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. “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 pic.twitter.com/3qp74p8lz4

— Fast Company (@FastCompany) October 4, 2017

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 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.

Is an aggressive push for new members right for your association? Know Your Own Bone 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.

(Martin Barraud/OJO Images/Getty Images Plus)