What's the Problem
What's
the problem?
I've always enjoyed getting more
money for speakers and ensuring that they receive the
royal treatment. But for some reason speakers with low
fees seem very reluctant to actually have someone help
them. They say they want better fees, but then handle
their own contracts and fees without contacting me to
work on their behalf... or sometimes work without any
agreement in writing.
I often get phone calls after a speaker makes a mistake
or doesn't get the terms he really deserves.
Example: One speaker called me late last night to tell
me two of his speaking engagements canceled at the last
minute and he won't get any of his fee. I'm not sure
why he wanted me to know this.... If only he had asked
me to step in at the beginning and handle his contract
I would have made sure he was treated far better than
he was. He lost $5000 because he didn't want to give me
a $750 commission.
There's nothing I can do after the
fact, so if
I'm not invited to participate at the beginning I can't
fix anything. What I can do in advance of any problem
is make sure your contract is solid and works in your
best interests.
Incidentally, the speaker above never returned to have
me critique his
contract, take the online class, nor to have me step in to act as
his advocate. What's the problem? Fear of success?
Just for fun, why not send me your answers to the
survey on this site, "Why don't you have an
agent?"
