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FALL 2013
Tips >>
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electing your keynote speaker is
one of the most important elements
in a successful meeting, event or
conference, and the task can be even
more daunting when you are working with
a limited budget. However you still have
many options available to you even if your
budget is $10k or less. Many speaker
bureaus do not want to deal with planners
who are under a strict budget, leaving
them to fend for themselves. Here is how
to get some help.
1. Determine the needs of your audience
Thorough knowledge of the needs of
your group is essential in selecting
the right talent. Are you looking for a
big name speaker or someone who has
specific knowledge on a topic? Are
you using the speaker to draw more
attendees to your event? How will you
calculate the ROI of your event?
2. Saving Money
• Start looking for a speaker as soon
as the date for your event is set. Many
speakers book engagements up to a
year in advance and you will want to get
on their calendar as soon as possible,
so the earlier you book, the better.
• A creative way to save money is to
offer to pay the full amount up front.
• Work with your agency to find
speakers who are close to your budget
and then offer them a bit less than
what they normally get and if the
amount is not that far off, they will
likely accept.
• Book celebrities that are not as
famous in the mainstream media or
niche celebrities. Examples are former
professional sports stars, retired
business executives and CEO’s, reality
tv stars and more. Because these
people are not full time speakers, they
are often more willing to negotiate and
most have plenty of public speaking
experience, so you don’t have to
sacrifice quality.
• If you have a specific speaker in
mind, a unique idea is to find out
where they live and purposely hold
your event near their home base as
to make your event more attractive to
them besides the money they might
earn and they may be more likely to
take less.
3. Who is popular?
• Sports Stars - former professional
sports stars from the NBA, NFL and more.
It is even better if they are from your
home town or close to your event location.
• Comedians/Speakers - there are
many comedians who give great
keynotes on timely topics and will
charge much less than other speakers
who cover the same issues.
• Business Leaders - former business
executives and well known retired
leaders who are not on the speaking
circuit but are open to giving the
occasional keynote speech.
4. Final Tips
• Finding quality speakers can be
difficult when you are under a strict
budget and working with your speaker
bureau is a great way to save time,
money and be your long term partner
on your events.
• Book speakers on their way up and
their way down the fame ladder to
avoid paying top prices.
• Recognize that just because
someone is famous or has a big
speaking fee does not mean that
they are a great speaker. There are
many speakers that cost much less that
are just as dynamic, informative
and will give your audience a
great presentation.
Joshua Gair is the CEO of Impact
Entertainment Services which provides
celebrity keynote speakers and local
speakers for international events,
meetings, conferences and more
worldwide. Some of his clients include
SONY, Disney, Allstate Insurance and
others. You may contact him by email at
or
How to Book Great Keynote
Speakers Under a Strict Budget
By Joshua Gair
CEO, Impact Entertainment Services
