Create a Content Team
An essential tip is to ensure that speaker selection isn't determined by just one person. Everyone has biases, no matter how impartial they try to be. Having a team—ideally, one not formed from the same 'bubble' and representing diverse backgrounds and viewpoints—results in a speaker lineup that reflects this diversity. run.events allows you to easily form your content team, deciding whether all members will determine the entire conference program or focus on areas within their expertise.
Things to Consider When Creating Calls for Content
This may seem obvious, yet many Calls for Content fail to address this: be explicit about your topic preferences, session types, and the criteria by which speakers and content will be evaluated.
Also, communicate clearly the financial aspects of speaking engagements: specify whether speakers are compensated or expected to pay, and clearly state if you are covering their travel and accommodation expenses, and to what extent.
This clarity allows potential speakers to assess whether your event is the right fit for them and whether they wish to submit a proposal.
Proactively Reach Out to Speakers
Even with a well-crafted call for content, it's possible that interested speakers simply overlook it. Therefore, it's wise to promote your call for speakers in locations frequented by your target audience—on social media, internet forums, or through newsletters and mailing lists aimed at your desired industries and speakers.
Moreover, we have recently launched the run.events Speaker Directory (
https://speakers.run.events), which is rapidly growing with new speakers every day. It's an invaluable tool for event organizers to discover and invite potential new contributors to their speaker lineups.