Low Attendance Series – Part 3: Are you picking the wrong speakers?

You’ve got the right venue, you’ve pushed the comms, and you’ve reframed the topic.

But still, people are hesitant to register, and the numbers just aren’t there.

The problem might not be what you’re saying, but who’s saying it.

In Part 3 of our Low Attendance Series, we cover how speaker choice can make or break your attendee numbers, and what to do if your lineup isn’t exactly front-page material.

Great speakers don’t have to be famous; they have to be relevant

Yes, big names can draw in the numbers initially, but relevance often outperforms it.

• A niche expert who solved a relatable problem will outperform a “celebrity” speaker no one relates to.

• An internal champion or customer with real-world results can deliver more impact than a consultant who speaks in generalities.

Tip: When promoting speakers, don’t just share their title—share what they’ll teach and what the audience will get out of it.
“How Rachel from ABC Ltd reduced waste by 38% in 6 months.”

People want people like them

Speakers who feel relatable make your event feel more accessible.

Ask:

• Will this speaker resonate with the type of audience that we’re targeting?

• Can they connect emotionally, not just deliver slides? Charisma is a wonderful thing.

And if you’re worried about low name recognition, use storytelling in your comms to raise their profile before the event.

Promote the speaker, not just the agenda

In your comms:

• Include speaker photos and relevant quotes or achievements in emails

• Create short preview videos or Q&A snippets

• Use pull quotes as social graphics (Mitingu templates help automate this)

Coming Up Next…

Part 4: Venue Psychology - Why the where matters