This is a main obstacle you may face when planning for a virtual summit.
- How do you find speakers for the virtual summit?
- How do you secure big name speakers?
- How do you get speakers to accept if this is your first time and you don’t have other speakers yet lined up?
- What can you do to attract speakers to leverage their lists if you have no list yourself?
Let’s shift the way you are thinking when it comes to speaker invitations for a virtual summit.
Your list size is not really relevant.
Part of the agreement when you confirm a guest speaker is that they will invite their list via a set number of solo emails.
Therefore, you are leveraging the lists of your guest speakers.
For example, guest A has a list of 3000… you now have access to a list of 3000 for this event. Guest B has a list of 4000… you now have access to a list of 7000 for this event. Every speaker you add increases your event list size reach.
This leverage is one of the reasons why virtual summits are so effective at quickly growing your list.
That being said, you do have an initial hurdle to cross… confirming your first one or two speakers. After that it is easier to approach remaining speakers because you can then “name drop” speakers already participating in the event.
When you brainstorm and then research your speakers… rank them.
A-lister: List size greater than 10000
B-lister: List size of 5000 to 10000
C-lister: List size 3000-5000
D-lister: List size 1000-3000
Granted, your ranking right now is an educated guess based off your research. Regardless, rank your speakers as best you can and start by reaching out to some C-listers. After you have a few confirmed “yeses” for your event, move on to target B-listers, and then finally work to secure one or two A-listers.
Make sense?
Want to make sure you are setting your virtual summit up for success?
#1 Rookie Mistake Even Pros Make When Hosting a Virtual Summit (And the Simple Steps How to Avoid It!)
If you don’t get this right, you could put together an amazing line up of experts, but then have practically NO ONE attend your virtual summit. If you do your research and plan properly, which I walk you through in #1 Rookie Mistake Even Pros Make When Hosting a Virtual Summit (And the Simple Steps How to Avoid It!, your list build can be greater than you even anticipated!
All the best,
Lisa Nelson
Detail Project Management
P.S. Receive instant access to “#1 Rookie Mistake Even Pros Make When Hosting a Virtual Summit (And the Simple Steps How to Avoid It!)” here.