Frequently Asked Questions

Answered by David

How long is your keynote program?

It can be very flexible, depending on your needs. When I’m booked for a keynote presentation, it typically runs 60 minutes. If you’re using me as an after-lunch or dinner speaker–or as an entertainer–those programs seem to work best when they’re closer to 30 minutes. And if you want a longer program, the keynote can go as long as 90 minutes. We can strategize together what works best for your event.

Can you adjust the length of the keynote at the last minute?

Absolutely! Did your last session run 30 minutes over and now you need me to cut my program in half? Done! Do you need me to stretch because your next presenter is nowhere to be found? Done! I am your partner in ensuring a successful event – and that often means adjusting on the fly. My middle name is “Flexible.” (Actually, my middle name is “Michael” but then the sentence would make no sense.)

Can your keynote go longer than 90 minutes?
Sure! But then it’s not a keynote any more. Now it’s a Breakout Session or a Mega Session or some other creative name we’ll come up with together. Once we’re beyond the 90 minute mark, we’re going to need to include breaks and lots of group activities – components typically not found in a keynote. But to answer your question: Yes! And in most cases there is no extra charge to do so.
Can we spread the program throughout our agenda?
Absolutely! I can break the program into very short segments, even as short as three or four minutes, and sprinkle them throughout your event. This can be very effective if you’ve got a very ‘heavy’ agenda and need some ‘comic relief’ to lighten things up and re-energize the audience throughout the day. And as long as the program is all in the same day, there is typically no extra charge for me to do that.
Are you able to serve as Master of Ceremonies for our event?
Again, absolutely! If your agenda includes items other than my program – awards, introductions, announcements, other speeches, panel discussions – I’m happy to do that. I have served as Emcee for hundreds of events and can ensure that your agenda is facilitated in both a professional and entertaining fashion. And, again, there is typically no extra charge for me to be your Emcee. GLICK here to read more about this.
What is my role in the research for your customization?
It’s pretty simple. Once I’ve done some basic preliminary research, I like to have a Pre-Program telephone call with you about 30 days before your event. The call is typically less than an hour. (I then follow-up with my own additional research on the internet, etc.)

You may want to have several people from your group on the phone call, but I suggest you keep it to a maximum of three. Much more than that and it becomes difficult to hear and decipher everyone’s input.

If you GLICK here you’ll see a Pre-Program Questionnaire. But don’t worry – you don’t have to fill it out! It’s only here so that you can have an idea of the kind of questions I’ll be asking you. I use it as the guide for my phone call with you.

FYI – Some clients enjoy filling out the questionnaire – and if that’s the case, go for it! However, I’ll still want to have a phone call with you to clarify some of your answers.

Often times, after our phone call, you’ll think of some additional information you want to share with me. Or I’ll have some additional questions for you. We then typically follow-up with e-mails (or calls, if you prefer) to fill in the gaps.

What happens if our event is a last-minute booking and you don’t have 30 days to prepare the customization for our program?
No worries! I’ve had countless bookings with very little notice, and I can easily move my R & D (research & development) process into massive high gear. Fortunately, most keynote bookings take place with plenty of lead – time available for the high level of customization I do. But if you want to book me for an event next week (or tomorrow!) I’ll make it happen.
What kind of Audio-Visual requirements do you have?
GLICK here to read the simple requirements I have to present an amazing program for you. And don’t worry – you don’t have to have been a member of your High School AV Club to understand it. It’s all pretty basic.
Do we have to worry about any kind of music licensing for the songs you perform?
No, no worries at all. I have all the proper and up-to-date music licenses necessary to do the program.
How much do you charge for your keynote program?

I don’t post fees on my website, because every booking situation is different. There are many factors that can enter into securing a date for an event. Travel logistics, schedules, lead times, multiple bookings, early payment, referrals, and high-quality video footage are just some of the items that can enter into negotiating a fee. Here’s the bottom line:
If you think that I’m the right fit for your event, we will do everything we can to find a way to fit my program into your budget!
A simple e-mail (David@DavidGlickman.com) or call (813-786-4260) will get you your pricing quickly!

Is there anything you can do to help us pay for your program? We really don’t have the budget for a keynote speaker or entertainer.

Here are some of the things I’ve done in the past to help event planners bring me in:

–If you’re able to secure a sponsor for the program, I’m happy to include some customized humor and a song parody in the program specifically about the sponsor. (And the sponsor is free to use the song afterwards for their own promotional purposes. That alone is something an advertising agency would typically charge several thousand dollars for—and your sponsor is getting it for free!)

–I’m also a skilled (and hilarious) auctioneer. If you can secure some items to be donated, I can
also conduct an auction prior to—during—or after the program. You’ve never seen a funnier fund-raiser!

–Look at your catering budget. Very often there are some minor adjustments that can be made
that make little difference to your attendees (like serving cookies instead of having an ice cream sundae bar) that suddenly free up thousands of dollars to bring In a keynote speaker.

Your attendees will NOT remember the cookies. They WILL remember the keynote.

 

We’re nervous about the idea of using a keynote speaker who is also a comedian. Isn’t that real risky at a corporate function?

It could be risky if you were to use 95% of the comedians working today. They have little or no experience in front of corporate audiences and often revert back to their ‘comedy club’ performance mentality.

But your event is safe with me! I’m a professional speaker. I’ve spent twenty years working exclusively in the corporate market, presenting “G-rated” humor programs for very diverse and conservative audiences. I have a stellar reputation in the meetings industry, which I couldn’t have earned if there was any risk in my using inappropriate humor.

I am also a Certified Speaking Professional. This is the highest earned designation awarded by the National Speaking Association, and is achieved by less than 12% of speakers worldwide.

And I am a member of the Speaker Hall of Fame, an honor that has been given to less than 250 men and women worldwide.

So it’s all good. Everyone will laugh and no one will have any reason to contact HR.

Is your keynote program a speech or a show?
Yes.

Which means it’s both. The program has all the tenets of a keynote speech – a powerful message, motivational content, tried and tested strategies, and calls to action – but the delivery mechanism looks more like a show than a speech. The program includes a monologue, stories, song parodies performed live on a keyboard that I wear on a strap like a guitar, PowerPoint slides that have no bullet points but hilarious images instead, improvisation, customized props, and a big over-the-top rock-and-roll finish.

So, yeah, it’s both.

What if we just want entertainment? Can you do that?
Absolutely! While most healthcare organizations choose to book me as a keynote speaker, there are plenty who just want entertainment. In those cases, I’m able to remove the teaching points, the motivational messages, and the calls to action…..and what’s left is a really, really funny show!
Are you able to do programs for groups that are not in healthcare?

Absolutely! While the vast majority of my bookings are for healthcare organizations, I have presented programs for many other groups.

I have spoken for industries that ranged from Accounting to Waste Water Management….and everything in between. The messages in “A Dose of Healthcare Humor” are valuable for all audiences. The difference is that when I speak to other industries, I remove all of the healthcare-specific content and create content that is relevant to them.

Because there is more research and development necessary for me to create presentations outside of healthcare, the costs are typically higher. But the audience experience is identical to that of the healthcare groups.

Visit www.DavidGlickman.com to view a demo video and more information.