How to Find a Speaker
Speakers love to present to college audiences. Full of intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm, college crowds are enthusiastic and eager for insight. The right speaker can unite the student body, share a great understanding of the world, and leave a lasting impression. Below, our best practices for choosing the perfect speaker for your event.
- Meet with your committee. Review the objectives for your event with your team, capturing all the ideas, input, concerns, and opportunities. Take note of speaker recommendations from this meeting.
- Think Big…but be open to newer, smaller names. It’s true that big names draw crowds, especially on college campuses. But don’t limit your choices. Sometimes the biggest name or most expensive speaker can be a dud, so keep your options open.
- Look for topical issues and diverse appeal. The best college speakers have appeal that spreads across the student body, and tackle issues of concern to groups on the brink of “the real world.”
- Call a program consultant. An initial call with a Leading Authorities program consultant will help narrow down speakers. Because our program consultants are well-versed in key issues of the day, they can provide tailored research and recommendations that stay in line with the budgets, theme, and location of the event.
- Get a customized proposal. Our program consultants will promptly draw up a proposal with speaker choices, fees, and availability. In addition to speakers your committee has identified as possibilities, we will also suggest new and relevant speakers you may not have considered.
- Watch videos of speakers. This is a great way to see the speaker in action and determine if their personality and content will fulfill the objectives of your event.
- Consider extras like receptions, and meet and greets. Leading Authorities will help negotiate with talent.
- Make final recommendations to the committee. Leading Authorities will provide selling points, research, and consensus-building materials to make a case to your committee.
When you work with Leading Authorities to source talent for your event, you can be assured the personality and price will be the perfect fit every time. Give us a call at 1-800-SPEAKER and start your speaker search today.