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Close.Up.Dave Inner circle Behind you! 2956 Posts |
I know there was a thread recently that briefly touched on this subject, but I'd love to discuss it more.
I was actually recently referred to a speakers bureau from a man I met at a show recently. He owns a company and hired a ventriloquist through this particular bureau. I started poking around the website to see what it took to submit my information, and what the SB required seemed much different than a talent agency. So my question is, what is the difference between a talent agency and a speakers bureau? Do speakers bureaus book entertainers strictly for speaking services (magic with a message)? Or do they utilize the other entertainment possibilities with a magician (such as walk around magic, or shows only for entertainment)? Thanks! |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Yes, speaker bureaus book just magic shows. No messages necessary. Really there is not a whole lot of difference between the 2 you referenced. Speaker bureaus do not have you sign exclusive services with just them. You can book your own shows and not have to pay a fee to the agency. Entertainment agencies my and usually require their commission even if they had little to do with booking you for an event.
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Close.Up.Dave Inner circle Behind you! 2956 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-03-28 20:49, wmhegbli wrote: Thank you for the info. The online form that this particular bureau had to submit information seemed to cater only to those speakers who have messages in their presentations. Therefore, I'm a little confused as to how I go about submitting my info without having to give information that doesn't necessarily pertain to what I have to offer. Any thoughts? |
Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
I disagree based on my personal experiences. The SB's I've worked with or though most certainly do not book entertainment or entertainers, and actually are very strongly concerned that they do not have this perception. You must understand that most SB's book speakers at a much higher rate than entertainers and therefore have a working perception that their speakers are on a higher level. Some perceive this as elitists, but in my experiences it's just their reality. I've been told by several of these agents that they don't want magic with a message = period. They want message only (and if necessary) only an extreme amount of "magic" sprinkled in. It's made this a lot easier for me once I understood this.
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Close.Up.Dave Inner circle Behind you! 2956 Posts |
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On 2011-03-28 21:18, Mindpro wrote: While I'm sure there is a bit of both worlds, I think this approach would make things a lot easier. It probably makes booking people a lot easier for them instead of clients wondering what they are buying. Thank you both for the information. I hope one day to speak, but don't want to jump the gun as I'm just seriously starting my career. Thanks again! |
Benji Bruce Special user 930 Posts |
Speaker Bureaus defintely book entertainment other than speakers. I was hired for the corporate offices of Remax last week by a SB.
The benefit of working with them is that you're associated with speakers so your value goes up and you can charge more. And they allow you to talk directly with the client because it is natural for a speaker to ask the client questions and send a questionaire. So not only do they hire other entertainment but they trust you and you will get paid more. |
bubbleburst2004 Veteran user 370 Posts |
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On 2011-03-28 20:49, wmhegbli wrote: Incorrect. Some book only speakers. Quote:
Really there is not a whole lot of difference between the 2 you referenced. Incorrect on many levels. Approx 20% commission difference to start with. Quote:
Speaker bureaus do not have you sign exclusive services with just them. Ummm... Incorrect. Some ONLY work with speakers they have signed exclusive deals with. |
Close.Up.Dave Inner circle Behind you! 2956 Posts |
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On 2011-03-28 21:51, Benji Bruce wrote: I guess this is another good firsthand account. Did you need to provide speaking services along with your entertainment? How would you go about expressing your entertainment services if their speaker submissions focused heavily on the speaking aspect? Quote:
On 2011-03-28 22:10, bubbleburst2004 wrote: Quite the bubble burster aren't you? |
jonathandupree Loyal user 238 Posts |
I have been with two different bureaus in the past that were exclusive bureaus. They only worked with speakers who signed exclusive contracts. And the bureau's commission was 20%. I am now with two non-exclusive bureaus. All bureaus are not the same. Some just book speakers, some book a combination of speakers and entertainers. Some are exclusive, some are non-exclusive. It all just depends on the bureau.
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Benji Bruce Special user 930 Posts |
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On 2011-03-28 22:12, Close.Up.Dave wrote: I didn't provide any speaking services. But the client did scare me a little because they called me 4 days before the event and she asked if I can "speak" longer than an hour. I asked her if she wanted me to speak or do a mind reading show and she said the show. But they perceived me as a speaker and even introduced me as the speaker for the meeting. When I contacted this speakers bureau I told them that I'm an entertainer and speaker (and that most of my events are on the entertainment side). This bureau doesn't have any "entertainers" on their roster but I knew that they have the clients I'm looking for. Even if you don't do any speaking I recommend that you contact them. Just think...magicians who charge $1,000 are "expensive." Speakers who charge $1,000 are "cheap." Increase the way you are perceived and you change everything around you |
bubbleburst2004 Veteran user 370 Posts |
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On 2011-03-28 22:30, Close.Up.Dave wrote: It is my job description : ) Actually more than a little tired of certain contributors who feel a need to continually post on topics they clearly know nothing about. At first I thought it was just ignorance and enthusiasm. I'm now starting to feel it's deliberate. |
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