Google the word “speaker” and you’ll be overwhelmed by thousands of choices. Inspirational speaker. Celebrity Speaker. Sports hero. Futurist. Bestselling author. Then some talk about trend topics: artificial intelligence, DEI, mental health.
The amount of leg work involved in choosing a speaker can be huge. Not only do you need to study the speaker and carefully study his or her hissing reels, but it is important to study the person’s online history to ensure there is no controversy or inconsistent with the culture of your company or client.
Enter an organization representing professional speakers and handle all the details involved in the booking. Not only can they help you make the right choice for your event, but they can also negotiate fees, manage contracts, oversee logistics such as travel arrangements, and act as a range between in any issues that arise.
“Experienced agents are consultants who can share insights you can’t find online,” said Lisa Warren, partner at SpeakINC. “How are the speakers behind the scenes? Do they probably agree to enjoy making custom promotional videos for you or having extra content on-site dining with executives? Do they have a wide range of riders? Similar how audiences receive them?”
Some spokespersons are unique to a single agency. Many lists with multiple institutions. Some major keynote speakers list different bureaus and can also be marketed on their own.
In return, the bureau charges a fixed fee when booking a spokesperson or receives a commission they receive (usually 20% to 30% of the total speaker fee). For some, the price is opaque, so you need to ask ahead of time.
Is their service worth it?
One of the biggest benefits of planners working with the Speech Bureau is during the search phase. The Speaker Bureau website lists their already reviewed speakers represented by category and includes a place that includes bioinformatics, hissing and pricing. Planners are able to check the availability of their activities and claim fees online.
If you are looking for a big name, such as a politician or Hollywood star, some speaker bureaus have already established relationships with these hard-to-reach people. Like Jaki Baskow of the Las Vegas Spokesperson Bureau, savvy people include Magic Johnson and Shark Tank star Daymond John, who often post photos on social media as part of their marketing efforts.
Planners might think that if they go directly to the speaker’s website, they can get better fees, but they are more likely to use the speaker bureau to negotiate better fees than to be alone. Many planners have established long-term relationships with all speaker needs in a single bureau.
Another benefit is that the Speaker Bureau provides insurance. If there is a last-minute change, such as disease, they can also take advantage of their relationship with other speakers, and the selected speakers are unable to attend.
The bureau can also make special arrangements for meetings, such as organizing a Q&A or a fireside chat after the speech, allowing the speaker to attend a lunch or cocktail party to mix with the attendees, or providing books or signing books.
Important: Bureaus can share their experiences by working with speakers they represent, but it is also important to recommend when selecting speakers. Online meeting planner groups are a great place to ask for advice from other planners.
