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Re: Finding Places To Speak


I agree that $50 is far too low and also with 
other remarks about everything that's involved in 
lecturing - lecture and handout preparation, 
travel planning, travel time etc - bringing the 
rate-per-hour down to pretty low levels even if 
the fee is more appropriate.

But for me the deterrent is the unpredictable 
response to simple requests to make the lecture 
go well. I always ask for a clip-on mike and a 
lectern for notes, clock etc. To then be provided 
with a hand-held mike (or no mike at all) and 
nowhere to put notes means that the remote 
control has to be held in my third hand! The 
result is a less effective presentation. I've 
also started noticing that more organisations are 
now saying they will provide no projection 
equipment - presumably to avoid taking 
responsibility for incompatible technologies. But 
how many times can a projector be wheeled round 
airports before it fails?

The larger organisations - AHS, PPA and the like 
- are certainly the most efficient and the 
smaller groups the most unpredictable.

Someone also mentioned selling books at events 
and for me this has always been a significant 
economic reason for lecturing. However, more 
organisations now insist on handling book sales 
themeslves so authors are losing that revenue.

Actually, I think what we all need is a lecture 
agent. Someone with contacts to make bookings, 
co-ordinate travel (so if I'm flying from east 
coast to west it's for four bookings and not just 
one) so that I have to just turn up. I'd happily 
pay the same % as my book agent for that service. 
Any offers?

Graham

>  My 2¢ for Sheri is, Stop doing talks for $50. A 
>good friend of mine does a lot of talks to 
>garden clubs. If they balk at her price, she 
>doesn't negotiate; she suggests that the club 
>get together with another club and pool their 
>resources.
>$50 isn't enough. Putting together a talk takes 
>a lot of time and thought. Make it worth your 
>while.
>And a thought for those who still use 35mm 
>slides for talks: I sat in on a fruit-growing 
>seminar a couple of weeks ago. Every speaker 
>used Power Point... and most of the speakers 
>were Amish. True story.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: loisdan@juno.com
>To: gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
>Cc: gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
>Sent: Wed, 26 Dec 2007 1:01 pm
>Subject: Re: [GWL] Finding Places To Speak
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Thanks to Sheri for bringing up this topic and to everyone who responded
>with suggestions. After years of having presented  on small business
>topics, I'm still struggling with whether I ever want to do it again --
>on gardening topics and environmental topics. For me, it is simply a
>matter of trying to prioritize the best use of my time. It helps to hear
>everyone else's opinions and ideas.-- the most valuable aspect of the
>listserv.
>
>My 2-cents for Sheri is don't forget about arboreta -- some have very
>extensive educational program schedules, and "Friends" groups that need
>inspirational talks for the winter. They may also be the location where a
>number of different garden clubs or specialized plant groups hold their
>meetings.
>
>Regards,
>Lois J. de Vries
>Visit http://loisdevries.blogspot.com
>
>On Mon, 24 Dec 2007 10:38:56 -0500 "Sheri Ann Richerson"
><SheriAnnRicherson@exoticgardening.com> writes:
>>  I hope everyone is having a safe and wonderful holiday season!
>>
>> 
>>
>>  I am starting to work on promotion for next year and was wondering
>>  if anyone
>>  would share some tips on how to find speaking engagements. I am
>>  looking for
>>  some that are close enough to me that I can get there and back in a
>>  days
>>  time. I also need gigs that pay which is where I run into the
>>  biggest
>>  problem. They want me to speak but cannot afford to compensate me.
>>
>> 
>>
>>  Is there a site that lists upcoming garden related workshops and
>>  other
>>  events? How does one go about finding all of the garden clubs in the
>>  state?
>>
>> 
>>
>>  So far I only have one speaking engagement for next year set up. My
>  > goal is
>>  to make $2,000 from speaking engagements in 2008 so I really need to
>>  get on
>>  this now! My average fee, depending on the program, is between $50
>>  and $100
>>  plus expenses.
>>
>> 
>>
>>  Thanks and Happy Holidays!
>>
>>  Sheri
>>
>> 
>>
>> 
>>
>>  Make a difference! Plant-A-Row For The Hungry
>>  <http://www.gwaa.org/Par/index.html>  Ask me how!
>>
>>  Region III Plant-A-Row For The Hungry Representative
>>
>>  http://www.gwaa.org/Par/indexhtml
>>  <http://www.gwaa.org/Par/index.html>
>>
>> 
>>
>>  Do you like gardening? Don't miss the ultimate website for the
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>>  Do you need a freelance writer, editor,
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>>  photographer or speaker?
>>  Contact Sheri Ann Richerson
>>  (765) 664-6916
>>  SheriAnnRicherson <S*@exoticgardening.com>
>>  @exoticgardening.com
>>
>>  http://www.sheriannricherson.com
>>
>> 
>>
>> 
>>
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>>
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>>
>>
>
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>
>Send photos for GWL to gwlphotos@hort.net to be posted
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>
>Post gardening questions/threads to
>&quot;Gardenwriters on Gardening&quot; <gwl-g@lists.ibiblio.org>
>
>For GWL website and Wiki, go to
>http://www.ibiblio.org/gardenwriters
>
>
>
>
>
>
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>
>Send photos for GWL to gwlphotos@hort.net to be posted
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>
>Post gardening questions/threads to
>&quot;Gardenwriters on Gardening&quot; &lt;gwl-g@lists.ibiblio.org&gt;
>
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_______________________________________________
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Post gardening questions/threads to
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For GWL website and Wiki, go to
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