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20 Questions to Ask BEFORE Hiring a Speaker
By Tom Antion
(Published in Successful Meetings Magazine)
From Tom Antion's book, Wake 'em Up Business
Presentations. To order this book
click here.
Direct comments or questions about this article to
Tom Antion,
Box 9558, Virginia Beach, VA 23450. (757) 431-1366 Fax (757) 431-2050, Email
orders@antion.com,
Other articles by Tom Antion:
Make Your Next Meeting Truly Memorable,
20 Ways to Add Fun and Excitement to Your Next Meeting
Room Set-Up for Maximum Mirth.
Tom's Banquet Tips
Stage Fright Strategies
Eleven Articles for Speakers
Preparing for International Presentations: The Humor
Perspective
100 Question Speaker Quiz
FREE Book Chapter from Wake 'em Up Business Presentations
FREE Complete Text from Wake 'em Up Business
Presentations Warning! This is a large file.
Here are the 20 Questions in Checklist Format.
Full text follows:
1. Is the speaker's topic right for my audience?
2. Does the speaker have verifiable references?
3. Does the speaker have audio and/or video demonstration materials?
4. Does the speaker customize? To What Level?
5. Is the speaker entertaining as well as informative?
6. Does the speaker do thorough pre-program research.
7. Does the speaker provide handout masters and/or finished handouts?
8. Does the speaker involve the audience?
9. Does the speaker use only clean and appropriate humor?
10. Does the speaker accommodate hearing and sight impaired audience members? (Handouts in
Braille, Audio tapes etc.)
11. Is the speaker accessible to attendees before and after the event?
12. Does the speaker "hardsell" products from the platform?
13. Is the speaker's office responsive to requests for information?
14. Is the speaker easy to get along with? (Determined from references and personal
conversations)
15. What is the speaker's fee?
16. Is the speaker's fee negotiable? Yes_____ No_____ If yes, what do I have of value to
give in return for a fee reduction? i.e. Can I give the speaker any of the following if
necessary: video tape master, list of attendees, testimonial letter, referrals, extra
nights accommodations, choice of time slot, choice of date, multiple performance contract,
extra publicity, spouse airfare and meals, products, services, etc.
17. Does the speaker offer any discounts? (For certain geographical areas, resorts, time
of year, non- profit organization etc.)
18. Can the speaker fill more than one slot which will save money on hiring another
speaker plus additional travel expenses?
19. What are the payment terms of the speaker's contract?
20. After getting answers to the above questions, am I confident my attendees will be
happy with this speaker?
After all questions are answered to your satisfaction, the decision to hire or not
should be much easier.
Direct comments or questions about this article to
Tom Antion,
Box 9558, Virginia Beach, VA 23450. (757) 431-1366 Fax (757) 431-2050, Email
orders@antion.com,
20 Questions to Ask BEFORE
Hiring a Speaker
(Full Text Version)
1. Is the speaker's topic right for my audience?
2. Does the speaker have verifiable references?
3. Does the speaker have audio and/or video demonstration materials? These materials
should show you what the speaker is like in front of an audience. Caution: Don't get hung
up on the topical information on the demo tape. Remember that you are looking to see how
the speaker or trainer works at the front of the room.
4. Does the speaker customize? To what level?
5. Is the speaker entertaining as well as informative?
6. Does the speaker do thorough pre- program research? Will the speaker be interviewing
employees or members of the organization, or obtaining information about the organization
and industry to prepare for the presentation?
7. Does the speaker provide handout masters and/or finished handouts? Often your
organization's name, logo, and particulars can be incorporated in the handout.
8. Does the speaker involve the audience? Depending on the type of presentation (is this a
lecture or a training workshop?), the speaker should speak directly to the audience, and
encourage questions.
9. Does the speaker use only clean and appropriate humor? Off-color, racial, ethnic,
gender, or even slightly blue jokes or comments can turn your audience off in a heartbeat.
Ask the speaker's references about this.
10. Does the speaker accommodate hearing and sight impaired audience members (i.e.,
Handouts in Braille, audio tapes, etc.)?
11. Is the speaker accessible to all attendees before and after the event? Make sure the
speaker is willing to arrive early and stay for a while after the event. The audience will
want to shake hands, ask
questions, get autographs, and ask about materials for sale. Tip: Always include a break
after each speaker.
12. Does the speaker "hardsell" products from the platform?
13. Is the speaker's office responsive to requests for information? Will the speaker's
bureau help you get answers to all of your questions?
14. Is the speaker easy to get along with (Determined from references and personal
conversations)? Does he or she make stringent demands? Is he or she willing to make
last-minute adjustments?
15. What is the speaker's fee?
16. Is the speaker's fee negotiable? If yes, what do you have of value to give in return
for a fee reduction? Possibilities might be a video tape master, list of attendees,
testimonial letter, referrals,
extra night accommodations, choice of time slot, choice of date, multiple performance
contract, extra publicity, spouse airfare and meals, products, or services.
17. Does the speaker offer any discounts on his or her fee (For certain geographical
areas, resorts, time of year, non -profit organization)?
18. Can the speaker fill more than one slot which will save money on hiring another
speaker and paying additional travel costs?
19. What are the payment terms of the speaker's contract? Typically, a 50 percent deposit
is required to hold a speaker's date.
20. Can you arrange to preview the speaker at nearby functions to get a clear picture of
the speaker's delivery, manner, language, and poise?
After all these questions have been answered to your satisfaction, the decision to hire or
not should be much easier. Don't settle for someone who makes you uncomfortable--it's
worth the time to do
thorough research.
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Tom Antion is a frequent keynote speaker, and can be reached at
Antion & Associates
Box 9558, Virginia Beach, VA 23450. (757) 431-1366 Fax (757) 431-2050, Email
orders@antion.com, |
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