Ask anyone who has planned an event before and they will tell you how finding the right speaker can make all the difference in the world.

Whether it is a corporate retreat, a conference, or even a gathering for your local community, an entertaining speaker can make it more engaging for the audience while also getting across all the information you need them to hear.

Bottom line: Finding the right speaker – one who is able to entertain as well as inform, one who is very knowledgeable in your field, and one who is able to successfully fulfill the needs of your event – is critical.

But finding the right speaker can be difficult. With so many out there, it is hard to tell if someone is going to be a good fit for your event. Thankfully, there are many ways that have been developed over the years to make this process much easier. Here are some proven ways to be sure you find the right speaker for your event:

Define Your Event Needs

Before you even think about looking for a speaker, you need to understand and define the purpose and goals of your event. Though it seems like a no brainer, there is a temptation to hire speakers because they are popular or just plain available. But if your event goals do not align with the expertise or style of your speaker, then you will often end up with a speech that will not match what you are trying to go for with your event. While a great speaker might be able to roll with the punches and adapt, it is not something you should count on, especially if they are incredibly mismatched, like hiring a forensic scientist to speak at a baking convention.

Thus, there are several questions you should ask before you look for a speaker. What type of expertise or message are you looking for? You should find a speaker who either is an expert in your field or shares the values the event is trying to spread, depending on the needs of the event. Further, are you looking for someone to motivate and inspire, inform and educate, or entertain your audience? Knowing what kind of effect you want your speaker to have can inform the qualities to look for in a speaker. Knowing your specific needs will help narrow the search for event speakers.

Utilize Official Networks and Avenues

There are many official ways to find a decent professional speaker, set up by the speakers themselves or the companies they work with. One of the oldest and a still common method is to work with a speaker bureau or agencies. These organizations represent multiple speakers with various specialties and can match you with someone who fits your event’s theme and objectives. They work with motivational speakers, keyword speakers, conference facilitators, and many other types of professional speakers.

Though you should keep in mind they do leverage a speaking fee for using one of their speakers and often act as middle men to the speakers you actually want to speak to. However, they can also save you a lot of time as they will be able to find the type of speaker you are looking for a lot more quickly than searching for them individually, along with understanding the needs of your event, while also being less risky. Many bureaus also have local branches or partnerships in large cities, like Chicago or Seattle, which can make it easier to find a local speaker.

Another effective way to find speakers is through professional networks and associations. There is an extremely complex network of people and organizations tied together online and making use of that network may be a decent way to find a good speaker. You can reach out to colleagues in your field and see if they have ties to a speaker. You can also go to certain industry groups, local businesses, or any official organization that ties with the theme of your event to see if you can find a speaker. They will often have recommendations based on past events and personal experiences that can best suit the goals of your event. Though keep in mind this can be an arduous process as you are looking for a speaker through a wide number of sources.

Finally, there are a lot of online platforms that can help you find and book speakers. Websites like LinkedIn, SpeakerHub, and GigSalad offer profiles and reviews of speakers, allowing you to find a speaker who meets your criteria. These platforms often provide videos of past performances, making it easier to assess a speaker’s style and effectiveness. This may even include going to a speakers website and booking them specifically.

Attend Events

Attending conferences, seminars, and networking events based around your chosen theme or purpose can give you firsthand experience of potential speakers. It allows you to see for yourself if they fit the criteria, while also seeing if you like them in general. It also gives you the chance, if you decide you want them to speak at your event, to be able to speak to them in person (If you have the ability of course). This strategy can be an excellent way to discover and connect with speakers who resonate with your audience.