Let’s get some good business takeaways from an analysis of a motivational keynote speaker demo video. These are the top marketing tools that professional speakers use to find paid opportunities. As a speaker, I update my demo video at least once a year to best match marketplace conditions.
While the frequency may surprise you, every year there are new athletes, reality TV stars, and subject-matter experts who want to get on stage at conferences and other events. It’s a crowded marketplace but there are opportunities.
While you may have the best website and brochure, you really need your motivational keynote speaker demo video to get you further along in the audition process. You have a limited amount of time to make a big impact on what is often a complete stranger.
Sound familiar? These same visibility and messaging challenges are impacting more and more businesses. In a challenging and competitive environment, you need every edge you can get.
With that in mind, let’s deconstruct my latest motivational keynote speaker demo video. For each best practice discussed, I’ll tell you why it’s important in your world.
(This may be a good moment to hit play on the video below…)
Get To the Point With a Motivational Keynote Speaker Demo Video
When it comes time to make my new sizzle reel, I pay attention to the experts, otherwise known as meeting planners. They say you must be seen speaking in the first couple of seconds in your video.
That means the highly produced, seven second animated opening, with your logo slowly moving across the screen, probably needs to be removed or trimmed. You want to kick things off with a memorable moment of you on stage.
It’s important to realize that meeting planners are very busy and don’t have the time to watch every second of every video. Assume you’ve got ten seconds to make a good impression.
In your world, in that same amount of time, do you let people know who you are and what you do? I can’t tell you how many LinkedIn profiles I see, where I have no idea what a person’s business does and how they support it in their role.
Don’t fall into the trap of believing that people have unlimited time to learn more about you. And an underwhelming first impression is usually a lasting impression.
Footage Matters in a Motivational Keynote Speaker Demo Video
Getting good stage footage is an ongoing challenge for speakers. Typically, the bigger the stage, the bigger the paycheck. Ideally, you want to show yourself in a variety of good venues. Sometimes that means leaving clips on the cutting room floor.
You may have great video from the talk you gave at a local community center but if you’re looking to present yourself in a more professional environment, then you may not want to use something that has a plastic slide in the background.
That said a good photographer or videographer can make an okay room look better. Relying on a friend with a smartphone may not produce the results you want.
In your marketing, are you aiming it at the customers you want to work with? Do your professional photos look professional or like an inexpensive option?
If your headshot no longer looks like you, has outdated fashion, or some other issue, then it’s time to update it.
Testimonials Matter
A good motivational keynote speaker demo video features testimonials. Meeting planners want to know that others have enjoyed your talks.
A testimonial could be a video clip, a quote, or even a shot of an audience member laughing. They provide social proof to the viewer.
For business owners, reviews are often your testimonials. When you’ve done a good job, do you ask someone to post a review? Don’t assume that people will automatically do this.
Whatever form your testimonial takes, it needs to be real. For instance, I could use a shot of a standing ovation from an awards TV show but the viewer would likely realize that moment was not related to my keynote presentations.
And don’t pay someone in another country a few dollars to flood your Google review profile with fake reviews.
In both of these situations, discovered trickery will hurt your brand.
Get Input on Your Motivational Keynote Speaker Demo Video
Before I publish a new demo video, I ask a few people to review it. They are trusted advisors.
Most importantly, they will tell me the truth and not just what I want to hear. This is important because when you’re working on a project, you may be too close to it to notice problems. With their feedback, you can make changes and improve the final product.
In your business, do you have people who can provide advice and will you explore it? This is especially important before you roll out a new program or campaign.
Notice I didn’t say, “follow.” For some, their egos won’t allow them to take that leap of faith. But at least mentally step back and consider the feedback.
It’s a lot easier to fix a mistake or adjust something when you’re early in the process.
Review Analytics
Whenever I prepare a new motivational keynote speaker demo video, I look at the YouTube analytics for the previous one. I want to see how long the average viewership lasts.
I have no illusions that busy meeting planners will likely not watch the entire three-minute clip. It’s important to see when they tune out. That way, I can adjust future editions and move up certain content that I really want them to see.
Without analytics, I’m guessing about behaviors.
In your business, what are the analytics you need to monitor? Do you have the courage to check them? You can have the best information about customer behavior, but it’s worthless if you never look at it.
Sometimes the patterns will surprise you. If they go against what you thought, don’t feel bad. Nobody gets it right all the time. Smart leaders embrace the information and make changes.
A Motivational Keynote Speaker Demo Video Is an Ongoing Process
As I mentioned earlier, I update my professional speaker demo reel at least once a year. I’m always looking to capture new footage, fun moments from talks, or testimonials. I may also get inspiration from a fellow speaker’s video or receive guidance from a meeting planner.
No matter how well I think I’ve done on my last video, I know it will eventually need to be updated.
From where you sit, do you realize your marketing and branding has a lifespan? From logos, to pictures, to slogans, while some things can last forever, usually they don’t.
Be prepared to let go of what you’ve done before and explore new options. Watch out for the traps of perfectionism. Perfect takes a long time to achieve, while very good, gets you into the marketplace.
Let’s Create a Memorable Meeting
