Hire Speakers with Industry Knowledge—Wouldn’t You Want Real Solutions Over Generic Advice?
When planning an event, one of the most critical decisions you’ll make is selecting the keynote speaker. The right speaker doesn’t just deliver a polished talk—they connect with your audience on a deeper level, addressing their unique challenges and opportunities. For this reason, when you hire speakers who truly understand your industry, you set your event up for success. Without this connection, even the most inspiring messages can feel generic and miss the mark.
Industry-specific insights ensure that the keynote resonates, providing actionable takeaways that feel relevant and impactful. But how can you tell if a keynote speaker has the depth of knowledge your event needs? Let’s explore how to hire speakers who can deliver solutions tailored to your audience.
Key Takeaways
Review their past work to confirm experience with organizations like yours.
Ask how they customize their content to address your audience’s unique challenges.
Ensure they understand your industry’s trends, language, and specific needs.
Check testimonials from similar organizations to gauge their relevance and impact.
Look for books or articles they’ve written that tackle industry-specific issues.
Verify if they’ve been featured in sector-specific media like podcasts or trade publications.
Confirm their involvement with industry associations through memberships or speaking roles.
Hire speakers who provide actionable insights tailored to your industry’s priorities.
Review Their Portfolio: Do They Have Experience in Your Industries?
It might sound obvious, but when you set out to hire speakers, checking their portfolio is one of the most critical steps—and it’s often not given enough attention. It’s easy to be dazzled by polished videos or stylish websites, but do they have actual experience with your industry? That’s the question that matters most. If you’re bringing someone in to speak to your team or event attendees, you want them to know the challenges, nuances, and priorities of your field.
Think about it: Would a speaker with a long track record in hospitality be the right fit for a tech conference? Maybe not. Industries operate in their own worlds, with unique concerns and values. If a speaker’s examples, language, and stories don’t match your audience’s reality, even the most inspiring talk can fall flat.
When you hire speakers who’ve worked in or extensively with your industry, you’re not just hiring someone to fill a slot on the agenda. You’re hiring someone who can connect, resonate, and leave your audience thinking, They really get us. That’s the kind of impact you should expect—and deserve.
Inspiring examples mean little if they don’t reflect your audience’s reality.
Ask About Their Research Process: How Do They Prepare for Events?
When you hire speakers, you’re not just looking for someone to deliver a polished, one-size-fits-all talk. The best speakers take time to understand your audience, your industry, and the specific goals of your event. Their research process is what sets them apart from those who recycle the same speech for every booking. So, before you make your decision, ask: how do they prepare?
Preparation goes beyond just reading your event brief. A great keynote speaker will dive into the nuances of your industry and audience. They’ll ask thoughtful questions about your organization’s challenges, the event theme, and what your attendees hope to gain. This isn’t just about gathering information—it’s about tailoring their message to ensure it feels personal and relevant.
When you’re vetting potential keynote speakers, ask them how they approach customization. Do they conduct interviews with key stakeholders? Research your industry trends? Request details about your audience’s demographics or pain points? The answers will reveal whether they’re committed to delivering a talk that feels tailored and meaningful.
Hiring speakers who prioritize preparation means hiring someone who values your audience’s experience. Their ability to connect deeply with your attendees starts long before they step on stage—and it’s what makes their talk memorable long after the event ends.
The best speeches begin with questions—hire speakers who aren’t afraid to ask them.
Examine Their Content: Do They Speak the Language of Your Industry?
Assessing whether speakers understand and speak the language of your industry is essential. When you hire speakers, they don’t need to have worked in your field, but they should show a clear familiarity with its key terms, trends, challenges, and nuances.
Review their past presentations, blogs, or articles. Are their examples relatable to your audience? Do they reference industry-specific concepts or use terminology that resonates? A keynote speaker who truly connects with your industry will naturally incorporate these elements, showing they’ve done their homework.
If their content feels generic or overly broad, it’s a red flag. The best keynote speakers don’t rely on canned presentations—they tailor their message, ensuring it reflects the realities of your audience’s world. Hiring speakers who “get” your industry creates instant credibility. Their insights will resonate on a deeper level, leaving your audience engaged, inspired, and ready to act.
A speaker fluent in your industry speaks more than words; they speak solutions.
Look for Testimonials: What Do Past Clients From Your Industry Say About Their Expertise?
When you hire speakers, testimonials from past clients can offer valuable insight into their expertise and relevance. But don’t just look for glowing reviews—focus on feedback from organizations in your industry.
Did the speaker connect with these audiences? Were their examples and advice tailored to the industry’s challenges? Testimonials that mention specific takeaways, relatable stories, or strong audience engagement are key indicators of a keynote speaker who understands your field.
Reach out to past clients if possible, especially those in your industry, to hear firsthand how the speaker resonated with their audience. Real feedback is one of the best ways to ensure you’re hiring a speaker who will deliver the impact your event, your audience, and you deserves.
Praise without context is noise; testimonials from your industry are the signal you need.
Have They Written Books, Articles, or Similar Content Specific to Your Industry?
Books, articles, blogs, and white papers specific to your industry are a window into a speaker’s expertise. When you hire speakers, their written work serves as proof of their knowledge and commitment to understanding the unique challenges and nuances of your field.
Look for content that tackles the challenges your audience faces or explores trends shaping your field. A keynote speaker who has published industry-relevant work likely has the ability to connect with your audience on a meaningful level.
These resources also provide a preview of their communication style and thought leadership. If their writing resonates with the realities of your industry, it’s a strong sign they’ll deliver insights that matter.
A book on your industry’s challenges speaks louder than a thousand generic talks.
Do They Have Media Coverage or Appearances in Industry-Specific Outlets?
When you hire speakers, their presence in industry-specific media can be a great indicator of their relevance and expertise. Appearances on podcasts, interviews in trade publications, or features in niche outlets show that they’re not just knowledgeable—they’re recognized as thought leaders within your field.
Search for articles, podcast episodes, or videos where they’ve addressed topics relevant to your industry. Media appearances demonstrate their ability to engage with audiences on critical issues and stay current with trends.
A speaker with a strong media presence in your sector is more likely to bring fresh insights and credibility to your event.
Thought leaders don’t just talk—they’re invited to shape the conversation in your industry.
Are They Connected to Your Industry’s Associations?
Strong ties to industry associations can reveal a lot about a speaker’s credibility and expertise. Speakers who actively engage with these organizations—whether by presenting at events, collaborating on initiatives, or contributing to publications—demonstrate a commitment to understanding and supporting the field.
As you look to hire speakers, research their involvement in relevant associations. Have they been invited to speak at major conferences or participate in leadership panels? Are they listed as members or contributors? These connections suggest they’re not just knowledgeable but also recognized as a trusted voice within the industry.
Speakers with established industry ties bring insights shaped by real-world expertise and collaboration, ensuring their message resonates with your audience.
Industry association ties signal that a speaker’s insights are grounded in your audience’s reality.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The Role of Conferences in Professional Development
This article explores how industry-specific conferences, often featuring expert speakers, provide in-depth insights and networking opportunities for professionals within that industry.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I hire speakers who don’t have direct experience in my industry?
Yes, but ensure they demonstrate a strong research process, adaptability, and the ability to deliver relevant insights. Their willingness to learn about your industry can sometimes bring fresh perspectives.
What should I do if I can’t find a speaker with direct experience in my field?
Look for speakers with transferable skills or expertise in themes that align with your audience’s challenges. Focus on their ability to customize content and connect with diverse groups.
How do I decide between hiring a generalist speaker versus an industry specialist?
It depends on your goals. Generalists are great for broad, inspirational themes, while specialists dive deep into specific challenges your industry faces.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sylvie di Giusto, CSP, is a renowned keynote speaker recognized for her 3D immersive experiences. Drawing from more than 20 years of corporate experience, she brings unparalleled expertise to the stage, inspiring audiences around the globe. A master at aligning business operations, strategy, and performance, Sylvie helps professionals make intentional decisions that enhance leadership capabilities, strengthen client connections, and achieve meaningful organizational results. Sylvie is the author of over a dozen books, including Discover Your Fair Advantage and The Image of Leadership special edition series, which offers tailored insights for a wide range of industries.
