One of the most common questions we get from our partners is: “We know we need a speaker, but what kind of speaker do we actually need?”
It’s a great question. Getting this right upfront is what separates events that people forget by Tuesday from experiences that transform how your team thinks and works.
After curating speakers for hundreds of events, we’ve learned that most speaking engagements fall into three distinct categories. Understanding which type fits your moment will help you get crystal clear on what you’re really looking for.
The Professional Speaker: When You Need Flawless Execution
Who they are: These speakers live and breathe the stage. Speaking is their primary profession, and they’ve been doing it for 10+ years minimum. You can tell from the first phone call that this is their craft, their business, and their life’s work.
When to choose them: When you need that “wow factor” and seamless delivery. Think annual conferences, major company events, or any time you need someone who can command a room and keep energy high from start to finish.
Perfect for: Sales kickoffs, annual meetings, large conferences where presentation quality is crucial.
The Expert Speaker: When Your Audience Needs to Learn Something Specific
Who they are: Subject matter experts—professors, doctors, successful business leaders, industry veterans. Speaking is usually something they do alongside their main profession, sharing the expertise they’ve built over years in their field.
When to choose them: When your audience needs deep, specialized knowledge or credible insights from someone who’s actually done the work. They bring authenticity that comes from real-world experience.
Perfect for: Industry conferences, technical training sessions, leadership development programs where content expertise matters most.
The Transformational Speaker: When You Need to Shift Hearts and Minds
Who they are: Storytellers—people who’ve overcome significant challenges, achieved remarkable things, or have inspiring personal journeys. Their power comes from their story and their ability to create emotional connection.
When to choose them: When you need to inspire, motivate, or create a mindset shift. Perfect for moments when your team needs to believe something new is possible or find resilience during challenging times.
Perfect for: Team retreats, culture-building events, times of organizational change, or when morale needs a boost.
The Beautiful Overlap
Here’s what makes speaker selection interesting: Many speakers span multiple categories. You might find a transformational speaker who’s also a seasoned professional, or an expert speaker with an incredibly inspiring personal story.
That’s actually the sweet spot—speakers who can deliver on multiple levels. But understanding these core categories helps you identify what your audience needs most in this moment.
The Question That Clarifies Everything
Here’s the question we always ask our partners: “What do you want your audience to be thinking, feeling, or doing differently after this speaker?”
Your answer usually points directly to which type of speaker you need:
- Thinking differently → Expert Speaker with fresh insights
- Feeling differently → Transformational Speaker with inspiring story
- Engaged and energized → Professional Speaker with dynamic delivery
Trust the Process
The beautiful thing about working with a strategic speaker booking partner is that you don’t have to become an expert in speaker categories. That’s our job.
We listen to your goals, understand your audience, and curate speakers who fit exactly what you need—whether that’s one category or a perfect blend of multiple types.
Your job is to focus on creating the overall experience. Our job is to find the speaker who brings that vision to life.
Ready to find your perfect speaker match? Let’s have a conversation about your audience and goals, and we’ll help you identify exactly which type of speaker will create the transformation you’re looking for.