Event Speakers, The Next Generation: Social Media Stars Step In

In years past, event planners were so used to booking PhDs, novelists, actors, talk-show hosts, etc. for speaking engagements to attract attendees. With more common folk rising to the top thanks to social media platforms, you will find that these creators of original content with millions of followers are the next generation of event speakers you'll want to book. They've turned their online personas into a business; not just with speaking engagements but also appearances and working with major brands to promote new campaigns. These dubbed "social media stars" can present important messages about building an audience, reaching the millennial market, and other insights. Another benefit? As social stars with massive followings, they can promote the event ahead of time or even create content at the event, depending on the details of the contract.

Starting to reconsider who you book? Check out these four social media stars you'll want at your next event!

Jenna Marbles (Jenna N. Mourey)

I have a new-found-love for this girl. Years back, I was a dedicated fan but kind of fell off her bandwagon. Watching her videos for the last few months have reminded me of how awesome it is to just be yourself! (And I love how cute you and Julien are together with all your furbabies and hover-boards). Keep doing what you're doing, Jenna. Ms. Marbles reaches more than 15.4 million subscribers and is the most popular woman on YouTube. Jenna posts a variety of videos, from ones starring her dog to an impersonation of Hillary Clinton. As a speaker, she can discuss her journey and the challenges she’s overcome to achieve social media stardom while authentically connecting with fans. She is represented by CAA Speakers.

FouseyTube (Yousef Saleh Erakat)

Yousef Saleh Erakat, better known as FouseyTube, has a combined following of more than 6.7 million subscribers on his four YouTube channels. His videos, which include pranks, social experiments, and comedy sketches, nearly always have a moral undertone, which he can translate to speaking appearances. I can't get enough of his social experiments. Pushing the boundaries but always with good intentions. He is represented by CAA Speakers.

Lindsey Stirling

You might recall her stint on America's Got Talent in 2010 where she made it to the quarterfinals of the TV show. A classically trained violinist who now pairs her music with electronic beats, Lindsey Stirling used YouTube to promote her early career and now has more than 6.9 million followers. She has gone on to success that included a nomination at this year’s Teen Choice Awards for Choice Web Star: Music. Raised as a Mormon, Stirling can speak about inspirational topics such as her faith, not giving up, remaining strong and true to yourself, overcoming trials, personal progress and change, her prior struggle with an eating disorder, and positive thinking. She is represented by WME.

Timothy DeLaGhetto

The comic video specialist Timothy DeLaGhetto, also known as Traphik, counts more than 2.9 million subscribers and 601 million views of his posts, which show off his skills as a rapper, comedian, writer, and videographer. His work includes original skits, parodies, rants, and a series called “Dear DeLaGhetto.” I love watching him on MTV’s Wild N’ Out and Guy Code! DeLaGhetto, who is Thai-American, can speak to groups about his creative process and how diversity plays a role in content, audience reach, and success. He is represented by CAA Speakers.

I can say with complete confidence that having these personalities at your next event will draw an attendee-base that you may not have captured otherwise. Plus, they're highly entertaining, down-to-earth people who started at the bottom and now they here (Drake voice), so support them! They clearly know how to devour the details of any type of speaking engagement, so reach out to them today!