Please read and consider the answers to the most often
asked questions about Showcases (by speakers)when
sponsored by a national speakers bureau like ours--PSBI.
At the end of this message BELOW we have the pricing for
each speaker to participate (call us to discuss this)...
first read the following please.
What is a Speakers Showcase sponsored by a
speakers' bureau?
To fully understand a Speakers Showcase sponsored by a
speakers bureau you need to attend one either as an
audience member or as a speaker--if you qualify. There
are dozens of benefits for each speaker who is allowed
to speak at our showcases but first consider what a
showcase is not. It is not a cure-all for your speaking
business but it can take you to the next level as a
professional speaker. It is not the only think you
should be doing to market yourself as a speaker but for
the dollar it may be the best thing you can do to market
yourself. It is not a guarantee of more paid bookings
but it is the best opportunity to hook up with one (or
maybe more) speakers bureaus who can offer you ongoing
for bookings year after year. It is not a guarantee that
buyers of your kind of programs will be in the audiences
but many of them are invited from the overall marketing
area in an effort to book you. It is not an opportunity
to showcase your entire best speech or seminar but you
can showcase the best of the best of who you are and
what you offer in 11-12 minutes and be video taped with
all the right and best stuff.
Who else offers Speakers Showcases?
We have seen many organizations offer showcases, some
successfully for the speakers benefit, and some not so
successful. We have carefully analyzed the pros and cons
in an effort to strike a great balance to benefit each
participating speaker as much as possible, as well as
meeting planners that are invited. Over the 35+ years I
have worked in the speaking profession I--Thom
Lisk--have been to showcases sponsored by groups like
Meeting Professionals International (MPI), The National
Speakers Association (NSA), the American Society of
Association Executives and their affiliates (like Ohio,
Missouri, etc. Societies), and I have attended other
bureaus showcases too. We do all we can to make our
events better than any of these events based on our
budget. Which is created by speaker participation fees.
What does a brochure look like used by your
bureau to promote a showcase?
Here is a link to see one... PRIOR SHOWCASE
BROCHURE .(2.6 M Pdf) ... these are mailed and
emailed to invite people to attend.
What is your budget for hosting and promoting
each Speakers Success Showcase?
Our budget for hosting and promoting each showcase is,
quite frankly and openly, created by the speakers who
register to showcase and pay the small registration fee.
Therefore, if we have 32 speakers--the most we can
accommodate at one of these events--we have a BIGGER
budget than if we only have 15 speakers--the least we
must one-day have otherwise we postpone and/or
reschedule the event.
How many Showcases have you hosted in the past?
Our company has hosted fifty (50) great showcases during
one recent ten year period. We are the experts! You can
be assured that if your registration for a showcase is
accepted the event will take place; yet rescheduling is
a possibility.
What happens if I register for one showcase and
can not appear maybe at the last minute?
We understand that speakers sometimes have seemingly
higher priorities surface for a certain showcase date
even though earlier they may have registered for that
specific showcase. Good news! You can reschedule for any
showcase at any location! The fee you pay to showcase is
not lost, it is transferred to another event. We must
ask for a minimum of a 50% deposit on any showcase so
that eight weeks before the event we can work to
finalize the schedule and the brochure used to promote
the event. You are featured on the promo brochure for
sure if you register 6-8 weeks before the even t... if
not you can still showcase as long as spots are
available. Call or email us - speak@terrificspeakers.com
What, if anything, is unique about a PSBI sponsored
Speakers Showcase?
I attended my first showcase sponsored by another
speakers bureau in 1980 in Atlanta. Many things were
great about that showcase but I saw many things that
could be improved. I attended my first showcase of
speakers only at an NSA meeting in the summer of 1978
and although I was already in the business full time by
then for over a year I learned a lot about the do's and
do nots of showcasing before both other speakers and
meeting planners. Our showcases have been different and
many believer BETTER than other showcases but I realize
in some ways this is a bit of a controversial way for
speakers to expand their businesses. A showcase is not
right for everyone but consider: Regardless your benefit
from our showcase.
At our showcases we combine the best of all possible
ingredients for the benefit of each speaker. Speakers
often need to upgrade their video demo footage or they
may need a first quality demo tape. I know speakers that
have invested $20,000 and not gotten as good a demo tape
as we create for them for $200 at our showcases! We
insist that the correct staging is set up for each
speaker... lighting, backdrop, microphones, camera
angles, colors, etc. One recent showcase speaker was
booked to a meeting planner who attended, and she used
her demo tape to create 13 bookings out of 13 times she
provided it to qualified buyers. She got a 1000%+ return
on her showcase investment. So can you! Our demo tapes
are better, unique, and different, and they can be
posted to your websites, and elsewhere.
Hundreds of speakers have been booked as a direct result
of our showcases. Showcase speakers receive a higher
priority by our bureau and are our first choice for
future booking opportunities if that speaker agrees to
have us add them to our bureau website. Each speaker can
be added to our website in up to 7-9 topics as an expert
for years to come so that if a booking does not result
immediately due to the showcase as it does for some
speakers then down the road you can be booked, maybe
many times. Bureaus earn commissions booking speakers
so, of course we want to book you.
How does a Speakers Showcase work for each speaker?
They work great for each speaker according to dozens of
speakers who write us after the events...
TESTIMONIALS FROM SHOWCASE SPEAKERS--CLICK HERE.
What is the format of the Showcase day?
Over the years we have experimented with several formats
but we have arrived at a format that seems to work best
for all concerned consisting in overview of the
following. First, out of town speakers we ask to arrive
the night before, if possible by 6pm to meet with the
team of speakers, see the room, etc... although this is
optional. The video camera man is in the room by 7am as
is Dr. Lisk although we set up the night before. The
event starts with a meeting for all speakers at 8am.If
you are speaking at our Showcase event it is IMPORTANT
that you make this meeting if at all possible. Lot's of
valuable instructions are given to you and all remaining
questions are answered so that you are properly
prepared. We anticipate your every question and can
better answer them as a group rather than one on one as
we have on average 24 speakers.
The first speaker speaks at about 8:37am, and another
speaker every 12-14 minutes. At 8:30 we welcome
everyone. The meeting for SPEAKERS ONLY lasts from 8am
to 8:25am with others attending asked to wait in the
hallway where coffee ia available. We ask ALL SPEAKERS
especially in the morning to be a part of the audience
for all speakers sitting in the front rows, in the
middle, with lots of positive responses so as to help
get the mood set and create quality tapes for the
speakers. We have an "on-deck" chair for the next
speaker where you must be ready to (go up to bat) if you
are next.
Once you register for the showcase to speak a form will
be sent to you so you can select your preferred speaking
time, based on a first come first served basis. You will
be notified well in advance of the event what time you
will be speaking, but again, it is in your best interest
for many reasons to be a part of the audience all day
long--see comments from prior attendees again if you
doubt us--the link is above marked testimonials.
If you are speaking in the morning we expect you to at
minimum stay through the lunch hour and participate
fully in the luncheon so as to network and receive the
FREE gift book. There is an extra charge for the
luncheon for everyone.
Some speakers qualify for a time slot in the morning and
one in the afternoon to speak twice. In this way you get
two showcases before the audience (we may have a few
people in the afternoon who are not in the morning or
vice versa) and you can have two demo tapes of two
different topics created.
We have a morning and afternoon ten minute break, and a
one hour lunch break from 12:30--1:30. We keep things on
time so be on time please. If you have some kind of
unusual a/v requirements we will discuss that with you,
please, so as to be prepared to help you in your
transition. Tell us in advance of any special
requirements you might have but do so after you register
for the event and do so in writing for our planning and
so that no detail is overlooked.
The event concludes sometime between 4 and 5 p.m.
depending on how many speakers we have scheduled.
Coaching sessions (free part of the event for paid
speakers) with Dr. Lisk, 30 minutes maximum each, begin
immediately upon conclusion of the event if you can
stay, or schedule that by phone or email for within a
week after the event.
What are some of other benefits of a Speakers Showcase
you have not yet mentioned?
The benefits of our bureau sponsored showcases are so
many that the best way is to consider initially is to
read the dozens of testimonials from other speakers. We
have booked nearly 1000 different speakers due to these
showcases.
Meeting planners need great speakers and regardless of
what they tell you the BEST WAY to preview a speaker is
LIVE AND IN PERSON, not off a video on a website, or via
a DVD sent to a meeting planner. So, in addition to
getting a TOP QUALITY demo tape you may have meeting
planners in the audience who can hire you. For sure you
have our staff in the audience and we are going to
evaluate you in view of our client needs currently and
in the future all over the world.
Learning from other professional speakers can not be
underestimated, especially in this kind of setting. Dr.
Thom Lisk, the owner of the bureau and the author of the
new book--THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO SUCCESS AS A
PROFESSIONAL SPEAKER--has a great deal to teach you and
this learning when applied can earn you thousands. Money
is always made on BETTER IDEAS and many will be handed
to you on a silver platter at this great event!
What are some of the reasons for not Showcasing
even if I am invited to showcase?
Maybe you have all the business you need, few speakers
or trainers do.
Maybe you are so niched that you don't need a demo tape,
or exposure to other audiences, but if you want to
expand your business this is a great event for you.
Maybe you can't afford the participation fee for the
speaker, but maybe you can't afford not to invest in
participating. We accept charge cards and you can make
payments to your bank.
Maybe you already have a quality demo video tape... you
need not be taped at the event, that is optional and
reduces your participation fee.
Maybe ... tell us any reason you night have for not
wanting to showcase so we can be specific in our
response to you.
Do veteran speakers continue to participate in
Speakers Showcases?
Yes, they often do. They find it to be equally
stimulating and beneficial as newer speakers; and
besides even the best of busy veteran speakers, even
those earning $10,000 or more as speakers, need more
exposure, and bureau relationships, and an upgraded demo
tape. Ask for a list of prior veteran speakers who have
participated successfully in our events if you want more
proof.
How does the video taping option at the Showcase
you sponsor work?
Actually we encourage all speakers to be video taped at
the event but it is optional. However... it is so
inexpensive and the setting is so ideal with all the
right staging, etc. with TV quality cameras used we
sometimes turn away speakers who will not invest the
$200 to get the video footage from the event.
This footage is sent to you within two weeks after the
event.
You also can get a turn-key demo video tape created
with...
A) Computer graphics added or inserted into the tape
front-end and back-end. B) Audience shots inserted in
appropriate ways through out the entire tape, people
responding in favorable ways to your message. C) A voice
over introduction is read onto your tape by a pro voice
in a studio, not just the intro used at the showcase. D)
The tape is edited with any mess-ups of you edited out.
E) Copy is overlaid on the front end and back-end of the
tape about how to contact you... you write the copy,
just as you write the intro. F) Other tapes can be
spliced into this demo tape. G) It can be posted to your
website and our website... all for one additional price.
Consider...
Some speakers hire a crew of video people to come and
video tape them when they are speaking for their
clients. The problem with this is often you can not
truly control the environment like we do at a Showcase
AND you typical invest at least $1000 in the video crew
and this includes NO editing. With our showcase you can
get a completed NEW turn-key demo video tape completed
for only an additional $600 grand total. This option
does not need to be made until AFTER THE SHOWCASE and
after you preview your footage you get at the event.
Furthermore, a sample of a finished demo tape can be
shared with you at the event to help you in your
decision making. You save thousands of dollars as again
some speakers have invested $5000 to $10,000 to get a
demo tape that is not as good as our showcase tapes
which you get for $200 and $400 to finish it or only
$600 total. (This does not include the small
participation fee in the showcase described below.)
Where are Speakers Showcases held?
We have offered 50 showcases at various locations in
these cities: Columbus, Washington DC, Anaheim, Toronto,
Atlanta, Orlando, Sacramento, Austin, St. Louis,
Chicago, Denver, Dallas, Boston, Ft. Lauderdale,
Minneapolis, Houston, Philadelphia, Cleveland, San
Diego, Phoenix, and we may be close to you soon in
another city. Watch for postings.
We know the demographics of each of the top 50 markets
in North America and have good reasons for each showcase
location. Granted they may not be in your home city area
this year but one will be close to you in the future. We
have had speakers fly across the USA to appear at our
Showcases, they need not be in your home state or area.
Keep checking our Showcase page for dates and locations
at the main Showcase page.
If one does not fit your marketing effort now it may a
year from now so don't rule it out. If it works now...
email or call us; reschedule for me today.
Why do you call your event a Speakers "Success"
Showcase?
Because everyone is interested in more success not just
in showcasing. At these events we facilitate many things
that can lead to more success for each speaker who comes
with the right attitude. Just meeting the other speakers
and hearing them speak can lead to more success for you,
as one quick example. Everyone needs to know that
networking historically is an important part of a
success strategy for a speaker. But do remember that any
bookings that result from this showcase are ethically
the property of our speakers bureau and commission-able
to PSBI. The bookings you can get from a showcase like
ours can result in higher booking fees for you thus
offsetting the bureau commission, please realize. We
want you to earn more money, never less. We work to get
you a ROI in many ways; yet cannot guarantee bookings.
Why is it wise for me to sign-up ASAP for a
Showcase sponsored by your bureau?
Because we are dedicated to helping each participating
speaker have more success. We can not continue to offer
these events with out quality speakers. Many speakers
qualified to come to several Showcases during the year
and they would not do that if they have not find the
first experience beneficial.
Do you have references of other Speakers who
have showcased?
Sure, we do and hundreds of those names can be provided
but some are on the About Us Page on our website... see
the speakers list for those who have been booked--takes
another click to find the long list.
Are your Showcases ever postponed or cancelled?
This has happened although very infrequently. Think
positive!--you must if you are going to succeed long tem
in this business as has the owner of this bureau for now
over 35 years.
Tell me about your special bonus for
participating speakers?
Some of the benefits are only revealed to you once you
register as we are always focused on giving our clients
and speakers more than what they pay for. But consider
that you get a FREE copy of Dr. Thom Lisk's new
book--THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO SUCCESS AS A
PROFESSIONAL SPEAKER. Granted, you can purchase this at
most book stores in the english speaking world but with
your participation in the showcase you are given some
special instructions on how to use the books contents
for your unique situation. Just one idea can make you
more bookings. Also...
| You can offer your
books or products for sale to the others who
attend the event thus nearly paying for your
registration fee or at least your travel expenses
(no guarantees, of course we can not force people
to buy things). |
FREE one hour coaching--a $500 value--is given to each
showcasing speaker with Dr. Thom Lisk. This can take
please either at the event--before or after the regular
showcase hours of course--or by phone after the event
(30 minutes twice is okay).
What is the fee for participating in the
Showcases sponsored by Professional Speakers Bureau
Int'l?
We are an association of the best speakers in the world.
Recently we have worked with speakers from several
English speaking countries and we represent several
bilingual speakers too and they all agree participation
in our showcases is a BARGAIN. Here is why there is a
fee in the first place... and how we arrive at the
showcase fee for speakers (meeting planners can attend
for FREE or pay the cost of the luncheon)...
We--our staff--invests about 100 hours to make each
showcase happen, we must take that into account first.
WE all know the value of time is great and it is not
recoverable. We are committed to offering each speaker
after the event with additional time investments. Now
consider...
Bureaus like ours all operate on a commission when we
book speakers--typically -30% nationwide. We only make a
dime when we book speakers so we want no speaker at our
showcases whom we can not book. The following fee for
your participation simply and openly represents a break
even point for us.
Our budget to host each showcase has now grown to (up
to) $10,000. it is easy to arrive at this figure when
you consider all the associated costs to organize,
promote, and host the event. if you need all those
details they can be provided however unlike other large
bureaus who charge $900 for any and every showcase
speaker we ask for ONLY $500. This represents having
twenty speakers on minimum participating and dividing 20
speakers into $10,000 you see we arrive at $500 each...
this is break even for us. If we get 24--32 speakers we
simply invest the other dollars from these speakers fees
to help promote the event to MORE PEOPLE and host the
event possibly in a more lavish way. [15 Speakers
registered six weeks in advance is necessary]
To register for any showcase we need a charge card or
check for a minimum of $250 eight weeks before the
event. At six weeks before the event the next $250 is
due as we are spending the money at that point to
promote the event FEATURING YOU. Figure it out and you
will see... guaranteed.. that this is one of the best
ways you can promote yourself...
To thousands of potential meeting planners, meet and
hear other great speakers, get taped, and much more.
This is a BIG BARGAIN for speakers that can qualify to
showcase.
If we have not worked with you before... send your
materials by email to speak@TerrificSpeakers.com
If we have worked with you in the past, if as an
example, you are already featured on our website, you
are qualified to do any showcase... but do register
ASAP. Or... call or email us with questions.
We have more details to share with you soon.... just ask
for the "rest of the Showcase sign-up details", and see
showcase registration form.
Thank you. And...
May I ask you other questions?
Sure... please do... call or email us... and tell us
which date and location you are more interested in ASAP.
See the dates and locations again back one page on the main Showcase page.
