A good speaker, keynote or otherwise, should be thoughtful, innovative and passionate. A keynote speaker is one who is a confident public speaker, devoid of stage fright and who connects with the audience. He speaks on a predetermined topic to an audience of any number.
To find a public speaker ideal for a specific event, it would be advisable to consider the following:
Evaluation
Before selecting a keynote speaker one has to find out and understand the significant real-life experience that led the speaker to have chosen a career in speaking. This is the foundation on which the keynote speaker develops his message of motivation.
Experience or background
A keynote speaker needs to have a proven track record and experience in the required field to provide insight and inspiration to a target audience to excel. A well-known speaker who has worked in the same or similar industry would be ideal.
Connecting with the audience
The keynote speaker should have a compelling story to tell which echoes with the sentiments of the line of business he is trying to motivate. He should have had real-life experiences which he can relate to the audience. The audience has to be comfortable with the speaker and his style of presentation.
A relevant point of view
The speaker has to understand and believe in the activities of the organization. He should be passionate about the message he is trying to convey. A keynote speaker with practical examples, to back up their message, will be able to drive home the organizational theme in a much better way.
Purpose of the event
The keynote speaker should not be the one to determine the theme. The organization has to decide the purpose of the event. He/She should meet and discuss with the organizers before the event to ensure that his message is consistent with the theme.
Audience size
The size of the audience, the keynote speaker usually deals with, is of prime importance in being effective. The speaker’s skill to connect with a large audience of 1000 is very different from that of connecting with smaller groups of 20 to 30 people. A speaker candidate has to be asked about the size of the audience he would be comfortable with.
Goals
Goals for the keynote speakers have to be provided depending on the outcome required from the event. Increasing sales, increasing morale, changing behavioral patterns, generating donations, creating ways to success are some of the goals given to a keynote speaker in the USA.
Other Traits
A keynote speaker, at any event, is the main speaker on stage. He might need to do motivational talks as per situational requirements. He should be entertaining, passionate and friendly. His style should be one where he interacts with the audience, engages them and successfully directs them towards the goals.
The keynote speaker should be a team player who delivers his message in the context of the event or the goals of the company. He should be approachable and inspiring.
Erroneous actions
Bad decisions like hiring a speaker before the event is completely planned, not meeting the speaker prior to the event and settling for cheaper options will adversely affect the quality of the event held and will fail in producing the desired outcomes.