The 3 Things to Look for When Booking a Virtual Keynote Speaker

Let’s be honest – the conferences and events of 2020 have NOT been the kind we were hoping for. But while Covid-19 has capsized in-person gatherings, it’s never been more necessary to boost morale, inspire individuals and build a stronger team. Many conferences and events have transitioned online, and keynote presentations are still an integral part with the understanding that smart, charismatic speakers have the power to inspire across the digital divide. But booking the perfect keynote speaker is a daunting challenge at the best of times. So how do you know who’ll be the best speaker to add value to your virtual or hybrid event and bring your digital experience to life? Here are 3 things to consider.

1. Do they understand your audience?

Research and aligning the message is always crucial to delivering the best keynote experience . Speakers must know the theme and topics to be covered within the context of attendees’ needs, obstacles and goals – and plan their key take-aways accordingly. Creating connection is vital and while speakers won’t be on the exact same journey as their audience, their job is to use their own stories to highlight common ground – the challenges, fears and driving forces – and in doing so, help us access and implement the secrets to our own success.

2. Can they keep your audience engaged?

Event attendees want experiences not lectures. Never has this been more true than when they’re heavy with video conference fatigue, sitting on their bed with the Zoom shirt on top and the pjs down below. Moving to virtual means more distractions for audiences and less scope for speakers to create engagement through eye contact and body language, but that doesn’t mean they can’t keep audiences on the edge of their seat. A great virtual keynote speaker will use strategic virtual engagement techniques that break through the screen to establish connection. They’ll get creative with virtual icebreakers, energisers and interactive tools like chat boxes, slack rooms, gamification, surveys and polls, plus this is where self-deprecating humour comes into its’ own. In short, the best keynote speakers join the dots to bring faraway people right into the room, making attendees feel unified and part of a bigger whole.

3. Will they inspire your audience to action?

Your audience needs to feel connected, entertained and engaged but let’s not forget the goal of any great keynote presentation – turning inspiration into action. A good speaker will take your theme or message, add their special sauce and stories, and deliver it with the kind of power that will leave audiences inspired to rethink their daily challenges. But a great speaker, whether an athlete, broadcaster, entrepreneur or adventurer , will also provide actionable insights into the evolution of their own experience and share real life strategies that attendees can put into practice straight away.