tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post5276224417106927043..comments2024-03-06T03:58:39.540-06:00Comments on The Viral Garden: I won't speak for freeMack Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02723628321171539590noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-79370851796746349012011-06-08T07:11:59.801-05:002011-06-08T07:11:59.801-05:00Great post Mack ! We have to act now !!Great post Mack ! We have to act now !!Arnaud-Marketing Onlinehttp://www.webmetrics.es/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-51823529193983762332010-10-11T12:21:19.097-05:002010-10-11T12:21:19.097-05:00Whenever I've been asked to speak for free, my...Whenever I've been asked to speak for free, my thought--not expressed to the caller--is "if it's worth nothing to you, then it's worth nothing to me, either."Harry Beckwithhttp://beckwithpartners.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-23618749922234106662010-09-03T17:47:49.145-05:002010-09-03T17:47:49.145-05:00Yes, as a professional speaker myself, it is SUCH ...Yes, as a professional speaker myself, it is SUCH a labor intensive time commitment. As a fellow introvert, have you tried Toastmasters?Fredericohttp://blog.mywebdesigncareers.com/2010/06/17/web-design-opportunities-evolving-with-socinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-33370719942883957542010-06-02T07:13:23.631-05:002010-06-02T07:13:23.631-05:00I used to be a shy introvert, unable to speak prop...I used to be a shy introvert, unable to speak properly in front of audience. For survivor sake, I have decided to learn the art of public speaking.. It's been 3 years and I must say that I have improve a lot. It also help to build up my self esteem, confidence and everything. Happy to hear another good leading example of before and after. All the best dude!Andyhttp://www.my-dental-implants.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-77631323414249681872010-05-27T07:03:50.402-05:002010-05-27T07:03:50.402-05:00Good for you, Mack. Instructive for writers like m...Good for you, Mack. Instructive for writers like myself, as well. It's really easy--seductive, even--to give away your best work these days. Competent amateur writers fall all over themselves offering their work, free of charge, to all sorts of big-name websites. Which means that it's much more difficult for professional writers to make a living.<br /><br />We're actually providing gasoline for the engine of culture. We should be getting paid for our work. Maybe information wants to be free, but great content is more than "information."Ken Honeywellhttp://welldonemarketing.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-55624884560331843752010-05-24T16:40:55.134-05:002010-05-24T16:40:55.134-05:00It is always shocking to me that people even consi...It is always shocking to me that people even consider a speaker to come do a free talk. There is a reason that they want you to talk, and they know it takes work to get a quality presentation out there. I brush off any offers that include nothing right away. Not even considered. If it is a charity or non-profit that I believe in I may choose to donate my honorarium, but they always still offer.Promotional Productshttp://www.superiorpromos.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-39454497131577831662010-05-21T01:55:11.245-05:002010-05-21T01:55:11.245-05:00Good thing I've bumped into this post and I le...Good thing I've bumped into this post and I learned many things about speaking in public. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing your experience with us.Channel Management Guyhttp://www.channeltivity.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-49622108863765151442010-05-20T03:42:12.922-05:002010-05-20T03:42:12.922-05:00I spent some time going though the blog and readin...I spent some time going though the blog and reading articles related to my research. Certainly, it is one of the best blogs to spend time on reading! Thanks for inspiring me! <a href="http://www.woodchipsllc.com/" rel="nofollow">Horse Bedding</a>Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03796495648157705901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-6541933863845429382010-05-20T03:36:28.063-05:002010-05-20T03:36:28.063-05:00Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleagu...Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on that. And he actually bought me lunch because I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch! <a href="http://www.woodchipsllc.com/" rel="nofollow">Horse Bedding</a>Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03796495648157705901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-10491247516527053582010-05-19T10:49:07.102-05:002010-05-19T10:49:07.102-05:00Totally agree, Mack, as most who have commented. O...Totally agree, Mack, as most who have commented. Our intellectual property is ours. Most of us attend local social media events, write blog posts, and share information freely about our business and experiences. But when it comes to someone (a company or event organizer) profiting from our presentation of knowledge, it's time to pay the presenters. <br /><br />I remember when I, as a CEO, began charging for delivery of presentations. It upset a lot of people. But even more people appreciated and understood the situation. As I think back over the years, the folks that ever got upset were the same that always wanted free stuff in their lives.<br /><br />Keep on doing what you're doing. We appreciate you!<br />@parnellk63<br />@JASEgroupKeith Parnellhttp://jasedigitalmedia.com/about/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-87438217528652533582010-05-17T17:37:44.511-05:002010-05-17T17:37:44.511-05:00Jeff I have a friend that does exactly that. They ...Jeff I have a friend that does exactly that. They charge high 5-figures to speak, but if the attendees don't give them at least 4 out of 5 stars, they don't get paid. I think it's an interesting idea, and I think your tiered payment structure benefits all.Mack Collierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02723628321171539590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-92106123147901655512010-05-17T11:01:14.362-05:002010-05-17T11:01:14.362-05:00Mack:
As a professional educator and conference o...Mack:<br /><br />As a professional educator and conference organizer, I totally agree with you. You as the content expert speaker deserve to have your travel, expenses and lodging covered, at a minimum, especially if I've asked you to present. If I've asked you to present, I probably have done my homework to see how you've faired in past presentations, if your past clients would rehire you and if audiences have been pleased with your content and delivery. <br /><br />In the education world, we typically say each one hour of presentation takes six to eight hours of preparation, the first time. If that presentation is presented again, it only takes about three hours of prep for each hour of presentation.<br /><br />As a conference organizer, I invest a lot too. I'm willing to market you, your presentation and your company. I'm willing to tell my attendees why they should hear you as a speaker, what's in it for them and why it will be a good use of their hour. So both the speaker and I have put ourselves at some risk.<br /><br />I'm usually willing to pay an agreed upon fee as long as the speaker agrees upon a performance clause in their contract establishing a baseline of performance expectation. I'll pay the full agreed-upon fee assuming the speaker gets a least an 80% overall average favorable on the attendee evaluations. I'll include an incentive clause that if the speaker scores a 90% overall average favorable, I'll provide a bonus of a specified amount. 95% overall and it's a higher bonus.<br /><br />Naturally, I'll let my speakers see the evaluation form and explain the process so that we are all on the same page.<br /><br />Why do I do this? In my past, I've paid fees and covered travel, expenses and lodging for speakers to deliver a great home run presentation and they failed. The speaker was a great thought leader with poor delivery skills and the audience didn't like them. <br /><br />So, I'm willing to take the risk if the speaker is willing to take the risk. That way we are both covered.Jeff Hurthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15376302469061135913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-28455236525445957702010-05-15T15:41:04.312-05:002010-05-15T15:41:04.312-05:00Kristen if a conference organizer is bold enough t...Kristen if a conference organizer is bold enough to ask us to speak for free, we should be bold enough to say 'hell no' ;)<br /><br />Thanks for the comments and RTs on Twitter guys!Mack Collierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02723628321171539590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-13244792796615494422010-05-15T15:37:58.510-05:002010-05-15T15:37:58.510-05:00You have no idea how refreshing I found this - I m...You have no idea how refreshing I found this - I made the same decision this past December and sticking to it like glue. The preparation, the time away from my business and family, the travel expenses...<br /><br />I have done my fair share of "freebies" to prove my worth and the more people we get to value their time and understand this, the better it will be for everyone.ineshttp://www.miamism.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-61275946544082646412010-05-15T12:23:29.492-05:002010-05-15T12:23:29.492-05:00Mack --
Thanks for the thoughtful response and the...Mack --<br />Thanks for the thoughtful response and the good ideas for building up a foundation as a speaker at events. Sometimes we introverts have to push ourselves to put ourselves out there publicly in the first place and asking for money to do so complicates things further, but your points are well taken.<br />@kwjuddUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11994465550866592254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-20170174214387041632010-05-14T13:09:20.902-05:002010-05-14T13:09:20.902-05:00Congrats Mack! That is so true with the amount of ...Congrats Mack! That is so true with the amount of time that speaking takes. And the fact that you take so much time and care to make it the best content, demonstrates the value that you provide to the conference.Csalomonleehttp://prmeetsmarketing.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-5892856242471076682010-05-14T10:31:00.294-05:002010-05-14T10:31:00.294-05:00Okay, the last comment was from Paul Chaney, even ...Okay, the last comment was from Paul Chaney, even though it registered as anonymous.Paul's Blogger Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14373845134970388732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-23714040869129063452010-05-14T10:28:26.474-05:002010-05-14T10:28:26.474-05:00Good for you Mack. Folks like us are all too often...Good for you Mack. Folks like us are all too often more than willing to give away our advise and expertis. Unfortunately, it's meant we sacrifice the prospect of making a decent living in the process. <br /><br />Like you, I'm not doing free any longer and, very, very rarely, even expense only. My time and knowledge is worth something. Besides, I do a pretty decent job of presenting too. That, in and of itself, is worth something.Anonymoushttp://(optional)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-5798410628379609722010-05-13T23:31:35.311-05:002010-05-13T23:31:35.311-05:00An interesting angle to me on this topic is the co...An interesting angle to me on this topic is the corporate presentation giver. Thought leadership and "free publicity" seem to be overvalued within the ranks of the large organization, when they could potentially tap into another revenue stream from their associates' speaking engagements.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16326243035245399741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-59180748403808074352010-05-13T19:30:09.944-05:002010-05-13T19:30:09.944-05:00Agreed. Event organizers have so many creative opt...Agreed. Event organizers have so many creative options for making sure the speakers/presenters are taken care of well. Like @michelletripp said, sponsorship is one; it's a win all around. <br /><br />It is also crucial to the branding of the [recurring] event to have quality, well prepared, and relevant speakers who leave excited to have been invited & whose audience leaves excited to have been there. It cycles back to the sponsorship of the next event, and provides valuable marketing material in the interim, for the event organizer(s), the speaker, and the sponsors. <br /><br />For smaller events, especially in small towns, finding a host for the speaker is one idea that can work well, and often begins a life-long friendship. <br /><br />@SarahMae: I took your comment to mean that you value the speakers you bring. I'm sure that's appreciated.Amy Canadahttp://www.twitter.com/ArtseyCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-56385521607165870412010-05-13T16:41:13.734-05:002010-05-13T16:41:13.734-05:00I agree that all speakers at conferences need to b...I agree that all speakers at conferences need to be paid so they will have the motivation to create a unique, educational experience.<br /><br />For people just getting started in public speaking, there are many local groups and organizations that use local speakers. It still takes making a good pitch, but there is practically no cost to present.Cliff Allenhttp://blog.suretomeet.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-86967588248180346032010-05-13T13:31:16.313-05:002010-05-13T13:31:16.313-05:00I just realized my last comment may have come off ...I just realized my last comment may have come off like, "I'm so great, I pay my speakers." That's not what I meant to convey...I just agree with you!Sarah Maehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17058942224447633894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-17961406974555615742010-05-13T13:15:11.698-05:002010-05-13T13:15:11.698-05:00AMEN!!!!!!!!!!
As a conference host, I am paying ...AMEN!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />As a conference host, I am paying my speakers, their travel, hotel, and food.<br /><br />I applaud you for writing this post!<br /><br />"the laborer is worthy of his wages" Luke 10:7Sarah Maehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17058942224447633894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-50801773466066622302010-05-13T12:17:50.235-05:002010-05-13T12:17:50.235-05:00I agree with KaryD. It's all in the planning a...I agree with KaryD. It's all in the planning and budgeting. As an organizer, covering the expenses of a speaker can be pretty easily handled by procuring a special sponsor or by slightly raising sponsorship levels across the board. That's the professional way to operate as opposed to expecting an individual to shoulder the financial burden of bringing value to the event.<br /><br />Ultimately, speaker compensation is dependent on the attitude and operating principles of the organizer. It's really not necessary for an organizer to stiff anyone if they value people and plan properly.<br /><br />@michelletrippMichelle Tripphttp://michelletripp.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24784219.post-51438350497771589162010-05-13T11:33:53.206-05:002010-05-13T11:33:53.206-05:00Right on, Mack.
I've been on the planning en...Right on, Mack. <br /><br />I've been on the planning end of conferences and know how tight budgets can be, but ... that's why you have a budget. Plan accordingly, and if you plan to bring in national/regional speakers, you darn well better be prepared to cover their out-of-pocket expenses, at a minimum. <br /><br />It's the right thing to do. And, presenters should not have to feel uncomfortable placing that as a requirement. <br /><br />The right presenters on the bill will help sell conference registrations. Plan it right, budget accordingly, and roll out the red carpet for those who put in the time to deliver the goods.KaryDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18291182507180214981noreply@blogger.com