Comments on: We’re Paying Our Speakers a Percentage

By: Marlys Arnold

Marlys Arnold — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 00:28:06 +0000

Kudos to you for realizing the value of what your speakers provide!

As a speaker and occasional event organizer, I see both sides of this dilemma. However,
my speaker side usually wins. Here’s a comparison I often use:

“You go to the dentist and he says you need a root canal. You tell him how much you
appreciate his expertise, but don’t feel like you should have to pay for his services.
Instead, you’ll be happy to recommend him to all your friends — he’ll have free exposure!
Now, how likely will your dentist agree to this arrangement? I’m guessing not!”

Likewise, when speakers take the time and energy to create a presentation for a conference
(often a custom one), they deserve some type of compensation. Without that, a planner is
just asking for trouble, with speakers who are happy to speak for free, knowing that
they’ll use it as an infomercial for their company or product.

So thanks for recognizing that information is a valuable tool and worthy of compensation.

By: Tim Bourquin

Tim Bourquin — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 00:19:00 +0000

Hi Charles –

No that’s not what I’m talking about. A fan of a product who likes a product enough to recommend it in a session is not doing a sales pitch. But I think we all know deep down when someone is pitching a company or product they are affiliated with or employed by rather than just telling people about something they like.

We already give a free full-conference ticket to our speakers, but I’m ready to take the conference to an even higher level, and to me that means having the speakers compensated for what they do.

Tim

By: Charles Stricklin

Charles Stricklin — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 07:37:47 +0000

I’m a little concerned about the “even a subtle sales pitch in their session will result in not getting paid their percentage.” Like advertisers and sponsors to podcasts, the producers likely endorses products they genuinely appreciate and use. If, during a presentation, I were to mention or demonstrate the use of product X, would I then be penalized accordingly?

An example: Don McAllister gave a very interesting presentation on techniques he uses to produce screencasts. While doing so, he demonstrated a Mac-only software package he uses called Mouseposé 2, to the delight of those attending. Immediately after that part was completed, someone near me said in a voice loud enough to be heard throughout the room, “Congratulations, Don, you’ve just sold 200 copies of Mouseposé!”

Maybe I misunderstand or I’m just over-reacting, but in that case would Don be precluded from receiving compensation for an otherwise excellent presentation?

My alternative suggestion would simply be: If you lead a session, no expo registration fee for you.