Re: Speaker Fees

**C* E* <C*@CatrionaTudorErler.com>**

I too had a similar experience: I was asked to speak to a "local" garden club near our home at Smith Mountain Lake.  Except driving around the lake made it about a 40 minute drive each way.  Plus I had to get there early for set-up and sit through their business meeting.  I was naive enough not to ask for a fee, assuming they'd give me suitable remuneration without my asking.  Often garden clubs would give me a gift certificate to a book store or a check as payment, and I'd make a little money selling my books.  Well, the treasurer's report included vast sums of money in their account (thousands of dollars), and my "honorarium" was a gift bag filled with an assortment of poor-quality items, each with a garden motif.  They were so awful (at least to my taste) I didn't even feel comfortable re-gifting them.  And only one or two people bought my books.  That was a turning point.  Now I insist on a full fee (varies depending on the nature of the organization, but enough so I can 
 afford to give it the time), and usually the person doesn't flinch.  

Theme of all this conversation: Know Thy Worth!!!  And don't be afraid to demand what you're worth!

Catriona  
On Aug 3, 2011, at 6:19 PM, Doreen Howard wrote:

> Great story Hilda!  I think most of us have been there in some way.
> 
> A man from the Men's Garden Clubs of America told me that I wasn't famous 
> enough to command a speaking fee at their national convention!  I still 
> giggle about that.
> Doreen Howard
> 
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Catriona Tudor Erler
965 Pintail Lane
Charlottesville, VA 22903
434 953-6780
Catriona@CatrionaTudorErler.com
www.CatrionaTudorErler.com

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