Ten Inside Tips for Working with Speakers
Dilip R. Abayasekara, Ph.D., A.S.
1. BE CANDID AND HONEST
Lay the cards on the table. What the speaking assignment is about; the expectations of
the meeting planner, management, and the audience; any problems with this event or
speakers in the past; how much is budgeted for a speaker. If you don’t have any money
set aside, level with the speaker. Most speakers do give a certain number of “no fee”
speeches, but they do not like to be manipulated.
2. INVITE THE SPEAKER TO HAVE “BACK OF THE ROOM” SALES
Professional speakers depend on product sales for a significant portion of their revenue.
Back of the room (BOR) sales are especially important when a speaker gives a free (“no
fee”) speech to your organization. Supporting BOR sales is a matter of courtesy by the
meeting planner.
3. RESPOND PROMPTLY TO REQUESTS BY SPEAKER
The speaker will want background information in order to prepare properly for the event.
The speaker usually has many other assignments to juggle and so has a narrow window
for preparing for your event. You can help by being prompt in answering inquiries.
4. INSIST THAT THE HOTEL/RESORT NOT HAVE A NOISY EVENT NEXT TO THE
ROOM IN WHICH THE SPEAKER WILL BE SPEAKING
The speaker should not have to compete with noise from the room next door that is a
result of poor planning. Insist that this guaranty be put into the contract.
5. HAVE THE INTRODUCER OR MASTER OF CEREMONIES INTRODUCE THE
SPEAKER EXACTLY THE WAY THE SPEAKER HAS WRITTEN THE
INTRODUCTION
A good introduction helps establish a speaker’s credibility, relates the topic of the
presentation to the audience’s interests, and makes the audience want to listen to the
speaker. A poor introduction can negate all of the above. That is why many professional
speakers write their own introduction and prefer that it be delivered exactly as written.
6. DOUBLE CHECK THAT PROMISED AUDIO/VISUAL AIDS ARE PRESENT AND
IN WORKING ORDER
You will make the speaker’s task so much easier if you take care of these audio/visual
details. Professional speakers always double check their A/V systems and take
responsibility for them, but when they have a dependable meeting planner who keeps
their promises, the speaker is then free to focus on the most important reason for being
there – to give value to the audience.
7. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PRESENTATION IS OVER, PUBLICLY THANK THE
SPEAKER.
Some meeting planners appear to take the attitude that because the speaker is paid, he or
she does not need to be thanked. The truth is, while the fee is what enables the speaker to
stay in business, it is the genuine thanks of the audience and the feeling that the speaker
has created significant value to the meeting planner and the audience that gives the inner
satisfaction that every speaker needs.
8. IF YOU ARE PLEASED WITH THE SPEAKER’S PRESENTATION, SEND THE
SPEAKER A THANK YOU NOTE.
Believe me, these thank you notes are truly treasured by speakers. If the situation
warrants it, the speaker may ask your permission to use a quote from your letter in his
publicity material.
9. IF YOU ARE PLEASED WITH THE SPEAKER, RECOMMEND THE SPEAKER TO
OTHER MEETING PLANNERS.
Just like most businesses, speakers’ businesses depend on referrals and word of mouth
advertising. Your personal recommendation of a speaker to someone who is looking for
a speaker is extremely valuable. All speakers treasure a client who promotes them.
10. IF YOU ARE DISPLEASED WITH THE SPEAKER’S PRESENTATION, TELL THE
SPEAKER SO AND WHY YOU ARE DISPLEASED.
Try not to leave an unpleasant situation without communicating directly with the persons
concerned. Every professional speaker that I know will do his or her best to compensate
for anything that went awry with their responsibility as a presenter. A speaker’s
relationship with you, the meeting planner, is very important; so any caring speaker will
do their best to preserve your trust.
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Dr. Dilip Abayasekara, President of Speaker Services Unlimited, is a professional speaker,
trainer, and speech & voice coach. He is one of Toastmasters International’s Accredited Speakers
and focuses on helping people discover their potential. He can be reached at (717) 728-2203 or
drdilip@drdilip.com. Web site: www.drdilip.com
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