When you're planning a conference or business event, the right keynote speaker can make all the difference. A truly great keynote speaker can captivate your audience, inspire real change, and leave a lasting impression long after the event wraps up. But finding the perfect speaker isn't always easy. It takes careful thought to make sure they align with your event's goals and truly connect with your audience.

If you’re an event planner, you’ve probably spent countless hours scouring the Internet, researching public speakers to book for a conference, workshop, or other gathering. But if you’re new to booking public speakers, you might be a little overwhelmed by all the options available — especially considering the different categories of speakers that exist. But fret not; below is a quick guide to understanding the various speaker types out there and how they can impact your event.