Jon Petz Conference Keynote speaker provides energy, audience engagement and inspiration.

A Conference Keynote Speaker search leaving you overwhelmed?

Hah! THAT is an understatement! In reality with thousands of speakers (some professional keynote speakers and some looking for their first gig) are fighting for your engagement.

I was asked at a recent conference about my recommendations of who might be a good fit for this conference next year. I provided some other keynote speaker recommendations, but then I spurted out some Do’s and Do NOT’s when looking for an opening or closing keynote that we found amusing, but also helpful.

So, I compiled the quick list and thought I’d share it. While there are many more, here are my ten quick thoughts-bites on hiring a conference keynote speaker. Hope it helps lead your questions when interviewing for yours.

Conference Keynote Speakers:

• DO engage, energize, WOW and inspire audiences. They provide content, tools and mindsets to help people take careers and lives to the next level.
• DON’T kill the mood or energy in the room without bringing it back up.
• DO earn their CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) designation. It’s a 5 year process and the highest earned accreditation and the professional speakers industry from the National Speakers Association.
• DON’T need any celebrity status, but should help put butts in seats. What’s their sizzle factor that drives people in the door?
• DO work with the event planner or meeting organizer prior to the event to ensure an optimal setup of audio, video and staging to maximize the experience for the attendee.
• DON’T act like a Diva and cause stress for the event planner, with unnecessary demands and complications.
• DO engage their audience before and after the event when able and available. An intro video from the Keynote Speaker or hits on social media before the keynote, and hopefully a meet-and-greet following to answer questions and connect with your attendees off the big stage.
• DON’T talk down to any sponsors, attendees or guests before, during or after the event. THEY are NOT the stars – your attendees are.
• DO their own material and not steal other people stories without providing credit for their intellectual property.
• DON’T tell the “Starfish story”

There you go. It’s a start. But when faced with searching Google and getting umpteen millions results, what do you do?

What other thoughts do you have on what to do and not do when selecting the right conference keynote speaker?

DO respond. . .