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How do I find speaking opportunities? Evolution of Thought Leadership Speaking Resources and where to find them

By Gina Milani

June 7, 2024

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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.  PR folks are always looking to find speaking opportunities for our clients.

This evolution has been influenced by technological advancements, changing industry needs, and the growing importance of thought leadership in various sectors.

Three new additions to the PRToolFinder database that can be found under the Speaking Opportunities and Thought Leadership category.

New tools added:

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.

I Need a Speaker

Tricia Richards-Service

Platforms like “I Need A Speaker” represent the latest iteration in this evolutionary process. Moreover, these platforms are designed to be user-friendly. They provide a seamless experience for both speakers seeking opportunities and organizers looking for thought leaders.

In 2018, Tricia Richards-Service served 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.

Costs

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.  Of note, 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.

Conclusion

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, and foster 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 need platforms like I Need a Speaker and the others in the Speaking Opportunities/Thought Leadership category. They 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 know about?  I invite you to discover all of the other valuable PR tools you will find in the PRToolFinder database!

PRToolfinder keeps track of this ongoing evolution.  In other words, we aim to provide members with access to an always updated resource that delivers the most comprehensive and well-organized database of PR Tools.

With these 3 new additions, there are a total of 6 tools in the Speaking Opportunities/Thought Leadership category.

Ask yourself:  What is my time worth?  Then, ask yourself how much time PRToolFinder could save you.

Become a member today

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