Meta comment: I’m a little surprised this question hasn’t gotten any interest. I think I’m even the first upvote!
Thoughts:
This seems tricky? There is a spreadsheet of speakers available created by someone at CEA. The version I came across is out of date (2019)—but still has a lot of names and contact information.
However, the spreadsheet is for EA community builders. I’m not sure someone will hand it over easily publicly.
The bigger issue is that the star power and aesthetic you’re going for might be different than what is available.
$10k might not do it for Peter Singer who has an epic schedule and comp that is pretty high (which implies impact/time tradeoffs for monetary considerations), and many senior EAs (and intermediate ones) are preoccupied with numerous projects and culture/scaling initiatives where their time involvement is important and the funding situation is not the constraint.
I think focusing on the impact and narrative of what you are doing is important, as well as being personally likeable and trusted.
One idea:
I might consider not going for the celebrity star power approach and instead implement a strategy centered on a really talented/interesting community builder and use a device, such as drafting on diversity or some other political issue, eg women leaders, Ukraine. There are literal EA UA refugees who are community builders and I am pretty sure will take $10k for their country or for EA or themselves.
You can headline with this issue, but then punch through with a real powerful argument for EA during the actual talk.
I guess this requires some craftiness from both you and the speaker but also would express some skill too.
Thank you so much for these ideas and thoughts! (And my apologies it has taken so long to respond.) I plan to start with the list Lizka posted, but will absolutely think about whether I can pull off the strategy you mentioned if I come up empty handed from a more straightforward approach.
Meta comment: I’m a little surprised this question hasn’t gotten any interest. I think I’m even the first upvote!
Thoughts:
This seems tricky? There is a spreadsheet of speakers available created by someone at CEA. The version I came across is out of date (2019)—but still has a lot of names and contact information.
However, the spreadsheet is for EA community builders. I’m not sure someone will hand it over easily publicly.
The bigger issue is that the star power and aesthetic you’re going for might be different than what is available.
$10k might not do it for Peter Singer who has an epic schedule and comp that is pretty high (which implies impact/time tradeoffs for monetary considerations), and many senior EAs (and intermediate ones) are preoccupied with numerous projects and culture/scaling initiatives where their time involvement is important and the funding situation is not the constraint.
I think focusing on the impact and narrative of what you are doing is important, as well as being personally likeable and trusted.
One idea: I might consider not going for the celebrity star power approach and instead implement a strategy centered on a really talented/interesting community builder and use a device, such as drafting on diversity or some other political issue, eg women leaders, Ukraine. There are literal EA UA refugees who are community builders and I am pretty sure will take $10k for their country or for EA or themselves.
You can headline with this issue, but then punch through with a real powerful argument for EA during the actual talk.
I guess this requires some craftiness from both you and the speaker but also would express some skill too.
Thank you so much for these ideas and thoughts! (And my apologies it has taken so long to respond.) I plan to start with the list Lizka posted, but will absolutely think about whether I can pull off the strategy you mentioned if I come up empty handed from a more straightforward approach.