Planning an event is stressful enough. Now you’re stuck trying to figure out how to book a last-minute motivational speaker. (If you’re in a pinch, text my office, and we’ll see how we can help)
Here are my tips after being a speaker for nearly two decades and helping a few events with emergency requests.
This is straightforward but essential for a last-minute request. If you want a quick response, help the speaker confirm or decline in your first email. Tell them the date, time, venue, theme, and speech duration (a range is acceptable). Let them know a few quick details about the audience. To get the fastest response, ensure they have more than your email. Try including your cell phone, so they can call or text you back. Ask them what they would charge or include your budget and note if it includes travel and hotel or if it’s all-inclusive.
Speaker bureaus often have exclusive speakers they represent, so they’ll have a good idea if a speaker is available. A good bureau is also well practiced and knows how to get the job done.
While you reach out to the bureaus, look at the list of presenters at your event and ask them for additional topics they can present on. (Congratulations, you are now your own speaker bureau!)
It also doesn’t hurt to reach out to speakers directly. Look for professional speakers who might have pre-existing content that would work. Just need a motivational speaker? Perfect, there are lots of us! Remember that trying to get a celebrity-level speaker at the last minute might be a long shot.
Regardless, you’ll want a speaker who can deliver the best presentation. Someone new in the industry might not be able to pull together a great speech in a short time. Someone speaking for as long as I have will have an archive of stories and themes to pull from quickly.
If you can’t find a last-minute speaker, try googling similar events in your area a day before or after your event. Their speaker might be able to change their flight and drop into your event. (Tip: keep the other group in the loop on travel expenses. You don’t want them to feel like they’re left holding that bag.)
Reach out to the local National Speaker’s Association chapter. If you’re industry-specific, ask a local industry chapter or group if they have a recommendation. Google speakers who live in the area. Ask the venue if they’ve worked with local speakers.
It’s rare to have an event that needs a last-minute motivational speaker. The worst-case scenario is not finding one. And as awful as that may feel, it’s not the end of the world. Be honest with your audience. They may joke about it down the road, but life happens, and they should understand that.
Maybe another speaker on your agenda can pull off another presentation. Or, pull together three or four of them into an impromptu interactive expert panel. If all else fails, turn the time into a networking session.
If you’ve found yourself in this situation, I wish you the best of luck! I’ve filled in periodically to help with event planners in a pinch. I can’t promise I’m available, but if you need a last-minute speaker, don’t hesitate to reach out. The worst a speaker can say is, “Sorry, I’m already booked.” But hopefully, you can find at least one who says “Yes!”
