The Biggest Mistakes People Make When Hiring a Speaker

Hiring a speaker can transform an event - elevating energy, inspiring action, and shaping the way your audience thinks long after the day is over. But it can also go very wrong. Many organisations invest thousands of pounds in a speaker, only to discover too late that their choice wasn’t a good fit. The result? A disengaged audience, a disconnected message, and an opportunity wasted.

Here are the biggest mistakes people make when hiring a speaker, and how to avoid them.

1. Choosing a Speaker Based on Fame, Not Fit

A well‑known name may feel like a safe choice, but fame alone doesn’t guarantee impact. Too often, organisers prioritise celebrity status over relevance. A famous speaker who doesn’t understand your audience or your objectives can leave the room cold.

What to do instead:
Look for alignment. Choose someone who understands the challenges your audience faces, who can speak their language, and who brings insights that matter to them. A lesser‑known speaker who truly resonates will always outperform a celebrity who doesn’t connect.

2. Not Being Clear on the Event’s Objective

One of the biggest oversights is a vague brief. If you don’t clearly define what you want the speaker to achieve - motivate the team, shift culture, open minds, drive behavioural change - you end up with a generic presentation that feels hollow.

What to do instead:
Decide the purpose of the session before you start searching. A great speaker doesn’t just deliver content; they support your mission. The more precise the goal, the more targeted and powerful the message.

3. Ignoring the Audience’s Needs and Expectations

Many organisers think about what they want to hear, not what the audience needs. This leads to mismatches - too technical, too superficial, too motivational, or simply irrelevant. A brilliant speaker with the wrong message is still the wrong speaker.

What to do instead:
Consider: What do they struggle with? What are they worried about? What would make their day feel worthwhile? Good speakers shape their content around your audience, not around themselves.

4. Failing to Watch Full-Length Footage

Showreels can be deceiving. They’re designed to showcase the best, most polished 20 seconds of a speaker’s career. Many people hire based on these highlight reels, only to discover the real performance doesn’t match the glossy edit.

What to do instead:
Always request an unedited, full-length talk. This allows you to observe pacing, storytelling, humour, energy levels, and how they hold the room from beginning to end.

5. Booking Too Late

Last‑minute booking is common - and costly. When planners scramble to secure someone, they often compromise on quality, pay higher fees, or choose someone who is simply “available.”

What to do instead:
Start your search early. Top speakers are often booked months, sometimes years, in advance. Early conversations also allow the speaker to tailor their talk properly, rather than forcing them into a generic, off‑the‑shelf delivery.

6. Not Briefing the Speaker Properly

Even the best speakers can fail if they’re not set up for success. Poor communication—late briefs, unclear expectations, lack of event context - means the speaker can’t prepare effectively.

What to do instead:
Give them everything: audience demographics, company culture, key challenges, recent achievements, and what success looks like. A great speaker thrives on insight.

7. Overlooking Logistics and Technical Support

You’d be amazed how often events falter because the microphone didn’t work, the slides weren’t compatible, or nobody checked the lighting. These issues not only disrupt the speaker—they damage the credibility of the event.

What to do instead:
Confirm technical requirements early and assign someone responsible for supporting the speaker on the day.

Hiring the right speaker is one of the highest‑impact decisions you can make when designing an event. Avoiding these common mistakes ensures your investment pays off in energy, engagement, and unforgettable value for your audience. Choose wisely, prepare thoroughly, and your speaker can turn your event into something extraordinary.

Penny Mallory - Mental Toughness Expert & Motivational Keynote Speaker
Helping teams and leaders perform under pressure and thrive in uncertainty.
Keynote length: 30–90 minutes

Format: Live or virtual