When you are looking for a keynote speaker you want to be certain they will effectively deliver the message you need to communicate. Here are a few tips on what to look for when hiring your keynote speaker.
Understanding your Needs
It is very important to find a keynote speaker who will be sensitive to the needs of your event. A good speaker will listen to the purpose of their attendance in order to present a speech that will communicate the message you need delivered. Are you focused on motivation? Do you wish to encourage healthier living? Is it a speech about stress relief? A well focused speaker will keep their speech on track and provide the information and inspiration you require for your specific group’s needs.
Your Audience
Much like a speaker must understand your needs, they must also understand the audience. For example the needs of a group of graduates will be very different from the needs of a sales group who has lost their motivation. A good keynote speaker will ask questions about your audience and prepare appropriate content and the right approach to get their message across effectively.
Entertaining
Nothing is worse than hiring a keynote speaker only to discover they are droning on endlessly and losing their audience. Ask for video presentations of previous speeches to ensure you are not hiring someone who lacks an element of entertainment. That is not to say you want them to be all laughs if you need them to get their message across. It just means they must have the art of oration to engage their audience and inspire.
Words not Gimmicks
The purpose of a keynote speaker is of course to speak. Make sure the person you hire is not too caught up in trying to use graphs, charts and A/V equipment as part of their presentation. In fact, make sure they know it is not a presentation, but a speech. They are two very different things. Words and speaking skills are the only tools needed for a good keynote speaker.
Insight
Perhaps more important than anything, is insight. Someone who knows of what they speak is someone who has experienced things first hand. Hire a keynote speaker who is intimately knowledgeable and can tell stories that will resonate with the audience.
Dr. Sanjay Jain, MD, MBA Board Certified physician and author of Optimal Living 360 is also a keynote speaker who customizes his message to suit the needs of his audience. To invite Dr. Jain, please visit Sanjayjainmd.com.
