How To Get the Most Out of Your Speaker Investment

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. Let me tell you about a project I worked on with the American Payroll Association that could be a model for you — or at least expand your thinking about ways to use speakers.

APA’s Executive Director/CEO, Dan Maddux had a week of speaking and seminar slots to fill. Instead of assigning each slot to a different speaker, Dan chose to maximize the contribution of a few top people, using three of them in three different ways. That’s how Dan made 1 + 1 + 1 = 9. 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.

For example, for the Florida Realtors Association, I asked, “After my luncheon speech, would you like me to do a seminar on speaking skills?” They said, “Well, the agenda is already slotted in, but we’d love it if you would emcee our Top Producers’ panel, the first breakout session after lunch.”

For the California Interment Association, I was scheduled to present a two-hour seminar after lunch. I said, “What else is going on? Would you like to me to do a spouse program?” They said, “We’ve never had one, but we’ve invited spouses for a breakfast get-together.” I added a 45-minute program that same morning. The only difference to me was that I had to go to the hotel a few hours earlier. Like most speakers, I want my clients to know I am there to serve them, not to pick up my speaking fee and run.

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. I always make a point of giving sponsors a good plug in my presentations. For example, after my opening story for the American Cemetery Association, I quoted the founder of my corporate sponsor, Service Corporation International. Then I gave examples to reinforce my points by reading from their newsletters, and my walk away line incorporated their name. I always let sponsor know, “Don’t worry, they won’t have any doubt who paid for me,” and make a joke about it in my speech.

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. Dan Maddux says, “We found that when we triple-booked those speakers, they become even more popular, really getting to know our people who always want them to stay around longer.” 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.

How It Works
Recently, 1,674 members of the American Payroll Association attended its Sixteenth Annual Congress in Nashville. Dan chose as keynote speakers Art Linkletter, Susan RoAne, Willy Jolley, Al Walker, and me, Patricia Fripp. He had little trouble getting sponsorship to help pay for these keynoters because of the success of his past conferences.

The Congress was scheduled to start on a Monday. Dan came up with the idea of offering an extra pre-Congress program on Sunday, “For Women Only.” This isn’t as sexist as it may sound because seventy-five percent of APA’s membership is women. Dan figured that many could take advantage of cheaper Saturday night airline tickets, saving their company’s money, so they might be open to an extra day of education and fun.

He called this extra program “Women on the Ladder to Success: Career Strategies for the Millennium,” and used six presenters. Three were from within the Association and industry, including the current president. Three were professional speakers who were also scheduled to speak during the main Congress. Each of the professionals gave two talks at this separate Sunday session. I did “Women in the Workplace, the Evolution of Career women” and “Are You a Wonder Woman or Superman in Payroll?” (In a custom-made Wonder Woman costume I had made 20 years ago. The fact I can still wear it deserves applause!) Susan RoAne spoke on “Taking Charge of Your Accomplishments” and “Women Who Make Things Happen: Traits of the Savvy and Successful.” Diane Parente’s programs were “Your Passport to Image Credibility” and “Looking Your Professional Best Without Spending a Fortune.”

Then, at the kick-off Monday session for the full membership, Susan was the keynote speaker with “Schmooze or Loose: How to Gain the Verbal Edge.” She also presented a program for the vendors, “How to Make the Most of the Trade Show.” Diane Parente delivered a breakout session on “Image, a Powerful Tool,” and gave Dan’s Board of Directors one-on-one consultation as a bonus. (17 in all.) I delivered the Congress’s keynote speech, “Insights into Excellence,” presented a marketing seminar for the vendors, “How to Nurture Relationships Once You Leave the Trade Show,” and, as a break-out, conducted a workshop on “How to Sell Yourself and Your Ideas.”

Having booked the Sunday before the conference, Maddux thought of a way to use his talent pool for a Speakers’ School on Saturday. Last year this program had been a success, but with a smaller audience of their speakers who talk on tax law changes, it had not justified a hiring a keynote caliber presenter to teach it.

As I was already going to be there for several days I was excited at the prospect. I suggested we invite his association members scheduled to give programs during the congress. He also invite the APA leadership from the State chapters who have to speak at their meetings and get no formal public speaking training. As far as I am concerned the more the merrier. I charge the same whether my audience is five or 5,000. After the session I helped the President and Woman of the Year totally rewrite their talks. They have now requested I train them at least 3 months before next yearís convention.

Synergy Makes Good Sense
Dan says “Using proven professionals in several slots so they develop a rapport with the audience is a better investment than bringing in a different speaker for each slot. In our case, two of the speakers, Diane and Patricia, had been so successful as keynoters the previous year that the audience was looking forward to seeing them again. This gave us the advantage of repeat role models, because our presidents turn over every year. The added fact that Patricia, Diane, and Susan had worked together before, and are best friends, gave us even more bang for our buck. We could never have put a dollar value on that kind of synergy.

“I need my speakers to deliver a message and be powerful role models. Patricia, Diane, and Susan are all self-made women over fifty, looking good, feeling good, and they’ve built their careers themselves. This is an important message for our Association audience.”

More Bang for Your Buck
Dan Maddux was able to negotiate with his speakers for a lot of extras. Many professionals figure that, as long as they are there anyway and being well paid, their time belongs to the client. Therefore, they are happy to take on extra tasks.

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.
• Say a prayer at a meal.
• Moderate a panel.
• Sign autographs.
• Appear in the sponsor’s booth to make their sponsorship more of an investment.

Like most of my comrades in The National Speakers Association, I want to be memorable and to give full value for your meeting dollars. For the Hamilton Bank in Philadelphia, I even leaped out of a spaceship, wearing a Wonder Woman costume. (Getting into the spaceship was a little more complicated, but that’s another story.)

Be Direct-Essential Public Speaking Tips

There are many factors that make a public speech effective and successful. From tone of voice, confidence of the speaker, to subject matter and delivery. But one of the most important factors is making sure your speech is direct in order to engage the audience and make sure your point is put across. Here are some suggested essential public speaking tips, that will help you improve the quality of your speech.

We have all heard of the statement “don’t beat around the bush” this applies when giving effective speeches. The first thing you can do is review your own speech. Go over what you have written and underline anything which may detract from the main topic or point your are trying to make. Many people with an obvious fear of public speaking do this, often driveling on, or going off topic – don’t make that mistake! Also be weary of repeating yourself, sometimes it is okay to repeat a specific phrase or word – if you are doing it to emphasise a point. But in most occasions repetition should be avoided as it will dilute your speeches importance and make the audience lose interest.

Another way you can better your speech is to insure you use evidence to back up your points. It’s often good to make a short, concise statement, then follow it up with relevant evidence to support it. By doing this you will keep the audience engaged in the topics and re-enforce the point you are trying to make.

It is okay to tell the audience exactly what you want them to get out of the speech. By being direct and taking the initiative, you are planting a seed in their mind as what you want them to come out with after the talk.

Eye contact plays a major part in the effectiveness of your speech. Those with a fear of public speaking will often give away tell-tale signs by either looking at the ground, or letting their eyes dart around the room. Eye contact should remain steady, always look up, never down. Try and keep focused and don’t let your eyes wander around the room aimlessly. If you feel uncomfortable looking at people in the eyes then pick a spot in the centre at the back of the room and pretend you are talking to someone there.

Another effective public speaking tip is to insure your speech has a beginning, middle and end and flows together properly. This will allow you to get your information across to your audience.

If you combine the various principles explained in this article then you will be well on your way to producing a great speech and should have the tools you need to speak with ease and confidence, no matter how big the audience.

What Causes Public Speaking Phobias?

Having a fear of Public speaking is a completely normal, and in a phobia that many people have to deal with in their life at some point. For many just the thought of standing up and speaking in-front of a large group of people is enough to send shivers down their spine. But for others perhaps a past incident of public speaking that didn’t go quite to plan is now the root cause of their issues. This previous occurrence may now be playing in the speakers mind, causing them to doubt their abilities. These thoughts can be very detrimental, as once this has happened it is very difficult to shake. The main thing you can do is learn from your mistakes and think positively. Instead of playing over past errors, focus on what is going to go right and how good your speech will be.

For others the whole idea of public speaking is scary, it may be their fist time to give a talk and they are fearing the unknown so to speak. In this instance the best advice is to learn your speech, not word for word as under pressure a single word may slip your mind and you could be thrown off the whole speech, but simply getting a feel for the piece topic for topic. A good hint is to write areas of the speech onto little post its notes or revision cards. By being fully prepared it will give you more confidence and allow you to focus on delivery rather then ‘remembering’ all your words.

Nerves are an issue for many people. When getting up in front of a large group of people, the ‘fight or flight’ response is often triggered. Causing an increase in heart rate, sweaty palms, and often nervous shaking or twitching. This is due to a sudden release of adrenaline in the body. But it can be contained, when many people start feeling this way they panic which only speeds up the unpleasant symptoms you are already feeling. You can take steps to eliminate this, including controlling your breathing. Remember to inhale slowly and deeply. And by converting this extra adrenaline into energy you can add extra ‘oomph’ to your speech, rather then letting it take over your body.

Why You Shouldn’t be Ashamed of Your Public Speaking Phobia

So the thought of having to give a large speech in front of so many eyes staring at you makes you feel uneasy. But you should never feel ashamed or embarrassed of this phobia. Why? Because it is in fact one of the most common phobias to have. A survey in America showed that it was the number 2 all time phobia – just being beaten by the fear of spiders. And roughly 75% of the American public say they have felt this fear in their lifetime. So you are definitely not the only one who has to deal with it.

In fact far more people have this problem then you may think. Even professionals get nerves too. Did you know that Donny Osmond suffered from stage fright, and had several panic attacks throughout his career? Even the world famous Barbara Streisand had such a deep social phobia it prevented her from singing live for over 27 years! Luckily she overcame this and look where she is now. Other people include Laurence Olivier , Kim Basinger even Winston Churchill! Would you ever have dreamed that famous people like that have those phobias? Well they are just like me and you and they are living evidence that it can be overcome. If they can do it so can you!

It’s completely normal to suffer from this. Just think when you learned to swim, you first had a slight fear of the water and fear of the unknown, once you learned how to do it it became second nature. That’s exactly the same for driving. Can you remember the first time you got into a car, how difficult it was learning to check all your mirrors and use all the right pedals at the right time. Then once you passed and have been driving for a while it’s easy, you don’t even have to think about it. That’s exactly the same for public speaking, the fear of doing it is often is much greater then then the problem itself. Once you face up to it, like many have before you, you will find that public speaking becomes an easy and often enjoyable task.

So stop worrying about your phobia and start feeling exited knowing that so many people have rid their fears, and you can too!

Welcome to My Public Speaking Tips!

Welcome to My Public Speaking Tips!

Everyone might have to give a speech, or speak in front of a big group once in their lives. To get prepared, My Public Speaking Tips has a collection of tips to help you prepare your speech and help you overcome any stage fright that you might have.

You’ll be the star of the day with My Public Speaking Tips!