Second, I’ll add a perspective not yet mentioned. Is this trip a learning experience for you? I am more likely to accept an offer to speak if there is a library nearby that I’d love to visit – even if I have to rent a car on my dime to get there. I spoke at a NEASIST conference last year, but went a day early just so I could spend the day visiting the MIT Libraries. Last April I spoke at TXLA in San Antonio, but went a day early so I could drive up to Austin to visit U Texas at Austin. Every trip is an opportunity to visit a great library, learn what they are doing, meet new colleagues, etc. So think about turning your gig into a visit to another library. You will learn more and that might even give you ideas for your presentations – we all need to add more anecdotes and stories – and the more you travel and visit – the more of them you accumulate.

Third, a comment on the topic you are being asked to speak about. I would encourage folks to be willing to step outside their comfort zone to take on a peripheral topic that will expand their repertoire of presentations. By this I don’t mean you should take on a talk about scholarly communications if you have never dealt with the issues, but if you do talks about creativity in the library, consider doing a talk about entrepreneurial libraries. It’s different, but related. I might offer a lower fee, consider going somewhere farther or perhaps present at a small program just to have the opportunity to roll out an entirely new presentation on a totally new topic. So don’t just take talks where you cover the same ground every time – or with a minor variation – put yourself in less comfortable situations where you can try something new. For example, I just did a short talk for an LJ Leadership Symposium for K-12 librarians – not my usual audience by any means. It was only 15 minutes – but the catch was – no visuals – just a naked presentation – and I haven’t done enough of those. So it was worth it to go to Chicago, for a relatively small audience for only 15 minutes to get this experience and further build my ability and confidence in going out and speaking without any slides and being more extemporaneous – which is not easy to do. Taking on lightning talks, poster sessions, etc. will all help you expand your range as a presenter – don’t think you are above any of it.

Looks like you have enough commenter suggestions for another 9 or 10 or 12 Questions to Ask.

What will travel be like? Do I have to fly a full day to get there? Can I use my airline of choice?

If the talk is recorded will it be SOLD? I like things to be made freely available.

I also like to know about recording from the start – that changes the presentation to some degree.

I try to let folks know I’m a vegetarian. Arriving to meat buffet at a dinner before my talk can throw me off.

Great post!