with Professor Pocock
7th in a series of 8 Basic Tools for Effective Communication . . . Topic: Speakers Bureaus
Go have your say!
How effectively are you reaching out to people in your community and proactively telling them of the great things being accomplished throughout your school district?
Speakers Bureaus are one of the eight basic tools I’ve chosen for effective 
communications. As you prepare to start a new school year, make a resolution to either refurbish your existing Speakers Bureau or commit to start one this year. Consider these three steps:
- Identify hot topics. A frequent mistake is to look first to people who are engaging in their speaking style. However it’s more important to identify topics that are of interest in your community. Take time to learn what people in your community want to know and then find district employees who can speak on that topic.
- Train the speakers. Help the people you’ve identified to write titles of their presentations that grab attention and promise outcomes! Then help them develop visual aids (if needed), a good speaking outline, and handouts (if necessary).
- Promote the bureau. Unfortunately, if you build it, they won’t necessarily come. So you need to help promote these speakers to audiences where you want notoriety. Take the time to send a few emails. Pick up the phone. Help sell these speakers to audiences that will have the potential to support the schools in the future.
Yes, like all the basic tools, Speakers Bureaus require a significant investment of time. But in the long run, it’s going to make your district (and you) look good in the eyes of your superintendent. After all, don’t you want to have a say in your community?
photo by bnilsen