Re: Speaking Fee Question

**U* G* <i*@underwoodgardens.com>**

I'm printing that one - lots of good info!
Thanks!

Underwood Gardens
info@underwoodgardens.com

How to be a gardener: Lean toward sunshine; dig down deep; make peace  
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hum along with the bees; wear crazy hats and baggy pants; have wise  
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have shady and mysterious corners; mend fences; wander; get earthy;  
share the harvest; be thankful.

On Mar 19, 2008, at 3:50 PM, C.L. Fornari wrote:

> Lorraine's question brings up something that I often address when  
> speaking about speaking - that is, the wisdom of having a written  
> policy about when you'll speak for free, when for a reduced fee,  
> and when for your normal speaker's fee. Not that you'll give people  
> the written document, but writing it down helps YOU to remember.
>
> For example, my policy is that garden clubs, businesses and other  
> small groups pay my normal speaker's fee and there is another set  
> fee for large groups such as green-industry events. When a group  
> such as a library calls I will say something like "Well, my normal  
> speaker's fee is ________, but for groups such as yours I am  
> willing to speak for half of that."  When a non-profit such as a  
> neighborhood beautification group calls and wants me to speak I  
> respond "My normal speaker's fee is _______ but my policy is that  
> I'll speak for free to a group such as yours ONCE... should you  
> want me back a second time you'll have to charge admission or join  
> with another group so you can pay my usual fee.  Also, I'm  
> wondering if I could sell my books at the end of the talk?"
>
> I think it's important to tell these groups what your normal  
> speaker's fee is, no matter what you end up charging them. If they  
> know that you usually make ________ for a talk they value it/you  
> more.  And this is the reason that I will charge a reduced fee for  
> a library but not do it for free - they value it more if they are  
> paying something.
>
> For some people their policy is that they only speak to local  
> groups for free or for a reduced rate - I know someone who will  
> speak to public schools for free and that's it.  Others use these  
> sort of talks to try out new material or to promote consultation  
> services.
>
> I had to come up with a policy about donations in general because  
> every organization that is holding a silent auction in the area  
> calls me to ask if I'll donate a talk, consultation or book.  I  
> used to donate consultations but so many people ask now that I  
> can't possibly do that anymore.  So I tell anyone who is asking for  
> a donation for a good cause that I'd be happy to give them an  
> autographed book but that because of limitations on my time I can't  
> donate a talk or consultation.
>
> Of course you can be flexible, but if you have a set policy about  
> these things it makes it easier on yourself and clear to those  
> asking... and don't forget that over time many of these people will  
> talk to each other or be on similar committees. I had a woman say  
> to me recently "I am on the garden tour committee at the church and  
> I know that you charged them _______ to speak at their wine and  
> cheese event. Will you speak for the same fee to my garden club?"   
> Because I'd thought about it I could easily respond "No, my normal  
> speaker's fee is __________ for garden clubs, but I charge half of  
> that when I speak to SOME local non-profits."  (Many garden clubs  
> are non-profit so I usually say "some")
>
> all the best,
> C.L.
>
> C.L. Fornari
> www.gardenlady.com
> "Looking for inspiration and relaxation? It's all in your own  
> backyard."
>
> -- 
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>
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