Sunday, May 8, 2016

What To Look For In A Keynote Speaker

By Larry Martin


Keynote speeches are usually the pinnacle or ultimate moment of any gathering. The specific role of a keynote speaker will be determined by where he or she is slated in the program. Due diligence during the selection process will add value to your program. This explains why influential figures to the organization like chairmen, CEO and directors are skipped. The role is greater than just delivering a speech.

There is some clout that comes with finding an authoritative in your area. This should be a person envied by all players. An influential and successful person in the industry will fit the role. You should consider a person who most participants regard as a role model. This means that he or she commands authority, not because of the role currently assigned but his or her mere presence.

Your chosen person must be aware of the challenges and success experienced by participants and the industry in general. This information is used to confirm decisions made and motivate the crowd to pursue greater goals and wins. Being conversant with the crowd enables him or her to give an address that is relevant. Understanding the lives of a people makes it easier to relate with them.

Conferences and symposiums are not all serious business. You will need a funny and humorous person to deliver the address. It not only entertains the crowd but also makes the message memorable. It is this memorable delivery that will keep the event and the message alive until the next conference. It also helps to shed off fatigue that characterizes lengthy deliberations that take place in conferences. It takes a lot of experience and creativity to deliver serious message with humor.

There are speakers who play the role of moderators. This means that they direct discussions and generation of ideas. You need an engaging, energetic and pleasant person. It is easy to be intimidated considering the aura that surrounds such people. Such speakers should be aware of these challenges. The venue needs to be well organized and facilitated to accommodate such a discussion.

The position of the speech within the program will determine the role played by such speakers. If a speech is to be delivered at the beginning of a conference, the aim will be to set the agenda. Other speakers will be slated for the middle of deliberations. Their aim is to refocus discussions and ignite fire into the symposium. Speakers slated for the end are required to crown all the discussions that took place.

Some characters will not fit the role of main speakers. Avoid the divisive or controversial figures. Their message drives a wedge between different groups which will leave the organization worse. Radical ideas are also likely to affect the momentum and aims of an organization. Avoid hyped ordinary individuals because of their obvious style that ignites little excitement. Anybody given the role should add value to the conference.

Despite speakers having own messages to deliver and style, they must be briefed to customize their delivery. This includes the actual position of participants, organization, group or company. Sensitivity to the expectations of the crowd will make the delivery effective. Your primary goal should be to find an individual who best represents your journey or status as a group.




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