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Selecting just the right presenters
to set an upbeat, positive mood at your event is no
easy task. A presenter who is a huge hit with one audience
may not be for another. So it's not just the quality
of the presenters which makes the difference, it's also
their appropriateness for your audience and its specific
needs. Following are some of the traits a good presenter
must have.
- Message
- Authenticity
- Delivery
- Dependability
- Track Record
1. Message
Contemporary audiences want take-home value. Your chances
for success are multiplied if you choose speakers with
an appropriate message, regardless of whether they have
a "name." Unless your objective is simply
to entertain, you should judge a speaker's presentation
not just by whether the audience will enjoy it (although
enjoyment is an important factor) but also by its ability
to stimulate, provoke thought, inspire, and motivate
your group to action. Some questions to ask in selecting
speakers are:
a. Do they have a message?
b. What exactly is the message?
c. Does the message conform to my organization's philosophy
and policy?
d. Is the message appropriate for my particular audience?
e. Is the message relevant to the theme and purpose
of our meeting?
f. Is the message timely?
g. Does the message complement the other speakers on
the program?
2. Authenticity
If presenters are not authorities on their subject,
then they are not likely to adequately inform, motivate,
inspire, or impact your audience. If they are not genuine,
the audience will pick it up. If your presenter speaks
on success, they need to be examples of that success.
If the topic is leadership, they need to have been a
leader. Your audience will turn off if someone is poorly
informed or inauthentic.
3. Delivery
When you decide on a speaker, you're not just buying
a message… you're also hiring the messenger. When
deciding on a presenter, choose someone with both a
message and an exciting, attention-getting presentation
style. Remember that writing and speaking are not necessarily
related skills.
4. Dependability
The presenter may be an authority because they have
the proper credentials and also excel in delivery, but
are they dependable? The last thing you need is to be
hassled with presenters who are unreliable or the "prima
donnas" of the platform. Presenters need to forward
biographies, photos, A/V and tech requirements and travel
itineraries, etc., in a timely fashion. They need to
be reachable. They need to return phone calls promptly.
They need to communicate with the meeting planner well
before the program date. They need to arrive at the
presentation site early enough to prepare, and not cause
the meeting planner any unnecessary anxiety. They need
to finish their presentations on schedule. To alleviate
any doubts, you need to thoroughly check with previous
meeting planners, the presenters' past performances
on these counts. At Eagles Talent Connection, we take
care of all that for you. We adhere to the maxim, "When
in doubt, leave them out." There are too many excellent
and reliable speakers that we don't need to put up with
any unnecessary risk.
5. Strong Track Record
A presenter needs to have an excellent reputation and
verifiable references. Your meetings cost too much and
your audience is too important for you to play “speaker
roulette.” Always do your homework by thoroughly
checking the presenters before booking them. Get their
most recent references and call several of them. Most
meeting planners will be happy to answer questions about
a presenter they've used. Following is some of the information
you may want:
a. Quality and style of presenter
b. Dynamics of presenter
c. Were there any off-color or chauvinistic remarks?
d. Audience reaction
e. Knowledge of material
f. Relevance of material to audience
g. How much customizing and tailoring was done?
h. Cooperation and overall attitude of presenter
i. Quality and promptness of publicity sent (i.e., photos,
bio, intro, etc.)
j. Did presenter arrive on time and finish their presentation
on schedule?
k. Would you feel confident recommending the presenter
to a friend?
Results are always the best credentials. Listen to
tapes, watch videos. And if you can, personally preview
the presenter at a live presentation. Finally, allow
the experienced program consultants at Eagles Talent
Connection to guide you.
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Eagles Talent Connection, Inc.
57 West South Orange Ave.
South Orange, NJ 07079 USA
Attn: Presenter Submission
PHONE: 973-313-9800
FAX: 973-313-0040
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© 1998 - 2008 Eagles Talent Connection, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
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Types of Presenters
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