Speakers are a vital component to any event – and can be one of the most difficult. Finding enough speakers to fill your agenda is one thing; finding the right speakers is another. The typical call for papers is a common method of finding speakers, but can often attract the same group of speakers in your market and can lead to stale content. So how do you find a new, robust pool of potential speakers who are engaging, knowledgeable, and available?
Identify Your Needs for a Speaker – Motivational, Inspirational, Keynote
Discuss the importance of identifying the right speaker for your target audience before offering ideas of where to search.
1 – Search Speaker Presentations on Slideshare
Use keywords to find presentations delivered on similar topics. You’ll get a preview of how they present their ideas as well as a shortlist of speaker names. Then take those names and search for them on YouTube or Google to see them in action.
2 – Search Blogs & Industry Publications
Using your topics, add “blog” to your search terms and find out who’s been blogging on your topics of interest. This is a great way of finding speakers who may not be in the “circuit” and over-used. BuzzSumo can help you find publications in your industry with guest bloggers or authors who could be speaker candidates.
3 – Search LinkedIn Groups or Quora Threads for Potential Speakers Answering Questions
You may find potential speakers answering questions your audience might ask in new and exciting ways.
4 – Search Followerwonk Bios for Professionals in the Industry
FollowerWonk is a search engine of Twitter biographies. Look for topics, or key terms that might appear in your ideal speaker’s job description.
5 – Tap into Industry Influencers
You can find influential people in your market space or topic area who are highly active on social media – and who might draw a large audience. Search BlueNod for influencers using particular hashtags on Twitter.
6 – Look to your alumni
Are there attendees who have attended every year? They might make great speakers because they clearly love your event.
7 – Turn to the pros
Try the National Speakers Association or Speaker Match for professional speakers. Speaker Match allows you to post a request for speakers for your event. Toastmasters and certified speaker’s organizations like National Speakers Bureau or National Speakers Association have local chapters where you can search for certified speakers.
8 – Consider a Speaker Bureau
Business professionals join Chambers to increase visibility for their business or brand and could be good sources for speakers in your area.
9 – Try the local university
Professors often make excellent speakers because they are knowledgeable and articulate.
Tapping into a variety of sources for speakers will help you get fresh, on-point speakers for your event to deliver engaging content your attendees will love.
Once you’ve got your line-up set, explore Attendee Interactive’s dynamic administrative portal where event planners and administrators can manage their program information and event content with ease.
