ASK A FUTURIST: WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A KEYNOTE SPEAKER?

It’s a wise question to ask: What do you look for in a keynote speaker? Criteria for selection can often widely vary, after all.

Booking the right presenter can make or break an event’s impact. Asking what do you look for in a keynote speaker is therefore super important as an outstanding orator has the power to energize audiences, impart valuable insights, and shape an entire experience with inspiration and meaning. A disappointing one can leave attendees bored and questioning why they invested their time.

With so many presenters jockeying for attention, it only makes sense to wonder: What do you look for in a keynote speaker? And what should organizers prioritize when vetting talent? Here are several crucial criteria to hone in on:

Subject Matter Relevance

First and foremost, a speaker’s expertise needs to align with the core themes and objectives of your event. Do their focus areas and proprietary content perfectly intersect with your audience’s most pressing priorities and interests? Top speakers will take time upfront to ensure seamless message matchmaking rather than delivering boilerplate canned speeches.

Professionalism and Preparedness

While some speakers simply wing it, true keynote pros approach each engagement with utmost dedication. They collaborate with organizers, research audiences, and customize presentations with audience-foucused insights and value. Polished delivery, quality visuals and stage experience reflect diligent preparation, so when you posit what do you look for in a keynote speaker the answers should be clear here.

Original Perspectives

Many speakers essentially regurgitate widely available information. Seek out keynotes offering fresh thinking based on original research and career experiences audiences can’t access anywhere else. Novel point-of-views, proprietary frameworks, and interesting storytelling differentiate must-see speakers.

Teaching Skill and Interactivity

The best keynotes are two-way experiences that foster audience self-discovery and dialogue rather than a passive lecture hall dynamic. Evaluate how well speakers articulate insights, facilitate activities, use discussion techniques, and create immersive workshop environments.

Beyond Stage Presence

While charisma and style are important, look holistically at speakers’ capabilities – both on the live stage as well as through additional workshops, thought leadership content, professional services, and ongoing partnerships they can provide. Impactful speakers offer enduring value well past their time slot.

Authenticity and Vulnerability

Successful speakers are genuine and let their humanity shine through with humor, honesty and personal anecdotes rather than putting on an artificial persona. Vulnerability forges deeper emotional connections with audiences.

Inspirational Resonance

While imparting knowledge is essential, exceptional keynotes motivate audiences to see new possibilities and feel empowered to pursue their loftiest ambitions. Afterwards, they spark dialogue and ignite people to take meaningful action. Cultural impacts are as important as intellectual ones.

By prioritizing factors like customized relevance, dedication to craft, teaching mastery, holistic value, authenticity, and inspirational potential when considering what do you look for in a keynote speaker, event organizers can identify the select tier of transformative speakers worth the investment. A legendary keynote can be a small cost for long-lasting impacts that power people to think bigger and achieve more.