Choosing the right guest speakers is key to virtual event success. Whether they are industry experts, popular podcast hosts, or influential coaches, the right speakers can help create meaningful engagement for your audience.
Big names are important, but they are only relevant if they align with the goals and intent of your virtual event. Infuse gamification or launch live polls that ask compelling questions to reduce the risk of attendees’ attention wandering.
Reputation
It should go without saying that reputation is key. A speaker with a strong following can draw attendees even before they hit the virtual stage. But don’t be blinded by popularity and focus on content; it is more important for event success.
Look for speakers who understand and support your event tone during selection. You want to avoid hiring experts in economics, logistics, geopolitics, hospitality, or events organizing that need the right know-how for your event.
It would help if you also asked potential speakers about their previous experiences in virtual presentations. This will give you a better idea of how comfortable they are with digital technology and if they can perform without immediate feedback from audience members. If they are not, this is a red flag that your virtual event will be difficult for them to pull off. Also, be sure to ask for video references and if they are willing to participate in virtual run-throughs with the production team before your event begins.
Experience
An online conference’s success or failure often depends on the choice of speakers. An online guest speaking should be able to relate to and captivate audiences to achieve conference goals. This often calls for flawless pace, storytelling prowess, and the capacity to combine key accomplishments, terminologies, and industry buzzwords.
It’s also a good idea to assess their experience with virtual events. Virtual platforms such as Zoom are very different from traditional conferences, and you should ensure that the speaker is comfortable navigating the platform to keep track of sessions.
Similarly, it would help to look at how well the speaker interacts with the audience in real time. Do they research the attendees, ask relevant questions and take note of comments? This is a sign that the speaker will go above and beyond to tailor their presentation for your virtual event. This skill is essential for speakers, who are often asked to present to multiple audiences with varying interests and backgrounds. This is especially true for virtual conferences where the speakers may have a global audience.
Relevance
The content of your guest speaker segment should be highly relevant to your event and its attendees. For example, choosing a thought leader in their industry will make your audience feel like they are getting a unique insight into an issue that affects them.
When searching for the best online guest speakers to present at your virtual event, it is also important to consider their comfort in presenting virtually. Some people have much experience presenting on stage in person but may need to be more comfortable doing the same in a virtual setting. Ask them to describe how they would approach a presentation for an online audience and ask to see some examples of past presentations that they have given online.
Also, ask whether they are comfortable using the platform’s chat feature to answer attendees’ questions. This will give you an idea of how much interaction they will likely have with your audience during their talk. This aspect of a virtual event can irk attendees if not done properly, so it’s worth ensuring your speakers are comfortable with this technology before booking them.
Flexibility
A good virtual speaker will be flexible enough to fit your event’s format and content. They should be able to present as part of a panel discussion, interview session, single presenter or multiple presenters, Q&A sessions, and more. Ensure your guests get the most out of your speakers by engaging them with questions and polls throughout the forum and asking for feedback after each presentation.
Choosing the right virtual speaker for your event will also depend on the industry knowledge they have about your key themes and audience. For example, if your audience is aspiring entrepreneurs, you will want to choose a well-known speaker for being an entrepreneur or for their work in helping young entrepreneurs.
Your budget will also influence the type of speaker you can hire. Many speakers have a fixed fee, which can be affected by the time required to speak. Some speakers may be better suited to deliver a keynote session or pre-recorded content, depending on the industry.
Reliability
Choosing the right guest speakers for your virtual event is crucial. It can make or break your audience’s engagement and even lead to new membership signups for your organization.
Finding the right speaker can be difficult. It is important to take the time to scour social media, attend similar events, and ask around for recommendations. When you’ve identified potential speakers, cross-reference your network’s recommendations with an online search to verify their experience and credentials.
Communication with the speaker before booking them for your event is also important. It’s a good idea to send them a short list of points or industry tips you would like them to address in their session. This will allow them to collaborate with you in advance and ensure they understand your event’s platform well. Additionally, it will ensure they are comfortable with video and audio technology and navigating the platform before their session. This will help them feel confident and prepared when they hit the stage. Read more interesting articles on Tech new master
