the speaker.  You can waste significant time considering a speaker and requesting promotional materials only to find out that they are out of your budget or unavailable the date of your event.

2.  Upon first contact, make sure the speaker is “corporate friendly.”  By corporate friendly I mean no racial, sexual or religious material in their
speech.  A good corporate speaker will have a list of corporate clients he has serviced, and will also have letters of recommendation from corporate clients that should be included in the promotional packet they send to you.

3.  Discuss your goals for the event with your prospective speaker.  Be willing to openly discuss the event, including the agenda, awards ceremonies, where it will be held, the number of people attending, and most importantly, what objectives you want their services to accomplish.  A professional speaker will analyze your event and determine if they feel they can help you meet those objectives.

4.  After following the above guidelines, if you feel your prospective speaker may be a good match for your event, request promotional material.  You should receive the material within a few days of your request.  The promotional material should provide further details into the programs they offer and provide references you may contact.

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Blaze Driscoll is the Owner of Band of Gold. He is an entertainer and speaker who often times combines pragmatic content with engaging audience participation.  He helps organizations create successful meetings and banquets with “a wonderful combination of education and entertainment”.  For additional information, visit www.blazedriscoll.com.