1. Determine the needs of your audience

Thorough knowledge of the needs of your group is essential in helping us select the right speaker. Does your meeting require that the audience leave with specific or technical information? Do you need someone to motivate the group to sell? Are you looking for after-dinner entertainment with a message, or corporate entertainment for a conference closing session?

2. Establish your date, time and budget

Start looking for a speaker as soon as the date for your meeting is set, many speakers book engagements up to a year in advance. Consider how much time you have to fill and where that time falls in your overall program. We can help to advise on the right amount of time for the job. We can also make recommendations about the order of topics/speakers if one presentation will follow another. Factor in the fee you are willing or able to pay for a speaker. Your search for a speaker can be narrowed or broadened based upon your budget.

3. Identify the type of speaker who will best match the needs of your audience

A speaker’s expertise in a given field may be the big draw, but a well-known name does not always mean the best presentation. Will your audience and the overall programme benefit most from a celebrity; an expert in the field; a popular sports personality; a best selling author; or a business speaker with a thorough knowledge of the appropriate subject?

4. Ask for recommendations

As a firmly established consultancy with 28 years experience we are able to provide excellent recommendations to match your brief and then book a speaker or entertainment to suit your event and budget.

5. Make a shortlist from the recommendations

Once you have a list reduce this to ideally just three speakers and ask us to check their availability. Some speakers have show reels, websites or testimonials available to help you narrow your choice. Many speakers will tailor their presentation to your group.

6. Select your speaker

When selecting your speaker consider that you are not only paying for the time the speaker is on the platform but also for the hours spent researching, preparing and customising the presentation. Some speakers may negotiate their fees when they are doing more than one speech for you or when they are allowed to sell their products such as books. Ask about your options.

7. Get it in writing

When you book a speaker with The Right Address we will issue a contract to both you and the speaker that clearly outlines the expectations of both. Factors considered may include:

• travel arrangements and transportation
• accommodation and meals
• fees and payment terms
• whether you want the speaker to attend social events
• an agreement on whether the presentation may be audio or video taped for
• internal purposes
• background details
• audio/visual requirements

8. Work with your speaker

Share information about your group or company such as newsletters, key people, buzz words, insider news and views. This will help the speaker become familiar with your organisation and will assist in producing a customised presentation. Give the speaker a clear outline of what you expect. Be specific about the size and demographics of your audience and let them know in advance about any other speakers on the programme. This will give them the opportunity to build on and not duplicate what other speakers have to say.

9. Set the stage

Arrange the room for optimum impact. Consider staging, room temperature, lighting, sound production and seating plan. Keep your event on schedule. Have a short, energising and creative introduction for the speaker and their topic. Your speaker can assist you with this.

10. Evaluate the results

Have your audience complete evaluations on the speaker’s presentation. This will allow you to gauge your results and plan future events. Send copies of the evaluations to The Right Address, especially any testimonials.