Determine your budget, if any. Decide how much you can offer a speaker in terms of honorarium and related expenses -- and narrow the focus of the topics you'd like discussed. Knowing these factors ahead of time can help you identify the best speaker for the program.
Identify and list potential speakers, keeping in mind your budget and topics. If you don't have a large budget, nationally recognized names may be beyond your reach. However, consider local faculty, professionals, authors and alumni of your school or organization as effective, budget-friendly options.
Draw up a detailed plan that includes what you would expect from the speaker and how much, if anything, you can offer in fees. You can refer to this when you invite the speaker.
Contact your desired speaker and invite him or her to speak. Try to invite speakers at least a month before your event date so they have time to plan. This also gives your organization enough time to approach other speakers if your first choice declines, as well as prepare, market and provide publicity for the event.
Confirm agreements in writing with the speaker, including the date, time and place of the event; any fees to be paid or reimbursed to the speaker, as well as any other points agreed to between the speaker and your organization.