How to choose the right social media speaker for your event
Choosing a social media speaker isn’t just about filling a slot on your agenda. The right speaker can energise a room, shift thinking and leave an audience with clarity they can actually act on. The wrong one can do the opposite — lots of noise, very little impact.
Whether you’re organising a conference, team away day, leadership session or industry event, knowing how to choose the right social media speaker makes a real difference to how valuable the session feels long after the event is over.
Start with the outcome, not the platform
One of the biggest mistakes event organisers make is choosing a speaker based on platform popularity rather than outcomes. A strong social media speaker isn’t there to talk about algorithms for an hour — they’re there to help the audience think differently, make better decisions and leave with confidence.
Before you start shortlisting, get clear on what you want people to walk away with. Is it clarity? Motivation? Strategic understanding? Practical next steps? The answer should guide who you book.
Look for commercial understanding, not just content tips
Social media doesn’t exist in a vacuum. A good speaker understands how it connects to wider marketing, sales and business goals. They should be able to talk about social media in a way that makes sense to founders, leaders and teams — not just social media managers.
If a speaker can’t link social media back to real business challenges, the session will likely feel disconnected from reality.
Experience matters more than follower count
Follower numbers are easy to see, but they’re rarely the best indicator of speaking quality. What matters more is experience — especially experience speaking to business audiences.
Ask yourself:
• Have they spoken to teams like ours before?
• Do they understand different business sizes and sectors?
• Can they adapt their message for the room they’re in?
A great social media speaker reads the room and adjusts in real time. That’s not something you get from slides alone.
Make sure the content is tailored, not generic
The best social media talks never feel copy-and-paste. They reflect the audience, the industry and the challenges in the room.
When choosing a speaker, look for someone who asks questions before the event, wants context and is prepared to tailor examples. That’s usually a sign they care about impact, not just delivery.
Decide what format works best for your event
Not every event needs a traditional keynote. Depending on your audience and goals, a workshop, interactive session or facilitated discussion may deliver more value.
A strong social media speaker should be comfortable adapting their format and recommending what will work best - not just what they’re used to doing.
Avoid trend-chasing
Social media moves fast, but good strategy lasts longer than any trend. Be cautious of speakers whose content is built entirely around the latest platform updates or viral tactics.
Audiences usually leave those sessions feeling inspired but unsure what to do next. The most effective speakers balance current insight with long-term thinking and practical application.
The right speaker creates confidence, not overwhelm
The best social media speakers don’t overload people with information. They simplify complexity, challenge assumptions and help audiences feel more confident about their next steps.
If people leave a session feeling clearer than when they arrived, you’ve made the right choice.
For more about booking a social media speaker, click here.
