How to Create A Speaker Demo Reel
Ahhh, the elusive demo reel. You can’t get hired for events without video footage of you speaking. But how do you get footage of you speaking if you can’t get events?
In addition, what is it meeting planners or hiring committees want to see?
Here are some tips and things to keep in mind regarding creating a demo reel that actually gets you hired.
1. Quality of Footage:
There is a saying I have heard amongst speakers that the amount you want to make per event is the amount you should spend on a demo reel shoot. Basically, if you want to make $10k, then you need to spend $10k.
Uhhh, no thank you. I come from the film/commercial world, and I do not see a reason to spend that kind of money. Ahhh, the elusive demo reel. You can’t get hired for events without video footage of you speaking. But how do you get footage of you speaking if you can’t get events?
In addition, what is it meeting planners or hiring committees want to see?
Here are some tips and things to keep in mind regarding creating a demo reel that actually gets you hired.
1. Quality of Footage:
There is a saying I have heard amongst speakers that the amount you want to make per event is the amount you should spend on a demo reel shoot. Basically, if you want to make $10k, then you need to spend $10k.
Uhhh, no thank you. I come from the film/commercial world. I do not see a reason to spend that kind of money. Rather than look in the “speaking world” for videographers, if you look in the film world you can potentially save thouuuuusands for the same quality, if not better footage and editing.
2. Quality of Footage (Part 2):
On the other hand, if you set up your cellphone in the back of a Kiwanis Club lunch with three bald guys heads taking up half the frame – then you are not getting hired, either.
Yes, you can shoot things on your cell phone, but the framing and the sound matter. If you are standing behind a podium and you have a door frame or a flag coming out of the back of your head, it looks cheap. The same space with better framing can make it look like a much higher quality event.
If you are going to shoot footage yourself, make sure you understand framing, in addition to the lighting and sound. The background and what is in the shot matters.
3. Coveted Audience Shots:
If the audience is sparce, spread out or the space is not nice, don’t bother shooting the audience. You’ll look much better with a tighter shot of you on stage vs. you in front of a so/so audience.
BAD:
BETTER:
There is a bajillionn things of b-roll out there you can purchase or take your own for audience shots. I often take still photos of large audiences that I can add into my reels or marketing.
Simple example. I spoke here and took a shot beforehand. This is a still I can use for whatever reason – even though I’m not even in it.
4. Still Shots for Filler:
In addition to large stages, I often use stills of me on stage, as filler for a demo reel. I’d rather have decent still shots of me on a better stage, than bad video footage or footage of me on an iffy stage.
5. The Story Arc of Your Demo Reel:
Your demo reel is not just video to show you can speak, it should have your story and a clear understanding of your messaging. This requires a story arc. The person watching the video has no understanding of who you are or any of your backstory. All they have is the 2-4 minutes video to learn who you are, why you’re likeable, and what message or experience you are going to give the audience.
Commercials have story arcs. So, yes, it's not only possible, but necessary to create a story arc in under 4 minutes.
6. The 1st 8 Seconds:
I have sat in a room full of meeting planners why they went through tons of demo reels and they usually made a decision within the first 8-11 seconds whether or not they wanted to watch more. Most of the time it was a, “no”.
Wasting your first 8 seconds on someone introducing you or fancy graphics or a boring intro won’t get you hired. It’s just like social media. You have to have a hook and you need to be good ON STAGE. Not b-roll of you in an airport. They want to see you speaking right off the bat.
7. Relevant Style:
The 2016-2018 style of demo reels with long chuncks of interview and speaking are very dated. With shorts being a major staple in our world today, video clips that are quicker paced – such as 7 seconds here, 3 seconds for the next cut, b-roll, then more speaking are more relevant.
8. Camera is Different Than Stage:
“Stage ready” is very different than “camera ready”. If you know you are being filmed and what the camera angles are, if they are closer in on you – STOP MOVING so much. The tiniest movements are distracting on camera. Tons of layers of clothes or patterned fabrics are distracting on stage. White or black that blends into the background is not great for camera. Too little or too much make up can be distracting.
9. “Shorts” and “Long Form” are a Thing:
I have had some interesting requests from meeting planners or bureaus the last year or so. The first is wanting a long form video of me speaking. The specific requests were 10 minutes or 15 minutes of UNEDITED video of me speaking. Basically, they have been burned by highly edited demo reels and want to see if you can actually get a message out and speak effectively on stage for an extended period of time.
The second request is the opposite. I’m now almost always asked for both a demo reel AND a few shorts. I use OpusClip Pro for editing my clips with almost zero effort on my part. I LOVE it. Here is an affiliate link for 30% off your first month is you are interested in trying it: https://www.opus.pro/?coupon_code=PRO_30&via=63a4d0
10. Your Demo Reel is Never Done:
Your demo reel – just like your speech - is always a work in progress. What works for you today won’t work in two years. Always being conscious of gathering video on a continuous basis and add or update it regularly.
One Bonus Note: I have gotten most of the bureaus he carry me off of YouTube from my demo reels. They have searched on YouTube for "funny female speaker", etc. and that's how they found me. Make sure to post your demo reel with relevant hashtags, descriptions and links. Have a "bureau friendly" demo reel with no contact info, and a regular demo reel with all your contact info.
Finally, if you flat out need help getting footage, I am offering a "Demo Reel Experience" March 29 - 30, 2025 in Denver. It is a 2 day event.
The first day is learnings some camera skills, creating your demo reel template/arc, then everyone gets time on stage to rehearse and be coached by me, so that you are stage and camera ready for the following day.
The second day we shoot demo reel footage at the #1 production space in Denver. This will be done like a film/commercial shoot - rather than a "demo reel showcase shoot". This means you'll get several takes, different camera angles, and no audience.
For more information click here: https://www.boringtosoaringspeeches.com/demo-reel-experience-workshop
