• Connecting Speakers with Audiences™

event planners

‘A Christmas Carol’ for Public Speakers

‘A Christmas Carol’ for Public Speakers 1829 2560 I Need A Speaker

For fun this holiday season, we imagined what it might be like if Dickens wrote “A Christmas Carol” for public speakers. Would you be chosen to be visited by three spirits tonight?

If so, it may not be because you have a “bah humbug” attitude. In fact, it may be a welcome refresher!

Consider questions you may be asked by the Ghost of Speeches Past: What have you learned along the way that you can use to tweak your message? How could you have better engaged with your audience? What went well, and what might you do differently?

Next might be lessons from the Ghost of Speeches Present. The visiting spirit may ask what you’re doing now to stay current on the topics you cover. Are you using updated examples? Have you considered using new presentation tools?

Our favorite spirit is the Ghost of Speeches Future. That’s because everything that you learned from the past and present will help make you an even better speaker!

We’re not suggesting you awake tomorrow morning and flip open your laptop to get started (but we love your enthusiasm if that’s what you choose to do). We are suggesting that – after you enjoy special time with special people – that you consider past lessons and current updates when planning to take the mic in 2023.

Photo credit: Nadi Lindsay on Pexels

Ten Things Event Planners Have On Their Wish List

Ten Things Event Planners Have On Their Wish List 1707 2560 I Need A Speaker

As we promised, we wanted to talk about some holiday gift ideas for any event planners in your life.  From tech to desk, we have some ideas that we know will make any event planner burst with excitement!

  1. A 2023 planner–  Papier has planners in a variety of colors and sizes to match your recipients’ taste and personality.  

  2. An iPad–  Starting at just $449, an iPad is a wonderful tool to gift.  From sending those early morning emails to creating presentations and offering bookings, this gift will make an event planner’s life a whole lot easier.

  3. Sturdy tote bag–  Get a wide sturdy tote from Baggu. This bag has plenty of pockets with space for wherever the day takes you. It’s also machine washable and made of recycled products!

  4. Desk accessories–  No one wants a boring workspace! Give the event planners in your life candles, plants, or organizers to make their work space feel a bit more like home.

  5. A Pinch Provisions kit–  Need stocking stuffers? With travel sized bags for any emergency, Pinch Provisions kits are a must buy this holiday season (or all year!). Choose from tech kits, work from home kits, travel kits, and so much more.

  6. Bedtime basket–  With long days of work and traveling, it’s important to enjoy some downtime. Fill a basket with all the essentials for a cozy night in: slippers, a sleep mask, blankets, essential oils and some hot cocoa.

  7. Insulated coffee cup–  For those early mornings with no time to stop at Starbucks, give them a travel cup of their own.  Yeti has a 30 oz insulated cup that is customizable and available in many colors.

  8. Magnetic calendar–  Can’t miss the calendar on the fridge!  Amazon has packs for each month of 2023 at can’t beat prices!

  9. Cell phone stand (for the car)-  Left on Main Street, right on Broad!  Make directions easier and safer with a stand for their car.  Check out Amazon for affordable and sturdy options.

  10.  Pens–  For someone who’s always using and losing pens, trust me, they will love this simple gift. Grab a pack of colorful pens to get them through 2023 in style – we’ve chosen some they aren’t likely to lose!

 

 

Photo credit: Yan Krukov on Pexels

Join Free in September with Code AMPLIFY

Join Free in September with Code AMPLIFY 1707 2560 I Need A Speaker

We’ve been quiet for a while, and that’s been intentional. Our team devoted a lot of time this summer to creating a plan for growth.

We are working hard for I Need A Speaker to be the global go-to resource for event planners to find the right speakers for their events, and we’re excited to have you in this space. To further that mission, we’re offering you a free one-year membership during September 2022 ($349 value)!

If you’re an event planner seeking diverse speakers or a speaker with expertise to share, join today. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Visit www.ineedaspeaker.com.
  2. Choose “I Am A Speaker.”
  3. Use code AMPLIFY to begin your free, one-year membership.
  4. Complete your profile.
  5. Tell your friends and share this message on your social media accounts.

It’s that easy!

We will do our part to promote I Need A Speaker to help event planners find you. That’s when the magic happens.

 

Photo credit: Pexels

Book our speakers now for fall and winter events

Book our speakers now for fall and winter events 2560 1920 I Need A Speaker

Summer is in full swing, and it’s easy to get caught up in outdoor recreation and barbecues. We aren’t rushing you back from vacation, but we do want to remind you that this is the perfect time to book speakers for fall and winter.

Speakers need time to prepare their talks, as well as to customize presentations or plan travel when necessary.

We invite event planners to create a free account on I Need A Speaker (if you haven’t already done so) and contact speakers for your meeting facilitation, panel discussions, classroom guest lectures, keynote presentations, and more.

Whether planning for your vacation or planning for an event, it’s the advance work that makes all the difference.

 

Photo credit: Pexels / Jess Bailey Designs

Event planners: consider your topic and purpose when choosing speakers

Event planners: consider your topic and purpose when choosing speakers 1707 2560 I Need A Speaker

A Twitter user recently posted a message stating “yall my friend’s company held a diversity panel for AAPI Heritage Month and 2 out of the 6 panelists were wHITE MEN. they explicitly said they were on the panel bc theyre married to AAPI women and they bring pErSpEcTiVe, I CANT—”.

Too often, events don’t have the right speakers. They may have good speakers, but not relevant ones.

The takeaway here is to give serious thought to who is best suited for the event. If your event is about diversity, do you have diverse speakers? If your event is about disability, do you have speakers with a disability? If your event is about Black business owners, do you have speakers who are Black business owners?

It’s estimated that 65% of all conference speakers are white men. We don’t mind that white men are on the stage. We just want to make some space for more diverse speakers.

Event planners, we can help! Create your free account on I Need A Speaker and browse our global directory to match the right speaker(s) with your audience(s).

Speakers, join our searchable global directory today for $349 per year so event planners can easily locate you.

 

Photo credit: Pexels

We would love to be your podcast guest!

We would love to be your podcast guest! 1707 2560 I Need A Speaker

We are thrilled to welcome new speakers all the time, and we love to hear their stories. Here are some reasons why people join our global directory:

  • To share a personal, impactful, and meaningful story;
  • To elevate their presence at work;
  • To establish credibility in their field;
  • To demonstrate subject matter expertise in hopes of finding a job;
  • To continue contributing after retirement;
  • To share their love of a particular topic;
  • To meet new people;
  • To help other people deal with specific issues; and
  • To speak out about a cause that’s important to them.

Did you realize that public speaking offers so many benefits? In addition, public speaking supports:

  • researching to remain current on topics;
  • organizing your thoughts;
  • building self-confidence; and
  • writing and editing.

Public speaking is a great topic for a podcast about employment, leadership, marketing, and so many other areas of focus. To book us for your podcast, e-mail tricia@ineedaspeaker.com.

 

Photo credit: Harry Cunningham @harry.digital / Pexels

We’re seeking event planners for interviews

We’re seeking event planners for interviews 1707 2560 I Need A Speaker

It’s Free Membership February*, and we’re ramping up for a fantastic year! (Welcome to the dozens of speakers who joined our global directory this month.)

We are seeking event planners to chat with us about a variety of topics:

  • speaker etiquette
  • meeting planning
  • how to vet speakers
  • how to know when a speaker is right for your group
  • considerations for audience engagement
  • how venue influences tone
  • meeting trends
  • best practices
  • and a lot more!

Interviews may be done by e-mail, phone, or Zoom, and there is no cost to you at all. We just want opportunities to discuss happenings and trends in the speaker event industry.

E-mail tricia@ineedaspeaker.com to schedule a time to chat, and you may be featured in our newsletter.

 

*To join as a speaker during Free Membership February, use code FREEFEB for your free, one-year membership. Offer valid through 2/28/22.

 

 

Photo credit: George Milton / Pexels

Eco-friendly events are trending

Eco-friendly events are trending 2560 1707 I Need A Speaker

As public health restrictions loosen, hybrid and in-person events are seeing a comeback. One thing you can expect – as an event planner or as a speaker – is a nod to the environment.

As you plan your event or talk, ask yourself what can be done to incorporate sustainable measures while still creating a safe environment.

What sustainability measures do you use as a speaker or event planner?

 

Photo credit: Pexels

Make sure time is on your side

Make sure time is on your side 2560 1930 I Need A Speaker

Event planners juggle many responsibilities. They want to be sure that everything works well for the events they plan.

One crucial element in planning is time. Speakers are typically booked for a set time frame. In the planning stages, event planners will review the length of time allocated for each speaker.

Speakers who complete their presentations with time to spare may cause a problem, because they will affect the schedule for the remainder of the event. The same is true when they speak too long.

When practicing, speakers need to time themselves. It’s important to respect the time frame they have been given and do their part to help make the event run smoothly.

 

Photo credit: Pexels

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