The Insider's Guide: How to Get Picked up by a Speaker's Bureau

One of the questions my coaching clients ask most often relates to getting picked up by a speaker bureau. How did I do it? I remember how I connected with a few bureaus, but that was several years ago, so I called a few of the bureaus I work with and asked them how they find new speakers.

Here’s what I found out! ?

?The best way to get noticed and picked up by a bureau is to have the client ask for you. I often got my foot in the door with a bureau because the client requested me, and I was not on the bureau’s speaker roster. After the presentation and a positive review, I was asked to send in my marketing material and was put on the bureau’s roster.

????? Another surefire way to get noticed and picked up by a bureau is to bring the bureau business.? If you have a booking with a client and want to have a particular bureau, represent you, and the client agrees, take that book of business to the bureau. You will get noticed!

Introductions:

While this is not universally true for all speaker bureaus, some bureaus may consider new speaker applications when introduced through a referral from a speaker already associated with the bureau. If you have connections with speakers working with bureaus you're interested in, securing an introduction may positively influence the bureau's attention to your application. Every agency has opinions about this practice, some saying, “Don’t send anyone” due to sheer volumes, and others saying, “Send a referral, but only if you have witnessed them in action” and believe they are bureau-worthy. So, with that said, your speaker friends must respect your work and be proud to introduce you to their bureau.

Email

A busy bureau is swamped answering their clients’ emails and often is not searching for new speaker clients unless it’s a hot topic. Bureaus are inundated with inquiries from potential speakers. One bureau told me they receive over 150 inquiries a month from speakers wanting to be represented by the bureau. The high volume of inquiries makes it difficult for individual speakers to stand out.

?Emails that are too long and too wordy may not get read. So many speakers are long-winded, going on and on about themselves and their work.? Such approaches can overwhelm or disinterest the selection team. They are looking for concise, impactful, and relevant information. Often, when an email is too long, it is deleted.

“Timing is everything. If I am having a good day and do not get many emails, and I get a short, easy to read, interesting email from a speaker prospect, I’ll take the time to look at it!“

Include a great recent photo.

?“?Tell them to make sure to have a decent headshot. I see so many bad photos. That is the least expensive thing when it comes to marketing. Sometimes if I'm trying to decide whether to watch a video or not; I will look at their photo. I don't even watch the video if they don't have a good photo.”

Speaker Reels

Many bureaus and professional meeting planners do not like speaker reels loaded with backstories, testimonials, and videos; they want the speaker reel to show the speaker speaking on stage. They do not want to see a sizzle reel with a voice-over; they want to see the speaker speaking on stage.

Strategies to Get Noticed:

1. Be Concise and Impactful:

Craft a compelling pitch. Limit your introduction to a few sentences. Highlight what makes you unique, your speaking experience, and the value you bring to audiences. Think of it as a headline that grabs attention.

2. Showcase Your Expertise and Experience:

• ?Include a speaker reel: A short, professionally edited video showing snippets of your best speaking engagements can make a significant impact. It demonstrates your speaking style, engagement with the audience, and expertise.
• Provide a concise list of previous speaking engagements: Highlight notable events or organizations you've spoken for, especially if they align with the bureau's clientele.

3. Align with the Bureau’s Needs and Interests:

• ·Research the bureau: Understand their portfolio and the types of events they cater to. Tailor your pitch to show how you fit into their existing roster or how you can expand their offerings.
• Highlight your unique selling proposition (USP): What do you offer that's different from other speakers in their roster? It could be your specific expertise, a unique presentation style, or topics that are trending and in demand.

4. Use Social Proof and Testimonials

• Include testimonials: Short, powerful testimonials from previous engagements can significantly bolster your credibility.
• Leverage your online presence: If you have a strong online following, mention it. A speaker who can draw audiences can be very appealing to bureaus.

5. Follow Up Smartly:

Be persistent but respectful: Following up once or twice is acceptable if you don't hear back. However, always be courteous and professional. Consider touching base with new achievements or speaking engagements that enhance your appeal.

Conclusion:

Getting noticed by a speaker’s bureau requires a strategic approach that balances showcasing your expertise and uniqueness with understanding what the bureau is looking for. You can significantly increase your chances of being represented by being concise, providing clear evidence of your speaking abilities, aligning with the bureau's needs, and leveraging your network. Personalization, professionalism, and persistence are key to standing out in a crowded field.

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Calling all Speakers!

I‘m thrilled to announce that my Killer Keynote Academy has officially launched and is gaining momentum! Read and Join the Academy here: www.yourkillerkeynote.com?

(If you are a member of the National Speaker’s Association, text me for your special pricing) 832.687.1051

Included in the Academy

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* Community of fabulous giving speakers.

*Work at your own pace

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