Not Every Great Speaker Belongs on Your Stage — Here’s Why

A great speaker isn’t always the right speaker. Here’s why audience fit matters more than fame — and how to make the right call for your next event.

Not Every Great Speaker Belongs on Your Stage — Here’s Why

Let’s get one thing straight — just because a speaker is great, doesn’t mean they’re great for your event.

We’ve seen it before. A well-known name walks on stage, the intro’s impressive, the delivery is polished… but something doesn’t click. The audience zones out. The energy dips. Everyone claps politely — and then quietly forgets it ever happened.

Why? Because great speakers still need to be the right fit.

Fit Isn’t About Fame — It’s About Alignment

The best speaker in the world can fall flat if the message, energy, or delivery doesn’t match your audience.

Ask yourself:

• Is the speaker’s story relevant to the people in the room?

• Do they understand the industry, pressure points, or humour?

• Will they lift the tone, not just tick a box?

We once had a client shortlist a speaker with a household name. Big fee, big rep, big buzz. But the event was for frontline staff — and that speaker’s corporate war stories just didn’t land. We found someone lesser-known who’d walked in their shoes. Nailed it. Standing ovation. Less cost, more impact.

What You Really Want from a Speaker

• A message that feels personal, even in a room of 500

• Stories that relate, not just impress

• Someone who can read the room and pivot, not just perform a script

• A partner, not just a performer
  

This is why we work the way we do at Essential Speakers. We don’t just ask who’s available. We ask: Who belongs on that stage, with that audience, on that day?

The Takeaway

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking big name = big impact. It doesn’t.

The right speaker makes people lean in. The wrong one — no matter how brilliant — makes people check their phones.

If you’re not 100% sure who’s the right fit for your next Australian event, ask us. We’ll help you figure it out — honestly, quickly, and without the hard sell.