Paying Speakers – The Debate Continues
I have been at the heart of this debate for quite some time. I have been on the organizer side, and on the side of being one of the speakers looking to be paid. Scott Stratten recently voiced his opinion about the topic of paid speaking on his blog UnMarketing. In this instance Scott was given the terms by which you can speak at the event, a speakers conference ironically. In that instance the speaker had to register for the event and pay the fee to attend if they were chosen to speak. I know that this is a way to keep the ticket prices for the event low and that if you speak at the event, the pay is actually the prestige and the honor it portrays. As I have said, I understand both sides of this argument.
From an organizer standpoint, the real issue is whether the speaker can help them sell tickets and whether that value that the speakers are bringing to the event will make the organizer money. Plain and simple it is a matter of economics in that regard. Many speakers on the other side of the coin believe in their message and how well they do their job and with that comes the idea that they can sell out Yankee Stadium if they were to speak on their passionate topic. Many times that is not nearly the case. Both have merit and there should be a compromise somewhere in the middle.
As organizers we look to speakers to pay their way in and help us make money by adding that value. Speakers that help sell tickets or promote the event through their networks are the best value for an organizer and many organizers that see that can and will compensate the speaker for that purpose. If a speaker adds no other value than their message, it some times looks like a bad investment. Why should I pay you you speak at my event if you don’t bring value.
As a speaker, I am taking my time to make sure that value is there by making sure the message is such that it fits their audience. I am making sure I provide them an expert in the field which I know they are using to market the event. If I can help them by promoting the event through my network to help put butts in the seat then I am happy to do that as well. I could make money in other areas, and speaking is only as small component of my business, but I also realize that if you speak at events, you do get that recognition and exposure. I factor in a small part of my speaking as a way to market me and my business.
Both sides benefit from this relationship. It seems that where it gets lost is when one side cannot see the other side’s point of view. What is your position? Should speakers be paid? Should speakers pay to be a part of an event? Is the going rate for speakers too high or too low? I would bet your argument is slanted somewhat in your own economic position.
[photo via Photos8.com]
Whether organizing an event or speaking at one, I am of the opinion that a speaker should be adding value (read: increasing ticket sales) and that if s/he is not, then s/he shouldn’t be asked to speak.
If the speaker is adding value? Then s/he is working for you – and should be paid.
But what is payment? In some cases, it is what the market will bear, and what the speaker can negotiate.
Is payment airfare/hotel/pass? Sure, if a) the speaker was going to attend anyways, b) the conference is pushing the balance line and c) the monetary value would be worth it to the organizer in terms of what increase in sales the speaker will bring.
Are some speakers going to charge a fee/honorarium? Of course. If that speaker has the ability to bring in audience OR has the ability to arrange to bring in others that do? Yeah, you should expect to compensate him/her monetarily *above* and beyond the travel/pass.
But to expect that a speaker will pay his/her own way? I’m with Tara Hunt on that one. Nope. I’m not showing up to make a profit for someone else.
From the conference side? If you aren’t adding to the bottom line? Not paying you. But also? Shouldn’t be booking you to speak.
[...] the payment of speakers at events and conferences. I chimed in myself and wrote about the idea of paying or not paying speakers. I suppose it depends on which camp you are in as to which side of the debate you fall on and in [...]