WELCOME TO MY WORLD
A snapshot into the lives of the
people who hire us
Making the Cut
Getting hired to speak is like
auditioning for a movie.
It takes some background
research, a good referral, connection with your
audience, and the ability
to deliver one heck of a performance.
Joseph Thompson, CEO of Thompson
Management Associates, LLC (TMA),
gives Ed Rigsbee, CSP, the 411 on what
it takes to make the cut.
ed rigsbee: How many client organizations does TMA manage?
Joseph Thompson: We manage four not-for-profit trade associations and two
educational alliances sponsored by 44
wholesale trade associations.
How long have you been hiring
professional speakers?
I’ve been hiring speakers for about
20 years.
In the past five years, what has been the
fee range of speakers you’ve hired for
your various associations?
I’ve hired speakers at fees ranging from
$3,000 to $25,000. Fees are relative to
the event and my clients’ needs.
Who did you recently hire for 5,000?
One client hired Jeffrey Gitomer, CSP,
CPAE, on two occasions.
How do you approach hiring a profes-
sional speaker?
Once I’ve decided to consider a
speaker, based upon referrals or personal observation, I eliminate those
who present irrelevant topics or canned
presentations. Then I consider the minimum acceptable performance and,
finally, what makes me happy about the
speaker’s attitude, style and content.
Would you expand on your last thought?
I’m happy when a speaker:
• Has content that matches my client’s
needs.
• Is blessed with a personality that
keeps the audience awake.
• Makes my life easier.
• Connects with the audience by interviewing audience members or visiting
