How to Book Keynote Speakers and Entertainers for Your Next Event

Transcription

1 How to Book Keynote Speakers and Entertainers for Your Next Event The Webinar will begin shortly. Audio is provided through your computer speakers only. If you have any issues with the audio sound, simply click on the request phone button on the top right hand side of your screen to get teleconference information to call into the Webinar via phone. Technical Support Problems for this Webinar:

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3 How to Successfully Book Keynote Speakers &Entertainers for Events What You Really Need to Know Presented By: Joshua Gair CEO Impact Entertainment Services

4 Keynote Speakers/Entertainers Y? Why should you consider booking keynote speakers/entertainers for your events? Advantages building relationships with clients through bonding, high levels of engagement, helps to market the event, increase attendance Disadvantages could overshadow event, cost, talent requirements.

5 Appropriate Events When is it appropriate to book keynote speakers & entertainers? Client Appreciation Events Conferences Fundraising Event Corporate Events New Product or Service Launch Exhibitions, Fairs, and Trade Shows Meetings Private Parties

6 Selecting the Speaker Do not select based on who you like, rather who your target audience is. Who would your audience be interested in hearing from or who would be a great surprise? Select experienced corporate speakers and entertainers. Make sure that you are given permission to be part of the decision-making process and will be working closely with the ultimate decision maker. Best Way to Choose Talent Poll Your Audience if Possible, audience demographics, goals/objective of the event.

7 Talent Ideas Speakers politicians, business leaders, CEO s, sports stars, media personalities, motivational speakers, actors, Hollywood personalities, Sales trainers, Olympians, and more. High level government officials, ministers, former presidents, speakers not represented by an agency. Entertainers comedians, impersonators, magicians, tribute bands.

8 Talent and The Budget! - Keynote Speakers & Entertainers start at $5,000 plus expenses. Examples - Dom Sagolla co-founder of Twitter - $85,000 plus expenses. - Richard Branson CEO and Founder of Virgin - $375,000 plus private jet. - Howard Schultz CEO and Founder of Starbucks - $275,000 plus private jet. - Al Gore former Vice President of US climate change and the environment - $420k plus expenses. - Donald Trump Business mogul/motivator - $2 million - John Sculley former CEO of Pepsi and Apple Computer - $100,000 plus expenses. - George W. Bush former US President - $300,000 plus private jet. - Bill Clinton former US President - David Beckham fashion and sports icon - Tyra Banks fashion model and television celebrity

9 How to Help Cover the Talent s Fee Offer corporate sponsors a chance to be the title sponsor or keynote sponsor and put their banner behind the speaker podium and on marketing materials. Ask sponsors what speaker they would be interested in sponsoring and then make it happen with your agency. Part of marketing and event budget.

10 Case Study - Novartis Client Novartis Pharmaceutical Company Event Novartis Family Day 2012 Goals To introduce families and the public to what Novartis offers, bonding with the community, positive pr, brand building and increase attendance. Tools NBA Basketball Legend Magic Johnson to give a 45 minute speech on fitness, healthy living, lead a 2k run with attendees, interact with guests, take pictures, and sign autographs. Results 24% increase in attendance from 2011 with no celebrity appearance. 11 mentions in local media and press.

11 Ah Yes, The Offer Most talent will require you to fill out an offer form and make a firm offer. Fill out as much info as possible for best results. Offer forms are NOT the place to ask for price quotes; call and speak to agent before making the firm offer. Accepted offers are considered binding, so only make offer when you are ready to sign contracts and make payments if talent accepts the offer. Why would a speaker/entertainer decline an offer?

12 Riders, Riders, and More Riders The artists rider. (expenses in addition to the talent fee) General rider expenses hotel, meals, ground transportation, airfare, crew, lighting, staging, production, and Green M&M s. Riders are negotiable Food and Hospitality items are easiest to negotiate. Do not sacrifice on equipment used for performance to save money. Make it clear what you intend to provide in talent rider before signing any contracts.

13 When do I begin? For big name talent, 4 to 6 months in advance is ideal, any longer than that and they may not know what their schedule will look like and you risk cancellation of talent for your event. Make sure the date is in stone; do not change date after contracts are signed.

14 Talent Agency Buyer vs. Doing it Yourself DIY Keynote Speaker Take this route if you have experience producing this type of talent many times. You need to have a contact for an experienced production manager and an onsite talent coordinator in case an emergency comes up, which is very prevalent in headline talent. Celebrity talent may have unusual requests that you need to be ready for. You also should not be under a deadline as many agents can take a week or so to get back to you with requested info. Local speakers have minimal risks and hassle if doing it yourself. Avoid the I got the contact syndrome Talent Agency Buyer They can negotiate riders and talent fees because of their buying power, relationships, and experience. They can provide price quotes for any speaker whom you may be interested in. One central location for all your talent needs. They filter our the good speakers from the bad ones and make recommendations. You can develop a relationship with one agency that can get to know what your needs are and work with you for all your events.

15 4 Ways to Save Money on Speakers Book the talent as they are on their way up the ladder. Find out if the speaker is going to be near your city around the time of the event and coordinate their schedule and your event. Make an offer to the talent that is slightly less than the amount quoted to you by the agent. Offer the speaker more than 1 speaking gig in the area so they can book multiple engagements instead of just one or offer to book them for more than 1 year in a row.

16 Resources - Joshua Gair Impact Entertainment Services josh@iesagency.com - Creative Artists Agency- - William Morris Agency Speaker

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