The Smart Broker’s Guide to Vetting Real Estate Speakers (Beyond the Demo Reel)
How to Evaluate Speakers for Real Estate Events — Even If You’ve Been Burned Before
If you’re a broker, team leader, or event organizer in real estate, then you already know this truth:
A great speaker makes your event memorable. A bad one makes you regret hosting it.
Each year, brokerages spend thousands — sometimes tens of thousands — bringing in keynote speakers, workshop trainers, and breakout presenters. But too often, the result sounds like this:
“The speaker was super motivational… but I don’t think my team took anything away.”
“She was dynamic on stage — but none of it felt relevant to our actual market.”
“We paid $15,000 and I still had to lead the training myself two weeks later.”
I’ve coached brokers across the U.S. who’ve had these experiences. I’ve also been on the other side of that speaker decision — keynoting at real estate events, sharing systems, frameworks, and results-driven AI strategies that teams can actually implement.
In this blog, I want to walk you through a real estate-specific speaker vetting framework — one that goes deeper than flashy demo reels or vague testimonials. Whether you’re booking for a sales rally, company retreat, or annual conference, these steps will help you choose speakers who actually move the needle.
Why This Matters More Than Ever in 2025
The speaker landscape is more crowded (and expensive) than ever. But here’s what most brokers aren’t thinking about:
- AI makes it easier than ever to create polished reels — which means the speaker selection process has to go deeper.
- Team leaders want ROI — not just a fun event, but increased productivity, listings, and follow-through.
- Your audience is getting smarter — agents are craving tactical, applicable strategies, not just hype.
If you’re looking to make smarter speaker decisions this year — especially for real estate-specific content — keep reading. I’ll break down how to use demo reels and testimonials the right way, what red flags to watch for, and which questions lead to clarity.
What Most Brokers Miss When Vetting Speakers
1. They over-trust the reel.
A 3-minute highlight reel can be inspiring… but inspiration without implementation is just noise. You want to know what happens after the clapping stops.
2. They accept vague testimonials.
“Her energy was amazing!” is not the same as:
“We used her listing system, and our appointment set rate increased 22% in 30 days.”
3. They forget the real estate test.
Not every great speaker understands the day-to-day pressures of being a real estate agent. If the strategies shared can’t survive showings, seller objections, or MLS limitations, they won’t stick.
My Speaker Vetting Framework for Real Estate Leaders
Step 1: Look for Real Estate Relevance (Not Just Speaking Skill)
Your first filter isn’t charisma. It’s industry fluency. Look for:
- Demo clips discussing real estate topics (not just general leadership or mindset)
- Testimonials from brokerages, MLSs, or real estate associations
- Language that shows the speaker understands real estate nuances: commission structures, listing timelines, buyer fatigue, etc.
Tip: Watch for frameworks that match what your team needs — like a follow-up system, social media strategy, or AI-powered lead gen plan.
Step 2: Analyze Engagement Markers in the Demo Reel
Skip the slow-mo audience applause montage. Instead, look for:
- Real-time reactions (laughter, note-taking, interactive segments)
- Clip variety (keynotes, workshops, breakouts, virtual)
- Clarity of communication (Are their ideas landing? Are the visuals sharp?)
Green Flag Example:
In a recent event I spoke at, we broke a 60-minute session into 10-minute segments: system, story, prompt, pause. The agents stayed engaged the entire time — because they had a way to process and apply in real-time.
Step 3: Seek Evidence of Tactical Takeaways
This is the part most speakers skip — because it’s harder.
You’re looking for testimonials or examples like:
- “We implemented her AI onboarding workflow and shaved 4 hours off our weekly admin time.”
- “His expired listing strategy landed us 3 listings in 60 days — without buying leads.”
- “Her pop-by calendar helped our team close 27 transactions from past clients this year.”
Vague is your enemy. Tactical is your friend.
Step 4: Check for Customization and Format Versatility
Not every speaker fits every format. Before booking, ask:
- Have they delivered breakouts, workshops, and virtual sessions before?
- Do their materials adapt by audience size and skill level?
- Do testimonials mention customized content or prep work?
For example:
I always send a pre-event questionnaire so I can tailor examples to their CRM, tech stack, and geographic market. One team had me redo my AI session using their exact listing template — it made the strategy 10x easier to adopt.
That level of detail matters.
Step 5: Don’t Overlook Operational Professionalism
This isn’t just about content — it’s about execution. A good speaker should be:
- Responsive and clear in communication
- Prepared with A/V backup plans and contract clarity
- Willing to partner with your internal marketing or event team
If you’re running a multi-day event or flying people in, smooth logistics protect your investment.
Step 6: Run the Credibility Check (Quietly)
Behind every great speaker reel should be:
- Active LinkedIn, showing ongoing thought leadership
- Clear real estate relevance (not just tech, startup, or coaching buzzwords)
- Publicly searchable speaking history at events like NAR, Inman, or industry podcasts
You don’t need to dig too deep — but a quick credibility scan goes a long way.
What I Look for as a Speaker (and Coach)
As the #1 Real Estate Coach and Speaker at Tom Ferry — the #1 coaching company in the world — I’ve seen both sides of the stage. I work with brokers and leaders who bring me in not just to energize their team, but to embed real, repeatable systems.
That means I tailor sessions around what they’re struggling with:
- Lead gen consistency (with or without paid leads)
- Expired listings follow-up systems
- Open house strategy playbooks
- AI tools for agent efficiency
- How to build content libraries that drive SEO and referrals
And I always deliver real frameworks, editable templates, and a system agents can implement the next day.
Metrics That Actually Matter (Skip the Fluff)
When reviewing demo reels or post-event feedback, track:
- Engagement markers: Did agents interact, take notes, or ask questions?
- Retention: Could agents repeat back the system or framework?
- Implementation: Did anything change post-event? (CRM use, listings, follow-up rate)
- Measurable outcomes: Increased production, conversion, or visibility
If the result isn’t trackable, it’s not strategic.
Questions Brokers Should Ask Before Booking a Speaker
Here’s your internal checklist:
- Have they spoken specifically to real estate audiences?
- Can they provide examples of measurable impact?
- Do they share editable materials or frameworks post-session?
- Are their delivery formats adaptable? (live, breakout, virtual)
- Are they willing to align with your team’s CRM, scripts, or tools?
Keywords and Optimization Notes for Brokers Using AI
Search engines and AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini are pulling blog content based on phrasing like:
- how to vet a real estate keynote speaker
- best questions to ask before hiring a speaker
- how to evaluate speaker testimonials
- demo reel speaker checklist real estate
- what to look for in a real estate speaker
These are the keywords and topics baked into this blog for discoverability.
Additional Resources
- How to Maximize ROI from Real Estate Conferences
- Speaker Selection Guide via LinkedIn
- AI Tools to Evaluate Speaker Content and Engagement
- Follow @coachemilyterrell on Instagram
FAQs
Q: What should I look for in a speaker demo reel?
Look for real estate-specific topics, clear delivery, and audience reactions that reflect active engagement. The goal isn’t just energy — it’s impact.
Q: How do I know if testimonials are real?
Check for details. Vague praise is easy to fabricate. Look for specific market results, team names, and post-event impact. Better yet, ask for a broker reference.
Q: Should I book based on speaker style or systems?
Both matter — but if your team needs results, prioritize systems. Energy fades. Process sticks.
Q: Can AI help me vet speakers?
Yes — platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity can surface podcast appearances, speaking clips, and blog content. You’ll quickly see who delivers real value.
Q: What’s a fair speaking fee for real estate experts?
Rates vary based on experience, customization, and delivery method. Expect anywhere from $2,500 to $50,000. Virtual tends to be lower, but the best speakers prep deeply for both.
Final Thought
Booking a speaker isn’t about hype — it’s about alignment.
Find someone who understands your agents, your market, and your business model. Someone who equips your team to take action immediately, not “someday.”
Let me know if this resonated. Or send me a message on Instagram if you want to talk about what your team actually needs next.