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Why Is Speaker Content The Key To SEO?

Every marketing team has an abundant resource that isn’t being tapped into to create high-quality content: speakers.

Table of contents: 

  • Introduction: The Role of Event Speakers in Content Marketing 
  • The Challenge: Siloed Teams Are Missing Out on a Content Goldmine
  • The Power of Google’s EEAT Framework for Content Marketing 
  • Event Speakers As The Embodiment of EEAT 
  • Why Start With Speakers 
  • Practical Steps To Integrate Speaker Content With Your Marketing Strategy
  • Conclusion: The Future of Events and Marketing 

Introduction: The Shifting Impact Of Content 

Traditional SEO practices, like keyword optimization, are no longer sufficient on their own. With the rise of AI-generated content and the ever-evolving search engine algorithms - the old playbook simply won’t cut it. Marketers need to focus on broader content quality signals, user engagement, and personalized context. 

Challenges content marketers face in this new era of AI include: 

  • Risks associated with creating low-quality or “thin” content 
  • Producing duplicate content from other sources 
  • Content ranking poorly in search engine algorithms 
  • Lack of unique, highly-personalized content 

What is the Google algorithm looking for?

SEO and digital content experts like Neil Patel have a wealth of resources on what is E-E-A-T and how to ensure you are creating high quality content. Essentially, the Google algorithms are looking to see if your content is backed by Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trust. 

“Thin” content that prioritizes keyword optimization over content quality is being de-prioritized by Google. Today, Google is doing a better job at ranking content that showcases real subject matter expertise, enforcing people-first content over search-engine first content. 

A great example is the impact that’s been seen in HubSpot’s recent SEO collapse - a staggering 80% decrease in traffic to their blog. .

This is where every event marketer should be shouting from the rooftops. 

Every marketing team has an abundant resource that isn’t being tapped into to counter the challenge in creating high-quality content. It’s a goldmine opportunity. 

It's your speaker network. 

Event speakers, whether they’re industry experts, thought leaders, or innovative practitioners, are often the missing link in a brand's content strategy. They bring more to the table than just insights during the event itself; they embody the core principles of Google’s EEAT framework - Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. 

Speakers provide an opportunity to help you create highly personalized, relevant, and contextual content to your broader audience. They are the subject matter experts and content generators that search algorithms are prioritizing.

When marketing teams harness this potential, they can elevate their content strategy to new heights.

Integrating your event speakers into your content strategy, especially through the lens of Google's EEAT framework, can transform your marketing efforts and drive long-term success.

We have to close the gap between event content and digital marketing. We have to activate our speakers beyond the event. 

The Challenge: Siloed Teams Are Missing Out on a Content Goldmine

In many organizations, event teams and marketing teams operate in separate silos. While the event team focuses on creating memorable experiences at the event itself, the marketing team is working to drive engagement and generate leads through digital content. Unfortunately, this often leads to missed opportunities for cross-collaboration, leaving a vast pool of valuable content untapped.

Event speakers are one of the most powerful resources that companies overlook. They are the experts who shape the narrative of the event - providing insights, inspiration, and authority on topics that resonate with your audience. 

But once the event is over, much of the content that speakers generate is often left behind—underused or underutilized.

By bringing event speakers into the fold of your marketing strategy, you can bridge this gap. 

Include closing the bridge to CMO with Neil: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X25y3Pi0lODtRgY3Lbz418XxicAaLMgc/view?usp=sharing

Instead of letting their expertise and authority fade away after the event, you can repurpose their content, extend its shelf life, and create a continuous flow of value for your audience all year round.

The Power of Google’s EEAT Framework for Content Marketing

For digital and content marketers, the ultimate goal is to create content that not only resonates with the audience but also performs well on search engines. 

That’s where Google’s EEAT framework comes into play:

  • Experience: How well the content creator demonstrates personal experience with the topic.
  • Expertise: The depth of knowledge the content creator has in the subject matter.
  • Authoritativeness: The creator’s reputation and credentials in the broader community.
  • Trustworthiness: The reliability and integrity of the information presented.

Google’s algorithms prioritize content that reflects these four principles because they signal high-quality, accurate, and reliable information to users. When content demonstrates EEAT, it ranks better on search engines and builds trust with audiences. 

Aligning your content strategy with these principles can significantly improve SEO and brand credibility.

Event Speakers as the Embodiment of EEAT

Here’s the exciting part: Event speakers naturally embody the principles of EEAT. They bring to the table exactly what Google is looking for in high-quality content. 

Let’s break down each component of the EEAT framework and how it relates to event speakers:

Experience: Speakers Bring Real-World Insights

Event speakers aren’t just sharing abstract theories; they are sharing firsthand experiences. Whether they are talking about case studies, industry trends, or lessons learned from their own careers, they bring a level of practical knowledge that is invaluable to your audience. Google rewards content that is grounded in real-life experience, and event speakers provide the kind of actionable, on-the-ground expertise that can’t be found in textbooks.

Expertise: Speakers Are Industry Authorities

Many event speakers are recognized industry professionals with years of experience under their belts. Their credentials, affiliations, and published works speak to their expertise in a particular field. These speakers aren’t just talking about general trends—they are the go-to experts on specific topics. By leveraging their expertise in your content, you position your brand as a trusted source of valuable information, a key factor in Google’s ranking algorithms.

Authoritativeness: Speakers Are Thought Leaders

Event speakers often have a built-in reputation and authority in their respective fields. Whether they’ve authored books, contributed to major industry publications, or been featured in respected podcasts, their authority extends beyond the event itself. When you feature these thought leaders in your content strategy, it elevates your brand’s own authority. This association with reputable experts signals to Google that your content is credible, increasing the likelihood of higher rankings.

Trustworthiness: Speakers Build Audience Loyalty

Trustworthiness is one of the core tenets of Google’s EEAT framework, and event speakers play a crucial role in building that trust. When speakers consistently provide valuable, insightful content at events and in digital formats, they cultivate a loyal audience. This trust extends to the content you create with them. Google values content from sources that have established credibility and trust with their audience, and speakers are key to ensuring your content meets that standard.

Why Start with Speakers for Year-Round Content Creation?

Integrating speakers into your content strategy isn’t just a short-term boost for your event marketing; it’s a long-term investment in SEO, authority, and trust. Here’s why:

Content Consistency

Event speakers offer a steady stream of valuable content that can be repurposed throughout the year. Every talk, panel discussion, or keynote address is a treasure trove of insights that can be turned into blog posts, social media updates, podcast episodes, and more. By repurposing their content, you create a constant flow of high-quality material that keeps your audience engaged and aligns with Google’s desire for fresh, relevant content.

SEO Benefits

The more your content aligns with Google’s EEAT criteria, the better it will perform in search rankings. Speaker-driven content has the advantage of reflecting expertise and authority, which are key factors for SEO success. When your brand is associated with credible, trustworthy voices, Google is more likely to rank your content higher in search results, boosting organic traffic and visibility.

Thought Leadership & Brand Authority

By consistently featuring respected speakers in your content, you enhance your brand’s position as an authority in your industry. When your audience associates your brand with well-known experts, your credibility grows. This positions your company as a trusted source for information, which helps build long-term customer loyalty.

Trust and Loyalty

Content from trusted sources is what Google prioritizes, and speakers help you build that trust with your audience. When your speakers consistently deliver valuable insights, they help create a reputation for your brand as a reliable, trusted resource. This trust not only improves SEO but also builds a loyal audience base that returns for more valuable content.

Practical Steps to Integrate Speaker Content into Your Marketing Strategy

So, how can you start leveraging speaker content for long-term marketing success? 

Here are some practical steps:

  • Repurpose Speaker Content: Record every talk, panel discussion, or Q&A session, and repurpose it into various formats—blog posts, social media updates, podcasts, and video clips. Transcripts and key quotes from speakers can be turned into written content that serves as SEO-friendly blog posts.
  • Create Speaker-Based SEO Content: Develop thought-leadership pieces based on your speakers’ expertise. Highlight their credentials, use their quotes, and tie their insights into the larger conversation happening in your industry.
  • Leverage Speaker Networks for Cross-Promotion: Speakers have their own loyal followings and networks. By featuring them in your content, you gain access to their audience, extending your reach and amplifying your brand message.
  • Host Post-Event Webinars: Keep the conversation going by hosting follow-up webinars or interviews with your speakers after the event. This not only extends the content lifecycle but also provides ongoing engagement opportunities with your audience.

Conclusion: The Future of Marketing Lies in Speaker-Driven Content

The EEAT framework is more than just a set of SEO guidelines; it’s a roadmap for creating high-quality, engaging content that resonates with audiences and ranks well on search engines. By integrating your event speakers into your year-round content strategy, you can harness the power of experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trust to build a marketing engine that drives long-term success.

Event speakers aren’t just a resource for live events - they are thought leaders, trusted voices, and industry authorities whose insights can elevate your content strategy. Start leveraging your speakers today to unlock the full potential of your content marketing and set your brand up for success in the digital-first future.

Learn more from SEO expert Neil Patel on the power of your speaker network to generate marketing content:

Bryan Funk

Event Marketing Executive In Residence