What’s a Speaker Kit?
Queensland Business Group’s Phil McGregor Interviews Tarran Deane Leadership Keynote Speaker & 2016, 2015 President QLDNT Professional Speakers Australia
If you’re a Meeting Planner or Professional Conference Organiser (PCO), you’ll already have a handle on this and know quite clearly what you need to see to pitch a Speaker to a client.
But what if you’re the inHouse personal assistant of a Government Department tasked with going out into cyberspace to ‘find me a speaker’ or on the flip-side, the guy with the great message who wants to add professional speaking as a revenue line item?
There may be a few things you’d like some more information on.
Professional Speakers are running a business and have a lot to do before they go anywhere near a stage, much of which is marketing and promotion. The peak body that many align with here in Oz is “Professional Speakers Australia“, a non profit company limited by guarantee. Speakers who have attained accreditation with PSA will:
- have passed a criteria assessment
- have an online presence
- have visuals – photos and video testimonials on a youtube channel
- have a commitment to creating maximum ease throughout the enquiry and decision-making phase
- and delivering a fantastic presentation for the conference organiser
Pre-event phase:
Online directories, marketing packages and Speaker Kits usually in PDF format are easily accessible by the PCO.
The Speaker Kit generally includes:
- Website Screenshots – with separate SPEAKER menu tab, regularly updated, contemporary, SEOd, keyword rich. you can add a submenu “meeting planner”
- Topics: Keynotes | Breakouts | Workshops
- BIO of 150 words
- 3-5 images – head and neck, half body, signature shot
- social proof – testimonials and reviews; hardcopy or video
- in the media – press clippings
- companies you’ve worked – logos
- VIDEO footage of you presenting
- contact or enquiry form with a “call now” phone number
- blog and social media hyperlinks
Speaker Tip: Recommended Track the downloads or activity on your website page for statistical purposes. Your web guru can help you out with that. You may wish to include an “opt-in” feature to nurture enquiries and better serve your customer
Meeting Planner Tip: Ask your Speaker for their >
Relationship agreements for the engagement
AV Audio Visual Checklist confirming technology, microphones and stage requirements at the event
Promotional Images
I recommend accessing Professional Speakers Australia -PSA “Find a Speaker” Directory, if you’re looking for a particular subject matter expert. All ACCREDITED PSA Certified Speaking Professionals and Members, like myself commit to supporting the 8 Core Values of PSA and the governing Code of Ethics.
That right there,provides peace of mind to many event organisers when making their initial enquiries. The rest is down to mutual fit.
Speaker Tip: Many Speakers have dedicated software and checklists to streamline the whole event process and their part in it for PCOs and Meetings Planners. If you’re starting out as a Speaker make a point of finding a good CRM that enables you to stay in touch. Many options are available e.g. Chrome extensions for google including Streak; Mailchimp, right htroguh to the high monthly subscriptions like Infusionsoft, ConvertKit and Ontraport.
All of this provides infrastructure for your business.
At every touchpoint, leave them something to remember you and invite change.
We’re in the transformation business.
If you’d like a copy of Tarran Deane’s Speaker Kit visit www.tarrandeane.com/speaking or call us to request one today +61 (0)417 654305