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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Scroll down this page to find responses to the following questions:
- How long have you been a professional speaker?
- Would you give me some referral names I can talk to?
- Our group is really different - how can I know you'll relate and connect with our group?
- What size groups do you speak to?
- If we hire you, will I be able to talk with you personally during the planning process?
- Do you make dinner or evening speeches?
- Will you help us promote the meeting?
- Can we videotape or audiotape the program?
- What is the balance of humor and meaty content in your programs?
- Do you use any "adult-only" humor in your presentations?
- Do you sell products when you speak?
- What are your fees?
- How and when do we pay your fee?
- What is your travel expense policy?
- Do you negotiate on fees?
Q: How long have you been a professional speaker?
A: I have been speaking to groups professionally since 1983.
Q: Would you give me some referral names of other past clients I can talk to?
A: Just call me and I'll happily give you the names and numbers of my 3 most recent clients. You'll get current feedback, you'll find out how I was to work with administratively and most importantly, you'll learn how the group felt about the presentation. I really encourage this - it's good for you to get unbiased feedback from other meeting planners and it will increase your confidence in hiring me!
Q: Our group is really different - how can I be know you'll relate and connect with our group?
A: This is a very important question. It's vital for the success of your meeting or retreat that your group feel confidence in the speaker and value the content provided. True customization of a presentation does not mean just putting your organization's name on the handout and injecting some of your lingo. It means understanding the specific challenges you face and offering guidelines and solutions to these issues. This can only be done through a needs analysis and in some cases, a survey of your group. The survey may be written (online and anonymous) or it may be telephone interviews. When you call me to discuss your group, it's important that we determine if "the match" is right. That is, you must feel confident that I will be the right person for you. Likewise, I will refer you to another speaker if I feel that I'm not the right match for your meeting or your goals.
Q: What size groups do you speak to?
A: In short, I've spoken to groups with as small as 8 people and as large as 2000 people. The venues are very different and the meeting formats are very different. The small groups are highly personalized and allow close one-on-one communication. The very large groups tend to be traditional lecture format. Groups up to 600 in size allow for varying degrees of experiential work including role plays, group exercises, dyad exercises etc.
Q: If we hire you will I be able to speak to you personally during the planning process?
A: Of course, I'll always be interested to hear your thoughts about the meeting and help in any way I can. Many times speakers are on the road and it's a challenge to connect with them in real-time. Some speakers ask that all questions be handled by their office staff. I prefer to talk directly with clients and even if I'm in travel, I will personally return your call and promptly respond to your email. Never hesitate to contact me!
Q: Do you make dinner or evening speeches?
A: No. I've found I am best suited to morning and afternoon sessions, when people are open to meaty content and group work. After a full day of work, many people prefer a humorist or a very light topic.
Q. Will you help us promote the meeting?
A. Yes. I'll do whatever I can to increase interest in the meeting and my session. That may include providing you with an article that relates to my topic - you may use this in your journal or newsletter. I'll provide you with promotional copy and a bio blurb for your use. For some select programs I have brochure templates and flyers that you may customize for mailing to your group. Call me and I'll be happy to brainstorm ideas on how I might be of help to you!
Q. Can we videotape or audiotape your programs?
A. Presentations are intellectual material and copyrighted. Though I seldom give permission for taping of any sort (including audience members privately taping), there are exceptions and I look at each inquiry on a case by case basis. If permission is given there may be a fee or percentage of sale. Additionally permission for your duplication and sale will only be provided for a specific time period after which the product may not be promoted, duplicated or sold.
Q. What is the balance of humor and meaty content in your programs?
A. I believe that humor is very important in any presentation. I am not a humorist, though I have a good sense of humor and I banter easily with the audience. I provide content-rich programs with practical, real-world information. Humor is an effective way of retaining the audience's attention and getting a message across. I don't tell jokes; I relate some humorous anecdotes that illustrate the concepts being addressed. Often the best humor comes from the audience. This does not mean humor ABOUT the audience members, but may relate to something spontaneous that is said or done by audience members. Audiences love this type of unplanned, spontaneous humor that is not hurtful or mean-spirited. How much humor in the average program? That varies and will be determined by what you tell me on the phone and in our needs analysis.
Q. Do you use any "adult-only" humor in your presentations?
A. Absolutely not. Children could be in the room and parents would be quite comfortable with that. There is definitely no "blue" language or off-color jokes!
Q. Do you sell products when you speak?
A. I never sell products from the platform. I find this offensive when I'm an audience member. I respect the time of the audience and I want the audience to have no concern about any conflict-of-interest. When I'm on the platform, my focus is on the audience and the goals of the group, not on selling products! I do have support materials that may be purchased if audience members request the information. I also have flyers about support materials that are available - I would always ask your permission beforehand to display these at the registration desk.
Q. What are your fees?
A. Our fees vary greatly depending on the location of the meeting, the length of the meeting, the topic to be addressed, the degree of customization and any additional requirements requested by the client. After we have talked or when you complete a Request for Proposal, we will provide you with a firm fee quote. Generally speaking our fees are very reasonable for a highly experienced professional speaker. Fees are usually slightly lower than the average quote from a professional speaker with comparable experience (more than 20 years). Clients are typically very pleased with the value they receive and this is just one of the reasons for our high percentage of repeat clients and client referrals.
A. How and when do we pay your fee?
A. A $1000 deposit is due at the time of contracting and booking the date. This deposit serves to block the date for your meeting and confirms our agreement. The balance of the fee is due on the day of presentation.
Q. What is your travel expense policy?
A. Travel expenses include coach air (international flights longer than 4 hours=business class), ground transportation at meeting location, meals related to travel and hotel. Default expense plan (for contiguous US) is $700 plus one hotel room night. Clients may also opt for traditional itemized expense plan.
Q. Do you negotiate on fees?
A. We offer reduced fees in certain cases. Click this link to see our current discounts. In general, there is a significantly reduced local fee for meetings in Raleigh-Durham, NC. There are also discounts for certain days of the week and times of year and certain locations. Because these discounts do change, please contact us promptly and to obtain the current discount. Discounts are applied at the time of contract only, and are not retroactive. Contact me with any questions you have on this. I realize that sometimes people feel awkward discussing financial arrangements. I will be happy to talk with you openly about fees and related financial matters! Do not hesitate to ask.
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