A speakers bureau is a company that represents and books professional speakers for various speaking engagements and events.
The primary roles and functions of a speakers bureau include:
1. Talent representation
Speakers bureaus maintain a roster of professional speakers from diverse backgrounds, industries, and areas of expertise. They act as agents or managers for these speakers, promoting their services and negotiating speaking fees and contracts on their behalf.
2. Speaker sourcing
Event organizers, corporations, associations, and other entities seeking speakers for their conferences, meetings, or special occasions can contact a speakers bureau to find and book suitable speakers based on their specific requirements, such as topic, audience, and budget.
3. Speaker vetting
Reputable speakers bureaus carefully vet and screen the speakers they represent, ensuring they have the necessary qualifications, expertise, and speaking abilities to deliver high-quality presentations.
4. Contract negotiation
Speakers bureaus handle the contract negotiations between the speakers and the event organizers, including negotiating fees, travel arrangements, and other terms and conditions.
5. Event logistics
Some speakers bureaus may also assist with logistics related to the speaking engagement, such as coordinating travel, accommodation, and audio-visual requirements for the speakers.
6. Marketing and promotion
Speakers bureaus promote their roster of speakers through various channels, including websites, brochures, and networking events, to increase their visibility and attract potential clients.
Difference between a speakers bureau and agency
The distinction between a speakers bureau and an agency lies primarily in their scale of operation and the breadth of their speaker representation. A speakers bureau typically maintains a vast network of professional speakers across various industries and topics, working with a diverse array of talent.
In contrast, an agency adopts a more boutique approach, focusing on a curated selection of speakers, usually fewer than a hundred, allowing for a more personalized and tailored experience.
It’s important to note that the professional speaking industry is quite large, with an estimated 10,000 or more speakers actively participating in the speaker circuit, accepting speaking engagements worldwide. This vast pool of talent necessitates the existence of speakers bureaus, which are adept at managing and maintaining relationships with a multitude of speakers, ensuring seamless coordination and accessibility for event organizers.
While speakers bureaus cast a wide net, encompassing speakers from a broad spectrum of topics and areas of expertise, agencies often specialize in specific niches. An agency might concentrate its efforts on representing speakers within particular domains, such as business, education, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), or politics. This focused approach allows agencies to cultivate deep expertise within their chosen niches, enabling them to provide tailored solutions and targeted speaker recommendations to clients seeking specialized content.
Furthermore, the personalized nature of an agency’s operations facilitates a more hands-on approach to speaker management and representation. With a smaller roster of speakers, agencies can dedicate greater attention to each individual, fostering closer relationships and tailoring their services to meet the unique needs and aspirations of their exclusive talent pool.
What are the costs of working with a speakers bureau?
When it comes to the costs of working with a speakers bureau, there are no additional or hidden fees involved for the client or event organizer. One of the main benefits of working with a speakers bureau is that it operates on a commission-based model, where they earn their revenue directly from the speaker they represent.
It’s important to note that the fees charged by the speaker remain consistent, regardless of whether you book them directly or through the assistance of a speakers bureau. This is because speakers are required to maintain what is known as “fee integrity” within the industry. Fee integrity means that a speaker must charge the same fee for a particular engagement, irrespective of the booking channel utilized.
The speakers bureau’s commission is typically a percentage of the speaker’s fee, which is paid by the speaker themselves. This arrangement ensures that the client or event organizer pays the same amount they would have paid if they had booked the speaker directly. The bureau’s commission is essentially a service fee paid by the speaker for the bureau’s services, such as promotion, negotiation, and logistics coordination.
By working with a speakers bureau, you gain access to their expertise, extensive speaker network, and streamlined booking processes without incurring any additional costs beyond the speaker’s standard fee. The bureau’s commission is already factored into the speaker’s fee, ensuring transparency and fairness for all parties involved.
This cost structure allows event organizers to benefit from the bureau’s services while maintaining the same budget they would have allocated for booking the speaker directly. It also ensures that speakers are compensated fairly, regardless of the booking channel, upholding the principles of fee integrity within the professional speaking industry.
How many speakers bureaus should I contact?
When collaborating with speakers bureaus, it is a good idea to engage with at least three different bureaus. While some bureaus may have access to the same pool of speakers, others may represent exclusive talent that could be a perfect fit for your specific requirements.
Additionally, each bureau and agent brings their own unique perspective, tastes, and preferences when working with speakers. Just as when shopping for a car, you may connect better with certain salespeople over others.
This personalized dynamic plays a crucial role in finding the right speaker for your event. By engaging with multiple bureaus, you increase the likelihood of finding an agent who truly understands your preferences and can curate a tailored list of speakers that aligns with your vision.
The process of working with a speakers bureau is akin to interacting with an AI system – the more feedback and input you provide, the better they can refine their recommendations to meet your needs. Therefore, it is essential to invest time in establishing a rapport with each bureau, sharing your objectives, budget, and preferences in detail. This open communication allows the agents to leverage their expertise and industry knowledge to curate a shortlist of speakers that resonates with your unique requirements.
Just as AI systems improve with more data and feedback, the efficacy of a speakers bureau’s recommendations is enhanced by your active involvement and clear communication. By fostering a collaborative relationship with multiple bureaus, you can identify the one that best understands your vision and can serve as an invaluable partner in securing the ideal speaker for your event.
Need help finding a speaker?
Fill out this form and we will have an agent follow up.