Not long ago, becoming a professional speaker was a third step in a thought leaders career path. Many built their expertise in an industry or function, shifted to consulting and then wrote a book to launch their speaking career. In today’s digital age, the path to creating a thought leader platform, leading to speaking gigs, is shifting to a second career play. This is good news for planners. More quality options result in a buyer’s market...now and in the years ahead. What to Look For Keynote … [Read more...]
Most Keynote Speakers Fail At Providing Audience Learning & Performance Improvement
Most keynotes fail at actually providing learning and retention. Sure, many keynotes are inspirational, motivational and provide an engaging story. And if that’s all we’re looking for from a high-paid professional speaker for a keynote, it works. However, when an organization pays $10,000-$75,000, or even a higher fee, for a 45- to 60-minute message, we expect more. Too many keynotes are filled with exhausted clichés, empty entertainment, and low-importance ideas. ~ Dr. Will … [Read more...]
Are You Guilty Of Advancing The Height Of Conference Arrogance?
The sound of a great conference is not the thunderous applause following an inspiring speaker. It is the creaking of our mind's doors and windows opening to fresh vistas and perspectives. It’s the low hum of people talking to one another in pairs about their insights, thoughts, reflections, concerns and opportunities around short chunked critical content. It’s our internal metaphorical brain-gears spinning as our aha-lights burn brightly. Closeted Dirty Presentation Secrets Here’s the … [Read more...]
Are Your Conference Speakers Tickling Ears Or Transforming Lives?
Several months ago, a well-known established professional speaker chided me publicly in Facebook because of a post I wrote about how our brains thrive on images. This speaker said that he didn’t need to add visuals to his presentations because all of his clients were extremely satisfied with his keynote presentations. And he had been doing his presentations without images or PPT for years successfully. Sound familiar? I laughed when I read this speaker’s public denouncement of my post. … [Read more...]
High Voltage Highlights About Speakers At Meetings Infographic
The 2013 Speaker Report: The Use of Professional and Industry Speakers In the Meetings Market (Free PDF download. No contact information required.) … [Read more...]
When Speakers Truly Care: From Spouting Witty Repartee To Transforming Lives
Our conferences and association education programming depend upon speakers as experts sharing their knowledge with the crowd. Yet, the education research is loud and clear that people talking at an audience does not necessarily lead to attendees' learning. Actually, there's more likelihood that you'll win a multi-million dollar Powerball lottery than telling leads to learning. Speaking, telling and presenting does not usually lead to learning. Nor does it lead to transforming lives by … [Read more...]
Conference Audiences To Speakers: It Is All About Me, Not You!
Me, me, me, me, me! No, it’s not the latest Sesame Street song sung by Beaker. Nor am I talking about the “Me Generation.” I’m talking about today’s conference audiences focused on their own ROI and not the speaker as entertainer. Me, Me, Me! Today's audience's see conference keynotes and education sessions differently than in the past. The emphasis is shifting. We are shifting from a speaker-centric, expert-emphasis conference to attendee-emphasis and learner-centric … [Read more...]
The Job Of A Speaker Must Drastically Change For Successful Conferences Today
Today's audiences expect more from a speaker than the traditional lecture. They want to be inspired, motivated, entertained and learn relevant take aways that they can apply immediately. They are not satisfied with sitting passively listening to monologues and panel platitudes. They want to actively participate in an education session. The End Of A Speaker-Expert Era For the past 10-20 years, the focus of conference education sessions and keynotes has been on the speaker. Speakers acted … [Read more...]
