Re: Finding Places To Speak

**"* F* <c*@mail.com>**

 Sheri,
1. In my area there is a state-wide federation of garden clubs. When I googled "Indiana federation of garden clubs" (without the quotes) I got hits for several garden clubs in Indiana. I'd also google the names of all the major citys in your state along with the words "garden club" - you should get contact information for these groups and you can start to compile your own list.

2. I've spoken to many country club groups and golf-community organizations. These organizations often have women's groups or garden-interest clubs that need speakers for spring luncheons when gardening would be a good topic. Also check into local alumni associations.  Both of these type of groups often need dynamic speakers who can speak without slides, so be sure that some of your talks don't rely on slides/powerpoint. In these venues entertainment is as important as information.

3. In Mass the federation of garden clubs has a monthly publication that all of the garden clubs subscribe to. I advertise in this during the spring and early summer months, as this is the time that clubs here set their programs for the coming year. Most garden clubs in this area meet September to May and are off for the summer, so the early summer is when they set their calendar and book their speakers for the coming season.  In my experience, most groups/events book speakers 6 to 9 months in advance, and many large conferences work 12 months in advance.

4. Find out if there is a state wide Master Gardener Association and see if they could give you names of local MG groups.

5. Do you know garden speakers in your state?  Invite them to your next gig to hear you speak - if they have personally heard your presentations they are more likely to recommend you as a speaker.

6. Every spring I speak for companies who deal with investments. As a "thank you" to their customers they give a dinner or luncheon with "growing" as a theme. They invite their clients and hire me to speak. They give away door prizes and generally generate good will.  You might draw up a proposal and send it to similar businesses. 

7. I've presented seminars to local real estate companies for their agents.  They are usually small groups (6 to 10 people) but they pay my full speaker's fee. I tell them everything they need to know about gardening in our area, how to make quick landscaping changes for faster sales etc. 

8. Libraries - most have a "friends of the library" group that sponsors talks/fundraisers where people pay to attend. Again, spring is the time when these groups usually hire me.  Think about what the "hot topics" are for your area and offer to speak on these in the spring.

9. If there are any regional gardening groups in your area think about running a repeating ad in their publications.  

10. Landscaper's associations - again, google the names of area towns/cities with the words "association of landscapers" or something similar.

11. Garden Centers - some have speaker's budgets for their educational programs.  Also, you might do up a speaker's one sheet to leave with those in charge at area garden centers, because people may call them looking for a speaker, and they could refer the caller to you.  

At this point in the year many of the groups you contact will have already set their programs for the spring/summer. If so, your next question should be "When do you book speakers for the coming season, and who will be making those decisions next year?"  Then you can send that person your information a month or two before that date.

  A word, or two, about speaking for free: Sometimes it's a good way to try out new material or generate other speaking gigs. I speak for free to Rotary clubs for this purpose alone, because in my area Rotary groups don't pay speakers.  If I speak for free to a local yaghting club I know I will get several consultations as a result, so it can be worth it if the audience is likely to buy other services you offer.  Some garden clubs have meetings where they invite the presidents of other garden clubs to attend - if you know that those in the audience might generate more gigs, it might be worth doing it for free.  

all the best for the New Year,
C.L. Fornari
www.gardenlady.com

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