Finding places to speak

**"* S* <a*@amystewart.com>**

I absolutely agree that we should communicate about this stuff more.  I just
did a mailing to botanical gardens, garden clubs, floral and horticultural
associations, and master gardener groups.  Here's the flyer I sent them:
http://www.amystewart.com/images/pdfs/AmySpeaking.pdf   I've had a great
response, although budgets are tight with these groups, so I've turned down
a lot of requests.

I've found that most garden clubs and botanical gardens can afford $250 on
the low end and $1500 on the high end, and conferences are in the
$1000-$5000 range, depending on the conference and what you're doing there.
(plus travel) I would not work for less than that--although I will sometimes
do a complete "freebie" for a very close friend or for a charitable event.
I would rather take no money than a token amount so it is clear that they
are getting a donation of my time.

I do sell books at these events, but that is not my main reason to do them.
I expect to get paid for my time regardless of the number of books I sell.
If I buy a box of books from my publisher, I pay about $13 each for them
including shipping, and by the time I haul them to the event, sell anywhere
from 5 to 25 books, and haul the unsold books back home, I just haven't made
enough money to make it worthwhile.  For me, better arrangements for books
include:  (a) have the local independent bookstore sell the books.  I still
get royalties, and I make a connection with a bookstore that will continue
to support me and hand-sell my books for years to come, or (b) have the
organization agree in advance to buy a fixed number of books for their
audience members.  They can often get a good deal from my publisher, I still
get royalties, and I don't have to hassle with hauling them around.  If they
sell the books to their members, they can use the proceeds from that to help
pay my fee.

I do have a lecture agent, and it's a great help. Most lecture agents and
speakers bureaus get 20-40% of your fee, but they can negotiate higher fees
and handle the back and forth.  I think there is a great opportunity for
someone out there to become a lecture agent just for garden speakers.  It
would take someone who really knows the venues, knows the speakers, and
knows how to talk about money and get higher fees.  (My lecture agent is
very good at explaining to groups how they can get corporate sponsors,
partner with other groups in town, and in general she talks me up and makes
me sound like I'm worth the money. She's British, and I swear her lovely
accent makes a difference on those phone calls!)

If you don't want to bother with a lecture agent, or can't get one to take
you on, I think it makes sense to put your fees right on your website as
others have suggested.  That way, you won't hear from the people who can't
afford you.  You also probably won't ever get MORE than your stated fees,
but I know a lot of authors, including non-gardening authors, who handle it
that way.  You can always raise your fees if you're not happy with what
you're getting.

Remember, an out-of-town talk can easily take up 2-3 full days of your time.
They're not just paying for an hour, they're paying for a few days.

Amy Stewart
www.amystewart.com

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