WHAT MAKES A STANDOUT SHOWREEL

Whether you're an event organiser casting your next public speaker for a special event, or starting out in the public speaking game yourself, here are the core ingredients for a good showreel - and the cherry on top that separates it from the rest.

You're likely already familiar with showreels if you've ever worked in the media, advertising, events, or performing arts industries. Sometimes called a "highlight reel" or "sizzle reel," a showreel is a short video that showcases your best work and puts you in the best light. (Sometimes literally).

For event organisers - whether you're planning an internal company event or you're a conference producer - watching a two-minute video of a public speaker in action is an effective and efficient way oof drawing up your initial selection, qualifying your shortlist, or seeking extra validation based if they've already been in touch, made an application, or been referred to you.

For public speakers, a showreel is a non-negotiable. Unless someone already knows you or have attended a previous event where you presented live, how are prospective clients around the world going to see you in action and get a sense of your energy?

But, what makes a good showreel? What should event organisers be looking for in public speaking showreels, and what should public speakers be prioritising to their video editor?

1. Clarity: Is it clear what you do, for whom, and why?

It's easy to get wrapped up in making a showreel look like a slick ad - with stunning visuals, clever animations, and a banging track - but don't let the glitter bedazzle you so much that the viewer is left scratching their head on what you're actually about?

Consider a form of "comprehension test" by sharing the video to a handful of people in your network and asking them to describe, in their own words, what it is you do, for whom, and what makes you special. If they can't, revert to the drawing board and take a "less is more" approach.

2. Pace: Does it hold people's attention?

If a 2-minute speaker reel can't hold the viewer's attention, then how do you expect them to engage a room with a 60-minute keynote?

Whilst public speakers are not expected to also be experts in cinematography, they are expert storytellers, and so this is one assessment metric to not hold back on.

Use music in a considered way (read: don't just slap on whatever stock track you can find!) Maybe it's upbeat to bring up the energy, maybe it's more dramatic in some parts - your call. But make it good.

Use a variety of visuals to hold viewer's interest - maybe switching between you on stage, shots of the audience, some backstage content, and client testimonials.

The quality of the final output is still a reflection of someone's values and standards. Use this to assess how well they align with your values and standards, as a client.

3. Audience: It's not me, it's you

Any half-decent public speaker knows doing a good job isn't about how polished their talk was, it's about how much they engaged the audience, the reactions in the room and how much impact their presentation made. As an event organiser, your attendees are the star of the show; not the speaker!

(This is where it's worth firstly clarifying who exactly your attendees are, what they'll be expecting to gain from the session, and what would make the event even better - surpassing those expectations. See here for more guidance on tight public speaker briefing for your next event).

A good showreel should therefore include snippets of live audience reactions and video testimonials from past clients.

The cherry on top: Your special sauce

As unwilling as I am to regurgitate the same old tropes and buzzwords we're sick of hearing at this point, you really do need to be yourself and convey your uniqueness in your showreel.

DoN't TrY tO bE aNyOnE eLsE; tHeY'rE aLrEaDy TaKeN et al.

But it is true.

If you're a bit weird, a bit eccentric, a bit funny, a bit whatever - show it. This makes it so much easier for event organisers to get a real feel of who you really are, plus it increases the chances they'll warm to you and at the very least makes your reel that bit more memorable!

Showreel examples

1. Stephanie Melodia

Growth Strategist, MBA Mentor & Keynote Speaker

Stephanie Melodia's public speaking showreel ticks the above boxes and therefore serves as a great example of a public speaker showreel; it's compelling, impactful, and high energy. Combining both onstage and backstage footage with a studio recording to carry an overarching story arc ensure this showreel isn't another random montage of clips stitched together. With both audience reactions captured and client testimonials inserted, the viewer gets a real sense of the actual impact and experience Stephanie delivers as a speaker - not just her public speaking skills on stage. The variety of music used matching the tone of different speech clips is a great storytelling device, too - adding variety and viewer interest throughout.

Watch the full 3:13 video below:

ENQUIRE HERE

2. Holly Ransom

Whilst Holly is the star of the show, we can't help but play a game of celebrity bingo with this showreel. From Matthew McConaughey to Hilary Clinton, see how many you recognise in this top showreel from the award-winning public speaker and em-cee.

3. Mark Leruste

Creator of the viral TED talk that's garnered over 1M views, Mark Leruste is a storytelling expert whose showreel demonstrates Hollywood-like level of production & editing quality. Check it out here.

4. Nic Redman

The voice coach opens her showreel in an arresting way, immediately conveying her own unique personality and clearly communicating what she does, and the power of her work. Watch Nic Redman's showreel here.

5. Simon Alexander Ong

The author of Energise, Simon Alexander Ong, opens with a clip from his live Sky News interview in his public speaking showreel, which immediately conveys authority and credibility. The overlaid narrative brings clarity to his message and purpose. The combination of shots of Simon on stage with audience reactions make this a top showreel example. Watch here.