Your event is only as strong as your speakers. In this day and age, it’s not enough to find great speakers. You have to find the right speakers who align with your values and goals. These are the speakers who captivate your audience, inspire action, and provide real-world value. With that in mind, how do you find the best customer service speaker for your event?
There is no one-size-fits-all magic formula to find the perfect customer service speaker. That being said, the right strategy makes all the difference when helping you identify the best speaker for your needs. Additionally, you can make sure your event creates real value for your event, increasing overall engagement.
In the world of customer service, you want to make sure you’re finding the top experts. It’s easy to proclaim yourself a so-called guru of this space, but it’s important to practice what you preach. Customer service has never been more essential. In fact, 96% of global customers note customer service as the top factor in their choice to stay loyal to a brand.
It’s time to empower your team to take service to the next level. If you’re leading a customer service event, put your best foot forward by finding the best customer service speaker. In this guide, we’ll share 5 foolproof ways to source (and land) the best customer service speaker. Your event is about to get a lot better!
Look for speakers with keynotes devoted to customer service.
First, make sure you’re looking for speakers who have a proven track record. If they’ve delivered keynotes specifically about customer service in the past, this is a great sign. While many speakers in this space cover multiple areas that are important to brands today, you’re looking specifically for a customer service expert.
With a reported 80% of users saying the experience a company provides is just as important as the product or services, this isn’t something you want to overlook. One of the benefits of seeking out past keynote speakers is that it’s easier to see them in action. They might say they’re a compelling speaker, but actions speak louder than words (literally).
The most obvious way to determine if they align with your goals is to watch them speak. You can attend another conference where they’re giving a speech, review their reel, or search for past keynotes online. When you see them speak for yourself, you get a clear view of how they interact with their audience, deliver quality information, and drive action.
Look for speakers actively creating customer service content.
Next, look for speakers who are actively creating content for customer service. It’s easy to talk about customer service, but how many speakers are taking real steps to help brands? The right customer service speaker for your event not only has experience helping companies create strategies for customer service. They also create compelling content of their own.
What do we mean by customer service content? This can be any of the following:
- Blog: Existing blog posts are a great source of content, and this is a way to understand more of your speaker’s expertise.
- Podcasts: A new form of content is podcasts. These are becoming more popular than ever, and they give your speaker access to a built-in audience.
- Videos: Speakers’ abilities naturally translate to video, so it’s common for speakers to create digital video content of their own for their websites or social media.
- Downloads: Lastly, many speakers also create downloadable content like guides, ebooks, and more.
When speakers actively create customer service content, they’re engaging with the space. Not only do they know what brands and professionals want, but they’re skilled at making supplemental materials. These are all assets for your own event, and they can provide even greater value for your guests.
For inspiration, look to legendary SEO expert Neil Patel. With a wide range of compelling blogs, social media profiles, and downloadable tools, he’s made a name for himself as one of the leaders in online experience. Better yet, by creating videos of himself speaking and explaining complex topics for his YouTube channel, he’s built a following of almost 1 million on that platform alone. Patel’s content helps him stand out, and it shows he knows his stuff.
Use eSpeakers to narrow down a list of certified speakers.
Another step is to narrow down a list of certified speakers. You don’t have to do this alone. It’s helpful to use a tool like eSpeakers to ensure your speakers are certified and prepared. With eSpeakers, you can search by name, topic, keyword, or availability. Better yet, you can filter speakers by location, past awards, and virtual availability.
Created by the National Speakers Association, eSpeakers is a trusted source for building your contact list. When considering your list, you’ll want several options and backup options. In a perfect world, you’d have access to anyone you choose. In reality, things like budget, travel, and availability get in the way.
When using your search tool, consider the following questions:
- What is this speaker’s level of knowledge?
- Has this individual won any prior awards?
- Is the speaker located within travel distance of your event?
- Is the speaker relevant or noteworthy to the audience?
- Are you seeking a diverse range of speakers?
- Does this speaker fit your budget?
Create a spreadsheet to keep track of your contacts, and use their website, referrals, and content to verify this information. You don’t need a long, comprehensive list to get started. You can find the best customer service speaker for your event with just a few key contacts. Never underestimate the power of referral marketing.
Check out who spoke for past customer service events (or for your competitors).
Similarly, consider who spoke for past customer service events. If you’ve ever heard the phrase “shop the competition,” now is the time to put it into action. There’s no harm in seeing what your competitors have done in the past for their own events. This is especially true if you’re hoping to get an edge on them in terms of customer service.
Have any speakers stood out at past events? Is there any existing work you admire? Another way to think about this is to consider companies with customer service expertise. Who dominates your industry in terms of service? Do they have any leaders, motivators, or consultants leading them down the right path? If so, these professionals might be the right customer service speakers for you.
With over half of customers today sharing their bad brand experiences with others, you can’t afford to take the backseat. Because you can’t read your customers’ minds, you don’t always know what it is they want. However, customer service leaders do. These professionals have experience that spans industry and skill-level. Not only do they understand what customers need from you, but they’re prepared to lead the way through their speaking expertise.
Ask for speaker referrals within your network.
Last but not least, don’t be afraid to ask for speaker referrals within your own network. Don’t doubt the power of real-life connections. Though you can find endless options on the internet, this only shows one side of the story. When searching for an event speaker, it sometimes pays to do it the “old fashion” way. That’s right—it’s time to reach out to your network.
Consider the connections you’ve already made in your industry. Ask your colleagues, professional networks, and friends who they recommend. Odds are someone knows someone, or they’ve attended a similar customer service event. You never know where the connection to your next great speaker might be hiding in plain sight.
Once you’ve asked for recommendations, cross-check. This is when it helps to do an online search, look for credentials, and explore their prior experience. When you invite someone to speak to your team or at an event, they’re a representative of your brand. As such, you want them to align with your goals and methods.
For an example of this in action, consider TED and TEDx Talks. Known for its highly engaging, action-driven speeches, TED actually relies almost fully on its existing network. Once they compile a list of prospective speakers, they ask this batch to provide suggestions for the rest of the lineup. TED is so successful because it trusts leaders and mentors to find the best talent, even if it comes from unexpected places.
Identify the Perfect Speaker for Your Event
In conclusion, your event needs the best customer service speaker to take it to the next level. Luckily, it’s never been easier to expand your network, explore relevant speakers, and find exactly who you’re looking for. With these tips above, you can identify the right speaker for your needs, depending on your budget, wishes, and network.
Customer service speakers come from all backgrounds. The right speaker has a proven track record working with countless brands, and they know how to inspire the next generation of experience. Looking for a way to take your next event further? Let’s chat!
