Why hire a keynote speaker? Just ask your event planner: putting together that sales management training program, company-wide meeting, or conference is an exciting but also stressful endeavor. You may want your employees or leaders to show their accomplishments or give a speech, but a professional keynote speaker puts their unique fingerprint on your event while delivering the message you want to communicate.
The term “keynote speaker” actually comes music. It’s the tone that’s played prior to the song or arrangement so that the rest of the orchestra or choir knows what key to use. The same concept is at work for your next keynote speaker event, except that the orchestra would be your staff or division. What tone is being set for the rest of the event and how do the other topics and sessions relate to that keynote speech or breakout topic?
Professional keynote speakers bring a variety of skills and experience to the table. They’re not just delivering a speech, but perhaps providing additional training and insights for the attendees to take with them after the event ends. The keynote speaker actively seeks out audience participation and gets them involved in the training session or seminar opposed to offering a totally passive experience. Above all, it’s the keynote speaker’s job to keep people engaged. When it comes to company meetings and other events where employees’ appearance is mandatory, it can already lead them to feeling as if they should tune out the presentation or they’re resentful for not being able to get their work done. A funny and engaging keynote speaker can entertain as well as educate, and make the attendees feel happier to be there opposed to selecting a presenter internally.
Hiring a keynote speaker is also a move that deliver added value to your event, such as one-on-one training or supplemental materials for the attendees in addition to setting the tone for the event.
