Why Video is the New Currency for Keynote Speakers in the AI Era

I've been in the speaking industry for over a decade now, and I've watched a massive shift happen right before my eyes. Remember when a killer bio and some impressive credentials were enough to book gigs? Those days are gone.

Let me tell you what's happening in the real world of booking speakers in 2025.

How Organizers Actually Find Speakers Now

When event planners need a speaker, they typically go down one of three roads:

They'll hit up Google with something like "innovative tech speaker" or "motivational speaker healthcare industry" and see what pops up.

Increasingly, they're asking ChatGPT and other AI tools, "Who are the top speakers on organizational change?" or "Find me a speaker who talks about resilience without being cheesy."

Or they'll dive into LinkedIn, scanning for speakers who've been vouched for by people they trust.

But here's the thing I've heard from countless event planners: no matter how they find you, the next step is always the same – they want to see you in action. And that's where so many potential bookings live or die.

Why Your Video Matters More Than Your Words

I recently had coffee with a director of events for a Fortune 500 company. She confessed something telling: "I make up my mind within 20 seconds of watching a speaker video. If I'm not feeling it by then, I move on."

She's not alone.

A beautifully written speech might showcase your ideas, but it doesn't answer the questions that keep event planners up at night:

"Will this person bore my executives to tears?"

"Can they handle a tough room?"

"Do they come across as genuine or like they're reading from a teleprompter?"

"Will they make ME look good for booking them?"

The truth is painfully simple: in the speaking world, seeing is believing.

What Your Speaker Video Needs (From Someone Who's Been There)

After bombing my first few attempts at creating a speaker reel (God, they were awful), I've learned what actually works:

• Ditch the slick production if it makes you look too polished. Authenticity trumps perfection every time.

• Show real audience reactions – not just you talking, but the room responding to you.

• Include a moment where you're thinking on your feet – maybe handling a question or reacting to something unexpected. This tells planners you're adaptable.

• Feature brief testimonials from people who matter in your industry – the more specific about your impact, the better.

• Keep it brutally short. Two minutes is plenty. If they want more, they'll find it.

I've learned the hard way that different audiences respond to different approaches. I now keep three versions of my reel: one for corporate gigs, one for associations, and one for international events where cultural context matters.

Make Your Video Impossible to Miss

Your brilliant video means nothing if the right people can't find it. Here's where strategic placement matters:

Put it front and center on your LinkedIn profile – not buried six scrolls down.

Make sure it's the first thing visitors see when they land on your website.

Get it featured on speaker bureau sites (they'll often highlight speakers with compelling video).

Don't just upload to YouTube and hope for the best. Think about the keywords people actually use when searching for speakers like you.

The Uncomfortable Truth About AI and Your Speaking Future

Here's something most speaker coaches won't tell you: AI is already silently judging your speaking videos.

Event platforms are increasingly using AI tools to analyze speaker content, delivery style, audience engagement metrics, and even subtle factors like vocal variety and authenticity markers.

This isn't future talk – it's happening now. The platforms don't advertise it, but many are using these tools to rank and recommend speakers to their clients.

Bottom Line: No Video, No Bookings

I've seen brilliant speakers with game-changing ideas sit on the sidelines because they couldn't get past their discomfort with video. Meanwhile, speakers with good-enough content but compelling video presence are booked solid.

Is it fair? Maybe not. But it's reality.

The camera has become the gatekeeper to the stage. And in our AI-powered world, that gatekeeper has become more influential than ever.

So get comfortable being uncomfortable.

Because your next speaking opportunity depends on it.

In case you are interested in the Sales Flow that I am using for Keynote Speaking below a video from a previous Rising Stars Community Call.

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