Interested in being represented
as a communicator with CSS?
Christian Speaker Services is dedicated to empowering gifted communicators to share their messages of healing and hope with audiences around the world.
The strength of CSS is working individually with each communicator to evaluate their level of skill, professionalism and experience. If it is determined that we have a mutually beneficial partnership, we then seek to help the communicator reach their full potential based on their strengths and passion.
Because this process can be time consuming, we limit the number of new candidates that we can process during a given period.
Due to the volume of speakers requesting to join CSS, and in order to properly partner with and represent each of our current communicators, we reserve the right to periodically not accept new applications for representation (except on an invitation only basis).
If you do not have a complete information kit and/or are just starting out and are interested in becoming a professional speaker, then we suggest that visit our Training & Development page to help you progress in your professional development.
STEP ONE - Preliminary Requirements
In general, we consider communicators (vocalist, musician, personality trainer, comedian, speaker) who:
- are authors with published books;
- are seasoned veterans in a specific area (vocalist, musician, personality trainer, comedian, speaker). We get very few requests for local or non-published speakers. Our event planners are looking for communicators who have name recognition to draw a crowd. (If you are in the beginning stages of developing your national speaking, we are probably not the right agency for you.);
- currently have professional quality CD's or DVD's available for sell in the Christian market and for use in their promotional campaigns;
- currently have professional quality promotional materials (speaker promo sheet and publicity photos, and other materials);
- are serious about the calling of God on their life and ministry;
- can clearly express what distinguishes them from others (i.e. their brand or what makes them unique);
- understand and implement the business and marketing aspects of a speaking and writing business/ministry;
- are actively marketing, promoting and seeking publicity for their business, ministry, books, and other products;
- are actively working in their areas of expertise (speaking, writing, comedy, music, etc.);
- are working on future projects (i.e. the last book/product released is less than 2 years old, and they may have a new book/product releasing soon or they may already have a contract for the next one);
- have a professional web site with their product for sale;
- have set speaking fees and are being paid for their speaking events;
- are continually seeking opportunities to develop professionally both their skills and their business/ministry.
STEP TWO - Training & Development
These teleseminars and workshop will help each speaker with CSS understand what it takes to have a viable speaking ministry/business. We have found that most speakers didn't set out to have a business, they just simply wanted to share their message. However, without a solid infrastructure that's based on sound business principles, many speakers get "stuck" for a lack a knowledge of how and when to move forward. These teleseminars and workshops will help to ensure that you not only have a solid business/ministry in place, they will also help to ensure that you are indeed ready to partner with a speaking agency/bureau.
1. Complete the "Clean Up Your Act!" five-session teleseminar series by strategic planning and branding expert, Allison Bottke, with moderator, Randy Ingermanson.
This teleseminar series will benefit you as a speaker and writer regardless of whether or not you are accepted for representation by CSS.
to obtain this 5-session teleseminar series from our affiliate AdvancedFictionWriting.com. You will receive a link to download 5 Mp3 files, handouts and tips.
2. Complete the "Promoting Your Writing by Public Speaking" four-session teleseminar series by National Speaker Association member, Mary Byers, with moderator, Randy Ingermanson.
This teleseminar series will benefit you as a speaker and writer regardless of whether or not you are accepted for representation by CSS.
3. Complete the session, "Building Your Speaking Platform" by Karen Power, CEO, Christian Speaker Services.
This 30-minute session, recorded live at the Glorieta Christian Writers Conference, will help you understand how to find your passion and purpose, prepare, plan and promote yourself as a speaker. It will also help you understand the speaking business and how to be more successful when preparing to work with a speaking agency/bureau.
This recorded workshop session will benefit you as a speaker and writer regardless of whether or not you are accepted for representation by CSS.
4. Complete the "Ask the Expert" series.
This is a series was originally conducted as live interviews with guest experts discussing various topics and answering questions from speakers and writers. It has been expanded to included are valuable tips and related links to other resources. You'll learn about working with speaking agencies, how to make the most from attending a writers conference, and the benefits of having your own coach.
This 3-session series will benefit you as a speaker and writer regardless of whether or not you are accepted for representation by CSS.
STEP THREE - Read the Frequently Asked Questions page
STEP FOUR - When to Contact CSS
If you believe you are the level of speaker we are looking for (Step 1), have completed the above training and development opportunities (Step 2), and have read through the FAQ page (Step 3), please contact CSS and request a Speaker Startup Packet.
However, if you do not meet the above requirements and would still like to gain more exposure through the Internet so that meeting planners can find you more easily, we suggest signing up at our partner: Find Christian Women (and Men) Speakers (meeting planners contact you directly). NOTE: You cannot be listed on FindChristianWomenSpeakers.com if you are represented by Christian Speaker Services.
We reserve the right to not accept candidates.
Completing the above steps does not ensure that the candidate will be accepted by CSS.
It may be determined that the candidate may need more experience, training, or there may be another agency that would better meet their needs and fit their topic areas. If this is the case, we will be willing to offer direction regarding coaching, training and other resources to help develop the candidate.
Thank you for understanding that we cannot accept all candidates.
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