Booking a speaker sounds simple—until you’ve sat through one who missed the mark.
They looked great on paper. The bio was polished. The topic? Promising. But when they hit the stage, it fell flat. No energy, no real insight, no connection. You could feel the room checking out. (Or see them checking email.)
You deserve better—and so does your audience.
As a professional speaker who’s been on stage more than 280 times, I’ve seen what works (and what doesn’t). If you’re organizing a conference, retreat, team training, or community event, here are five things the smartest planners look for when choosing a speaker:
1. They get your audience, not just your topic
It’s not enough to be an expert—they need to speak your audience’s language.
Smart planners look for speakers who take the time to understand the room: industry, pain points, expectations, energy level. A talk for C-suite leaders shouldn’t sound like one for college students.
Pro tip: Ask how the speaker tailors content for different audiences. They should have examples.
2. They balance inspiration with action
Motivation is nice. A checklist you can use on Monday is better.
You want a speaker who brings energy and delivers something tangible—especially for professional audiences. The best speakers leave people saying, “I can use that right away.”
Look for someone who blends practical advice with just enough spark to make it memorable.
3. They’re engaging—without being cheesy
No one wants another “motivational speaker voice.”
Smart planners seek speakers who are authentic, relatable, and respectful of the audience’s intelligence. That means less jargon, more substance, and just the right amount of humor.
4. They’re easy to work with behind the scenes
A polished keynote doesn’t matter if the speaker’s a headache in your inbox.
Great speakers communicate clearly, show up prepared, meet deadlines, and respect your event team. (Yes, this is rarer than you think.)
Ask past event organizers what the planning process was like. You’ll learn a lot.
5. They leave a lasting impression
What happens after the applause?
Look for speakers who offer follow-up resources, worksheets, or access to tools that extend the value of their session. Bonus points for those who make attendees feel seen and heard—even after the mic is off.
Here are some actual quotes from my session surveys:
“Great insight to todays marketplace and thoughtful action items to followup. Thank you!”
“Terra provided a personable and approachable presentation on the topic of personal branding. I liked her style and suggestions. Her ideas seemed practical and attainable.”
“Terra’s session helped me get motivated to push my fractional business further!!!“
Final Thoughts
Booking a speaker isn’t just about filling a time slot—it’s about creating an experience your audience will thank you for.
If you’re looking for someone who blends strategy with story, speaks from experience (not theory), and leaves people better than she found them—I’d love to be part of your next event.
