How do I find speaking opportunities? Evolution of Thought Leadership Speaking Resources and where to find them
At the risk of being branded a “tool nerd” I have to say that building and maintaining the PRToolFinder database has been really interesting in that over the years you can see the transformation and evolution from simple databases to sophisticated platforms that cater to the wide range of needs of speakers and event organizers.
This evolution has been influenced by technological advancements, changing industry needs, and the growing importance of thought leadership in various sectors.
I’m happy to report three new additions to the PRToolFinder database that can be found under the Speaking Opportunities and Thought Leadership category.
- I Need A Speaker
- SpeakersOffice (Holli Catchpole), and
- Scarlino Speaker Strategies
One of the new listings takes the placeholder I’ve kept in there hoping to discover what happened to a popular and much relied upon resource of the past – the Catchpole speaker database. If Catchpole wasn’t first, they were certainly an early player in the online database market proving a centralized repository of speaker profiles making it easier for event organizers to find and book suitable speakers. It was the go-to resource for many years. Change happens. And also, as the industry grew, so did the need for more dynamic and responsive platforms. I hope to write more about the Catchpole evolution after further investigation, but for now we’ll shine a spotlight on I Need A Speaker.
Tricia Richards-Service
Platforms like “I Need A Speaker” represent the latest iteration in this evolutionary process. These platforms are designed to be user-friendly, providing a seamless experience for both speakers seeking opportunities and organizers looking for thought leaders.
In 2018, Tricia Richards-Service was asked to serve on a committee to plan a local speaker event. The speaker budget was $1,000. No one in the committee members’ personal networks met the desired speaker criteria, and the members knew they could not afford to work with a traditional speakers’ bureau.
The minimum speaker fee accepted by traditional bureaus typically ranges from $15,000 to $40,000, which made using them cost prohibitive for the planning committee. Frustrated that there was no central place to find a qualified speaker at any price point, Tricia decided to build one.
I Need A Speaker launched in 2020 and now has users in 21 countries. Speaker fees range from $0-$75,000+. Speakers include industry experts, authors, professional athletes – even comedians! It’s free and easy to join the I Need A Speaker community. I Need A Speaker promotes its speakers year-round and takes a 20% administrative fee from the speakers’ fees. Event planners may create a free account to use the platform.
By leveraging technology, the platform simplifies the search and booking process, offering features like real-time availability, detailed speaker profiles, and advanced search filters. This innovation ensures a seamless experience for both speakers and event organizers, fostering more meaningful and impactful engagements.
In an effort to support speakers at all experience levels, I Need A Speaker also offers public speaking training for individuals and groups.
For custom recommendations, speaker availability, and details on training programs, email info@ineedaspeaker.com.
Conclusion
The industry will continue to evolve. All of us, (everyone in public relations, you, me, etc.) platforms like I Need a Speaker and the others in the Speaking Opportunities/Thought Leadership category play a crucial role in connecting thought leaders with opportunities to share their insights and drive impactful conversations.
How many of these resources did you already know about? If you found this blog valuable, imagine what other bits of valuable information might be found in the PRToolFinder database!
PRToolfinder was created to keep track of this ongoing evolution and provide members with access to an always updated resource that delivers the most comprehensive and well-organized database of PR Tools in our communications industry.
With these 3 new additions, there are a total of 6 tools in the Speaking Opportunities/Thought Leadership category of the PRToolfinder database.
Ask yourself: What is my time worth? Then ask yourself how much time PRToolFinder could save you.