If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. You can even subscribe by email! Thanks for visiting!
Laurel Papworth yesterday asked a number of we Aussie members of the PajamaHadeen what it is that makes us want to put fingers to keyboard and let the world be forever blessed with our viewpoints.
Usually, it is because something is really getting up my nose, or it’s something that is important to share with my business communication peers, or else it is something that is really stupid from a communications perspective that deserves being laughed at.
Thankfully today I have something that meets all three criteria in the one post
I have been contacted by A.N. Agency based in Sydney who run development seminars for professionals. There is an up-coming conference in January 09 in one of our capital cities (@Trib knows it like the back of his hand) focused on the professional development needs of this nation’s public sector communicators.
Says the author of the email to me:
I am aware that as an online media expert you have a lot of experience in advising businesses regarding the use of online marketing tools in their communication with customers. My research has indicated that Communications Officers are increasingly being asked to deal with social media issues without having a clear idea of how to approach them. I feel that you could offer a fantastic insight by drawing on your experience to provide those in attendance with advice and ideas on how they can perform more effectively in this aspect of their role.
They then provide me with a possible ‘look and feel’ for the ad copy around my session:
New Communications Tools: When and Why Should We Use Social Media for Communications?
New communications technologies such as social media are gaining increasing popularity in a professional communications environment. As with all communications, it is important to consider how these applications enhance communication and build dialogue. In this informative session, Lee will equip delegates with a toolkit of practical ideas for knowing when and how (and if at all) to use social media for your communications. Explore:
- Is social media the right choice?
- Choosing an appropriate platform for your initiative
- Building the business case for social media projects
WOW! I’m exceptionally flattered to have been asked.
But then comes the ’sucker punch’:
To be clear from the outset, this would not be a paid engagement, as we view involvement as a mutually beneficial arrangement and hope that the extensive marketing and promotional activities, a targeted audience interested in personal and professional development, and the networking opportunities as a result of this event are seen as valuable to you.
I would not be paid to present at a two-day conference for which attendees are charged anywhere from $1600 to $2700 per person to attend.
At which point I roll off my chair laughing and think immediately of discussions Laurel, I and others have had about the "it’s good for your business, think of the networking opportunities" crap that is always spun out at speakers when organisers are trying to maximise their profits.
I don’t know about your own mileage, but I’ve spoken at and attended LOTS of these sorts of conferences and I’ve NEVER had any further business come from them, no matter how earnest the discussions I have with other delegates and punters at the time.
I wrote more of my thoughts about this matter way back in December last year.
The author of the email to me is due to ring me tomorrow — extra bonus points for guessing what my reply will be.
I’ll keep you posted. I wish I could set up and record the call so that I can blog it the way that Jim Stewart did with the NAB…
—————
BTW, I have a number of posts in a holding pattern around my blog editor; I just need to clear some space in my diary and get the support images off my camera…
{ 2 trackbacks }
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Just incredible. But I guess enough of our colleagues keep doing it (in a whole range of fields) to encourage thenm to think it is worth trying on
Tell ‘em to show you the money!
I feel your pain!
I have spoken at a number of conferences over the last few years. For most of this time I was also employed full time, so getting paid wasn’t an issue. However I never spoke at a conference out of town without air fares and accommodation being fully paid. (My first conference was in Singapore.)
Now that I am out there as a freelance, I will still occasionally do a 50 minute preso for no fee (and I actually have got work out of one recent conference), but I now refuse to be out of pocket. I ask for airport transfers, and I will often get free passes (great for clients).
With one particular company that I have worked for often, I have now got free passes to other conferences as well.
However, I now refuse to do any longer sessions without some sort of a fee. Even companies that don’t normally pay can be convinced to do a profit share arrangement. A couple of us have embarked on a campaign to make conference companies understand that they should be paying for value!
Gosh Keith sounds like you’re a fairly sharp negotiator!. I do think independent consultants get a rough deal. In 1994, a private conference organiser actually paid my fare to Chicago and a few nights accommodation but I was working for the Australian Government at the time and I guess they know the old ‘marketing and networking’ line is not going to cut it with someone who already has a cushy job for life
I agree. It is better to value the practical costs and benefits before comitting to a speaking assignment. We should also know what we are trying to achieve. If it is just publicing ourselves and our business, street smart methods like sms marketing may be more effective.
Yes, blogging, twittering etc are likely to be as or more effective uses of your marketing time than the time involved in conferences. Though I blog conferences when I do go these days and this is a great way to do both in a productive way - as well as disciplining yourself to stay focused and take notes etc. Plus, of course, putting your slides up on slideshare also helps
I like the most to blog because of peolple who should know everything what they want to know