Managing multiple speaker requests without overwhelming customers

I have been there before. 😅

• I look at the event registration list to see if there is a customer who is already attending and I would extend the invite as “we have an opportunity at this event to share your story. “ and ask for availability to chat. If you still need the speaker, offer the speaking opportunity, otherwise invite them to other opportunities as roundtable, video onsite etc.
• if just doing regular outreach, I add to my email that we are moving quickly and need to know by XX date. That adds urgency and most of them let you know by the due date given.

+1 to the above. If more than 1 say yes, you can always pivot and turn the speaking engagement into a panel

Agreed with and ! Also just saying this out loud (you already know this 😉) but I think sometimes we get nervous in situations like these and at the end of the day they are people just like you and me. They will totally understand that we have multiple asks to multiple people about speaking engagements so I'd just lead with transparency and if someone responds first, I'd have 2 other options ready for the other people. Even if it's not speaking at an event, could be pivot to a webinar etc. you got this!

Thank you all!

I put this at the bottom of those emails: "<i>We're contacting several customers about this opportunity, so please understand that time is of the essence and while we would love to have many customers join us, we only have space for one on stage."</i>

And then if I do follow ups I say something like "Just wanted to follow up. I've reached out to a few other customers as well but, based on XXX you are at the top of my list – wanted to be sure you saw this and had a chance to consider"