HornBlowers.Biz

Q: Is HornBlowers a speakers bureau?

A: A speakers bureau is an agency that acts as a broker to match professional (paid) speakers with clients who are looking for particular speaking topics, level of expertise and/or degree of celebrity.

The client (corporate event planners, convention agencies, promoters) typically pays the speakers bureau, which deducts its commission and forwards the balance to the speaker.

HornBlowers works with entrepreneurs and professionals who benefit from unpaid speaking engagements in order to share their expertise and build credibility.

Groups and associations that meet on a regular basis have an ongoing need for quality, captivating after-lunch or after-dinner speakers.

We match the speakers with the right associations, but the associations never pay a fee to HornBlowers or to the speakers.

Remember when Sarge asked for a volunteer to step forward, and everyone stepped back except for Beetle Bailey? That’s how I picture the Program Chair (or Program VP) at many associations – they were absent the day assignments were handed out.

Most folks who book unpaid speakers at regular meetings are volunteers. And most of them already have their own business or profession that consumes a lot of their time.  They’re dashing off to make the lunchtime meeting just like all the other members.

So when you land a chance to speak before an association full of your prospects, you’ll want to maximize your impact by showing some love to the program chair.

• Send a head shot that they can use to promote you as their next speaker.  Try to have the same hair color or style when you show up to speak.
• Supply them with a written biography to publish in their newsletter or ezine. A biography is meant to be read with the eyes.
• Verify the meeting date, time, place, and even where to park/enter. Confirm DAY and date, just to be safe.
• Tell them that you will bring a written introduction with you, that they can read aloud. So they won’t have to Google your name on the way to the meeting!
• Also provide them with a written Outro. So they can actually relax and enjoy your speech!

When you follow these tips you will have Program Chairs eating out of your hand (or, better yet, telling all their friends-who-are-also-program-chairs that they need to book you stat)!

Speaking engagements are an effective way to become known as an expert in your field.  When the audience is a room full of your target prospects . . . it’s . . . “Credibility Marketing Live”!

We are often asked how to get speaking gigs.  Besides the obvious answer (hire us), here are some basic steps to getting placed in unpaid gigs:

• Identify your ideal/target clients (keep in mind that specific is more profitable than general).
• Determine where those people meet regularly (civic clubs, professional associations, church groups, corporate lunch & learns).
• Compile a list of the associations and get the contact info for each program chair (or VP Programming).
• Contact them and tell them what topics you can speak on. (Send them a Speaking Options menu if you have one.)
• Get on the schedule!

If a program chair says they have no openings on the schedule, ask them to keep your info. Tell them you can be available to substitute if other speakers have to cancel. They will love you for that!

Speaking of love, our next post will give you more tips on how to spoil the program chair.  Stay tuned!