When I speak to event organisers, they sometimes tell me they only book speakers from their town or city.
And while supporting local talent is always a great thing, don’t let that limit your choices. I think you might be surprised who’s available when you look properly!
Here are some top tips from the speaking industry:
TIP 1 – Great Speakers Travel
The most experienced and distinguished speakers travel globally; in fact, that’s a big part of what makes the job fun for us. If you plan your event early enough, the only constraints should be your creative vision and imagination. But planning ahead is key – you won’t secure a top speaker if you leave everything to the last minute. As a speaker, it’s mega-frustrating having to turn down 3 or 4 enquiries for the same date because you’re already booked, only to then twiddle your fingers through a whole week of zero bookings!
TIP 2 – Book Smart to #Win!
That’s why my other top tip is to schedule your events during quieter months like July, August, and December. And then, here’s an even smarter tip, go for a less busy day of the week, like a Monday or a Friday. Over 80% of all business events take place Tuesday-Thursday, which leaves four days each week when relatively little happens… By zigging while other zag, you’ll be competing with fewer events so you can negotiate lower venue and accommodation costs and your chances of securing the speaker of your dreams will go up.
Of course, travel and visa expenses can bump up your booking costs, but opting for a world-renowned speaker with a fresh perspective and an A1 reputation is often a smarter thing to do than to keep fishing the same old faces from your local talent puddle. Don’t limit your options: cast your net wide and early, and see what’s out there.