What to put in a speaker brief (so the talk fits your room)

A speaker is only as good as the brief they get. Here is what Dai asks every planner for.

Key takeaways

Send a brief the speaker can use

1. Describe who is in the room and what their year has been like.
2. Write one outcome in a plain sentence.
3. Share what comes before and after the talk.
4. Include equipment, timing, access needs and language to avoid.

Who is in the room

Roles, seniority, how many, and what their year has been like. A sales team after a hard quarter needs a different talk from a leadership retreat.

The one outcome

What should people do differently on Monday? One sentence.

What comes before and after

Who speaks before, what happens after, and whether there is a theme for the day.

The practical bits

Room size, stage, screens, timings, microphones and whether there are questions at the end.

Words to use and avoid

Internal language, recent changes, anything sensitive. A good speaker checks sensitive material with the organiser beforehand.

Send this brief and the talk gets sharper. To start, check a date on the speaking calendar.