Topic: What should I charge?

[Tim Russ]

Ok, I'll raise my hand and admit it.  I don't know what to charge as a speaker.  How does one go about determining their speaking rates?

[Ro]

The truth of the matter is that you can charge what you want.  The issue is, will you get it.   

Typically people who are not well known charge in the hundreds and people who are known get into the thousands.  If you are real well known you can charge $20K, $30K, $50K, $100K or more. 

What many speakers do is sign up with a speakers forum or organization with speakers of the same type or level of experience and use their level as a guide. 

What is typical in conference etc speaking is that the price can be determined by the number in attendance. 

So, there is no easy formula for determining the price to charge. The bottom line is to charge something and you will know if it is in the right range for your audience or event planners especially if you are getting traffic to the site but no calls.  Ironically though, if we set the price too low that can decrease bookings also.  That happens because people judge the quality of the speaker by the price.  So keep the price up there and also be sure to give them quality information even if you have to do weeks of research on a topic that you are unfamiliar with. It is worth it.  It will add to your available topics.  Another suggestion is to always do current research on the topic before you go to a speaking engagement.  This makes you current on the topics and maintains your expertise on the topics. 

I think I got a little off topic but it does enter into the formula of what to charge. 

[Ann Doupont]

Tim,

I'm assuming that you are talking about charging people when you do a conference or seminar as an Internet Marketer rather than as a minister. As a minister, it's typical from my point of view to merely do "love offerings" and then receive whatever is given.

I went to an Internet Marketing seminar here in Boise. The charge was $20 per person.

Hope this helps.

Ann

[Tim Russ]

Oops, I guess that's what happens when we assume. 

I'm just talking about speaking publicly before groups.  When I start my internet markeing seminars the price probably won't be less than $5,000 per seat.

Whenever I speak as a minister I simply allow those in charge of the event to provide whatever the Lord leads them to provide.  If that's nothing I'm happy.  If it's a lot, I'm happy.  Whatever helps build the kingdom.

[Tim Russ]

Hey Ro,

Thanks that was some valuable information.  Now if you could clarify that up a bit I'd be much happier.

Do you have a formula that can be used to calculate a range for speaking?

Tim

[Ann Doupont]

Well, Tim, I'm glad that I already went to an Internet Marketing seminar then and only paid $20. This included lunch at the Holiday Inn where it was held and that was probably worth at least half of that amount.

I certainly wouldn't pay $5000 for a seat unless perhaps it was made of gold and I got to keep it.

What I would actually do if I were in your position is to simply ask God how much to charge for my services. He knows better than anyone what to charge. Yes, I'd do the research first. I also would have to figure in where the seminars are held. In different parts of the country, the cost of living is higher than others.

Moving to Boise, I found that living here is 2/3 of what it was in Alameda, California...where I moved from. So, I couldn't charge the same amount here as I would have been able to there.

For office work there, I was paid $15/hour, which at the time was high even for there. Most jobs there doing what I was doing paid around $12/hour. The same job here pays $9 or $10. And, that was in 2002...so understandably, everything has gone up since that time.

Ann

[Ro]

Tim,

OK ... you want a formula..... pick a number and charge it .... and if they pay it.... it was correct. 

The only formula is to charge what the market is for your level of speaker.  By that I mean, if you are a Pat Robertson you would charge more than Tim Russ.  Typically the charge is based on how many are attending.  If you know others are getting $800 for a conference of 400 people, you can charge $200 per 100 attendess of 400 plus. 

I know speakers who ask the event planners to call them and they negotiate the price to see if what the organization can afford is something you would be willing to do it for. 

Some speakers/singers charge a flat fee.  I know a few years ago Somebody Cares had an event and the speaker/singer charged $50,000 to do the event.  Of course he was a big name star and he could get that because the speaker/singer's name was a draw for the event.  If we do not have a recognizable name then we cannot charge as much.  That's until we get known. 

Hope that clarifies.


Ro
www.RoLashua.com

[Ro]

Guess that was a smar-alic statement.