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The following are FAQs that we
commonly receive from our Clients. If you don't see the answer to your question
please contact us.
Q.
How do I start my career as a Speaker? I have an area of expertise
and have had a successful career based on this knowledge. How do I
translate this into a speaking career?
A.
Ask yourself: "Who needs this information?" (Please
don’t answer "everybody".) Who especially needs
it? This will identify your market. The largest users of
professional public speakers are Corporations and Associations.
There are directories of Associations and Corporate Meeting
Planners. After you have prepared your program and marketing
materials on your subject you will be ready to start speaking to
Meeting Planners.
Q.
Do your Speak & Grow Rich seminars only benefit advanced
speakers, or are do only for those who are just in the beginning
stages of their speaking and writing careers?
A.
We take our audiences step by step, into the world of paid
speaking. New speakers learn it all; experienced speakers learn to
apply what they developed over the years that will immediately help
raise their fees and increase their income levels from where they
are now.
Q.
As a beginning speaker when do I need a Demo Video and Marketing
Materials?
A.
As soon as possible. Our seminars and consulting
sessions explain how to do trades for much of what you need. Bureaus cannot
consider you until you have a track record of paid programs and
professional materials. Many
speakers are able to get by without a demo video in the beginning
stages of their career but you will need powerful marketing
materials to move forward and to real success. I ask speakers,
"When are you ready to advance?"
Q.
How does a speaker approach a speakers bureau?
A.
At Walters International Speakers Bureau,
we know many Bureau owners personally. We also publish the most
complete and updated International Directory of Speakers Bureaus.
Like any other business, each bureau is run differently and cater to
different markets. Call the bureaus that are
a fit with your topic — (for example some book only sports
figures) and ask them:
1. What do you specialize in? What type of markets do you provide
speakers for?
2. How do you like to be approached by speakers?
Follow their instructions. In our case-we send the inquiring speaker
our Speakers Bureau Requirements Sheet, and our staff also sets up a
10 phone minute interview with Michael MacFarlane, our President. We want to
hear from the speaker personally to discuss their topic and
different programs available and ways we can work together in
serving our clients. We also like to discuss other services and
products we can also offer to our clients to make the most out of
every opportunity. We also want to insure that the speaker is a team
player and will be easy to work with.
Q:
When should a speaker start creating products?
A.
As soon as possible. Speakers should always be thinking and planning
for the "Next Product" they will develop. We always ask
speakers about that, and they reply, "I am working on a new
_____!" Take a look at Dr. Ken Blanchard’s list of
products and you will see what I mean. There is always a new and
exciting next product in the mind and heart of every successful
speaker.
Q.
Do I really need to have authored a book in order to speak?
A:
I cannot think of any highly paid, and successful speaker who
does not have a book, or several books and products. Books give you
publicity, and make you the authority on your topic. You might begin
by putting together a good workbook. Keep adding to it and soon you
will have the outline for your first book or audio series, or both.
As a professional speaker there are several opportunities to market
your products to your audiences and corporate and association
clients that will greatly increase your income. We aren’t just
referring to Back of the room sales but advance sales, sponsored
products and
premiums.
Q:
If I don’t have a subject relevant for the corporate market,
will speakers bureaus still be interested in booking me?
A.
It depends. Perhaps your market is not corporate, but would be ideal
for Associations. A woman who wrote a book about fitness who
does very well with the association market. There are also many
other opportunities for non-corporate topics such as Expos, Public
Seminars, Consulting and Retreats.
Q.
I have been asked to speak for companies like the Learning Annex and
other Non Credit Adult Ed. Companies, but their fees seem low. I
have never been paid to speak and wonder is there a benefit for me?
A.
Yes, because you will be PAID, and that is a step up from not being
paid. Benjamin
Franklin one word in almost everything he ever wrote.
"Observe!" That means always look for the opportunity.
Many well known and highly paid speakers also speak at these venues
as there are product sale opportunities plus the opportunity to
promote your larger programs and events.
Q:
I have an area of expertise and am quite talented at delivering
presentations. But, I do not know how to market myself nor do I want
to. Is there someone I can hire who will do all this for me or do
you know of an agent that will represent me?
A.
Every speaker needs to market themselves. Even celebrity speakers
with their own marketing staff still create the very marketing
strategies that are implemented on their behalf. The more well known
you become the more marketing you will do. Marketing your programs,
products and services is the life’s blood of your career so it is
vital that you learn the best strategies about how to market
yourself in this industry.
How do you define the word "marketing"? Does it include
always sending thank you notes? Sending articles cut out of
newspapers or magazines you read to your clients and bureau owners
on subjects you know they are interested in? All of this is
part of marketing. Here are the most powerful marketing words in the
world: "Tell me about it!" Marketing is giving prospects
and clients your full attention and whole heart. How often do
you say and write: "It was a pleasure to work with
you!." "How can I help?" If these words come
easily and warmly from your heart, you are a good marketer. Actually
the word "Sell" comes from a Scandinavian root, and
actually means SERVE. Now go back over your question about marketing
and see how you feel. What a sad world it would be if there were no
marketers.
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