One of the questions I am often asked is: “How do I get speaker agents to book me more?” I am asked this because I have a good relationship with many speaker agents and bureaus, and have had these relationships for many years. For the record, I have been a professional speaker for over a decade. My company, TomorrowToday has developed many people into professional speakers and I have mentored many speakers during that time. I am a Fellow of the Professional Speakers Association of the UK, and a member of the Global Speakers Federation. And I get about 20% of all my bookings through agents and bureaus.
The question of how speakers can get agents to book them more is a good one – for speaker newbies and old hands alike – and I hope my comments in this ebook provide a helpful and comprehensive answer.
NOTE:Â I do not differentiate between an agent and a bureau. I mainly have bureaus in mind, but the titles are used in such different ways in different parts of the world that it’s impossible to be more specific. And I will use the terms interchangeably. In this ebook, I am focusing attention on agents/bureaus who have relationships with clients looking to book speakers, and who provide a variety of options for those clients and then handle the booking of a selected speaker.
Getting Started
Even if you’re a seasoned speaker, it can be quite tough to connect with a new agent. Look at it from their perspective. They get literally hundreds (even thousands) of speaker packs every year. They don’t have a lot of time to sift through the rubbish to find the gold (I am assuming you think of yourself as a nugget of shiny stuff, rather than a pile of… well, you know what I mean). So, how do you stand out from the pack?
Great article and useful no matter how long you’ve been speaking or how many events you have spoken at – newbie or expert.
Thank you!
I loved this article….it is time-tested advice and very accurate advice on how to deal effectively with speakers’ bureaus. I’ve been a speakers’ agent for nearly a decade and I’m seeing an emerging trend of more well-known/top speakers hiring their own internal staff to handle all speaking inquiries and bookings (vs. automatically signing up with a bureau) –or hiring a speakers’ agent to represent them for all bookings world-wide (from direct bookings by event hosts or bookings via from speaker bureaus). In any case, all speakers could benefit from reading this post and heeding the guidance it contains. There is no magic bullet to speaking success, but this information comes close. Well done!
Great article. Very accurate and honest.
From an agent’s perspective, what the agent says about the speaker must be truthful and reliable for the client. The agent is putting his business integrity on the line. All the interpersonal connections must come before any reputable agent would recommend a speaker.
Good insight for both parties.
Roger
Very Good.
I love the honest and great advice to new and experienced speakers. Like most things, relationships are the key to fruitful and beneficial parnterships. Thanks again for sharing.
I am a new motivational speaker and this article was a great help. Thanks for your insite. I will be looking for an agent soon because I am getting more request to speak everyday and feel as if a relationship with. Agent can benefit bith parties…
I have been speaking for many years, but usually for free. Only a few times have I been paid. This article gives me some
specific things I can do to obtain more PAID speaking engegements.
I highly recommend this advice to anyone.
Very informative article. I appreciated the open honest and direct approach. Great insights that will be very useful.
thanks
Gordon
I am just getting started in the biz and this is an excellent article for information on getting started on the right path to successful speaking as a business or career.
Thank you for the great advice to a novice like me! how do I get training to become a keynote speaker?
Elizabeth, I’d recommend starting with Toastmasters. And then look for a member of the Global Speakers Federation in your home country, to connect with the Professional Speakers Association near you.
THANKS! Great information. Super! info, gives Food for much thought! As an Author, I need to know what to look for and how to improve chances for more speaking engagements.
Superb advice! Relationship building works both ways. What fee percent should be expected to go to the agent/bureau?
Thank you in advance for your reply.
Typically an agent earns 20% of the speaker fee.
Happy Thankful Thursday and First Day of Spring! I normally would not take the time to read this long of a post, but it is exactly what I needed to do! I have a global booking agency and thought my agreement and relationships with my speakers have always been clear until recently. This gave me the reality of who I am and what I do, and what should be clear to a speaker, and it is not my fault if they do not get it and see what they need to do! I can now refocus and get back to doing what I love, with those that love it too!
Please help. How do I get an agent to represent my spouse as a motivational speaker. I want to start a motivational speaking company. Thank you.
Robin
A very nice article…very informative for potential professional speakers!
Hi Graeme,
I came across your article and was just glued as it is the sort of information that is direct to the point also practical, good solid advice.
Thank you very much for sharing
Chris
Great advice. The speaking industry works a lot like Hollywood. Agents only want you when you can make them money. Put yourself in their shoes. If you were an agent you would want the same.
Or you could always create your own paid speaking career with sponsorship and skip the competition. Check out this free video that shows you how it works:
https://www.kajabinext.com/marketplace/courses/3557-speaker-sponsorship-101
Well! That got me thinking. Thanks so
much. Kevin
Awesome advice!
What’s a standard commission on a speaking opp? 10%? 20%?
20% is the normal, although other arrangements (higher and lower) are possible.