When an event planner reaches out to me about a keynote, I have questions before we ever get to a contract.
Quite a few of them.
Before I speak to your team, I want to know about your audience, your event, what people are facing right now, and what you hope will be different because we spent that time together.
I also want to know the small things that make a big difference. Will there be a microphone? How much time do we have? Will people be sitting at tables? Is there room for them to move around? Can I stay and connect with participants afterward?
And where can I get a good cup of tea?
These conversations are my favorite part of the process, because they tell me what matters to the people who invited me.
Tell me about your audience.
This is where I begin.
Who will be in the room? What are they celebrating? What are they struggling with? What conversations are happening inside the organization that I should understand before I step on stage?
I also want to know what sent you looking for a speaker in the first place. Maybe the organization is navigating change. Maybe leadership wants employees to take more initiative. Maybe an association is bringing members together to strengthen relationships and encourage collaboration.
Sometimes you have a very specific outcome in mind. Sometimes we discover it together as we talk. Either way, that conversation decides which stories, activities, and ideas will serve your audience.
What do you want people to do after I speak to your team?
Picture the event over. People are back in their offices, classrooms, and communities.
What would you love to see them doing differently?
Having a difficult conversation they have been avoiding? Reaching out to someone who could become a valuable partner? Asking for an opportunity they have been hesitant to pursue? Noticing possibilities they have overlooked?
This is the question I care about most when we are talking about my signature keynote, The Art of the Ask.
I have watched what happens when people realize they have more opportunities available to them than they imagined. The person who can help is often already in their network. The conversation that felt intimidating turns into the start of a meaningful relationship.
I want participants to leave with something they can put into practice that week, and I want you to know we worked toward the outcome you described.
Let’s talk about how your audience will participate.
I love storytelling, humor, and giving people a reason to talk to each other.
My background in education, coaching, and improv taught me to pay attention to what is happening in the room. Are people engaged? Do they need a moment to reflect? Is it time to invite them into the conversation?
I often include activities that let participants experience an idea and consider how it applies to their own lives. The room setup, the time available, the size of the audience, and the event schedule all shape how we approach those activities. That is why I ask about logistics early.
A 30 minute closing keynote calls for a different experience than a 60 minute opening keynote or a three hour workshop. I want to understand what you have planned so I can prepare for it.
Then there is everything on my whiteboard.
A lot happens between our first conversation and the moment I walk on stage: the topic, the length of the session, audiovisual needs, arrival time, promotional materials, biography, travel, and any special requests.
I also want to know how I can help you promote the event. Would an interview be useful? Do you need a photograph and speaker biography? Are there messages you would like me to share with your audience before we meet?
And because I am also a professional photographer, I can bring my camera into the event experience. On stage to give voice, behind the lens to give visibility.
I enjoy capturing the moments when participants connect, laugh, collaborate, and celebrate. I especially enjoy helping someone who seems to be standing alone find a connection with another attendee. Those images tell the story of your event long after everyone has gone home, and we can talk about whether that would be useful for your organization.
Five answers to have ready before a keynote speaker comes to speak to your team
- Who will be in the room, and what are they facing right now?
- What do you want people to do differently the week after?
- How much time is on the agenda, and where does the session fall in the day?
- How is the room set up: tables, rows, or open space?
- What would make the event a success in your eyes?
Have these ready and the first conversation with any presenter you invite to speak to your team goes faster. The more a presenter knows before coming to speak to your team, the better the session fits the people in the room.
The planner kit has programs, bio, photos, and room needs in one place.
One last question: how can I make your job easier?
Event planners manage a remarkable number of details. Speakers, schedules, venues, participants, vendors, and the changes nobody saw coming. I have tremendous respect for the work that happens behind the scenes.
When I arrive to speak to your team, I want to know how I can contribute to the experience you worked so hard to create. Sometimes that means arriving early to check the room and the equipment. Sometimes it means adjusting an activity to fit the time we have, or helping participants find each other during a networking session. And sometimes it means asking one more question that uncovers an opportunity neither of us had considered.
If you want me to speak to your team at a conference, leadership retreat, professional development day, or organizational event, tell me about your audience, what you hope to accomplish, and what would make the day meaningful for the people in the room.
I will bring my questions.
And I will bring my tea.
About Leila Kubesch
Leila Kubesch is an international keynote speaker, TEDx speaker, Maxwell Leadership Certified Coach, Fulbright Scholar, and National Teachers Hall of Fame inductee. She has spoken in all 50 U.S. states and 3 countries, helping leaders, educators, and organizations recognize possibilities, build meaningful relationships, and take action.
Through her signature keynote, The Art of the Ask, Leila shares stories and practical strategies that help audiences turn conversations into opportunities. She also offers speaker coaching, leadership workshops, and professional event photography.
Planning an event? Visit leilakubesch.com/contact to inquire about keynote speaking, coaching, workshops, or event photography.
