I “m of the mentality that you should always have this conversation. They can always say “no”, but if you don “t bring it up, you won “t even give them that chance.
When you “re just starting out, determining your value is the difficult bit. You may feel that because you “ve only spoken at a few Toastmasters that you shouldn “t charge anything, and that they “re doing you a favor for giving you a space on the stage at all.
That “s a lovely thought. It really is.
Send the conference organizer your bio (which you should have someone ELSE write. It is an absolute disaster writing your own, because you “ll leave out your “amazing”) and let *them* decide what they can do.
Maybe they don “t have an honorarium budget, but maybe they do. Maybe they “ll allow you to promote from the stage. Maybe they “re going to be videotaping the whole thing and they “ll let you keep the videos, and maybe you can even talk them into filming a promo video as well. Maybe they “ll cover your travel, or part of it – who knows?
You won “t unless you ask.
And be polite, and humble – never demanding.
Conference organizers all talk to each other. They know who are the good ones that help out and who are the nightmares (or even just the duds). They know who added value and who didn “t. If they “re making an investment in you, make an investment in them.
Be creative in what you can offer to them beyond the talk.
As long as you keep those things in mind, absolutely ask for compensation.
Originally Posted: https://www.quora.com/Should-I-ask-for-compensation-when-invited-to-speak-at-a-conference
Originally Posted On: 2016-09-15