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Re: Subject: Re: Finding Places To Speak

Gee, I guess I might as well weigh in on this thread, not that I am any sort
of an expert on how to make much money from speaking gigs.
  Ellen mentioned:   " I'd rather stay in a
hotel than with a host from the group that hired me, but there are
exceptions."
  I, on the other hand, can't stand staying in hotels...they're the only
place in the world I ever feel lonely. I always ask, and sometimes insist,
that someone from the hosting organization puts me up. I tell them honestly,
that I don't need or expect much, nothing fancy. I just like to stay with
real people and often this becomes about the best part of the gig for me.
  I'm just home now from a month+ in New Zealand, where I went in November
(late springtime there) to give a talk at an arboriculture conference. I did
the whole thing for expenses simply because I've long wanted an excuse to go
fishing in New Zealand. My talk, in Christchurch, on the south island, was a
hit, and I was asked to give several more, including one in Auckland...which
again I did for expenses, but I specified that I wanted to stay with real
plant people in Auckland (north island) and I wanted to do some fishing
there, too. I did both, was treated like a king, and all in all, had quite a
fabulous time of it. Caught some trout like you wouldn't believe!
  Before I left, I was asked if I'd come back and speak at the next
convention...but with expenses and pay this time...and I said, sure, sign me
up.
  I've been following this thread and, little doubt of it, we'd all be
better off probably to charge more for our talks...they are fun, but do take
a lot of time, energy and effort on our part. Cheers to all ya mates...no
worries as they like to say down under...and, oh yeah, a terrific New Year
to ya'll.

Tom
www.allergyfree-gardening.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ellen Zachos" <ez@acmeplant.com>
To: "Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum"
<gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Friday, December 28, 2007 4:05 PM
Subject: Re: [GWL] Subject: Re: Finding Places To Speak


> I'm w/C.L. on this one; I love to speak and I think it shows.  I know
> my first career (on B'way) helped hone my presentation skills, and
> speaking is one of my favorite parts of garden communication.
>
> I also think that years of negotiating theatre contracts taught me to
> value my work.  I'm a professional.  I put on a good show and deserve
> to be compensated accordingly.  We may love what we do, but that
> doesn't mean it isn't work; you shouldn't be afraid to ask for a
> decent wage.  I schedule most of my speaking engagements between
> January and March, when garden work doesn't keep me busy, and I
> expect those speaking engagements to pay the rent during those winter
> months.  They do.  (And that's NYC rent.)
>
> Of course there are always things that go wrong.  One of my favorite
> stories is about the slide projector bulb that blew on the second
> image of a lecture for a Long Island garden club.  (I carry a spare
> for my own projector, but when I use someone else's projector,
> there's no telling which bulb they use.)  I finished the presentation
> holding up images from a coffee table perennial book that was on
> hand, and everyone appreciated my willingness to go with the flow.
> In fact, just last month they invited me back.  If this kind of thing
> drives you nuts, spare yourself the agony.  If you can roll with it,
> and you enjoy improv, it can be a rush.  (P.S.  Buy yourself a USB
> remote control for PP presentations.  It's a small investment and so
> worthwhile.)
>
> A few details:  I prefer not to sell my own books (for schlepping
> reasons) but I'll do it if there's no retail venue nearby, e.g. if
> I'm speaking for a club or MG group.  Travel expenses are always
> extra (mileage + tolls, airfare, meals, etc.).  I'd rather stay in a
> hotel than with a host from the group that hired me, but there are
> exceptions.  Handouts should be copied by the hosting organization.
>
> Over the years I've refined my criteria for what makes a gig
> worthwhile.  Your final price will depend on where you are in your
> speaking career and what your relationship is to the speaking venue.
> The key is to charge enough so you can give 100% to your audience.
> Nobody benefits if you feel resentful because you under-priced your
> presentation.  (You'll wish you were home in your garden and it will
> show!)  Put a decent price tag on your lecture then do good work.
> That's a win-win situation.
>
> Ellen Z.
>
>
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