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Let's normalize paying conference speakers
If our tiny, volunteer-run @DataVizSociety team can find a way to offer honorariums to our #Outlier2021 mainstage community speakers, big companies hosting conferences should do the same.
Some considerations.../thread
If our tiny, volunteer-run @DataVizSociety team can find a way to offer honorariums to our #Outlier2021 mainstage community speakers, big companies hosting conferences should do the same.
Some considerations.../thread
Note: Our mainstage speakers were not fancy, big-name-only, invited professional keynotes: they were the heart of our event, and all came from #dataviz community applications in response to our call for speakers. https://medium.com/nightingale/outlier-apply-to-speak-37ea8678d5ae
1. Put speaker honorariums in your budget from the start.
When we built out the budget for Outlier, there was a line item for speaker honorariums. Then, that budget informed our goals for sponsorship commitments and setting ticket prices (which included a free option!).
When we built out the budget for Outlier, there was a line item for speaker honorariums. Then, that budget informed our goals for sponsorship commitments and setting ticket prices (which included a free option!).
2. Budget what you can: something is better than nothing.
I'm pretty sure some of our mainstage speakers could command 4 and 5 figure speaking fees, which we couldn't commit to with this first event, given that we had no idea how many tickets we would sell.
I'm pretty sure some of our mainstage speakers could command 4 and 5 figure speaking fees, which we couldn't commit to with this first event, given that we had no idea how many tickets we would sell.
3. Be transparent about the honorarium up front.
We were transparent at the time of offering the speaking slots what the honorarium was. If someone was looking for a larger fee, they could make the decision on if they wanted to still participate or not.
We were transparent at the time of offering the speaking slots what the honorarium was. If someone was looking for a larger fee, they could make the decision on if they wanted to still participate or not.
4. Consider what you're asking of folks when setting an honorarium.
Speaking isn't just the 30m talk. It's the prep work, recording, tech test, Q&A after, etc. that adds up to MANY hours of work for each talk. Consider what your asks are when setting a rate.
Speaking isn't just the 30m talk. It's the prep work, recording, tech test, Q&A after, etc. that adds up to MANY hours of work for each talk. Consider what your asks are when setting a rate.
5. You'll support a more equitable and inclusive agenda.
Some people cannot afford to donate their time, which can result in missing out on valuable perspectives. Providing some compensation can help to offset that burden and promote a more inclusive event.
Some people cannot afford to donate their time, which can result in missing out on valuable perspectives. Providing some compensation can help to offset that burden and promote a more inclusive event.
I've been inspired by many of the conversations that happen in @whatsupsmiley's Womxn, BIPOC & Inclusivity Speaker Group on asking for compensation & paying people for their time and labor.
If you're part of a historically underepresented group on stages: https://smileyposwolsky.com/womenspeakerinitiative
If you're part of a historically underepresented group on stages: https://smileyposwolsky.com/womenspeakerinitiative
