--- title: "Wednesday Buzz: Maximize Your Speakers" id: "39963" type: "post" slug: "wednesday-buzz-maximize-your-speakers" published_at: "2017-10-04T20:55:48+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T20:29:03+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2017/10/04/wednesday-buzz-maximize-your-speakers/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2017/10/04/wednesday-buzz-maximize-your-speakers.md" excerpt: "How to set your speakers up for success. Also: Find out how to take breaks the right way." taxonomy_category: - "Meetings / Events" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "audience engagement" - "event planning" - "Meetings" - "Speakers" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Manager" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Wednesday Buzz: Maximize Your Speakers Speakers can make or break a meeting, but the effectiveness of speakers begins with the event planner. To make sure that you’re priming your speakers for success, you must first make sure that you pick the right ones. “Before you place a call for speakers, you need to be clear on who you’re trying to reach at your event,” writes Christina Green in a [recent post for Event Manager Blog (opens in a new tab)](http://www.eventmanagerblog.com/make-the-most-out-of-your-speakers) . “Once you know that, you can begin to understand what their interests are.” Once you’ve made your selections, ask yourself if your speakers know your audience as well as you do. Event pros should make sure to relay their knowledge about the audience to the presenters, so they have plenty of time to design and revise their slides to fit the audience’s needs. Green goes on to suggest writing enticing session descriptions, giving a lively speaker introduction, and getting audience feedback. ### Break Right > You’re taking breaks the wrong way, here’s how to fix that [https://t.co/uAzYZLyLfq (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/uAzYZLyLfq) > [pic.twitter.com/3qp74p8lz4 (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/3qp74p8lz4) > > — Fast Company (@FastCompany) [October 4, 2017 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/FastCompany/status/915494276913561601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **In the mad rush of the workday,** it’s often hard to find time to take a break. But it’s important that you do. Just consider that not all breaks are created equal. *Fast Company* shares a few [effective break habits to try (opens in a new tab)](https://www.fastcompany.com/40475204/youre-taking-breaks-the-wrong-way-heres-how-to-fix-that) that are backed up by science. To preserve your ability to concentrate, try working for 52 minutes followed by a 17-minute break. Knowing you have a long break coming up may help to keep you focused. You also have to give your eyes a break. Prevent eye strain by following the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen at something 20 feet away. Do this for at least 20 seconds. ### Other Links of Note **Blockchain technology made its way into the financial sector.** Is marketing next? *[CMSWire says yes (opens in a new tab)](http://www.cmswire.com/digital-marketing/blockchain-slowly-moves-into-the-marketing-industry/)*. **Is an aggressive push for new members right for your association?** *[Know Your Own Bone (opens in a new tab)](https://www.colleendilen.com/2017/10/04/value-new-vs-renewed-members-case-study/)* says that retaining members may be the smarter goal. **YouTube analytics can tell you more than just video impressions.** *Social Media Examiner* reveals how to find [demographic data, referral traffic, and more (opens in a new tab)](https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/measure-youtube-performance/) . (Martin Barraud/OJO Images/Getty Images Plus) [Raegan Johnson](https://associationsnow.com/author/raegan-johnson/) Raegan Johnson is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/raegan-johnson/) Tags: [#audience engagement](https://associationsnow.com/tag/audience-engagement/) [#event planning](https://associationsnow.com/tag/event-planning/) [#Meetings](https://associationsnow.com/tag/meetings/) [#Speakers](https://associationsnow.com/tag/speakers/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [TemplateMembers onlySpeaker AgreementJuly 20, 2018](https://associationsnow.com/2018/07/20/speaker-agreement/) - [Video2025 ASAE Annual Meeting Keynote SpeakersApril 23, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/04/23/2025-asae-annual-meeting-keynote-speakers/) - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Contract: Building Stronger Destination PartnershipsSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-contract-building-stronger-destination-partnerships/) - [VideoMelvin Tennant, CAE, President & CEO of Meet Minneapolis, Welcomes You to Great Ideas 2026September 2, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/02/melvin-tennant-cae-president-ceo-of-meet-minneapolis-welcomes-you-to-great-ideas-2026/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2017%2F10%2F04%2Fwednesday-buzz-maximize-your-speakers%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !