How to Hype a Speaker: Building Excitement for a Memorable Presentation
When it comes to hosting a successful event, the impact of a speaker cannot be overstated. A great speaker can captivate the audience, inspire new ideas, and leave a lasting impression. But even the most talented speakers need a bit of hype to ensure their session is well-attended and eagerly anticipated.
Our team knows how to hype a speaker for a memorable event and wants to share our knowledge with you. What follows are some of our time-tested strategies to ensure that you find and promote a speaker who will really shine under the spotlight.
Pre-Event Promotion: Stirring Interest Before the Event
In our experience, you can’t start hyping a speaker too soon. Former Arizona State Senator, Bank President and CEO, Somers White advised, “90% of how well the talk will go is determined before the speaker steps on the platform.”
That’s why it’s important to lay the groundwork and get your attendees excited about your speaker in support of an optimal experience for all! Getting started is as simple as hopping onto social media platforms to create a stir.
Consider crafting some…
- Social Media Teasers: Start the buzz early by leveraging social media platforms to share engaging content about the speaker. Think of it as a movie trailer, but for a speaking session. Post quotes from the speaker, share short video clips of them discussing key topics, or offer behind-the-scenes glimpses of their preparation. The goal is to pique curiosity and get potential attendees talking. A good rule of thumb is to imagine what YOU would want to know about this speaker and then create social content around that objective. This part should be fun, so get creative and start collecting likes and shares!
With your social media posts in full swing, reach out to your attendees directly via engaging email delivered straight to their inbox.
- Email Campaigns: Email remains a powerful tool for direct communication. Craft targeted email campaigns that highlight the speaker’s expertise, achievements, and the value they’ll bring to the event. Use compelling subject lines—think “Don’t Miss Out on Insights from {insert name of speaker}” or “Unlock Exclusive Knowledge from {insert name of speaker}.” We’ve also increased our open rate by presenting compelling questions, such as: “Have you ever wondered about X?” Again, put yourself in your attendees’ shoes and try to isolate what they need or want to know to put them in front of your speaker.
Keep in mind the words of Oprah Winfrey when it comes to hyping your speaker, “What’s the most important message you want to leave your audience with—and why should they care? Every listener instinctively wants to know one thing: What’s in this for me?”
Highlight the Speaker’s Achievements: Establishing Credibility
Your attendees will be discerning when it comes to registering for an event, based on your speaker. That’s why it’s critical that you source the right one, which means vetting for and clearly establishing their credibility.
- Introduction Bio: A well-crafted introduction can make all the difference. Prepare a captivating bio that outlines the speaker’s credentials, accomplishments, and unique qualities. Don’t just list their qualifications—tell a story that emphasizes their journey and what makes them an authority in their field. If they’ve won awards, published notable works, or had unique experiences, make sure these are front and center.
- Personal Stories: People connect with stories, so share anecdotes or success stories about the speaker that illustrate their impact. Perhaps they’ve transformed a company’s approach, mentored a rising star, or navigated a challenging situation with exceptional skill. These stories create a personal connection and make the speaker’s session feel more relevant and engaging.
As Steve Jobs believed, “The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller. The storyteller sets the vision, values, and agenda of an entire generation that is to come.”
Great observation! Just swap out “generation” for “event” and you’ve got it!
Don’t miss our whitepaper: The Ultimate Conference Planner’s Guide to help you amp up your events with dynamic speakers!
Testimonials and Endorsements: Building Trust and Interest
Those of us who grew up in the 80s will remember Reading Rainbow and Levar Burton’s book recommendations, which began with, “You don’t have to take my word for it.” The show then segued into a segment featuring short reviews with kids who had read the books and gave the titles their own thumbs up.
Well, you want to make like Mr. Burton here and evidence how awesome your speaker is by sharing what others have to say about them. For example…
- Endorsements from Industry Leaders: Nothing builds credibility like a glowing endorsement from a respected industry leader. If your speaker has been praised by other professionals or thought leaders, share these testimonials in your promotional materials. A nod from a well-known figure can significantly boost interest in the speaker. Trust us, we see it all the time.
- Previous Attendees’ Feedback: If the speaker has presented at previous events, tap into the power of social proof. Share positive feedback and reviews from past audiences, especially those that highlight the speaker’s delivery style, content quality, and overall impact. Specific comments that praise their ability to engage and inspire can be particularly persuasive.
Create Engaging Content: Giving a Taste of What’s to Come
As much as we might be excited to see the latest blockbuster that’s topped our can’t-miss list, many of us love a good preview of more movies to come. You can tap into this human tendency to want more by previewing what your speaker will bring to the table (or podium, more specifically) at your event. Give potential attendees a little sampling, so to speak, of what your speaker will share.
- Video Clips: Short, engaging video clips are a fantastic way to showcase the speaker’s personality and expertise. These can be teasers where the speaker discusses key topics or shares insights. Not only do they give potential attendees a preview of what to expect, but they also make the speaker feel more approachable and relatable.
- Interactive Q&A: Hosting a live or pre-recorded Q&A session with the speaker before the event is a great way to boost engagement. This allows potential attendees to interact with the speaker, ask questions, and get a sense of their style. It also helps to create a more personalized experience, making the speaker’s session feel more like a conversation than a lecture.
Design Eye-Catching Promotional Materials: Capturing Attention
As humans, we’re visual creatures and 65% of us are, in fact, visual learners. That’s a considerable segment of your audience, which means your promotional materials hyping your speaker must be spot-on.
- Event Posters and Flyers: Visually appealing promotional materials are essential for catching the eye of potential attendees. Design posters and flyers that feature the speaker’s image, name, and key details about their session. Use bold colors, striking fonts, and high-quality images to ensure these materials stand out, whether they’re displayed online or in physical spaces.
And don’t forget to tap into FOMO — the Fear of Missing Out. Inspire anticipation and even a little anxiety that an attendee might miss out on the amazing speaker and event you’ve planned. This can be as simple as setting up a few…
- Countdowns and Reminders: Maintain excitement in the lead-up to the event by using countdowns and reminder notifications. Whether through social media posts, emails, or event apps, these reminders keep the speaker in the spotlight and ensure they remain top-of-mind as the event approaches.
Incorporate the Speaker into the Event Program: Enhancing Their Visibility
This sounds like an obvious strategy but it’s important to make sure you’re dedicating ample event promotion to your speaker. Loop them in whenever it makes sense. For instance, “We’re so excited to add this amazing session {insert title}, followed by a much-anticipated presentation by our expert {insert speaker name}.”
The following can also help you seamlessly integrate mentions and hype about your speaker into the overall event programming:
- Special Announcements: Don’t just rely on promotional materials—use the event itself to hype the speaker. Make special announcements during pre-event activities or other sessions that highlight the significance of the speaker’s presentation. This reinforces their importance and builds anticipation among attendees.
- Themed Events: Consider creating themed activities or discussions that tie into the speaker’s topic. This not only builds anticipation but also creates a cohesive experience that enhances the overall impact of their session.
Engage with the Audience: Creating Connections Before the Event
A great way to hype your speaker is to get your attendees to do the same by connecting them in a sense of shared enthusiasm about the speaker and what they’ll be speaking about. This can be done rather easily by implementing the following:
- Polls and Surveys: Engage your audience by conducting polls or surveys related to the speaker’s topics. Share the results with attendees, emphasizing how the speaker will address their interests and concerns. This builds a sense of participation and investment in the speaker’s session.
- Interactive Challenges: Create pre-event challenges or discussions that align with the speaker’s expertise. Whether it’s a quiz, a discussion thread, or a social media challenge, these activities can build engagement and excitement around the upcoming presentation.
Personal Touches: Making the Experience Special
Event technology like ours has upped the ante on attendee expectations relative to a personalized experience. Take advantage of these expectations — better yet, exceed them! — by polishing your speaker hype with these thoughtful touches:
- Personal Invitations: For key attendees, consider sending personalized invitations that highlight why the speaker’s session will be particularly valuable to them. This adds a sense of exclusivity and importance, making the recipient feel like they’re part of something special.
- Speaker Meet-and-Greet: Arrange opportunities for attendees to meet the speaker before or after their session. This personal interaction can enhance excitement and create a stronger connection between the speaker and the audience. You can think of it as offering backstage passes to an amazing concert. In other words, find your Swifties and offer them a chance to meet Taylor.
Highlight Unique Aspects: Emphasizing What Sets the Speaker Apart
Consider what inspired your team to approach this speaker and promote those characteristics to your attendees. Think about why your speaker is such a strong choice for your specific event and showcase this strength by offering:
- Exclusive Content: Emphasize any unique insights or content that the speaker will share, especially if it’s tailored specifically to your event’s theme or audience. Highlight the fact that attendees won’t find this content anywhere else, creating a sense of exclusivity and urgency.
You’ve taken the time to find a dynamic speaker, and if their presentation is at all interactive, your attendees will want to know that. In general, attendees want to be involved with your event and any opportunity to interact with your speaker will inspire excitement and anticipation.
- Interactive Elements: If the speaker’s session includes interactive elements—such as workshops, live demonstrations, or audience participation opportunities—make sure to showcase these in your promotional efforts. Interactive sessions tend to be more engaging and can draw a larger crowd.
Build a Narrative: Crafting a Compelling Story
Who can resist a good story? Tap into your attendees’ love of storytelling by presenting your speaker as the star of their own narrative, rich with challenges, setbacks, and triumphs.
- Create a Speaker Story: Craft a thoughtful and compelling narrative around the speaker’s journey, expertise, and the impact they’ve made. This story can — and should! — be woven into all your promotional materials, from social media posts to the event program, creating a compelling backdrop for their presentation.
Access a little storytelling inspiration from Dale Carnegie, who said: “Speakers who talk about what life has taught them never fail to keep the attention of their listeners.”
Do the talking for them in advance by weaving their life lessons into your event’s marketing strategy.
Need a hand hyping your speaker?
Attendee Interactive’s speaker management software empowers event planners to effectively hype a speaker for their next event. By leveraging our proven solution, event planners can create a strong promotional strategy that hypes the speaker, increases attendee interest, and drives event registration.
What are you waiting for? Start hyping your speaker ASAP with Attendee Interactive!
