The Benefits of Using a Speakers Bureau

Working with a speakers bureau to secure talent for your events ensures that booking speakers, programs and entertainment for your event is the easiest part of your planning process. From developing creative programming ideas to securing the speaker to managing contracts to arranging logistics and travel plans, our experienced staff will be there with you at every step in the process.

Working with a speakers bureau like Simply Life offers the benefits associated with the close relationships we have developed with our speakers over the years; giving you inside access to their schedules and insight as to when there is flexibility in honorarium. In addition to the experience , we’re flexible, so we are always prepared to handle any unforeseen situation that may arise at any point during the process. Ultimately, we work hard to help ensure that your event is a great success!

The speaker you choose for your event will have a huge impact on that event’s success and will be one of the most-remembered aspects of the event to those who attend. This being the case, it is clear that choosing the right speaker is a make-or-break decision that you cannot afford to make on the fly or trust to amateurs. Some of the most important benefits of using a speakers bureau are mentioned below:

• Quick access to a wide and diverse talent pool. Speakers join speakers bureaus to access a larger customer base, and customers look to them to access a concentrated speaker talent pool. Seeking talent haphazardly or on an individual basis would be very time consuming, costly, and unlikely to succeed.
• Assistance in narrowing down the field. At a quality speakers bureau, you will receive expert advice and helpful suggestions on how to pick the best possible candidate out of a large selection. As staff at speakers bureaus keep up relationships with numerous speakers and keep current on the latest developments in their careers, they will have the knowledge-base to help you make a wise pick.
• A source of up to date information on the latest trends in the industry, along with a deep-seated, experience-honed knowledge of what does and does not work in specific situations. Alongside an appreciation for innovation and an unswerving commitment to conform to each client’s wishes, you will benefit from the “long view” wisdom of seasoned personnel.
• A greatly simplified procurement process. The speakers bureau can handle event details and coordinate time-tables. They can deal with contracts, fee negotiations, transport and accommodations. And once you become a return customer at a particular speakers bureau, the process becomes yet more streamlined. Speakers bureaus take the hassle and stress out of scheduling a speaking event.
• By far the most important benefit of all in using a speakers bureau is hiring superior talent. Many of the best speakers choose to connect themselves to events through speakers bureaus, and they may not always be reachable without going through their bureau.

Cautions in Choosing Your Speakers Bureau

While reputable speakers bureaus will be able to help you plan your event and match it with a speaker who will make it significantly more successful, there are also problems that can develop when a low-quality bureau is used. These include:

• Overly high commissions may be charged. The bureau has done you a crucial service and has earned its profit, but take time to check out the general market to see what a competitive rate looks like before making a final decision.
• Only the highest-fee speakers are on their database. Speakers, understandably, vary in the fees they charge based on demand and the value of their time. However, a good bureau should offer a reasonable range of fee levels so clients with different budgets can still use their services.
• Newer speakers barely exist on their roster. A variety, both of old proven and fresh new, talent is desirable. Look for new names and faces, lesser and more widely known personalities, and “intense variety” in the bureau’s speaker selection. 
• Constrictions placed on speakers that curtail communication and customization. It is not unreasonable for a speakers bureau to have some criteria they expect their speakers to abide by, but overkill on contract controls and a ban on communicating with speakers could cripple your ability to organize the event. The best bureaus trust their speakers and have reasonable rules.

​Conclusion

Using an experienced speakers bureau is one of the best ways to ensure you find the best possible speaker to fit your event. Matching speaking talent to specific speaking opportunities takes a large talent pool and a dedicated, highly skilled agent who is willing to work with you through every step of the process. Take the time to choose a superior speakers bureau, and choosing superior speakers will become as simple and stress-free as possible.

Creating a well-designed event is a balancing act. Tapping industry leaders and controversial renegades, orchestrating brilliant panels, and throwing awesome after-parties all help draw people in, but a well-informed celebrity speaker can elevate your event to “can’t-miss” status with real punch and energy.

A well-chosen, well-prepared celebrity speaker can infuse your event’s atmosphere with a sense of excitement. And a celebrity who’s informed, articulate, inspiring, and entertaining guarantees an unforgettable impression.

Choosing the Right Fit
Looking to engage a celebrity for your event? Rule one: don’t get star-struck.

Just because you can score a celebrity speaker — or you’re a big fan personally — doesn’t mean that person is right for your event. In fact, you should consider celebrity speakers exactly the way you’d consider any other kind of speaker: Do their presence, skill set, and expertise fit? And, more importantly, are they relevant to your audience?

By hiring someone who’s the wrong fit, you’re courting disaster. Accidentally offensive jokes, mismatched humor, or a lack of industry knowledge could easily backfire. There’s also simply the awkwardness of a brand clash. 

Poor celebrity partnerships can also damage both your company’s and the speaker’s reputation. 

Before hiring a speaker, check out your celebrity’s reputation, experience, and expertise — and trust your own instincts. Do your homework. Does it feel right? Find a fit that’s authentic, seamless, and comfortable for both the speaker and your audience.

How Much Is Too Much to Pay?
Beyond finding the perfect fit, there’s another facet to consider when hiring a celebrity speaker: Star power comes with a price. A celebrity’s speaking fee is based on popularity and demand, and those rates can range from four to seven figures, depending on the celebrity and what he or she is being asked to do (e.g., speaking versus performing).

You shouldn’t sacrifice the quality of your event to book a single A-list act. So what is a reasonable amount of money to drop on speaking fees? It depends on your budget, your audience, and your brand.

Creating a Lasting Impression
Often, this decision boils down to one simple question: Is it worth it? You have to keep in mind the goals of your event, understand your audience’s needs, and recognize what will truly “wow” them. You might not get a hard-and-fast financial return to cover this investment, but you’re paying to create a powerful and memorable experience, and that’s hard to quantify.

Good celebrity speakers inspire action, instill confidence, and invigorate your audience. And, most importantly, they help shape events that attendees will remember. With the right celebrity partnership, you’ll create an impression that lasts for years to come.

Benefits of Hiring a Celebrity Speaker using a Speakers Bureau

Celebrity speakers not your area of expertise? On top of everything else, it can take a ton of energy, time and hard work to find the most suitable speaker for your happening. Speakers bureaus are in business to help you find the best speaker for your meeting or event. They are up on all the fads, trends, availability and will do the research and legwork for you. A speakers bureau will; source and provide customized choices; negotiate fees; do their best to stay within budget; find the right fit; coordinate speaker logistics; make any last minute changes and in the end will save you valuable time. I believe if sourcing speakers isn’t your bag why not outsource the task and work with the pros.

In Conclusion
Whether you go it on your own or you partner with a speakers bureau. Sourcing and hiring speakers can be an involved and varied experience. In the end it’s all about recognizing what it takes for success and the perfect performance. Be organized, understand the style and content you’re looking for, check references and always remember how much you have to spend.

​Creating a memorable experience pays off for you, your event, your product, and your celebrity speaker. By identifying a great-fitting match and paying an amount that will still pay you dividends, your company can host an event that becomes “can’t-miss” — and is talked about for years to come. That’s the kind of ROI you can’t pay for.