A guide for event planners navigating digital reels, social media, and virtual showcases in 2025

In a perfect world, every event planner would have front-row seats to a speaker’s live performance before booking. But the reality of tight timelines, remote planning, and digital-first decision-making means that you often have to rely on online assets to determine whether a speaker will truly connect with your audience.

So how do you make a confident decision when you haven’t seen them on stage in person?

In today’s fast-paced environment, video reels, social media presence, and virtual showcases offer powerful clues into a speaker’s stage presence, storytelling style, and audience impact. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you evaluate a speaker with confidence, even if you’ve never seen them live.

1. Start With the Right Reel

Speaker reels are no longer just highlight montages. They’re strategic tools designed to showcase delivery, tone, audience connection, and clarity of message. But not all reels are created equal.

What to look for:

  • Real audience reactions – Look for cutaways that show engagement: laughter, head nods, applause, or interaction.
  • Uninterrupted segments – A few unedited clips give a better sense of pacing and storytelling flow.
  • Clear value – Can you quickly identify the speaker’s core message? Are their takeaways immediately actionable?
  • Energy and command – Notice their body language, voice control, and eye contact. Do they command the room?

🔍 Pro tip: Watch the first 30 seconds. If they don’t capture attention immediately, imagine how your audience will feel mid-keynote.

2. Go Beyond the Reel With Social Media Content

A speaker’s digital presence, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube, can reveal how they communicate off the stage, how consistently they show up, and how well they connect with their audience.

What to analyze:

  • Speaking clips – Look for full-length keynote segments or short “mic-drop” moments that reveal more than just highlight reels.
  • Live interactions – Q&A sessions, behind-the-scenes stories, or comment replies often show how they think on their feet and connect in real time.
  • Content tone – Are they formal, high-energy, inspiring, humorous? Does their tone align with the vibe of your event?
  • Consistency – Are they posting regularly? That’s often a sign of thought leadership and audience-building, which can translate to stronger promotion of your event.

🔍 Don’t just look at the number of followers. Look at how people respond. Engagement is often a better indicator of resonance than reach.

3. Request an Uncut Talk or Extended Clip

Speaker reels are curated. If you’re seriously considering someone, ask for a 15–30 minute uncut clip of a recent keynote or workshop. Most experienced speakers will have this on hand, and it offers valuable insight into:

  • Flow and structure – How do they build their message? Do they tie stories to actionable takeaways?
  • Audience adaptability – Can you tell if they’re reading the room or adjusting to energy levels?
  • Energy over time – Are they consistent throughout the talk, or do they lose momentum?

This is especially helpful if you’re evaluating a speaker for a longer keynote, breakout session, or full-day workshop.

Want to dig deeper? This guide to evaluating keynote speakers from Bizzabo has even more criteria to consider.

4. Watch a Virtual Showcase or Ask to Attend One

Many top speakers now participate in virtual showcases hosted by speaker bureaus or agencies like Gotham Artists. These are 15–20 minute virtual segments where speakers present a portion of their talk live on Zoom or other platforms.

Why this matters:

  • It gives you a live look at their energy and delivery.
  • It reveals how they adapt to different formats (virtual or hybrid).
  • You can evaluate presence without post-production polish.

If the speaker doesn’t have a showcase scheduled, ask to observe a rehearsal or check if there’s a private video available from a past session.

Keep an eye on Gotham’s upcoming virtual events for chances to catch your next speaker live.

5. Look for Speaker-Generated Content

Today’s best speakers don’t just show up to talk. They build thought leadership year-round. Explore what original content they’ve created beyond their talks:

  • Podcasts or interviews – How well do they articulate their ideas when asked unscripted questions? For example, listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast or Adam Grant’s WorkLife.
  • Blog posts or newsletters – Is their message clear and relevant? Does it reflect their keynote?
  • Books or published work – These can establish credibility, depth, and a consistent philosophy that shines through on stage.

This content adds context to their core message and helps you ensure their topic aligns with your event’s theme.

6. Ask for a Pre-Booking Conversation or Discovery Call

Stage presence isn’t just about what happens in front of the audience. It starts with how the speaker interacts with you during the planning process.

Book a discovery call with the speaker (or their team) and use it to assess:

  • Preparedness – Do they ask about your audience, event goals, and pain points?
  • Collaboration style – Are they flexible, open to customizing their talk, or stuck in a set script?
  • Personality fit – Would they resonate with your audience? Are they someone you’d want to work with?

🎤 Pro tip: Great speakers bring clarity and curiosity to the conversation. They should feel like a strategic partner, not just a presenter.

7. Check for Past Audience and Planner Reviews

Even without seeing them live, you can tap into the experiences of others who have.

  • Look for testimonial videos or quotes directly from other event planners.
  • Explore event hashtags on social media. Does the speaker get shoutouts during or after their talks?
  • Ask for references from similar events or industries to yours.

You can also browse speaker reviews on SpeakerHub or Google Reviews for additional social proof.

8. Ask the People Who Know Best: Talent Scouts, Event Planners, and Bureau Agents

One of the most underrated, and possibly #1 most important and high-impact steps you can take? Talk to someone who has actually seen the speaker live.

While digital assets are helpful, real-time feedback from trusted pros is invaluable.

Who to ask:

  • Content creators or video production teams – Companies like Cicospace film hundreds of keynotes each year and know which speakers truly deliver. They’ve seen it all—what works, what falls flat, and who brings consistent stage presence.
  • Speaker bureaus – Agents at Gotham Artists have a front-row seat to talent across industries. They can tell you who consistently wows audiences.
  • Other planners in your network – Especially those who serve a similar industry or audience.
  • Production teams – Stage managers, AV teams, and show producers often have strong opinions (and great stories) about what makes a speaker exceptional.

🎤 Pro tip: Ask open-ended questions like “What stood out to you?” and “Would you book them again?” to get beyond surface-level praise.

This kind of insider feedback is often the deciding factor between a good speaker and a truly unforgettable one.

Final Thoughts: Confidence Without Compromise

Booking a speaker without seeing them live doesn’t have to feel like a gamble. In 2025, the digital tools available—combined with real-world insight from industry pros—can paint a clear picture of stage presence, delivery, and audience connection.

By combining reels, social content, uncut footage, discovery calls, planner reviews, and feedback from those who’ve seen them live, you can make confident booking decisions that elevate your event and wow your audience.

Looking for help sourcing the right speaker? Gotham Artists curates bold, relevant, and high-impact talent across industries and topics, and we’ll help you find the right voice for your stage.

Ready to see who’s next on the mic?
Reach out to our team to explore our latest speaker showcases, emerging talent, and 2025 trends.