Thursday, September 26, 2013

EXTREME SUCCESS TIPS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL SPEAKER: Creating Your Program Proposal

When creating a proposal for a speaking gig, remember that this is often what a meeting planner sees before meeting you.  In fact, they may see it when they’re searching your website. Therefore, you want to make a good first impression before taking the stage. Crafting a winning proposal is a great opportunity. It can make you shine like a professional or keep you from making the sale if it appears amateurish.

A winning proposal doesn’t have to be flashy. In fact, when starting out, some speakers try too hard to impress. And a poorly crafted flashy proposal will often have the opposite effect of what the speaker intended.

Never fear. Read on and you’ll know how to do it the right way. Simply. Below is a proposal style and an example that can help you realize speaking success.

(Note: Never promise anything you can’t deliver.)

You may want to add your proposal to your website. That’s great! However, my suggestion is to offer your pricing after an inquiry. For local gigs, you may feel you can discount your regular fee; for gigs that require personalization (and I recommend personalizing your program anytime you can), or overseas travel, you may want to modify your fees accordingly. Even when travel / lodging is paid for, there is the additional burden of shipping your materials, paying for an assistant, etc. Plus, once you don’t want to have to update your program proposal each time you modify your fees. I suggest keeping it simple.

Proposal Style:
Program 1: Title (Convey what you’ll present; don’t make them guess what it’s about.)

Duration: How long will your program last? 1 hour? ½ day? 1 day?  

Description: What will your session deliver? What is expected of the participants?

Key Points: After the session, participants should:
·        Use an action verb to begin each objective you want the participants to accomplish or takeaway. (Usually 3-5 points are sufficient.)
·        Next point
·        Next point


Proposal Example:
Program 1: “No Buts About It: Six Steps to Spectacular Speaking”

Duration: 1 hour or expanded into a ½ day or full day workshop

Description: This interactive presentation will help the participants get past their fears, find confidence and build skills in public speaking. They will learn tips and tricks to use before, during and after they take the stage to be, not just effective, but memorable.  

Key Points: After the session, participants should:
·        Discover how to eliminate obstacles that hinder them from achieving successful communication.
·        Identify six ways to realize speaking success.
·        Become aware of how to apply their newfound knowledge / skills starting now.


This is just a guide. (However, it IS based on one of my programs!) You may want to browse the web and see what other speakers are doing.

Now that you know what you need to do in presenting a professional program proposal package, create yours with confidence.

Wishing you the best in your speaking success!

Jean Bailey Robor
LeadershipEXTREME
A Subsidiary of Celebrate life

Contact Jean for your upcoming events or to coach you and your team to greater speaking success.


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