Choosing a keynote speaker for your company's event can be a terrifying task. The wrong motivational speaker can make your event fall flat, leaving you with bored employees who go back to the office less motivated than when they started. Doing a little research and planning ahead of time can go a long way towards creating a memorable experience.

Setting Goals

The first thing to do is set a goal for the speech. What do you want your keynote speaker to accomplish during their time on stage? Remember, they'll only be talking for a relatively short amount of time, so you'll want someone who can grab the audience's attention quickly and hold it. Is the perfect keynote speaker an expert in your field or a professional motivation speaker?

An expert in your field might know everything about your industry, but may not hold your employees' attention during the speech. A professional motivational speaker is usually the best bet. They'll be able to tailor their message directly to your company, while using proven techniques to engage the audience.

Establishing Your Message Beforehand

It's important to establish your message before choosing a keynote speaker. What's the main topic of the event? If your employees are feeling overwhelmed and over-tasked, find a motivational speaker who specializes in how to help employees prioritize and let go of tension, without feeling as if they need an extra four hours every day. If employee morale and teamwork is at an all time low, consider a keynote speaker that focuses on improving communication between employees.

Do you want an accomplished storyteller? How about someone who injects a little humor into their message? An established keynote speaker will know how to grab an audience's attention and keep it, all while entertaining and teaching. Just like kids in school, adults learn best when they're enjoying themselves. Is your motivational speaker quick on their feet?

Your program will fall flat if the speaker can't recognize a drop in attention. Are they able to quickly change direction if what they're doing isn't working? Ask these questions and interview candidates beforehand to get a good idea of who you are hiring.

Budget

Money talks. The best keynote speaker in the world may be out of reach if their fee exceeds your budget. Don't be afraid to talk to them. A good motivational speaker wants to help, that's why they do what they do. If your company's budget falls short, ask what can be done. Usually, a motivational speaker will have some ideas on how to make their services affordable.

Is there another company that you could share expenses with? Do they have any sponsors or advertisers willing to pitch in for some publicity? Will local companies get a break since there's no travel time? Can your keynote speaker also act as your event's MC, eliminating the need for two paid speakers? Don't be afraid to ask for help or ideas!

Using these few guidelines, choosing a motivational speaker for your event will be a simple, easy process and will leave your employees with a new found spring in their step.