How to Choose a Great Motivational Speaker for Your Event

With thousands of professional speakers available, finding the perfect match requires careful consideration of several factors. This guide will help you navigate the selection process to ensure your next event leaves a lasting impression that your attendees will talk about long after the event!

Key Characteristics of a Great Motivational Speaker

Motivational speakers share life experiences that move and inspire their listeners. Several defining qualities separate them from the average presenter, including:

Authenticity: The most impactful speakers come from a place of genuine experience and conviction. Their stories ring true because they’ve lived them.
Dynamic Delivery: Great speakers know how to vary their pace, tone, and energy to keep audiences hooked on every word. This is especially true of motivational speakers, who can take your audience on an emotional journey, making the delivery just as impactful as the message itself.
Storytelling Ability: Powerful speakers are exceptional storytellers. They know how to craft narratives that connect emotionally with audiences without losing key points of their original message.
Relevance: Top-tier speakers take time to understand your industry, organization, and audience challenges, customizing their content to fit your event’s unique needs.
Actionable Takeaways: Beyond inspiration, great motivational speakers provide practical strategies that audience members can implement immediately.
Stage Presence: The best motivational speakers project confidence without seeming arrogant, capturing attention with their natural stage presence.
Adaptability: Even when faced with a challenging audience or untimely interruptions, professional speakers know how to adjust their approach to maintain engagement.

How a Great Motivational Speaker Can Impact Your Event

You need a speaker who delivers far more than just entertainment to create an impactful event. A great motivational speaker:

Reinforces Event Themes: Although their story is uniquely theirs, they will weave your conference themes and objectives into their presentation.
Creates Shared Experience: Their story will become a moment your collective audience talks about, even after your event is over.
Shifts Perspectives: The best speakers challenge assumptions and open minds to new possibilities, creating receptivity to change.
Improves Retention: A great motivational speaker will solicit higher satisfaction ratings and better attendance at future events hosted by your organization.
Energizes Attendees: Best for a morning opening keynote or closing keynote to send people off energized to make a difference.

How to Choose the Right Motivational Speaker for Your Event

Your search for the right motivational speaker starts by clarifying your objectives. Consider what you want your audience to gain from hearing their story. Are you aiming to inspire action, build resilience, generate momentum, or introduce new perspectives? Your answer to this question will impact who you book to speak.

You also need to understand your audience. Consider demographics, values, challenges, and expectations. The perfect speaker for C-suite executives will differ from the ideal choice for frontline employees.

When you find a speaker you are interested in, watch recent video samples to get a feel for their style, energy, and content quality. Don’t be afraid to check their references. Speak with other event planners who’ve recently hired them to verify their professionalism and expertise. Ask your NSB agent of record for their personal perspective.

Don’t forget about logistics. Make sure speakers are available on your event date and within budget. Many motivational speakers offer valuable additions, like Q&A sessions, meet-and-greets, or even follow-up breakout sessions, to deepen their impact and drive action beyond their main talk.

Ready to Inspire Your Audience? Book a Speaker Today!

An impactful motivational speaker serves as both the exclamation point on your event and the catalyst for meaningful change. National Speaker Bureau’s robust roster of keynote speakers includes top female motivational speakers, business leaders, astronauts, activists, and more.