What to look for when evaluating speakers
What defines an expert? At what point do we think, “They know their stuff!” In the case of art, I’ll bet you’ve seen art the critics hail as masterpieces that you secretly think is bunk. And yet that “art” hangs on museum walls. We give critics’ views more weight because we hope they know more than we do.
You do the same thing when you’re hiring a speaker to work with your company. You assume they’re experts and can help your staff learn and grow. But how do you know?
Review these four things when evaluating a potential expert to work with your people.
- Video of their interactions with audiences. Are they effective and engaging?
- Testimonials and reviews from clients. What do people say about their experience?
- Their approach to their topic. What do they say about it in their social media, on their website, and in any press?
- Speak with the speaker. Get a feel for who they are and how they interact. You’ll learn a ton in just a few minutes.
Do you hire speakers for your company? How do you evaluate them? Comment below and let me know. 