Last fall, I wrote a special report titled “Six Keys to Booking the Perfect Speaker for Your Next Event,” which is freely available in the Article Library of The Speakers Group site. Also included in the report is a special bonus — “12 Critical Questions to Maximize the Value of Your Next Speaker Booking” — so I encourage you to download a copy for your reference library [UPDATE: “12 Questions” now available by request]. For sake of discussion, though, here is a quick summary of the six keys:
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Reaching to the upper limits of your budget does not automatically bring a better speaker or entertainer to your event.
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Always keep your audience in mind when selecting a speaker. What do they want? Don’t just book your favorite speaker.
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Have at least a 15-minute phone conversation with your #1 candidate before signing a contract. If at all possible, arrange a call with your top 2-3 candidates.
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For each of the speakers you are considering seriously, request 2-4 letters of recommendation and call 1-2 meeting planners who have worked with the speaker in the past.
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Find a speaker who has a track record of going the extra mile for clients.
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Treat your speaker with respect and courtesy from the moment the contract is signed – before, during, and after your event.
There’s nothing ground-breaking in those six keys, but they will go a long way toward guaranteeing a successful engagement with your next speaker — which makes you a hero! Let us hear your feedback on these “keys,” and by all means, share some of your own “keys” that you’ve found along the way.
