While there's no foolproof method to ensure that the speaker you choose is absolutely perfect for your group, here are the first five of 10 signs to help you separate the wheat from the chaff.

1. They have and provide you with a toll-free telephone number, cell number, and fax number. A professional speaker recognizes the importance of accessibility. Going further, many speakers also offer their home number.

2. They have a speaker agreement form ready. Professional speakers save you time and energy by submitting their speaker agreement form to you, rather than asking for you to concoct a letter or agreement yourself. Such agreements clearly spell out such information as the speaker's fee, expectations, audiovisual needs, how educational materials will be handled, and how travel arrangements will be completed. A speaker agreement is a simple document. You want the speaker to come speak at a certain time and date. The speaker offers to come to speak at this time and date. The only real concern is what happens if either party, for whatever reason, cannot perform. Even that potential situation, however, can be spelled out in one simple clause.

3. They have supporting materials readily available. Before the event, you'll need a biography, an introduction, a write-up of the presentation, and perhaps a photo of the speaker. The seasoned pro has these items and others readily available for download.

 4. They are responsive from the first time you make contact, to the actual presentation, and the follow-up. You can gauge a speaker's level of responsiveness best, obviously, prior to the presentation. Are the materials that you request promptly submitted or readily available? Does the speaker quickly return phone calls? Or is the speaker generally inaccessible before the presentation? You can gain a sense of this immediately from each interaction after your initial call.

If the speaker's level of responsiveness is less than you desire, be wary. This may be a clue as to how the presentation and overall interaction with the audience may go. What was supposed to be a customized program may only be tailored. What was supposed to be tailored may only be a slight modification of off-the-shelf. Responsiveness and attentiveness prior to the big event is the best clue that you've chosen the right speaker for the job.

5. They have a pre-speech questionnaire. This is a document of two-to-four pages that he or she submits to you far in advance of the presentation. While you may look upon this document as busy work, it's actually a key tool in ensuring that the presentation comes off as planned. Professional speakers take the time to craft a document that includes questions that will help them to better know your audience, your organization, what you're trying to achieve, and what message you want to have delivered. Most importantly, it helps the speaker to understand what participants should know and how you'd like them to feel by the end of the presentation.

Editor's Note: Look for the final five signs of a professional speaker in the May issue of Convene.

Jeff Davidson, MBA, CMC, helps organizations and individuals overcome the relentless burden of information and communication overload. He can be reached at www.BreathingSpace.com.

These tips should be used for informational purposes and not be considered legal advice.

The National Speakers Association (NSA) is the leading educational organization for professional speakers. NSA's 3,500 members include experts in a variety of industries and disciplines, who reach audiences as trainers, educators, humorists, motivators, consultants, authors, and more. As a service to meeting professionals, NSA provides resources and information on finding and working with speakers. Please visit NSA's Web site at www.nsaspeaker.org.