Once we’ve spoken about your theme and decided on a topic and title, I will email you a customized introduction for my presentation and a customized marketing blurb. Below is a generic “About Michael” blurb you are welcome to use in the meantime.

Please let me know how else I can support any of your marketing efforts, whether it’s through social media posts, a preview video, phoning sponsors… holding a telethon (okay, maybe not that one).

Michael Kerr is a Canadian Hall of Fame Speaker who travels the world researching, writing, and speaking about inspiring workplace cultures, and businesses that leverage their humor resources to drive outrageous results for their employees and their customers.

His ideas on building better workplace cultures have been featured in hundreds of publications worldwide, while his Inspiring Workplaces blog has been recognized as one of the top-30 workplace blogs in the world. He is also the author of 8 books, including, “The Jerk-Free Workplace,” “The Humor Advantage,” and “Hire, Inspire, and Fuel Their Fire.” Michael lives in the spectacularly inspiring Canadian Rockies.

You can also download a dazzling photo of me for use in any of your promotional materials. Here are some glamorous options to choose from! Please click on the photo to download it.

• Clip-on lavaliere (lapel) style microphone (preferably NOT the over-the-head “Madonna style” as they can pose a challenge with my props);
• One six-foot long table for props, located on the stage area next to where I’ll be speaking, positioned lengthwise;
• Set up for PowerPoint slides (I’m always good to go without PowerPoint if circumstances make it too challenging to use it!);
• Flip chart (for workshops or breakout sessions only);
• A glass of glacial water from Antarctica (18.57 degree C, pH level 6.75), with a slice of Egyptian pomegranate, accompanied with a selection of dark Belgian chocolates delivered on the back of a moose. (OK, so this one is negotiable!)

Stage set up
I don’t require a lectern (what many people call a podium). If there is a lectern being used at the event, when it comes to my presentation, please locate it on the far side of the stage. This way, I have some room to roam and the audience can see me clearly from every angle.

On the day of the event, I’ll arrive at the venue well before my presentation to do a sound check (or at whatever time previously arranged with your audio-visual crew) and make sure the stage area is set up properly. I need about 5 – 8 minutes to set up – if there’s not a break before I speak, then typically I would set up at whichever break is closest to my presentation.

How to partner with professional speakers (like me!) for a more successful conference or meeting.

I can’t tell you the number of times a client has hired me to speak at an event where I am the only paid professional speaker, only to find that my allotted time has been slashed by 50% or more because the schedule has been derailed. This isn’t about me or any other professional speaker getting “their time” – it’s about you! You’ve invested a great deal by bringing in a professional, outside expert so I want to make sure you get the best possible value and return on your investment.

Partnering with a professional speaker early in the planning process will help make sure you are getting the biggest bang for your buck and making the most effective use of their expertise.

Here are some ideas for how you can partner with a professional speaker:

1. Best topic? This may sound obvious but ask the speaker which of their programs they feel would be most beneficial for your audience.
2. Timing is everything! Chances are you’re constrained by many factors when it comes to timing, but whenever possible, ask the speaker what the ideal length for their presentation is based on your goals for the presentation. Also, get the speaker’s input on where they would best fit into your program (opening slot? closing? after-dinner?). Rather than trying to wedge a speaker into a predetermined time slot, build your schedule around the time your key speakers need to deliver their message most effectively for your audience.
3. Protect the speaker’s time. Ensure you’ve allowed enough time for the meals to be served and tables cleared, for the CEO to finish her opening remarks, or for the panel discussion to wrap up. Have a backup plan if the schedule gets derailed – where can you cut without impacting the time allotted for the professional speakers you’ve invested so much in?
4. Set the stage for success – literally. When a speaker makes certain requests for how they want the stage set or the room laid out, they aren’t being high maintenance (unless they request a glass of glacial water from Antarctica (18.57 degree C, pH level 6.75), with a slice of Egyptian pomegranate, accompanied with a selection of dark Belgian chocolates). The speaker simply knows what works best from experience and they want to make sure their presentation is as effective as possible.
5. Set the stage for success with a proper introduction. A professional speaker will usually tailor their introduction to your event, and they’ll have crafted their introduction with a certain purpose in mind. I know several speakers, for example, that refer back to something mentioned in their introduction during their talk, so it’s important that the introducer stick to the script provided and that they take the time to deliver it properly and only once the audience is settled.
6. Use speakers as a meeting resource. Speakers attend a lot of conferences and meetings, so ask them for their input on other aspects of your conference as well. What trends are they seeing in the meetings industry? What other speakers can they recommend for your event? How much time should be allotted for the meals before scheduling an after-meal speaker? What makes an effective panel discussion? What creative or fun ideas have they experienced at meetings? What is working when it comes to marketing meetings to association members or reducing costs of meetings?
7. Manage expectations. From the initial marketing of your event right through to how the speaker is introduced, work with the speaker to properly manage expectations. Work with the speaker to make sure their keynote or workshop description truly matches what it is your audience will be learning.
8. Speaking plus…? Is there any other way the speaker can add value and/or help you reduce costs during the event? Can they add a breakout session after the keynote to dive deeper into their topic? Can they participate in a panel discussion on a related topic or emcee a portion of the event? Can they help drive attendance to your trade show? Can they participate in a judging panel or contest? Can they offer one-on-one coaching sessions for participants after their presentation at your event?
9. Leave a lasting impression. Consider how value-added products such as books can make a longer-term impact on your audience. There’s only so much impact even the best professional speaker can make in an hour keynote or even a full day workshop. If you want to maximize the learning impact of bringing in a speaker, discuss what other options they have to help make sure their message outlasts their presentation. Don’t miss out on the chance to establish an ongoing relationship that could help your organization or association achieve even greater success.

Here are some options to consider:

• Does the speaker have complementary resources available for participants (such as: handouts, checklists, articles)?
• Can you pay a licensing fee to record the presentation so that other employees/future employees have access to the presentation?
• Can the speaker sell books at your event so that those people who want to dive even deeper into the subject matter or bring a resource back to their workplace have an opportunity to do so?
• Can you partner with the speaker to negotiate a bulk-order discounted price on books to make them available for every participant? If you want to make the event that much more memorable, a signed souvenir copy of the speaker’s book is a memorable gift. It also improves the likelihood that the speaker’s ideas will get implemented and real change will happen – and isn’t that ultimately what the goal is?
• Does the speaker have an online course or follow-up virtual presentations where participants can register at a special conference rate?
• Can the speaker create a series of follow-up videos to keep the message alive and the participants engaged after the event?
• Does the speaker provide group or one-on-one coaching services?

10. What about next year’s event? If the audience loved the speaker you brought in, then why wouldn’t you consider having them come back while the iron is hot and deliver a different program at your next event? It may not be in the same time slot, but if they made a memorable splash, then having them come back for a breakout session, or pre-conference workshop can be an ideal way to generate early buzz. At the very least, ask the speaker what recommendations they have for other speakers – most speakers have a lengthy list of amazing referrals and are more than happy to share ideas on who would be the best fit for your next event.

How do you keep the energy, momentum, and inspiration alive in your workplace after the event is over? How do you turn those inspiring ideas into action? Funny you should ask! I have a few ideas here…

• Sign everyone up for my free weekly Inspiring Workplaces online newsletter. It’s a five- minute read with great ideas and inspiration, so it’s a simple way to keep my inspiring messages alive and keep you up to date on new articles, videos, and products.
• Invite me back to speak on a totally different topic or to deliver a “booster” shot of inspiration!
• More in-depth training: If I delivered a keynote presentation, then consider having me back for a longer half-day, full day or two-day in-depth training workshop.
• Rent my brain: Bring me in to facilitate a brainstorming session or follow-up implementation strategy session.
• Follow-up coaching: I offer one-on-one or group coaching for employees who want to accelerate their leadership skills.
• Bring me in by video! A weekly, monthly or quarterly video message to remind people of the key messages and ideas is a fantastic way to keep the ideas alive in your workplace.
• Take me to your leaders! Invite me in to speak to your senior management team.
• Client appreciation events: Bring me in to speak at a client appreciation event, to your suppliers or partners, or to your favorite charity organization.
• Retainer is a no-brainer: Hire me on a retainer so leaders or employees can access my insights and advice as needed.
• Virtual presentation subscription: Schedule a monthly or quarterly virtual presentation on a different topic.
• Books that inspire and fuel their fire: Purchase copies of The Jerk-Free Workplace or The Humor Advantage for all your participants. (bulk discounts available)