How do you manage getting a customer to speak at an event without getting too many to say yes and needing to then tell them you don't need them? To be more specific - I have a few events I need to find customer speakers for - I don't have enough time to ask one then wait for their answer before asking another- so I need to ask a few customers, and since this is for a specific event and date and they need to travel, I need to share the details in the ask. But, if one says yes, then I don't need the others. Wondering how others manage this. Thank you!
I have been there before. 😅
+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!
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"
