If you’re looking for a keynote speaker for your next event, you’ll want to make sure you choose the right person.
Keynote speakers can set the tone for the entire event. Getting it right is critical to the overall success of your event.
Here are some key qualities of a great keynote speaker….
Articulate
When interviewing for your keynote speaker, you should be able to tell right away whether or not they are a good speaker.
A good speaker is articulate, and seems to find the right words instantly to communicate the message.
Ultimately, as the article, “what makes a great keynote speaker?” looks at, it’s the ability to articulate the message in a clear manner that will be easily understood by the attendees.
Presentable
Your keynote speaker needs to be presentable as far as physical appearance.
Unfortunately, society does judge others on appearance. If you are putting on a conference about fitness products, your keynote speaker needs to be in good physical shape.
Even if they are a past Olympian, if they’ve let themselves go, they won’t be a good spokesperson for your company.
You don’t need a beauty contestant, but a general modicum of physical health is desirable in a person who is going to be delivering the keynote speech at a corporate event.
Respectful
Your keynote speaker should be a person who respects your organization and what it stands for.
They should be able to address your attendees in a respectful fashion, and embody the ideals that your organization holds dear. Even if they are experts in their field, if they cannot speak to your group in a respectful manner, they wouldn’t be an ideal candidate.
For example, you’d be surprised at how many experts on matters that interest women, such as childcare and gardening, don’t actually respect the women who engage in those activities.
Well-Known
The best keynote speaker would be one who can lend an air of authority to your event.
If they are well-known in their field, you will likely get a lot more attendees to your event than if you hire a keynote speaker whom no one has ever heard of. The value of a well-known keynote speaker is immense.
They can advertise their upcoming keynote address, and perhaps bring in more attendees than you would have otherwise had. A well-known keynote speaker can also breed excitement about the event.
When people who are on the fence about attending your event see who is delivering the keynote speech, they may be more likely to sign up just to see their favorite motivational speaker, celebrity or what not.
Responsible
Once you hire a keynote speaker, you want to be able to cross that task safely off your list.
You never want to have to worry that the keynote speaker won’t show up or will forget. If your keynote speaker is a celebrity, they could potentially be someone less than plugged in to the conventional world where people have to be a certain place at a specific time.
Your choice for keynote speaker should be a person with a responsible attitude to their commitments.
Keynote speakers can often make or break the success of an event.
Choose wisely and carefully, and sit back and enjoy the speech.
Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com
About the Author: Kate Supino writes extensively about best business practices.
