2010.08 President's Message
 CAPS Value
How do your clients look at value? The real definition speaks to the relationship between cost and benefit. Whatever your fee, before the client signs, they must be convinced that the benefits outweigh the costs. In other words, unless you are just as skilled at identifying and communicating these benefits, you won't get the job.
Ironically these are some of the exact skills that membership in CAPS can provide, yet we still ask the question: is membership worth it? Am I receiving value for my membership dues?
The fact that many people think nothing of spending four dollars per day at Starbucks (~$1400/year) is beside the point. Even two dollars at Timmy's ($730/year) works out to be more than the CAPS annual dues - but this is still beside the point. The question: where does CAPS value come from?
Here are some ideas:
- Speaking of Impact magazing
- Speaker magazine
- Voices of Experience
- So To Speak newsletter
- No-cost webinar series
- No-cost chapter meetings
- CAPS website search engine listings
- GSF website search engine listings
- Free eSpeakers "Starter" functionality
- Member pricing for the convention
- Discounted ad rates
- Right to use the CAPS logo and GSF logo
Of course, the real value of your membership comes from what these all provide: improved professional competency, business acumen, and a connection into one of the most entrepreneurial, supportive, and connected groups in the world.
How do your clients look at value? The same as you: they know they need to invest in themselves... and so do you.
Randall Craig
2010 Chapter President
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