Tips for Spotlighting Special Guests and Keynote Speakers in Your Newsletters

Whether your senior center or community organization is planning a big event with a variety of speakers or a series of educational workshops, you might be wondering how to get the word out. The competition for people’s time is significant, both in terms of generating awareness and encouraging registrations. One avenue for building interest is to feature your upcoming keynote speakers and guests in your newsletter.

Highlighting keynote speakers and guests in your agency newsletter is a strategic way to engage your audience and enhance the overall appeal of your content. But doing this in a way that attracts and engages your readership can be tricky.

Speaker biographies can be dull — if you just publish the bios, your readers likely won’t give them more than a cursory glance. If you spend a little time learning more about each of these upcoming guests, however, you can make these profiles worth reading. Here are some effective tips to ensure these features stand out and resonate with your readers.

• Craft compelling biographies
  Start with well-crafted biographies that capture the essence of each speaker or guest. Highlight their achievements, unique perspectives, and relevance to your audience. Use engaging language that paints a vivid picture of who they are. Instead of simply listing credentials, share anecdotes or key moments that showcase their personality and expertise. This approach not only informs but also connects with readers on a more personal level.

• Utilize visual elements
  Incorporate high-quality images of the speakers or guests. Visuals are powerful tools that draw attention and create a connection. Consider using candid shots, professional headshots, or images from previous events. Infographics can also be effective, summarizing key points about their background or contributions in a visually appealing manner. A clean and organized newsletter layout can help highlight these visuals without overwhelming the reader.

• Feature video clips
  If you offer a digital version of your newsletter, try to include short video clips of keynote speeches or interviews. Videos provide a dynamic way to showcase the speaker’s charisma and style, making them more relatable and memorable. This multimedia approach caters to different learning preferences and can significantly increase engagement. Just ensure that the videos are brief, ideally around one to two minutes, to maintain the reader’s attention.

• Include quotes and key takeaways
  Pull out impactful quotes or key takeaways from the speakers’ past presentations. This not only emphasizes their expertise but also provides immediate value to the reader. Consider creating a “Quote of the Month” section featuring these insights, which can inspire and provoke thought among your audience. Additionally, summarizing their main points can give readers a taste of what to expect, further piquing their interest.

• Create a Q&A section
  Incorporate a short Q&A segment to pose relevant questions to the speakers or guests prior to the event. This interactive approach allows them to share insights that might not be covered in their biographies or speeches. Choose questions that reflect the interests of your audience, ensuring that the responses are both informative and engaging. This format also adds a personal touch, allowing readers to feel connected to the speakers.

• Highlight each speaker’s relevance
  Make a clear connection between the speaker’s expertise and the interests of your audience. Explain why their insights matter in today’s context, whether its addressing trends related to your organization’s mission, personal development, or innovations in health and wellness. This contextual framing not only boosts the speaker’s credibility but also reinforces the value of your newsletter, showing that you prioritize relevant content.

• Encourage audience interaction
  Finally, foster a sense of community by encouraging readers to engage with the speakers or guests. Invite them to submit questions for an upcoming event or participate in polls related to the speaker’s topic. This not only increases engagement but also makes your audience feel valued and involved in the conversation. Additionally, this can be great insight to share with your planned speakers prior to the event.

More Ways to Promote Community Events

If you are looking for a few more ideas for spreading the word about a speaker series or event, we have a few you might find helpful. Visit Creating a Promotional Calendar for Your Community Events for more suggestions!

Don’t forget — our free, ad-supported, print and digital newsletter service for nonprofits like yours comes with a professional redesign of your layout (or fresh new design if you don’t already have a newsletter)! Learn more about how we can elevate your communication with your members on our website.