Written by: Vickie Sullivan | June 12, 2018
Pay Attention to This Big Change in Speaker Selection
Crowdsourcing has been the rage for a while, so it was just a matter of time before it hit the speaking industry. According to a recent Meetings and Conventions magazine post, “How We Shook Up the Speaker Selection Process,” that moment has arrived.
The Association of Proposal Management Professionals turned the tables when they 1) turned topic selection over to their members and 2) approached speakers with a list of topics and asked, “What do you have to say about this issue?” The impact:
• Speakers can no longer pitch their signature topic based on their platform. The focus was on fresh ideas in specific areas. Content that is not “relevant” or compelling won’t stand a chance in this system. Clever word play won’t help you here.
Listen: How to position your content to crowd-sourced topics
• It expands the speaker opportunities (and the competition). The system allowed presenters to pitch on three topics, increasing the chances of selection. That being said, note the influx of new speakers. This system levels the playing field, giving new folks a fighting chance. The well-connected can’t use their relationships as well here.
Yes, keynote speakers may have been exempt this time, but don’t count on that trend to continue. Speakers are going to have to go beyond the presentation list and focus on adapting their content. Those who can apply their brilliance in new ways will get the inside track here. Proceed accordingly.
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