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Latest Multimedia and a Live Powerful Speaker... at the same time.

If it’s just a big multi-screen show with loud music and without a speaker to empower the students, well….that’s all you got - a big, loud show. Based on the latest student and teacher feedback…a live speaker, along with unique use of multimedia, is more empowering than just a film.

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Have Extensive Speaking Experience.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of assembly speaking experience. There are many fly-by-night inexperienced speakers out there without any substance at all. Check out how much experience they really do have. If they cannot provide you with proof of hundreds of past tour date listings or places….you’re being used! You want someone who has a lot of speaking experience.

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High Repeat Requests.

Ask for references and call these references. See if they would have this speaker or program back to their school. If the answer is no…why not? There should be at least a 90% repeat invitation rate with that speaker. Anything below that…Beware!

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Ultimate Crowd Control and Fun.

If the speaker doesn’t have the reputation to grab hold of the students attention the moment that he/she opens their mouth…that may indicate a lack of experience in speaking with students of all ages and the lack of good crowd control. If the speaker is presenting, and your students would rather be listening to their iPod or text messaging on their cell phones…you just hired lousy speaker. It’s a waste of your teacher’s class time and your schools money. You want a something that will captivate your students throughout the speaker’s presentation.

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Has A Guarantee To Your Success.

If there’s no guarantee that their program will motivate your students (or you pay nothing)….you are at risk in paying for a substandard program and the speaker running away with your school’s money….leaving you upset, cheated and embarrassed. Ask them for a guarantee. If they can’t offer you a guarantee, you may be taking major chances with your school’s time, money, and not to mention your reputation in your school.

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Program Costs Are Comparable To Others.

If the speaker is very cheap compared to other programs out there, why? Cheap = you get what you pay for! The quality may not be what you wanted. On the other hand, if they are outrageously expensive without any reason, with very little speaking experience, then that speaker may be just out for your money and not interested in motivating your students. This tactic is called: Take your money and run! It’s your call.

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Will Show Up On Time and Stay On Schedule.

There’s nothing worse than having a speaker who may not show up on time, is not properly prepared or lacks professionalism. If there’s no preparation list or contract signed before the assembly date in order to protect your school....walk away.

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Creates Major Sponsor Excitement.

If you have a hard time getting sponsors due to lack of information or excitement about the speaker, you may be on your own to pay the expenses. Your speaker should have a ‘highly sought-after’ reputation and should have an ability to recognize sponsors with praise and professionalism during their presentation. This is what your local sponsors crave for. Once the sponsors experience the speaker’s positive event, these same sponsors will literally budget your school costs for the next presentation in your school. You may never have to pay for another assembly with that speaker or event again. Mess this up once, with the wrong speaker, you’ll be scrambling to find business’ and community groups to sponsor again.

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A Clear Message Outline and Proper Language.

All speakers and programs must be able to provide you with at least a topic outline in what they will speak with your students about. If they can’t, then they may be just ‘winging it’ without any proven testing involved. Your speaker’s program should be student tested and teacher/parent approved (many times) prior to your school assembly. Don’t be a testing ground for that speaker’s program. You may be disappointed and embarrassed. Not a good feeling. Find out what their message is.

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And the #1 thing you should look for in a speaker or program is:
Hundreds, if not Thousands, of Proven Endorsements & Testimonials.

Ask the speaker for Signed Testimonials. If they are not able to provide you with several dozen testimonials via signed written school endorsed letters, e-mails, faxes, media clips… then who are you going to trust? Are you going to believe the speaker or a local area school that’s just around the corner from you? It’s far better to believe a school who brags about the speaker/program, than to have a speaker who brags about his or her program without much back up via testimonials and endorsements in their promotional literature or website.