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4 Things to Remember Before Hiring A Guest Speaker

Hiring a good guest speaker will help you communicate your message effectively

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Happen to have an event on the horizon and planning to enlist the services of a guest speaker?

Hiring a guest speaker may seem like a straightforward affair that can be left for last-minute, but it’s an important an aspect of event planning as any other. In fact, there are a few things to remember before hiring a guest speaker because the decision could make or break your event.

Event speakers are one way to keep your audience engaged during your event, corporate or otherwise. What a good speaker can also do is create a buzz around your event, either before or after the fact. The right speakers can bring shine and add credibility to your event, giving it weight and significance.

Bungling it up can take valuable points away from the event, and that’s not what you want obviously, regardless of the occasion. 

And even when you find a speaker, should their message fail to resonate with your audience or the speaker fails to live up to the billing, then it beats the whole purpose of inviting one over in the first place.

In an ideal world, you want to find a keynote speaker that helps you effectively communicate your intended message or achieve a desired goal or outcome as far as the audience is concerned.

Question is, how do you go about hiring a guest speaker that will add value to your company event?

Here are some important tips on speaker selection to keep in mind:

1. Define the purpose of your event

The first thing you need to ask yourself before you embark on a guest speaker search is what you are looking to achieve by bringing in a speaker.

Is it to educate, inspire or entertain? Or maybe you wish to motivate your people or provide fresh perspectives.

You also need to ask yourself what message you wish to communicate to the attendees. Are there particular themes or topics you want the event to be based around?

At the end of the day, it’s about the insights you want your audience to gain from the speech. 

Defining your purpose beforehand not only helps you in narrowing down the pool of speakers to choose from, but also ensures you find a speaker whose message aligns with the purpose or overall theme of your event.

This way, you are sure to create a more impactful and cohesive experience for the attendees.

2. Keep the audience in mind

Closely related to the first point, you also want to define your audience in advance in order to book the right speaker.

In the case of in-house corporate events targeted at a particular group or with a certain end goal in mind, this will not be as big a factor as it would be for say, a large conference that brings together a diverse array of people as far as things like demographics and background are concerned.

Still, it’s something you want to think about especially if you’re a larger company – and depending on the event objectives you want to achieve.

For instance, if the goal is to inspire employees on navigating work challenges or how to bounce back after personal or professional setbacks, a resilience speaker could be a nice addition.

Similarly, if you are planning a charity event, a speaker that is passionate about humanitarian causes would fit the bill. Planning a conference? Then an experienced conference speaker might be more suited for the job.

3. Consider the speaker’s expertise

With your event theme and audience defined, you want to ensure the speaker(s) you end up choosing will not be a case of fitting square pegs in round holes. 

Most professional speakers are more of generalists, but you will also find those who are experts in a given field.

For example, you will find experts who specialise in topics like artificial intelligence (AI), adversity and resilience, cybersecurity, civil rights, geopolitics you name it.

There is no harm in hiring generalist speakers like motivational speakers, as it all depends on the objectives of your event.

However, in instances where you’re looking to deep-dive into a given topic during your event, you might want to consider hiring an expert who specialises in the area of focus you want to shed light on.

4. Do your due diligence

Once you are clear on whom you are looking for, it’s time to do a little digging. Start by narrowing down on the names based on the criteria you have laid out.

Next, assess their reputation within the industry. Obviously, you don’t want someone with controversies following them around as this could dent your credibility.

Visit their websites and check their biographies to know more about their credentials and experience. Do they have video clips of past talks or presentations they have been involved in? 

This can help you evaluate their speaking credibility and to understand their style and delivery better.

As well, go through the list of clients they have worked with before and check what those previous clients say about them.

Lastly, you need to interview your potential candidates, preferably face-to-face or over a video or phone call. Direct interaction is the only way to get to know the speaker better and get a feel of what they are like.

The choice of guest speaker has a huge bearing on the success of any event. For this reason, it is a choice you do not want to gamble on. 

Avoid going with the most popular names you find out there, and instead, find a speaker that will align with the theme of your event and be right for the audience that will be in attendance.

The guest speaker needs to be someone with considerable experience and expertise on the key topic the event will be centred around. 

He or she needs to be able to work with diverse audiences (as well as connect with them) in order to keep the attendees engaged and be in a position to hammer the point home.

Whether it’s a motivational speaker, local celebrity or industry leader, hiring a good guest speaker will help you communicate your message effectively and ensure the audience leaves the event with memorable takeaways.

Jillian Haslam is a renowned international keynote speaker whose insightful speeches have captivated audiences worldwide for over 14 years. As a thought leader in the field of adversity and resilience, her presentations aim to empower individuals to navigate setbacks effectively and bounce back from personal and professional challenges. She inspires individuals to be the best versions of themselves and works with professionals, teams and corporate leaders to help them achieve their goals. Jillian’s experience with diverse audiences and ability to deliver compelling presentations packed with practical advice has solidified her reputation as a go-to keynote speaker for businesses, conferences and event planners looking for a guest speaker who can connect with audiences at a personal level and deliver an unforgettable experience.

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

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  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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