Complete the form below to enter The Speaker Awards.
Scroll down for the explanation of the Categories and FAQ's.
THE ENTRY CATEGORIES
These are the 6 awards categories
Best Live Speaker
3 to 5 minute excerpt (consecutive, not highlights) of your best live speaking event in 2022.
Best Virtual Presenter
3 to 5 minute excerpt (consecutive, not highlights) from your performance at an online speaking event in 2022.
Best TEDx Speaker
3 to 5 minutes edited highlights of your 2022 TED/TEDx talk. Must include start and finish.
Best Showreel
2 to 3 minutes. Your complete professional speaker showreel. Must include minimum 60 seconds of you speaking live.
Newcomer of the Year
If you have started speaking professionally in the year 2022, please let us know on your application.
If your entry is shortlisted, it will automatically be judged in this category too.
Speaker of the Year
The winner will be picked from the category winners
Which Area Of Expertise Does Your Talk Fall Into?
Leadership
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Wellness & Wellbeing
Inspiration
Business
WHAT WILL YOU BE JUDGED ON?
Content
- - The talk is well structured and the content is clear (we aren’t left guessing what you are talking about)
- - It is well communicated
- - Makes sense
- - Powerful in its own right, gets the point across
- - Appropriate to audience
Delivery
- - Clear
- - Confident
- - Audible
- - Understandable
- - Personal style
- - Appropriate to audience.
Visual
- - Personal presentation
- - Setting Background
- - Lighting
- - Videography
- - Good use of the stage
- - Colours
- - Props (if used)
Technical
- - Sound quality
- - Video quality
- - Editing
- - Start and finish
- - Smooth transitions
Technical Speaking
- - Use of body
- - Use of tone
- - Clearly structured
- - Pacing
- - Use of language
Once you submit your application. The judges will create the shortlist.
Then announced live online on the 30th of September - which you will be notified of.
Everyone who is shortlisted will be expected to attend the live evening awards event in London on the 18th of November.
Please note you will only be judged on the information submitted in your entry/ies and application form/s.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who can enter?
A: The awards are open to anyone who meets the criteria of the related categories.
Is there a cost to enter?
A: Yes. The cost to enter the awards is £25
How do I enter?
A: It’s very easy. Complete the online application form, upload your video and pay the entry fee for each entry. You’ll get an on-screen notification and an email to confirm we’ve received your entry.
Can I enter more than one category?
A: You are welcome to enter more than one category, however, you will need to complete, submit and pay for a separate application for each entry. The criteria for the categories will often vary, so you may need to tailor your nomination form according to the category you are entering.
What is the entry deadline?
A: Entries close on September 4th.
What happens after I submit?
A: Sit back and wait, in the meantime we will:
- Review all submissions against the set criteria (if you’ve missed anything important, we’ll contact you to clarify)
- Send all submissions to the judging panel for assessment
- Decide on the category shortlistsLet you know if you’ve been shortlisted
- Announce the shortlists on the Speaker Awards website and social media channels (Riverside/YouTube/LinkedIn) on September 30th.
- Announce the winners at the awards ceremony.
How many submissions can be made for the same speaker?
A: No more than 3.
Can I submit my video at a later date?
A: As long as you do it by the closing date, you can submit it after you have completed your entry form.
Can I use any footage?
A: Remember you will be judged on your submission so make sure you submit your best material in the format stipulated for each category.
If you need support editing your video, our partner Bros in Marketing has a special offer to support applicants.
Send your enquiry to[email protected]
What format should my video be?
A: MP4. Most digital devices and platforms support MP4, rendering it the most universal video format around.
How long should my video be?
A:Best Live Speaker
3 to 5 minute excerpt (consecutive, not highlights) of your best live speaking event in 2022.Best Virtual Presenter
3 to 5 minute excerpt (consecutive, not highlights) from your performance at an online speaking event in 2022.Best TEDx Speaker
3 to 5 minute edited highlights of your 2022 TED/TEDx talk. Must include start and finish.Best Showreel
2 to 3 minute. Your complete professional speaker showreel. Must include minimum 60 seconds of you speaking live.If you need support editing your video, our partner Bros in Marketing has a special offer to support applicants. Send your enquiry to
What happens if I’m shortlisted and I’m unable to attend the ceremony.
A: When you enter the Awards, you commit to attending the Awards Event if you are shortlisted.
Please check the date and time carefully. If you have made the shortlist but can’t attend, please let us know asap.
If you are unable to make the event, we will ask you to provide us with contact details of someone who could collect your award on your behalf if you win.
Is my submission confidential?
A: Yes. All awards submissions are treated as highly confidential.
Only the Speaker Awards team and judging panel will view them.
How are judges selected?
A: Judges are selected from a pool of experienced industry partners.
Each one is asked to declare any conflict of interest with any entry so that the judging process is carried out fairly.
Why is there an entry fee?
A: The entry fee of £25 is a low barrier to entry and represents excellent value for money.
It goes towards the cost of administering the Speaker Awards.
No judges or admins are paid for their work.
Can I get a refund if I can’t attend, or I don’t get the video in?
A: No, applications are not refundable. There are no refunds under any circumstances - we put in a lot of work in the background and the small admin fee goes to cover that.
Is the gala dinner mandatory?
A: It is only mandatory for shortlisted speakers as per our
What happens if I’m shortlisted and I’m unable to attend the ceremony.
A: When you enter the Awards, you commit to attending the Awards Event if you are shortlisted.
Please check the date and time carefully. If you have made the shortlist but can’t attend, please let us know asap. If you are unable to make the event, we will ask you to provide us with contact details of someone who could collect your award on your behalf if you win.
How are the winners determined?
A: Each of the judges ranks the entries in each category, and the six entries with the most votes will be shortlisted.
The judges will pick the winners of each category from the shortlist.
If there is only 1 entry for a category, then judges will be asked to recommend whether any award should be made or not.
Will I receive feedback on my entry?
A: No, feedback is not given on entries. However, you can reach out to Speaker Express to book a call regarding your speaking challenges here – [email protected]
Why the Speaker Awards?
A: The Speaker Awards celebrate the work of Speakers who have impacted their industry and/or market by sharing their knowledge, experience, and expertise through speaking.
Following the last two years, we decided it was time to celebrate an industry that has supported and helped millions of people, and which often is underestimated.
We are doing this because we want to help shine the light on the incredible work a lot of speakers are doing out there; recognise it and award it. We have put together a brilliant line-up of judges who will cast their vote on who should be a leading speaker in their category.
Are the awards for international or just UK-based speakers?
A: Only for UK based speakers now. We will consider opening the awards to international speakers in the coming years.
How will winning an award help my business?
A: Winning awards from credible third parties can go a long way in solidifying your reputation as a trustworthy brand that delivers.
- Award-winning businesses are consistently seen as more reputable and honest, even if consumers aren’t consciously aware of this perception. This is why award-winning businesses frequently highlight certifications as much as possible.
- Winning business awards can help boost your company’s profile. This increased awareness doesn’t apply just to customers. You may also receive more attention from suppliers, vendors, and investors — many of whom survey articles and award ceremonies for potential business partners.
- When you become an award-winning business, you may be able to charge more for your products and services — and justify doing so.
If you win an award once, you will feel more confident to enter more and spread the word of your business achievements.
What do I get out of being shortlisted?
A: Apart from attending to the gala dinner, here are some more benefits:
- Not only does it make you feel proud, but it also helps you figure out what you do well and why so that you can carry on doing it and use it to shape your speaking career for the better.
- It’s also a huge learning curve. Whether you win or not, you should always ask for feedback so you can do more of what is good and introduce changes to make it even better. Although feedback is not given on submissions, you can speak to the judges and engage with other shortlisted speakers at the gala dinner. Additionally, you can reach out to speaker express to book a call regarding your speaking challenges here – [email protected] - Collaborate with others in a similar position to share advice, expertise and thoughts to help each other succeed.
What will I receive if I win?
A: You will receive a physical award at the ceremony and we will be promoting the winners on social media after the event.
Who will be at the awards?
A: Shortlisted speakers, the judges, organisers, sponsors and their guests.
What support is available to me?
A: The team organising the event is at your complete disposal should you have any questions or requirements. Feel free to drop us a line at [email protected]
Do the awards embrace intersectionality?
A: Yes. Minority race and LGBT+; older and caregiver; younger and trans; female and disabled speakers can enter the awards. Diversity and Inclusion are at the forefront of the Speaker Awards.
Our judging criteria will cater for this.