Northbourne Townswomen's Guild, Bournemouth

There are about 10 Townswomen's Guilds in my home town of Bournemouth's Federation but when I started out as a speaker in 1996 there were probably more like twenty. Within a couple of years I had spoken to many of these, including the odd repeat booking, and to date I have spoken to most of them, some on three or four occasions but there are still some which have never booked me, despite my mailshots.

Why? Well, although they each may have maybe nine or ten speaking slots to fill each year (and this seems like a lot) I recently learned that there are around 100 speakers in the Bournemouth area alone so there is plenty of competition. Some speakers will be rebooked (as I have mentioned, there are some Bournemouth TGs which I have been back to several times) and some speakers may come from further afield or even from within the organisation itself. So it is possible to wait a long time before some local groups book me - if they ever do!

Public Speaking Tip #353: The fact that an organisation - even one on your own doorstep - may take a long time to book you isn't necessarily a reflection on your reputation as a speaker! There may simply be a great deal of competition. A speaker needs to be constantly marketing their services to as many potential audiences as possible to ensure a steady flow of bookings.

I had never spoken to Northbourne Townswomen's Guild before 17 September but the 35-or-so ladies proved to be an audience worth waiting for as I delivered my talk on the Power of Humour in Everyday Life. And they seemed to feel the same way about me, judging from this card which Mrs Bartlett sent me the next day:

Testimonial: "Thank you for your talk on humour. It was very much enjoyed by all".

Southern Electric (Portsmouth) Retirement Association

Then there are the clubs and societies which I speak to very regularly. In 2004, 2005 and 2006, the Southern Electric (Portmouth) Retirement Association booked me to speak to them, always in the month of August, and it was great to be asked back on 24 September, this time with my presentation on the Wits of the Algonquin Round Table.

Their previous meetings were held at the Southern Electric Sports and Social Club in Lower Drayton Lane in Cosham but they have now moved to a hall just off the High Street there - much closer to the station for me and no signing in to get a visitor's security pass.

Sometimes a move to a new venue seems to affect the 'feel' of an organisation but the 44 members of this association were once again a good, sharp audience with plenty of questions and friendly chat after my talk.

Public Speaking Tip #354: A speaker should be aware that (just occasionally) a change of regular meeting place can alter the atmosphere of an organisation. Generally, though, this makes little difference as the character of a club or society is derived from its people - not the building they meet in!