As a fellow keynote speaker and storyteller, I have a lot of opinions on how to craft the perfect speaker reel and it starts with this: there is no such thing as perfect! 

In fact, done is better than perfect. Any reel is better than no reel. And you’ll want to continue to iterate your reel and messaging as time goes. When you’re pitching yourself to organizations, leaders and audiences, they default to your reel. So it’s certainly important to make a good first impression. And that impression can come through using what you have to craft a compelling story that moves them to book you! 

Before I dive into some tips & tricks, I want you to assess what you already have: 

• Video assets – compile all the video you have 
• Audio assets – of the video you’ve captured, Take an inventory of what is usable audio — audio that is clear and loud, preferably taken from the microphone you were speaking into — and what’s unusable — audio that is unclear or was captured far away from the stage. (Check out this tool to try and clean up your audio.)
• Photo assets – compile all of the photos you have of you speaking.

Having the correct assets is your first step to crafting a captivating reel. And I’m here to tell you, you don’t have to have cinema-quality video to have a Hollywood-quality reel! 

Types of speaker reels

Now that you’ve collected all your assets (I know you might need more!), let’s identify what kind of reel you’re looking to create: 

• Banner Video – this lives on your website, social media sites and can be used over and over again in content creation. It’s a 60-90 second edit of various stages. Audio isn’t the priority here. It’s about showing you up on stages with engaged audiences. 
• Sizzle Reel – this is a compilation of talks you’ve given. It can be cut to a song or include short excerpts, sometimes related, sometimes not. Mostly, it gives your audience a sense of what to expect from you. 
• Story Reel – candidly, this is my favorite kind of reel. It tells your story, shares a little bit about your message to the audience you’re trying to reach and inspires people in the process. There are several examples of this here.

8 steps to an engaging speaker reel

Once you pick your format, it’s time to break it down: 

1. Define Your Purpose and Target Audience: 

Who are you trying to reach? And what do they want to hear? Are you targeting potential clients in the corporate world or are you seeking nonprofit audiences? Understanding your audience will help you craft your messaging. 

2. Highlight Your Unique Voice and Style: 

One of the key elements that sets you apart as a speaker is your unique voice and style. Consider the tone, pace, and energy that best reflect your personality and expertise. If you’re like me, I’d experiment with different scripts and delivery styles to find your authentic voice. Is it serious, comical, inspirational or somewhere in between? 

3. Choose Dynamic “Sound Bites” of You on Stage: 

Once you’ve written a script that captures your voice, it’s important to choose sections of your keynotes or workshops that highlight your message and show you speaking to your audience (on a stage!). Don’t give too much of your content away but be sure to share the good stuff! 

4. Enhance with Professional Audio Production: 

While I don’t think you need professional quality video to make a reel (though I recommend it) I believe that clear and understandable audio is one of the most important parts of your reel. Crystal-clear audio will make your reel more engaging and professional. 

5. Edit with Precision: 

Keep in mind that you’re not telling your entire life story, you’re sharing enough about yourself and your topic that they want to learn more. In the age of tik-tok and Instagram reels, it’s important to keep their attention. I recommend having a version that’s 30 seconds, 1 minute and 2-3 minutes. 

6. Include Diverse Kinds of Video: 

I recommend adding relevant images and video to what you’re talking about in your script. For example, in my reel (that’s always being updated) I mention something about my TV career. In this case, it’s valuable to show a video of my previous life. It adds credibility to the script and shows the audience a part of me they might not see on stage. I think adding videos and photos of off stage moments can enhance your reel.

7. Create an Engaging Introduction and Closing: 

In my former life, as a news reporter, we’d call this a “COLD OPEN.” It’s a moment that grabs the attention of your audience and keeps them watching. Think of an impactful opening line or a montage of your most impressive moments. On the same note, consider ending with a similar moment. Most videos end with a contact title card, but what if yours ended with something inspiring that compels the viewer to take action? 

8. Update Regularly: 

I’ve been speaking for several years now and I always update my reel. After a particularly busy season, I add new montages to my regular message. Keep it fresh by adding new samples that reflect your growth and versatility. As always, make sure you keep up with industry trends (length and format change most often) and adjust your reel accordingly to ensure it remains relevant and competitive. 

Get inspired!

With a standout speaker reel, you’ll be well on your way to getting paid to speak in front of the right audiences at the right rate for your goals. 

For more examples visit www.foreverreadyllc.com/speakers