How To Get the Most Out of Your Keynote Speaker
In a perfect world, you would have an unlimited budget to hire top speakers for your next meeting or convention. Since it's not, here are some tips on getting the most for your meeting dollar.
Maximize the contribution of a few top people, using three of them in three different ways. Three speakers used three ways equals nine slots filled. Here's how such a move can save your organization and money and let you "trade up" to speakers you otherwise couldn't afford.
Save on Hotels and Airfare
Cutting the number of speakers might or might not reduce the total nights lodging needed, depending on your schedule. However, you'll definitely save on transportation — for instance, three round-trips versus nine.
Speakers May Reduce Fee
I can't promise you that all speakers will do extra presentations for the same rates — they won't. But the speaker you hired last year might have been more flexible if you had only thought to ask, "After your keynote, could you do a breakout session?" Or," Could you emcee?" "Could you moderate a panel?" Even, "Our chairman is a bit nervous. Could you coach him on speaking?"
Speakers may give you a better price for three consecutive days at one hotel, rather than three separate dates months apart.
It's Easier to Get Sponsors
Trading up to big-name (or bigger-name) speakers makes it easier for you to get sponsors. Whenever people say, "We can't afford you," I always ask, "Do you have sponsors to help pay for your event?"
Who would sponsor your event? Consider approaching the exhibitors at your conventions, or whoever sells to your members or who wants good PR with the people in the audience. List these "angels" prominently in the program. Always make a point of giving sponsors a good plug in your presentations.
Three Invaluable Bonuses
Having speakers on hand throughout your event gives you far greater flexibility in scheduling. Continuity can establish a powerful connection between audience and speaker, getting your message across in a way that a wide variety of speakers couldn't. Continuity, during an event or from year to year, means your speakers are able to notice and volunteer to help your organization in special ways you may not have thought of.
The next time you are planning to hire a speaker, consider using him or her in multiple ways. It doesn't hurt to ask if the speaker would be willing to:
- Deliver one or two "breakout sessions" or a spouse program along with the keynote at the same half-day fee.
- Introduce other speakers.
- Emcee the event that they are part of.
- Help association Presidents of Board of Directors with their own presentations, either in advance or while the speaker is there.
- Moderate a panel.
- Sign autographs.
- Appear in the sponsor's booth to make their sponsorship more of an investment.
Very good advice. The best speakers would love to do more than one session per group and like the audience interaction as that makes their talks/sessions that more relevant and the feedback more positive. Also, since most speakers have books, you can offer them a book signing time to encourage more sales after their talk.