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Tips For Booking a Speaker

A. Before you go looking for a speaker or trainer for your event and for the speaker.

Step 1. Determine the type of speaker/trainer you want.

• Purpose of the meeting or event.
• What you want the speaker or trainer to accomplish.
• What attendees want and expect.

Step 2. Determine particulars, aspects, and features.

• Place, date, and time of the presentation.
• Purpose of speaker.
• Format of the presentation.
• Subjects or topics you are looking for.
• Aspects of a speaker's important to you (content, entertainment, audience participation, audience activities)
• Your budget for a speaker.
• Audience demographics.
• Whether you want support material (workbooks, handouts).
• Whether you want follow-up support material.

B. When you know what you want

Step 3. Decide where to find your speaker.

• No-fee speakers bureaus.
• For-fee speakers.
• For-fee speakers bureaus.
• Individuals in your circle or group who are good speakers and have knowledge or expertise in the topic you want.
• Companies, associations, government agencies, or non-profit groups that can provide a good speaker for the topic you want.

Step 4. Contact your selected source for the speaker to inquire about availability, options, and arrangements.

Step 5. Select the speaker you want with your source and put it writing. A written agreement or a contract clarifies your expectations and your responsibilities and prevents misunderstandings. Also, share information about your group or company with the speaker. This will help the speaker become familiar with your organization and customize the presentation.

C. At the event/meeting

Step 6. Make sure that the room and equipment (audio visual etc,) are set-up and tested in advance and you have the speaker's written introduction. Keep your speaker informed of any changes. Observe your time schedule.

Step 7. Have the speaker's introduction read professionally without ad lib.

Step 8. After the end of the event, follow-up with the speaker on any after-event items of the agreement or contract. Offer an honest evaluation of his or her presentation. Offer referrals.

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