Getting Speaking Engagements Sponsored

Dear Innovation Women,

I have a potential opportunity to speak in Italy in November for a women’s technical association conference! (This is a result of a speaking engagement last week.)

The conference is small and doesn’t have funds to cover travel and I am wondering if I can help them by getting my talk sponsored. I can think of potential companies that might want to be seen there, but have no sense of where to begin/whom to reach out to, etc. Suggestions? Thanks, Linda

Dear Linda,

We know that many conferences and events have no budget for speakers. They also expect speakers to pay for their own travel (or live nearby). When speakers work for a large company this type of arrangement may pose no great barrier – the company pays for your travel and still pays you a salary.  The company may see it as part of your job, encouraging you to travel and speak. But if you work for yourself, or work for a small firm, unpaid speaking engagements, without a travel stipend, more often than not, have to be turned down.  Or do they?

There are some organizations that sponsor speakers, pay for travel in exchange for a report about the show, social media support or even pay for you to attend on their behalf (usually “under their flag” representing them for new business purposes, etc.)  A lot of this is the type of stuff that is pitched and managed by people with pre-existing relationships. It’s harder to get in the door cold with something like this but if you are trying, I might start with sales, marketing, strategic alliances, PR or HR, or, if you have access, upper management.

Want to see all the tips about getting speaking engagements sponsored? Read the full article at our sister company Innovation Women.

Or, learn more about how to get leads for speaking opportunities with My Speaker Leads.