How much does it cost to hire a professional speaker to speak at an event? Budgets drive decisions. But before you settle on a specific professional speaker – or number, think about how you want the speaker to engage your audience: as an entertainer, motivator or educator.

Even though professional speakers may cover similar topics, each has a unique delivery style and their experiences define their content. Are you looking for a professional social media marketing and PR speaker?

In the social media space, many speakers who used to speak for free now negotiate fees that reflect their accomplishments. Authors and those with solid and far-reaching platforms command much more than someone just starting out.

Isn’t like that in most businesses?

If your group will be mostly beginners and your budget is minimal,  a beginning speaker with less experience and a lower fee may be a good fit.

Looking for a name to attract a crowd? Then you’ll want to find someone that has a following. Fans come out to see bloggers, authors and celebrities they follow.

While most speakers are willing to negotiate fees, the actual time they invest in developing an outstanding experience for your group is much more than the amount of actual presentation time in front of the room.

Investment levels vary depending on a variety of factors. For example, selecting an existing presentation is much less than commissioning a custom production with a more impressive impact.

For comparison purposes, professional speechwriters may earn around $7500 for a 50-minute speech, or $150 per minute. Published authors and celebrities may command $10,000 and up per appearance.

Look for ways to get added returns on your  investment.

A professional speaker with an influential social network can bring visibility and attention to your group in the way of exposure through social networks, video and digital PR channels.

Think about the value this extra exposure will bring your group. It may be worth investing a little more in exchange for event promotion throughout the professional speaker’s social media networks.

First, choose the professional speaker whose personality, presentations and experience best matches the needs of your group. Then, start negotiating price.

What do think makes a great professional speaker?

Image thanks to Shutterstock.com.

Today I’m testing out a new way to communicate for speakers: a question and answer page that conveys who you are while answering the basic FAQs to save the meeting planner time. Let me know what you think . . . . and feel free to adapt this format to fit your speaker profile page for meeting planners.

Hi there! My name is Barbara Rozgonyi [roz-go-knee]. Yes, that is Hungarian. If you’re on this page, I gave you the link, someone else passed it on or you landed here because a search engine told you I must be who you’re looking or. So, thanks for stopping by and checking out Barbara Rozgonyi’s speaker Q&A page.

By the way, that’s me speaking at the Apple store on Michigan Avenue. My only slide was my image and bio. This was sort of a screen side chat for women business owners.

I know what you’re thinking: this page looks a little different than a professional, razzle dazzle motivational speaker’s site. That’s because it really is a page on my blog, called Wired PR Works. You see, I’m so passionate about helping people and businesses achieve their highest communication potential that I started writing down what I thought people needed to know in June 2006. Over 550 entries and a few years later, my vision of sharing my knowledge with the masses has become my personal brand, Wired PR Works.

Let me ask you a question: What’s your vision – for your group? What do you want them to take out of the room after the presentation?

You have a vision for your group. I want to help you make that vision a reality.

Whether it’s being found faster and better on the Web, getting more media attention, figuring out which social media tools will work or even how to write better online, I’ve got years of client and personal experience that I can share with your group.

But, I don’t know it all. That’s why every program I present is first customized for the audience and then remixed in delivery with an exceedingly generous amount of time for questions and answers. You’ll find, as I have, that community dialogue enriches every presentation. Because every single person in the room has a story to tell, it’s important that we know that going in.

You may be looking at other speakers for your event, so to save you some time and help you decide if we’re right for each other, here’s a . . . 

Professional Speaker FAQs for Meeting Planners – What You Get When You Engage Barbara Rozgonyi

Question: Barbara, what’s your fee?

Answer: In truth, this is never the first question asked, but let’s get the answer out in the open: it depends on your group. Each month, I give at least one free community speech like “Life-giving Storytelling: The C-P-R Method” that’s popular with civic groups. And, every presentation has its own set of parameters. For my current fee schedule, email connectATcorywestmedia.com or call me at 630.207.7530.

Question: Can you do last-minute presentations?

Answer: Absolutely, as long as my schedule permits.

Question: What’s your specialty?

Answer: In a nutshell, motivating business communications with specific areas of interest like:

LinkedIn 101: Building Online Connections

The Social Media Sampler: Taste What’s New in Marketing

Virtual PR: Own Up to Your Brand

Writing Writing: Adapting Old School to New School Media

Wired PR Works: Getting New Media to Work for You

Question: What kind of a speaker are you – really?

Answer: In a recent survey, my clients see me as a harmonizer and I see myself as an entertainer/storyteller. I like to get groups going.

Question: How do you motivate groups?

Answer: Make people accountable to each other and give them check in dates.

Question: Do you do any promotion on your end or is it up to the group to do it all themselves?

Answer: Every speech is promoted to the Wired PR Works-CoryWest Media network via our community communications, twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. We may issue a news release and there is almost always at least one article written about the event that’s posted on Wired PR Works so attendees can comment and get a link back to their site.

Question: What qualifies you as the best speaker for our group?

Answer: Experience, real life experience, and a true passion for evangelizing about how communications can change your life. When I left the corporate world, I exited as a national sales trainer. Knowing how much people can improve their performance with motivational guidance, I developed courses like the Success Summit Series that teaches branding, public relations and marketing with an online entrepreneurial accent. In the classroom, I created a 300 level marketing execution class for nonprofits and I taught over 40 art appreciation lessons for K-5 elementary school students. Every presentation is interactive. People say I’m funny, but you’ll have to decide for yourself.

Question: What do you do in real life?

Answer: As the founder of CoryWest Media, I manage creative accounts along with client and media relations. I write. I think. I make things up. As an advisory board member of the global Social Media Club’s Chicago chapter’s 500-member community, I’m responsible for Facebook community relations and programs. Three creative teenagers and a purring tabby call me mom. I’m married to a 74 time marathon runner who likes to take me hiking to high places. Recently, I completed a two-year term as my church’s administrative council chair. I love art, photography, entertaining [although I don’t do it nearly enough], gardening and reading.

Question: Do you have any presentations up on the Internet?

Answer: Yes, you can view them on SlideShare. Keep in mind that these are generic backdrops to show you how I think, not necessarily how I present.

Question: Do you have any awards or recognitions?

Answer: Yes, you’ll find a list of my achievements on the about Barbara Rozgonyi page.

Question: Where else can I find you on the Web?

Twitter – @wiredprworks

Facebook

LinkedIn

SlideShare

Flickr

Passing the screen to you . . . any more questions or comments?

What do women business owners really want to know about business, technology and communications? Listen in to a podcast and read twitter transcripts captured at a lively evening at the Apple Store.

Thanks to Theresa Carter, founder of Chicago’s “The Local Tourist” and Blagica Bottigliero [don’t we look like a fun trio?] for letting me speak to the group, “It’s Chic to be Geek,” I got to find out what women want to know about how to market their business online. If you’re in Chicago, you’ll want check out “It’s Chic to be Geek.”

Heidi Miller  generously offered to record my presentation. Read Heidi’s review and highlights of our group discussion about how technology drives business online. I love these types of presentations that begin with a backdrop and then open up to an open forum. Thanks to Heidi for all the coverage, which included a post-talk video interview. 

Check out my Chic to Be Geek photos on flickr, all by Beth Rosen – thanks, Beth!

 Twitter Transcript: Barbara Rozgonyi on writing, business, communications and technology at It’s Chic to Be Geek

Copied directly from twitter search using chic2geek – comments in reverse order. Thanks so much to all of you who tweeted! You added another communications channel to the live event.

heidimiller: Photos and video from #chic2geek up in the Facebook group: http://is.gd/jjcV (expand)

heidimiller: Multitasking: conference call talking over contracts while uploading video from #chic2geek to Facebook.

heidimiller: @blagica Thanks! I’ve actually been abbreviating “chic2BG” in my notes, but #chic2geek is probably more clear. GREAT job organizing!

celikins: @thelocaltourist & @blagica thanks again for another wonderful and educational event #chic2geek

heidimiller: Fantastic event that @blagica and @thelocaltourist put on! Great geek girls, great info. #chic2geek

khw77: @dijana hi it’s Kim who met you on the way out. Congrats on the wedding. #chic2geek

gizmodesign: HA! RT: @bcbeatty @heidimiller: “Twitter is like sex: you don’t know what it’s going to be like until you try it” #chic2geek

bcbeatty: RT @heidimiller: “Twitter is like sex: you don’t know what it’s going to be like until you try it” #chic2geek

heidimiller: Talking about how cool and energetic @chrisbrogan is. #chic2geek

khw77: @heidimiller want to talk to you more about your business #chic2geek

gizmodesign: so sad i had to miss hacked sites require attention [take note all wordpress folks!] #chic2geek

thelocaltourist: Great, @Blagica. Now the windows are all steamed up #chic2geek

MaggieConv: Bummed about missing the #chic2geek event, but rest is much needed.

karitas: barbara rozgonyi did a nice presentation tonite at #chic2geek event

khw77: @windycitysocial hi I’m sitting right behind you and talking about your business with you. #chic2geek

amyseye: eNjoyed Barbara’s presentation at the #chic2geek event. Thanks @blagica for the visual presentations:)

stacyjill: Next event will probably be about Blogging #chic2geek

heidimiller: How do you pitch your release online: Pitch Engine and TwitPitch. #chic2geek

heidimiller: How do you use Facebook for business? A: join a related group and ask the admin how you can help #chic2geek

stacyjill: RT @heidimiller: Can’t keepip with @stacyjill ‘s #chic2geek Tweets.No fair! She’s got a laptop, and I’m just one-thumbed iPhoning! *giggle*

stacyjill: Btw… all of you wedding people in the crowd… get ahold of me please. #chic2geek

stacyjill: Get to know the admin of the event you are attending. (great way to network) #chic2geek

stacyjill: Q from crowd – what is the best way to use Facebook for Business? A. FB is great for events (not so much an expert for Biz) #chic2geek

heidimiller: Can’t keepip with @stacyjill ‘s #chic2geek Tweets. No fair! She’s got a laptop, and I’m just one-thumbed iPhoning!

heidimiller: “You’re not going tone able to predict what will be great content until you ask your readers” @wiredprworks #chic2geek

stacyjill: @mediabistro is a great site #chic2geek

stacyjill: 20somethings.ning.com is on the screen… #chic2geek

heidimiller: Anything Guy Kawasaki writes is good. #chic2geek

heidimiller: Recommending @shel ‘s Blogging for Business #chic2geek

stacyjill: @wiredprworks – surround yourself with great advisors #chic2geek

stacyjill: Shel Holtz books – @shel check out his books #chic2geek

stacyjill: Selling advertising space on your blog is good if you have the traffic #chic2geek

stacyjill: A. Check out Six-Figure Blogger….. #chic2geek

stacyjill: Q. from crowd: Is there a list of the best sites to use for blogging? #chic2geek

stacyjill: comment from crowd – newbie – blogger/typepad are good for people who might be intimidated by wordpress #chic2geek

momofteenstwit2: What if there was only one Doctor in the world?. There is room for you too in business.. #chic2geek @wiredprworks speaking

stacyjill: Comment from crowd- when you go to websites and check domains, buy it immediately so nobody else buys it up! #chic2geek

stacyjill: You may want to have a guest author #chic2geek

heidimiller: #chic2geek question: how do you let people know to come to your blog? A from @wiredprworks: SM press release, postcards, email

stacyjill: A. You may want at least 3 posts, etc #chic2geek

stacyjill: Q. How much content do you want on your blog before you send it out #chic2geek

stacyjill: A. Press Release – let people know your blog is up. Place your blog URL on every biz card you have. Create a postcard #chic2geek

stacyjill: Q. How is there a way to build up your followers – How do you let people know? #chic2geek

stacyjill: @blagica – there will be a sep. blogging event in the future #chic2geek

stacyjill: @blagica is picking out funny domain names online #chic2geek

8 days ago from TweetDeck · Reply · View Tweet · Thread Show ConversationHide

heidimiller: “Twitter is like sex: you don’t know what it’s going to be like until you try it”

joipodgorny: @blagica you keep going to every site I think would be a good background site #chic2geek

stacyjill: Some people say Twitter is like Sex – you won’t know until you try it @wiredprworks ( that should be a tagline…LOL) #chic2geek

heidimiller: What question would you like to ask @wiredprworks on getting new media to work for you/writing for social media? #chic2geek

stacyjill: Figure out who your audiences are #chic2geek

stacyjill: Q. How do you start a blog? A. Make the decision… read blogs… what do you like that people are talking about? #chic2geek

thelocaltourist: http://twitpic.com/1fwep – At #chic2geek, @wiredprworks presenting

stacyjill: Btw – @leahjones is curious if we are going anywhere afterwards??? Ladies?? #chic2geek

stacyjill: Opening up to questions #chic2geek

heidimiller: Strategizing content plans for Facebook, Twitter, blogging: decide who your audience is and what they need #chic2geek

tokissthecook: @Blagica Hello Ladies!! So sorry I’m still at the office but have fun!! #chic2geek

stacyjill: What are your audiences? What are your goals? #chic2geek

stacyjill: Windycitysocial.com is asking the question – #chic2geek

blagica: http://twitpic.com/1fwc1 – @wiredprworks at the #chic2geek event

heidimiller: @wiredprworks on 17 Ways to Enliven Your Message question: how can a blog drive traffic to the website?#chic2geek

stacyjill: Quick Q Does a blog talk away traffic from a website (can you put your blog within your website) – Yes, talk to your web designer #chic2geek

stacyjill: @wiredprworks – check out her blog post today called Wired Writing – 17 Ways to Enliven Your Message #chic2geek

stacyjill: @blagica is running through great twitter accounts on the screen… @comcast cares, @barackobama, @zappos #chic2geek

heidimiller: @blagica is blazing across the Twitterverse at #chic2geek

stacyjill: People like twitter because it is faster than google (in terms of info) (The Octo-Mommy, the Hudson River plane) #chic2geek

momofteenstwit2: @@Blagica thanks for a great event..love when the girls hang out #chic2geek in Chicago..go girls

stacyjill: Twitter is a great place to show people what you are working on. #chic2geek

stacyjill: Watch out – she is pimping out the single ladies @blagica #chic2geek

blagica: YO SAY hello to the LOVELY ladies at the #chic2geek event at the Apple Store…boys plenty of ladies in the house:) single, too,

stacyjill: Question – @blagica is tweeting! #chic2geek

stacyjill: @wiredprworks -businesses communicate with customers (email, PR, advertisements, telemarketing, twitter, facebook) #chic2geek

heidimiller: From @wiredprworks: Think of yourself as a content producer and a storyteller #chic2geek

stacyjill: Check out @wiredprworks blog for a creative work plan and how to liven your writing #chic2geek

stacyjill: If you take away one thing tonight,… How to become a content producer #chic2geek

stacyjill: @leahjones just got a shoutout at the event by @wiredprworks #chic2geek

stacyjill: @wiredprworks Back when she started a computer cost $2800… Ouch #chic2geek

stacyjill: @Blagica is introducing @wiredprworks #chic2geek

stacyjill: Ok – Heidi has a hashtag.. woo hoo #chic2geek

heidimiller: Wiring @wiredprworks for an impromptu Podcast of her #chic2geek talk

heidimiller: @wiredprworks is about to speak on business communications. Any questions for her? #chic2geek

Groups give speakers get all kinds of gifts: flowers, chocolate, gift certificates. One of the best “gifts” you can give a speaker is a recommendation. Although I use critique sheets for reviews, it’s not often that a get a group review like this one from West Suburban Women Entrepreneurs.

What I like about this format:

• includes group comments
• talks about usable ideas
• gives ideas on how to expand the presentation

Professional Speaker Recommendation for Barbara Rozgonyi’s How to Build Your Business with Online Networking for Women Entrepreneurs

Thanks so much to everyone in the group who wrote the following recommendation:

West Suburban Woman Entrepreneurs would like to acknowledge Barbara Rozgonyi from CoryWest Media. She joined us January 15, 2009, at William Tell in Countryside to share her wisdom and insight about “How To Build Your Business With Online Networking.”

The WSWE Speaker-Evaluation opinions about her presentation were all in agreement: Barbara definitely met our expectations! Her program gave insight on the timely topic of online networking. Her material was useful to our current business needs. Her presentation style was interactive, engaging, and thorough. She was friendly, focused, exceptionally knowledgeable, and relaxed. She inspired and motivated members and their guests, many of whom reported they plan to sign up for or update their listings in online networking communities like “LinkedIn.”

Some comments that WSWE members shared include:

• Great information for those not familiar with the topic

· The handout allowed audience to focus on the speaker. (Many) liked the size and content of handout.

• “Great speaker and great topic for today’s techno savvy consumers!”
• Speaker presented ideas for every level of experience

The most usable ideas gained from his presentation were:

• Taking small steps to implement this way of networking
• How to set up for a new user
• Reserving individual domain names
• Forming accountability groups
• Suggested action steps and accountability groups

If we had more time or if we could have added something more, our members would have appreciated:

• Walk through a sample “LinkedIn” setup
• How to specifically use sites to stimulate business

We recommend Barbara to any professional group seeking to educate and inspire its members.

Sincerely,

Members of WSWE ~ West Suburban Woman Entrepreneurs ~ www.wswe.org

Are you an event planner? How do you recognize your speakers?