Hiring a speaker is a big investment that can significantly impact the success of your event or meeting.

With numerous options available, the process of selecting the ideal speaker can be daunting and overwhelming.

However, taking the time to ask the right questions during the interview stage can make all the difference in ensuring you secure the best fit for your organization’s needs.

As a speaker serves as the centerpiece of your event, their ability to captivate, educate, and inspire your audience is paramount. A single misstep in the selection process could result in a costly mistake, both financially and in terms of the overall event experience.

By carefully crafting insightful questions that delve into the speaker’s expertise, qualifications, communication style, and ability to tailor their content to your specific audience, you can gain invaluable insights that will guide your decision-making.

In this article you are going to learn how to interview a professional speaker to ensure you select the right speaker for your event.

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Ideal Speaker

When seeking to hire a professional speaker, you’ll likely want to find someone who is not only highly engaging but also humble, flexible, easy to work with, and aligned with your organization’s mission, vision, and values.

While expertise and experience are undoubtedly important factors, you may appreciate speakers who have hands-on experience in their field and can relate their teachings to real-world situations, allowing them to better connect with your audience.

Beyond just considering their qualifications, pay attention to the speaker’s personality as well.

Here is a list of some of the questions you can consider asking a speaker to ensure that they are the right fit. If you are working with a speakers bureau, you can also ask your agent to help you formulate the best questions.

1. Qualifications & Experience

Here are some interview questions you can ask a potential speaker that addresses their qualifications and experience:

How many presentations have you delivered?
Do you have experience working in our industry?
Do you have any videos of previous presentations?
What sets you apart from other speakers in your field?
Why do you think you are qualified to be a speaker on this topic?
Can you share any success stories or testimonials from previous clients?
Can you provide references from previous clients?
Do you have experience presenting to audiences in our specific field or industry?
Have you received any awards or recognition for your speaking engagements?
How do you stay current with trends and developments in your field?
Can you share any challenges you’ve faced as a speaker and how you overcame them?
Can you provide examples of industries or organizations you’ve worked with in the past?
Can you provide examples of how your presentations have led to tangible results for clients?

2. Pricing & Availability

Here are some interview questions you can ask a potential speaker that addresses their rates and availability:

What are your fees and what do they include?
Do you require full payment in advance or just a deposit?
How far in advance do we need to book your services?
What requirements will you need in your rider?
Are you willing to travel for speaking engagements?
What is your policy on cancellations or rescheduling?
How much do you charge for extra time added to your presentation?
Do you offer any additional services such as workshops or follow-up consultations?

3. Speaking Skills & Presentation Style

Here are some interview questions you can ask a potential speaker that addresses their speaking style:

What is your speaking style like?
What is your primary area of expertise?
How do you handle Q&A sessions?
How do you prepare for a speaking engagement?
What topics do you typically cover in your presentations?
What is your approach to delivering motivational content?
What types of audiences do you generally like to speak to?
How do you engage with your audience during presentations?
How do you incorporate storytelling into your presentations?
How do you measure the success of your speaking engagements?
Can you provide a sample outline or overview of one of your presentations?
Is your style of dress more casual or professional when speaking?
How do you handle audience feedback, both positive and negative?
Are your presentations interactive, and if so, how do you encourage participation?
Can you provide examples of how you incorporate humor into your presentations?
How do you ensure that your message resonates with different cultural backgrounds?
What is your preferred presentation style: standing at a podium, walking the stage, or moving among the audience?
Can you share any personal anecdotes or experiences that relate to your speaking topics?
How do you handle unexpected disruptions or technical issues during presentations?
What is your long-term vision or goals as a speaker and how does it align with our event?
How do you ensure that your presentations are inclusive and sensitive to diverse perspectives?
Can you share any instances where you had to pivot your message or approach during a presentation?
What types of media, such as image slides, text slides, videos, audio clips, or physical props, do you typically incorporate into your presentations?

4. Collaboration & Customization

Here are some interview questions you can ask a potential speaker that addresses their willingness to be flexible with you:

Are you familiar with our organization and its goals?
Can we record your presentation and share it with others?
Can you accommodate special requests or themes for our event?
Are you open to feedback and collaboration with event organizers?
How do you tailor your presentations to different audiences?
Can you accommodate last-minute changes or requests?
Can you accommodate accessibility needs for audience members?
Can you accommodate different time constraints for presentations?
Do you have any specific requirements for the venue or equipment?
How do you handle conflicts or disagreements with event organizers?
What strategies do you employ to gain a thorough understanding of the client’s industry and audience prior to the event?
Are you able to customize your presentations for specific industries or niches?
Can you provide resources or materials for attendees to refer to after the event?
To what extent do you personalize supporting materials, such as handouts, web links, or slides, to align with the needs and interests of each audience?
How do you ensure confidentiality when discussing sensitive topics or information?
How do you typically interact and connect with audience members immediately following your presentation, while still at the event venue?
Can you describe your approach to audience engagement during your presentation, and how it might differ depending on the size of the audience?
In addition to your main presentation, would you be open to participating in supplementary activities such as breakout sessions, executive luncheons, Q&A sessions, or panel discussions?

5. Virtual Presentations

Here are some interview questions you can ask a potential speaker that will help you determine if they are capable of successfully managing a virtual meeting or event:

Are you comfortable giving virtual presentations?
How many virtual presentations have you given?
What are your biggest challenges and how do you overcome them?
What technology or platforms do you use for virtual presentations?
How do you maintain audience engagement in virtual settings?

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