Organizing an event requires many strings to one’s bow. In addition to logistics, having the right content, and therefore the right event speaker, is a plus. Use your network, consult an agency, search on LinkedIn, but above all adapt your speech to the event’s objective… YourDay The Mag talks to specialist Benoît Trystram about finding THE right speaker.

What makes a good event speaker?

“A good speaker is someone who is an expert in his or her field, able to convey information and generate an audience. It’s not always easy to find the person who combines all these qualities,” points out Benoît Trystram, a consultant specializing in event organization. Some experts may not be very good speakers, while others will draw an audience to their name without providing any new information.

Define your needs to find the right speaker

Before looking for an event speaker, you need to define what you want from him or her. If he or she is expected to trigger registrations, a charismatic personality is preferable, such as the head of a major corporation for a B-to-B conference, or a top sportsman or woman for a seminar designed to motivate the troops.

“The presence of a great champion can be a way of rewarding teams, while other guests will bring a sense of height or a step sideways.”

If you’re primarily looking for content on a specific subject, you’ll want to ask a leading figure in his or her field to speak, for example, a scientist from the IPCC to talk about global warming, or a sociologist to decipher a consumer trend (of course, all these suggestions can be applied to women!). “The presence of a great champion can be a way of rewarding the teams, while other guests can bring a new perspective or a step aside,” explains Benoît Trystram.

Where can I find a good event planner?

In order to find the right speaker for your event, we rely on 3 main sources:

If you want to find people on your own, LinkedIn is a good tool for spotting opinion leaders on a professional issue, and everyone can use their address books to solicit recommendations. Checking out the panel of guests at events similar to your own is also a good source of inspiration.

Be careful, however, not to always draw from the same pool of “good customers” at the risk of lacking originality. It can also be interesting to mix established names with young talent in the same event. In short, it’s a matter of expertise and common sense to find the right event planner for your needs.

Interview by Pascale Caussat