Re: Public speaking/ Pricing Structure

**"* B* <g*@netsurfusa.net>**

I actually have a method to my madness on pricing for presentations.
    When I began I should have paid them, truth be told. I had never 
attempted public speaking. My first attempts at garden photography we show 
as slides. But... the local garden guru received $450 for an hour so I began 
at $150 for local presentation. Figured if I did not place a value on my 
presentations no one else would. (You do seem to get a touch more respect 
when they have to pay for your services) Did I have to make up a new 
schedule for my life due to all the clubs wanting me to speak... no..... but 
it did begin to happen .. slowly. When I was asked to speak at a local well 
known convention then next year my price went up just a tad. Added a couple 
of botanical gardens to my list and up it went again. Building a history. 
When I next wrote for a national garden magazine and sold both text and 
photos, my price went up a bit more. When I sold text and photos to what I 
consider the top gardening mag in the US my price jumped $100. End of this 
year the price will go up once more based upon an engagement I have coming 
up.
    I am a small frog in a relatively small pond and aware of it.... work 
with it. All my bookings are regional.. 8 to 10 hour drive for the most 
part. So I charge accordingly. I also happened to like speaking to the small 
to medium sized groups. So. I am second string and not ashamed of the 
fact.... works pretty well for me now where I am. I am and would be 
perfectly happy to be on the same billing with Graham with his name first... 
or many of your names could be subbed for Graham's. Long as I am comfortable 
where I am and with what I am doing... the rest is not material.
    An nope ... we do not like to drag out plants around to meetings. If we 
do it ties up to a table and we like to circulate, attend all the other 
speakers lectures.
    Hope all of your are happy with the coming year.
    Gene E. Bush
Munchkin Nursery & Gardens, llc
www.munchkinnursery.com
Zone 6/5  Southern Indiana

> Preparation - Gene's account confirms that even if he gives the same
> talk twenty times he's probably earning only a few dollars an hour.
> But he's also promoting his nursery and perhaps selling plants - at
> local events, at least. It takes me less long to prepare a new
> lecture, but I also deliver a new talk to an empty sofa a couple of
> times before taking it out to a group. Moving to digital
> presentations should speed things up.
> Graham


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