Shortlisting without wasting weeks

Shortlisting is where most events lose precious time. The brief goes out to four agencies, three of them push the same five names, and by the time you've watched the showreels you've forgotten what the event was about.

Here's a faster way.

Start with the outcome, not the names

Before you look at a single speaker, write down the **one thing** the audience should leave thinking or feeling. It really helps.

Cast wider than you think

Make a list of 6.

A good 6 includes:
- 1 you've seen on stage personally
- 1 recommended by people whose events you respect
- 1 from outside your industry who'd bring a fresh angle
- 3 who you've never heard of (search by topic, not name)

The 6-name list is throwaway. It exists so the shortlist isn't just "who came to mind first".

For each name, find:
- One full talk on video (15+ minutes, not a 90-second sizzle reel)
- One written piece they've authored (not ghost-written)
- One independent reference — a previous client, not the agent's quote

If you can't find all three for someone, they're off the list. This is the cut where 12 becomes

1. Cut to three on fit

The final cut isn't about quality. All six are good. It's about fit for this room, this moment.

Ask yourself, for each of the six:
- Will my audience recognise the name? Do they need to?
- Will the speaker match the room?
- Are they currently doing the thing they talk about, or trading on past glory?
- Could the audience get this talk from a podcast for free?

The three that survive are your shortlist

Then enquire, once. We'll send all three the same one-page brief on the same day. We'll work with their agents to confirm fit and interest, availability and indicative fee.