No matter the industry you’re in, chances are you’ve been to a few conferences in your life.

You’ve probably gone all over the country for trade shows and likely have a few international business trips under your belt, too. Or, maybe you’re just getting started and dreaming about all of these experiences. Here’s an interesting thought to consider: why attend the top conferences in your industry if you can one day headline them?

Imagine yourself up on stage as the main conference speaker to kickoff or wrap-up an event. Think about what it would feel like to become an authority in the market and use your knowledge to empower hundreds or thousands of people listening to your speech.

Don’t psych yourself out if you’re not sure you have this in you.

All you need are the following 5 traits to be a great conference speaker.

1. Confidence

Conference speakers are the kind of people who know how to get attention when they walk into a room. They have a commanding voice and use engaging body language on stage, but they also know how to carry themselves in small groups and one on one conversations.

They’re fully aware of who they are, what their purpose is, and the value they can offer their audience. They’re also not full of themselves, though. Every great conference speaker knows how to listen just as well as they can speak their mind and be articulate.

2. Expertise

It’s one thing to speak your mind when sharing an opinion and another to be able to give in-depth explanations and theories. This is a big difference between amateur conference speakers and those who have honed their craft.

You need to be able to share something new, interesting, and exciting whenever you step on stage. You need to be thinking ahead of the curve while supporting your findings/ideals with data.

Put simply, you really need to know your stuff.

3. Emotional Awareness

Having expertise on a certain subject is what gives all your speeches/appearances credibility. But, emotional awareness is a fundamental part of the delivery.

Emotional awareness completes what you’re trying to say by sharing it in a way that people are highly receptive to. You need this to be able to read a room when introducing yourself to a crowd. It’s what gets their initial attention and keeps them engaged whether you’re speaking for 5 minutes or a whole hour.

4. Authenticity

Being emotionally aware is not the same as being authentic.

You can be aware of the room and the receptiveness of others and still come off closed-off and unapproachable. You should try to present yourself in a way that’s friendly and understanding every time you’re on stage. You want the audience to know that you relate to them and that you have information that they can relate with, too.

5. Practice

The best conference speakers only became the best after years of practice and experience. This is not something you can master overnight. It’s a profession that will always challenge you to learn more and try new things.

You’ll have to use different approaches to speak to a crowd of 100 than one of 1,000. You have to learn how to craft a presentation that can be given to a wide variety of professionals, but also how to create unique, brilliant speeches.

It’s a never-ending process. You’ll always be practicing your skills as a conference speaker, and you should never get one stage without running through a presentation a few times beforehand.

From the Boardroom to the Big Leagues: Become the Conference Speaker You’re Meant to Be

If you get a thrill when giving presentations to the people at your company, you need to start thinking beyond the boardroom. You don’t always have to be the person who punches the clock and works to build someone else’s success.

You can create your own success as a conference speaker. You can transform your work life and enhance your overall quality of life, but you have to be willing to put in the effort to become the best speaker possible.

For entrepreneurship tips and tricks to help you do so, click here.

Are you looking for the best speakers for your next big conference?

If this is your first event, you should carefully choose the people that’ll represent your message and vision. The quality of the speakers can make or break your event. If you have a good selection, you’ll attract more attendees to fill up the seats.

Start by researching your audience’s needs. Go to potential speakers’ websites, social media channels, and videos to see how they deliver. Then, you can narrow down your choices.

Though quality speakers can be more expensive than less-known names, consider them a worthwhile investment.

Check out the tips below to understand what it takes to be a conference speaker and how to hire the best ones in the field.

Are They Experts in Their Field?

This one is a given, but your speakers have to know what they’re talking about beyond their script.

They should be experts in their field, with useful and valuable advice and knowledge the audience can apply in real life.

Do your research before you hire a speaker to see if they’re an authority in their profession.

Are They and Their Content Authentic?

In this digital era where everything is available for free, it’s important to have authentic speakers.

You need to deliver extra value to your audience and give them something they can’t find online or in books. This is where your speakers have to do the work and provide original content.

Nobody would pay an expensive ticket to listen to a speech already available on YouTube. Your speakers should adjust and adapt the content to your audience and without repeating themselves too much.

Do They Truly Want to Help the Audience?

Many conference organizers go out of their way to book internationally famous speakers because they think it’ll sell more tickets.

This is not always true. The speakers you hire should be willing to spread the word about the conference and actually be happy to be there. If the performance is just another job for them, you’ll be facing an unhappy audience and bad reputation.

The people attending are there to find a solution to a problem. If the speaker isn’t willing to engage with the audience and help them out, they’re not a good fit.

Are They Flexible and Reliable?

Organizing a conference takes a lot of work and your speakers are the highlight of this work. They should understand the effort it takes to host them and not be too demanding.

Some speakers are humble and don’t ask for too much but others can be complete divas. If they want special treatment or luxury accommodations, steer clear of them. They’ll end up costing you more than they’re worth. You should also make sure they don’t cancel days or hours before the conference.

Now You Know What to Look for in a Conference Speaker

Hiring a conference speaker for your next event can be challenging if you don’t know what to look for.

These tips will help you figure out what qualities your speakers should have in order to get on the stage and interact with the attendants.

They have to be knowledgeable about their topic, prepare a concise, yet impactful speech and wow the audience.

For more tips on how to organize a conference with the best speakers in the world, visit my blog. Or if you have any questions or would like to hire me to speak at your event, contact me today!