Choosing a keynote speaker for your company's event can be a terrifying task. The wrong motivational speaker can make your event fall flat, leaving you with bored employees who go back to the office less motivated than when they started. Doing a little research and planning ahead of time can go a long way towards creating a memorable experience.
Setting Goals
The first thing to do is set a goal for the speech. What do you want your keynote speaker to accomplish during their time on stage? Remember, they'll only be talking for a relatively short amount of time, so you'll want someone who can grab the audience's attention quickly and hold it. Is the perfect keynote speaker an expert in your field or a professional motivation speaker?
An expert in your field might know everything about your industry, but may not hold your employees' attention during the speech. A professional motivational speaker is usually the best bet. They'll be able to tailor their message directly to your company, while using proven techniques to engage the audience.
Establishing Your Message Beforehand
It's important to establish your message before choosing a keynote speaker. What's the main topic of the event? If your employees are feeling overwhelmed and over-tasked, find a motivational speaker who specializes in how to help employees prioritize and let go of tension, without feeling as if they need an extra four hours every day. If employee morale and teamwork is at an all time low, consider a keynote speaker that focuses on improving communication between employees.
Do you want an accomplished storyteller? How about someone who injects a little humor into their message? An established keynote speaker will know how to grab an audience's attention and keep it, all while entertaining and teaching. Just like kids in school, adults learn best when they're enjoying themselves. Is your motivational speaker quick on their feet?
Your program will fall flat if the speaker can't recognize a drop in attention. Are they able to quickly change direction if what they're doing isn't working? Ask these questions and interview candidates beforehand to get a good idea of who you are hiring.
Budget
Money talks. The best keynote speaker in the world may be out of reach if their fee exceeds your budget. Don't be afraid to talk to them. A good motivational speaker wants to help, that's why they do what they do. If your company's budget falls short, ask what can be done. Usually, a motivational speaker will have some ideas on how to make their services affordable.
Is there another company that you could share expenses with? Do they have any sponsors or advertisers willing to pitch in for some publicity? Will local companies get a break since there's no travel time? Can your keynote speaker also act as your event's MC, eliminating the need for two paid speakers? Don't be afraid to ask for help or ideas!
Using these few guidelines, choosing a motivational speaker for your event will be a simple, easy process and will leave your employees with a new found spring in their step.
Related Articles
4 Strategies A Professional Motivational Speaker Uses To Inspire Employees
By: Christine Harrell | 09/06/2008 | Motivational
If employee morale at your company is at an all time low, it may be time to think about hiring a keynote speaker to motivate employees. There are many topics an experienced motivational speaker can talk about and the speaker chosen to motivate your employees should have a variety of topics proven to inspire.
3 Strategies For Motivating Employees And Increasing Productivity
By: Christine Harrell | 09/06/2008 | Motivational
There's a simple secret all businesses need to learn in order to increase sales and productivity. Happy, motivated employees are good employees. Most of the time, it doesn't even matter what the job is or what the company does. If employees are motivated and feel like they're taken care of by management, the company's productivity increases.
By: | 31/12/1969 |
Speaking to Motivate and Inspire Audiences (article Three)
By: John Bell | 30/01/2008 | Ask an Expert
In this the third article in the series professional, motivational conference speaker John Bell share some of his top tips on visual aids that helped make him one of the most popular speakers on the conference speaker circuit.
John describes some of the dangers associated with graphs.
The Power Of Networking
By: Sharif Khan | 21/10/2006 | Affiliate Programs
"If you don't network, you don't get work.
Law Of Success: Part II
By: Sharif Khan | 13/07/2007 | Self Help
Welcome to the second part of this special three part series commemorating the 21st Century Edition of Napoleon Hill's landmark work, "Law of Success," in which he reveals 17 Principles of Success based on his 25 years of research studying the lives of over 500 of the world's greatest achievers....
Law Of Success: Part III
By: Sharif Khan | 13/07/2007 | Self Help
Welcome to the conclusion of this special three part series commemorating the 21st Century Edition of Napoleon Hill's landmark work, "Law of Success," which reveals 17 Principles of Success that can help take your career and life to the next level. These are proven principles based on Hill's 25 years...
How to Have the Habit of Success – Ten Top Tips
By: John Bell | 22/01/2008 | Motivational
Keynote, motivational, conference speaker John Bell travels the world inspiring audiences to achieve success in their personal and professional life. In this article he shares some of the secrets from his very popular How to Have the Habit of Success presentation.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Motivational Articles
Achieve the Life You Desire With the Universal Law of Attraction
By: Danette Hibberd | 21/08/2008
If you find that something is missing in your life then you just might have found the answer here. Universal laws govern the universe and these basic principles of life have been around since the very onset of creation itself.
Supporting Those Who Support Others
By: Catherine Harvey | 21/08/2008
A look at how charities, with the support of larger corporations, help disadvantaged and disabled children to have a better quality of life.
Mastering Your Mind Power: are Affirmations Really True?
By: Harold L Lowe | 20/08/2008
Affirmations are as true as the seeds you plant in your garden. Even though you cannot physically see the fruits of your labor immediately, you know that a harvest already pre-exists in the seeds.
You Can Make Social Security Obsolete
By: Robert | 20/08/2008
Learn how to create your own financial nest egg and retire early with easy to use principles that are changing peoples lives.
Positive Expectancy - the Mindset of Achievers
By: David Schaefer | 20/08/2008
An absolutely crucial ingredient toward the accomplishment of any worthwhile endeavor is the mindset that you can and will achieve the results you want. The person who practices the attitude of positive expectancy has a greater likelihood of achieving desired results than the individual who even unintentionally acts with negative expectancy.
Self-motivation – Set the Foundation
By: David Schaefer | 20/08/2008
How to get motivated and stay motivated is a fascinating and powerful topic that, when understood and properly implemented, can positively change the course of one’s results. Mindset is 99% of the necessary action.
Visualizing Accelerates Goal Achievement
By: David Schaefer | 20/08/2008
The use of visualization is one of the most effective ways to accelerate the achievement of a goal, but it is probably the most under-utilized success tool available. In a Harvard study, researchers discovered that students who visualized in advance of anticipated tasks performed with nearly 100% accuracy when tested.
Positive Self-talk is an Effective Success Tool
By: David Schaefer | 20/08/2008
For practically every habit you want to change, you can create a better, more productive Self-Talk that will advance desired change and results. Learn how to properly feed your brain with right thoughts and words, and you will discover a powerful method for positively impacting your life forever.
More from Christine Harrell
California Court Reporters Encouraged by Job Prospects
By: Christine Harrell | 14/08/2008 | Careers
California has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation and state residents are looking for new career opportunities. They want jobs that are in high demand with long-term growth potential. There is good news for residents of California. Court reporters have more job opportunities than ever and a recent federal study backs this up.
What Are Triglycerides And How Do They Affect The Human Body
By: Christine Harrell | 11/08/2008 | Supplements and Vitamins
For anyone keeping track of their heart health, the word "triglycerides" has probably come up. Triglycerides are necessary to maintain an adequate level of health, but having too much is not good. When this happens, you can lower triglycerides naturally with vegetarian Omega 3 and Microalgae oil.
Fitting Effective Exercise Into A Busy Lifestyle
By: Christine Harrell | 11/08/2008 | Sports and Fitness
In today's busy lifestyles, getting rock hard abs and a beautifully toned body is one of those items that keeps getting bumped to the bottom of your to do list. After all, who has the large amounts of time and money to invest in a gym membership?
The Controversy Over Home Drug Tests For Teens: Will Your Child Need Inpatient Drug Rehab?
By: Christine Harrell | 11/08/2008 | Health
Stores are now selling a home drug test for parents who are inches away from calling an inpatient drug rehab center because they suspect their children are using drugs.
Getting A Loved One To Accept Long Term Drug Rehab: Preparing For The Intervention
By: Christine Harrell | 11/08/2008 | Health
An intervention is a scary and sad reality of drug abuse, but necessary in many instances. Many drug abusers won't check themselves into a long term drug rehab program without being forced to make a few decisions.
Where To Buy East European Real Estate
By: Christine Harrell | 11/08/2008 | Real Estate
Now is proving to be an ideal time to buy real estate in Eastern Europe. The current East European real estate prices are affordable, yet home values are increasing at a pace that makes a house or apartment a legitimate investment property.
What is the Difference Between a State Funded and a Private Drug Rehab?
By: Christine Harrell | 07/08/2008 | Health
Is it worth it to invest thousands of dollars on a treatment program when the state offers rehabilitation for free? Maybe we should try a state funded program first and if that doesn't work then we can try a private pay program.
Preparing The Essentials For A Preschool Homeschool
By: Christine Harrell | 07/08/2008 | Homeschooling
So, you've decided your going to home school right from the beginning! But, what do you need? Where do you start? Well, to be honest, every homeschooler will say something a bit different when answering these questions.
Self Improvement 
