Prime Time FAQ: Your Questions Answered
First time booking a speaking engagement? Prime Time Speakers Bureau has the answers you're looking for. To get a feel for how we can work together, please find the below helpful responses to our most commonly asked questions. We hope this overview serves as the springboard for your plan to host an acclaimed speaker that's perfectly matched to your audience.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How long will it take to book a speaker for my professional engagement with Prime Time Speakers Bureau?
Q: What are the basic steps toward securing a qualified speaker?
Q: I've never arranged a grand-scale speaking event before. What other arrangements must be made?
Q. Will we have a chance to meet with the speaker personally
and discuss our objectives in creating the event?
Q: Do you handle motivational seminars that take place over the course of several days and involve audience participation and training?
Q: What if we decide the speaker isn't right for our company or organization after all?
Q: How much do you charge for your services?
Q: How will we know what style, subject matter and delivery is right for our audience?
Q: When is it a good idea to hire a speaker from outside, as opposed to scheduling a thought leader from within the organization?
Q: How long will it take to book a speaker for my professional engagement with Prime Time Speakers Bureau?
A: To allow for optimal customization, we recommend that you schedule the speaker 3-6 months prior to the event.
Q: What are the basic steps toward securing a qualified speaker?
A: Once the decision has been made to schedule a speaker, we ask our clients a number of questions about the event so that we can customize speaker recommendations. Typical questions may include:
- Where is the event?
- What is the event theme?
- Why are you in need of a speaker?
- Can you tell us more about the audience?
At Prime Time Speakers Bureau, we also inquire about speaker budget because speaker honorariums begin at $6,000 and head up to $100,000. We'll consult with you about preferred speech topics and which speakers you may have used in past years so that we can assess the types of speakers and styles best suit your company or organization.
Q: I've never arranged a grand-scale speaking event before. What other arrangements must be made?
A: As the client, you are responsible for booking the hotel room for the speaker, and providing the audio-visual requirements. The speaker typically handles all other arrangements and appointments such as airfare and ground transportation. In addition to covering the speaker honorarium fee, you will typically be expected to reimburse the speaker for the following expenses: roundtrip airfare, ground transportation, hotel accommodations, necessary meals and tips.
Q. Will we have a chance to meet with the speaker personally and discuss our objectives in creating the event?
A: Once the speaker is booked using Prime Time Speakers Bureau, you'll have an opportunity to complete a speaker questionnaire, and converse with the speaker via a conference telephone call to discuss the content matter of the presentation. When appropriate, we encourage our clients to meet with the speaker prior to the actual event, but this is not typically done. Prime Time Speakers can also arrange for you to attend one of the speaker's events hosted by another organization, so that you can get a feel for their presentation style and assure that it's a great fit for your company. First and foremost, we want to make sure that you're really excited about the presenter you schedule!
Q: Do you handle motivational seminars that take place over the course of several days and involve audience participation and training?
A: Prime Time Speakers Bureau primarily books what's known in the industry as keynote speakers; those who address audiences from 45 minutes to 90 minutes with room for Q and A if appropriate. Audience participation varies with the speaker and audience preferences. You can also schedule speakers for a three-hour seminar or all-day event.
Q: What if we decide the speaker isn't right for our company or organization after all?
A: You are under no obligation to sign the contract with your speaker. We encourage our clients to speak with the presenter (several times if necessary) prior to booking them to ensure a good fit for both the speaker and the client. This way there are no mistakes.
Q: How much do you charge for your services?
A: Prime Time Speakers Bureau provides a free service to our clients.
Q: How will we know what style, subject matter and delivery is right for our audience?
A: It's helpful to know your audience before you schedule a speaker. Have a firm grasp of who they are, what they've been through this past year, what the issues are and what the ultimate goal is in having a speaker present. Time of day is a very important factor in determining the subject matter, style, and delivery of the speaker. For example; if it's a morning keynote speech, the presenter has to be dynamic, and able to bring the theme of the conference to life. Evening speakers should be on the light side, inspiring, and fun. Prime Time Speakers Bureau assures our clients over two decades of expertise in knowing what works.
Q: When is it a good idea to hire a speaker from outside, as opposed to scheduling a thought leader from within the organization?
A: It's a good idea to hire a speaker from the outside when you have an issue that either cannot, or perhaps should not be addressed from the inside. Filling space is not a good reason to book a speaker.
Okay, you've got the basics covered and you're ready to move forward with the plan to book the perfect speaker for your next big event. Get in touch with Prime Time Speakers Bureau so that we can discuss your specific needs in detail.
Contact: Julie Sloway, Prime Time Speakers Bureau, (800) 905-3233 or email julie@primetimespeakers.com.