Why Are Event Speakers A Marketing Content Goldmine with Neil Patel

Session Overview

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Siloed event and marketing teams are missing out on a content goldmine.  

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Our theory: event speakers are the missing link in your marketing strategy.  

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Why ?Speakers embody the core components of Google's EEAT SEO Framework. Speakers bring Expertise, Experience, Authority, and Trust to your audience. The core factors that drive high-quality content are the exact same reasons why our speakers deliver value to our audience. Speaker content is the strongest content for your marketing strategy. So, we convinced one of the top digital marketing and SEO experts in the world to sit down with us and share their take on this theory.  

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Tune in to hear Neil Patel, the foremost expert in SEO and digital marketing, share his take on our theory.  This session will be a roadmap for how marketing and events can leverage each other more, including:

-Why speaker content is an SEO goldmine

-The power of how speakers and session content can drive your strategy

-How to bridge the gap between events and marketing

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Session Transcript

Bryan Funk [00:00:00]

Thanks so much for joining. My name is Bryan Funk with Sessionboard. We are back for another weekly live session, and today we're going to be testing a theory we have and pressure-testing it a bit with Neil. We're wondering: Are speakers the missing link in your marketing strategy? Why do speakers embody the core components of Google's SEO framework?

Your speakers are your experts. They bring the experience your audience is looking to learn from. They bring authority as subject matter experts and trust into our ecosystems and communities. I'm really excited to dive into a conversation today with Neil Patel, co-founder of NP Digital, and Chris Carver, CEO of Sessionboard, who will be moderating today.

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Chris Carver [00:01:00]

Neil, thank you. I've been following you, as you probably know, for a decade now, back when you and Heaton Shaw were starting out. For those unfamiliar, can you give us a little background on your story, your career, and what you're doing today?

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Neil Patel [00:01:30]

Thanks, Chris. I’m a serial entrepreneur. Heaton is my brother-in-law, and we've co-founded several companies together. Over the years, I’ve done quite a bit of public speaking—sometimes up to 10 events in a single week when traveling across countries. For example, in one stretch, I spoke at events in Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, all within a short period. Speaking has been a significant part of my journey.

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Chris Carver [00:02:30]

What topics do you typically focus on in your talks?

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Neil Patel [00:02:35]

Primarily marketing—how to grow traffic, gain social media followers, and adapt corporate strategies for the next year. It’s more about actionable, practical advice tailored to businesses.

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Chris Carver [00:03:00]

One thing I’ve always admired is the sheer volume and quality of your content. Can you walk us through your content creation process? How do you maintain such a high cadence while ensuring value?

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Neil Patel [00:03:30]

The easiest way to approach content is by starting with ideas that resonate with your target audience. We aim to discuss topics that others aren’t covering. The world produces roughly 4.8 billion pieces of content daily—a staggering amount. The challenge isn’t content scarcity but standing out. We focus on what’s fresh and valuable, ensuring it aligns with our audience’s needs. It's not about chasing likes and shares but driving meaningful engagement and revenue.

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Chris Carver [00:05:00]

Do you have a specific sequence or framework for content creation?

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Neil Patel [00:05:10]

Not exactly. We’ve built a robust team that submits ideas, conducts research, and brainstorms content. I review these ideas and decide which to pursue. After creating the content, we publish and promote it across platforms. It’s a collaborative effort.

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Chris Carver [00:06:00]

How do you test content ideas? Is speaking one of the ways you gauge audience interest?

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Neil Patel [00:06:15]

Absolutely. I speak frequently, often testing content on stage. I usually don’t see the slides my team prepares until I’m presenting, but I know the topics well enough to adapt on the fly. It’s about knowing your material deeply and being able to connect with the audience, even without heavy reliance on visuals.

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Chris Carver [00:07:30]

You’ve written about Google’s EEAT framework. Can you explain it and its relevance to speakers and content creators?

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Neil Patel [00:07:45]

EEAT stands for Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trust. Content that embodies these elements tends to perform better. People want fresh, unique insights—something they can’t just Google. Speakers are particularly positioned to provide this because of their deep experience and unique perspectives. Sharing those authentic experiences makes content stand out and resonate.

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Chris Carver [00:09:30]

How can event marketing teams better leverage speakers’ content to drive year-round engagement?

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Neil Patel [00:09:45]

Look at examples like Gary Vaynerchuk. His talks generate months’ worth of content—short clips, blog posts, podcasts, and more. With 20-30 speakers at an event, you can create weeks of content. Record everything, slice it into digestible pieces, and use it strategically throughout the year. This builds sustained engagement and positions your brand effectively.

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Chris Carver [00:11:00]

How do you see AI impacting content creation? Is it a threat or an opportunity?

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Neil Patel [00:11:15]

AI is a tool. It can help with efficiency, but relying solely on AI risks creating lower-quality, generic content. Algorithms prioritize engagement. If your content—AI or human-created—doesn’t resonate, it won’t succeed. The key is to focus on quality and originality.

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Chris Carver [00:13:00]

How can event teams ensure speakers provide fresh, engaging content?

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Neil Patel [00:13:15]

Most of the work happens upfront. Pre-vet speakers to ensure their topics align with your audience and offer something new. Collaborate with them to refine their message. Freshness and relevance are critical.

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Chris Carver [00:14:30]

As event marketing teams scale, how can they expand beyond relying on a single marquee speaker?

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Neil Patel [00:14:45]

Empower your team. Identify other experts within your organization who can represent your brand. This approach scales your efforts and distributes the workload. It’s a strategy we’ve implemented at NP Digital by having regional leaders represent us at events.

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Chris Carver [00:16:00]

What advice would you give to newer companies looking to launch their first major event?

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Neil Patel [00:16:15]

Collaborate with event marketing teams and leverage their expertise. Focus on creating content that educates and engages your ideal customers. Use webinars and live sessions to build relationships and generate content that can be repurposed across channels. Partnerships and collaboration are key.

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Chris Carver [00:17:30]

What about post-event strategies? How can event teams maximize ROI after the event?

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Neil Patel [00:17:45]

The work doesn’t end when the event concludes. Create clips, blog posts, and social content from event recordings. Provide speakers with these assets to share on their platforms. This approach not only extends the life of the content but also amplifies its reach.

Chris Carver [00:19:00]

Final thoughts?

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Neil Patel [00:19:15]

Keep innovating and prioritizing quality. Focus on building authentic relationships with your audience and delivering value. Content is about more than just filling space—it’s about creating impact.

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Bryan Funk [00:20:00]

Neil, thank you so much for sharing your insights. This has been an incredible session. We’ll follow up with content and key takeaways. Safe travels!

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Neil Patel [00:20:15]

Thank you. It’s been a pleasure. Looking forward to seeing what you create next!