by Janet Lynn Mitchell
Once you’ve selected your speaker for an event, you may think you’re job is over. You’ve researched, prayed, and picked out the perfect person! Yet, I’m here to share that your job has just begun. To make your event a success, it’s now important that you partner with your chosen speaker, helping him or her to communicate his or her best. Yes, you, still have a role to play in helping your speaker minister and meet the needs of the audience. For once a speaker’s needs are met, he or she is free to bless others.
- Share your expectations and don’t be shy. If you’re expecting a small, intimate group of thirty, state it. If you’re dreaming of and expecting 500 to attend, share your dream. Whatever your situation is, let your speaker know, so he or she can prepare a presentation that’s appropriate for the size of audience. He or she is most likely bringing product for his or her book table, possible handouts and freebies, and can therefore pack accordingly.
- Share the makeup of your audience. Describe the event to your speaker. If you are having a mother/daughter tea, then a speaker will know that younger gals will be in the audience. If you are having a “Man’s Night Out,” inform the speaker if high school young men are likely to be attending. If it’s a evangelistic event, estimate that there will be non-believers in the house.
- Communicate your dreams and expectations for the event. If you want a light-hearted talk, say so. If you desire concluding with a chance for folks to receive Christ, make it clear. The speaker is there to fulfill what’s been communicated to them.
- Make sure your speaker’s needs are met. From having enough time to use the restroom between talks, to having a glass of water next to the podium you can help. Other information regarding your event can be helpful. Such as, will your audience most likely be wearing their Sunday best, or are you expecting a casual crowd? Are you planning a pajama party one night that the speaker would love to attend and needs to pack accordingly?
- Make sure you’ve got the speaker covered with the technical support he or she will need for the event. One small glitch. is all it sometimes takes to alter a presentation. Yes, a good speaker will move around such a glitch yet the audience will miss out. Do a run-through of all technical devices before the event begins. Try to meet your speaker’s request concerning what type of microphone is desired. For ones who uses their hands when speaking, often find it difficult and distracting to use a hand-held mic.
- Find some volunteers to help the speaker with their book table. This is a blessing that you can’t afford not to give. As it often then frees up the speaker to talk and pray with those in the audience that seek the speaker out.
- Keep an open line of communication with your speaker through the event. If something went well let the speaker know. If something by chance, was not clear, let the speaker know. Feedback is useful and appreciated. After the event please follow up with your speaker. Send him or her any evaluations or notes that might be useful. And know that a speaker appreciates being appreciated.
- Lastly, know that the words of your speaker go home embedded upon the hearts of your audience. Pray that God will continue to use them and bless those who attended. Say a prayer for your speaker, too, that they will continue being used for God’s glory. Then as you network with others pass the name of your speaker along. This truly is the best way to say thank you!