What to do when you have a lost opportunity?

Recently, after receiving rave review at the PMI Region 5 Leadership conference,  I was talking to a client that wanted me to speak at their non-profit organization in Charlotte, NC.  They offered to fly me down and pay for the flight, hotel, and any incidental expenses.  I readily agreed.  Then, they asked another question that totally caught me off guard.   "Are there any other fees?"

I have spoken to different chapters of various industry groups, and have always understood that they don't typically pay for speakers. So when asked, I stammered that there were no other fees.

I immediately knew I had bungled the answer, because they were clearly willing to pay something to have me speak there.  What to do in this situation?  I had just left money on the table when I clearly could have gotten something out of it!!

I had two options:

1. Be embarrassed that I bungled my response and decide to go ahead and do the presentation for free.  
2. Try to salvage the situation and so something about it.

I decided to do #2.  But, there is something wrong about going back and asking for money after you had already told them that it was free.  I emailed one member of that organization whom I spoke to and asked them if they had a few minutes to talk on the phone, as I would like their advice on something.  Then, on the phone, I explained that I was trying to get my speaking career off the ground, and if she had any advice.  I went on to say how I was new to this and still don't have the experience to make all the right decisions.  She deals with speakers all the time, so I would like to pick her brain.  After a good discussion, I asked if there was anything she thought I could do in regards to the current situation with the nonprofit organization.  She said she would see if there was anything she could do about getting me at least something for my efforts!  Yes, it wasn't a promise of compensation, but now at least there is a chance to get something where as before there was no chance -- and I made a great contact with someone that can help me in the future!

 The moral of the story?  Don't worry if you screwed up -- Don't worry about "going back on your word" (this is what it felt like to me), but you can always try to salvage a situation.  I'll make sure to keep you folks up to date on what really happens.

20Something TakeAway:

1. It's never to late!  Swallow your pride and go hat in hand to ask for what you really want.
2. Be humble and ask for advice.. after all, people love giving it.
3. Get people emotionally and logically on your side -- you can do this by asking for advice and putting them in your shoes.