Start by lining up the edge pieces. Clarify what you want the speaker to do for your organization. Comedian Decide what kind of speech your program calls for. Lecture Sales pitch Debate Know what level of speaking ability you require. Experienced Intermediate Novice Determine the parameters of the subject and treatment.
Some programs last several days and at the early stages have more than one date option.
Qualifications, reputation, and affiliation information commonly come from others not the candidate. Only after you make contact, do you have an opportunity to interview the potential speaker. I recognize that you are not what we had in mind. You may want to start the invitation call on a tentative note. This give you both some negotiation space and an opportunity to gracefully decline.