Professional speakers succeed when they are able to captivate their audience and make an indelible impression on them. But how is a meeting professional going to know your capabilities? That’s where video comes in, and a strong speaker demo reel highlighting your expertise and unique perspective will help you get more speaking engagements and be seen by a wider audience. What, though, should you include in your demo reel that will set you apart from the competition?

As a professional speaker, the visual and aural quality of your demo reel should be your top priority. Low-resolution videos dilute your message and make you look less credible as a speaker. Make sure your reel looks and sounds amazing. At the risk of offending those with a limited budget, if it looks like your kids did the video or it lacks professional panache…then it likely won’t give you the outcome you desire – paid speaking engagements.

Your demo reel’s start should be as captivating as the rest of the film, and not just because of the high production values. Your opener should grab the audience’s attention and make them want to watch more with a powerful statement or interesting story.

INTERESTING FACT: The average speaker demo reel is watched for 31 seconds. This must mean that most demo reel openings are not captivating! Sad!

CLUE: Open your demo reel with a clear indication of a widespread problem your prospective client is having – one that you can solve! Hypnotic language patterns suggest that if you can get someone to agree with you quickly, they will be more likely to engage with your presentation longer.

It’s not rocket science; it’s neuroscience!

Your demo reel should feature clips that demonstrate your proficiency and mastery of the subject matter. Videos of your public speaking engagements, interviews with influential people in your field, and insights into your creative process are all good options. Although, if you don’t have a great video showcasing your skills, you can create that in the studio.  It’s amazing what can be done with a green screen. If it’s good enough for Jurassic Park, it’s good enough for a demo video.

Showing that you can build an emotional connection with your viewers can make your reel stand out from the crowd. Emotion sells! Likewise, to the extent you have this, you should also add videos that highlight your individuality and style. Include feedback from pleased customers or audience members to further boost the impact of your demo reel. Clients are more likely to hire you as a speaker for their future events if they hear positive feedback from previous audiences.

NOTE: Often, the best testimonials are not those that are captured at a conference via your iPhone after your speech but rather are those that are written. Written testimonials can be truncated into something that is easily digestible, and that provides visual stimulation on the screen while your voice is communicating a relevant message.

Finally, at the end of your demo reel, you should have a clear call to action. A compelling call to action, whether it is to book you for an upcoming event or to visit your website or social media pages, can increase the likelihood that viewers will become clients and fans.

An impressive demo reel might help you stand out from the crowd in the highly competitive keynote-speaking industry. High-quality production values, an engaging introduction, examples of your skill and personality, positive testimonials, and a direct call to action all contribute to a successful demo reel that will propel your career forward.

FINAL THOUGHT: Ask yourself – who are my speaking competitors? If you don’t know who you are competing with, then how are you going to set yourself apart? I like to dissect my competitor’s promotional material so I can evaluate what I need to do to be effective in the competitive landscape. Answer that question – review their materials – and you’ll know best what is needed to move the selection decision in your favor.

Keep in mind that your demo reel is your opportunity to make a bold statement about your abilities and experience as a speaker. If you put in the effort to make a professional demo reel, you’ll be one step closer to reaching your goals and advancing your career.  Guess that’s all I have to say about that!