Post by Steve Markman

Marketing mix: Your marketing and PR efforts should be in the forefront of your organization, given today’s competitive climate and the uncertain economy. Standing out from the crowd, regardless of your organization’s industry, is a huge challenge. How can you meet this challenge?

Many organizations have recognized the value of holding seminars at which their executives make presentations. The problem with these seminars is that, more often than not, the attendees are existing customers, clients or individuals who are already familiar with the firm.

Companies need to expose their expertise to prospective customers and clients. What is a proven method of accomplishing this objective? By speaking at public forums – at conferences, seminars and forums held by independent event organizations, associations, professional and industry trade groups, and academic institutions and think tanks – enormous exposure is created.

There is much evidence in the field of professional services marketing that speaking in public forums often results in new business, by providing increased awareness of your company in general and specific subject areas in particular, to an audience of your potential customers or clients. Presentations about industry trends or “how-to” talks can make a large impact on your audience.

Speaking opportunities for consulting firm principals, corporate executives and entrepreneurs represent a strong marketing, public relations, and business development tool for the following reasons:

    1.    Attendees get to learn about your firm’s expertise firsthand and can interact directly with your speaker immediately before or after the presentation. An attendee asking for a business card can be the first step to obtaining a new client. The press in attendance also present opportunities for added exposure.

    2.    Gaining increased visibility in vertical/industry sectors or broad-based areas that your firm has determined is in need of greater exposure. This can be an established line of business where your firm speaks from a position of strength and is known as a “go-to” firm for a particular area. Conversely, presentations can cover an area that is just getting off the ground or at an early stage in its development and needs some fast exposure to let your potential customers know about your newly offered products or services.

    3.    Your company gains “advertising” by having its name and your executive speaker’s name published in the agenda of thousands of brochures and promotional announcements mailed or e-mailed by event organizers.

What should your professional services firm be doing to get your executives and managers out on the speaking circuit? Take the following eight steps:

    1.    Decide which product or service area(s) your firm should be targeting for increased visibility. Make sure that you have executives in those areas committed to the idea of making public presentations. Some will resist the idea of taking time away from other business activities so make sure that you have their full support.

    2.    Get the right speaker on board. Proposed speakers should be experienced executives and, preferably, experienced speakers. Small-to medium-sized organizations should nominate their CEO or other senior executive. Large organizations can also nominate staff at the director or manager level, depending on the criteria of the speaking opportunity.

    3.    Speak to the right audience. Thoroughly research the events for which representatives of your firm can be proposed as speakers, as solo presenters or as panelists. There are so many events taking place on so many topics, frequently simultaneously, that you’ll need to choose diligently in order to maximize the time and expense associated with speaking. Identify speaking engagements whose audience represents the customers and industries your organization wants to reach.

    4.    Develop a proactive speaker placement program. It’s fine to evaluate unsolicited speaking opportunities. However, having someone dedicated to the task who will aggressively identify opportunities, develop relationships with event organizers and write and submit speaker proposals, should lead to an increase in the frequency of speaking engagements and thus increased visibility for the executives participating and the firm as a whole.

    5.    Decide on the geographic area to target for speaking engagements – locally, regionally, nationally or even internationally. There are thousands of speaking opportunities held worldwide every year.

    6.    Create high-impact presentations. Audiences want to get actionable information they can take back to their organizations. They don’t want to hear that your firm is the leading firm in this or that subject area. A solid, informative presentation that covers applications or technologies and is not product or company specific will create instant credibility and obviate the need for a “sales pitch.” A presentation that turns out to be a sales pitch will ensure low evaluations by the audience and a one-way ticket home from the conference organizer. The speaker who gives a sales pitch is duly noted and rarely invited back, oftentimes tainting the entire company in the eyes of the event organizer.

    7.    Learn the process for submitting a speaker proposal to the event organizer – follow the format established by the organizer for writing a presentation abstract, submitting bios and speaker expertise, previous speaking experience information, and, of course, meeting the proposal deadline date. Make sure you tailor the abstract and the bio to each speaking opportunity so that they fit the objectives of the audience.

    8.    Follow up continuously and persistently with the event organizer to help your company stay above the noise, since you will often be competing with several other companies for the same speaking slot.

By developing an effective speaker placement program for your organization, you will have taken a big step in meeting your marketing, PR, and business development objectives.

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Steve Markman is President of Markman Speaker Management (MSM) a Needham, Mass.- based speaker placement and conference development firm established in 1994.

Marketing & Training Services since’92

http://www.speakerservices.com

November 3, 2011

CONTENT:

- Update from Susan Levin

- Tips and Advice from experts

- Teleclasses for November

- Tweets & Blog Posts

I have been busy working with clients on speaker marketing and coaching folks on how to Position, Prospect & Land Gigs Now in collaboration with our team member Jean-Noel Bassior. This four step process seems to have hit a nerve as it is a huge issue for folks. We are sharing the strategies for you or your staff to help identify target markets and decision makers. The end result is that you learn how to leave voice message and or e mails that get call-backs. Not only that you get to practice as I prepare leads for you in your target audience.  Want some of that?

I am heading down to Orange County to teach Speak Your Way to More Clients on Monday, 11/7 for the third time with Ursula Mentjes. Carleen Paul, Skills for Success Reading Center shared.  Speak Your Way to More Clients was packed with tricks of the speaking trade!  Following the examples provided during the workshop will be vital to making my next speaking engagement a great success!  There is still time to register

On Wednesday, November 9 in Los Angeles I am speaking with Linda Hollander the Wealthy Bag Lady at Fill Your Purse Event: Get All the Clients and Sponsors You Want join us http://t.co/ah4kHHQj

I just got off the phone with one of my clients who spoke at a Womens Conference recently and received great reviews and several requests to speak at different chapters around the country.  She was thrilled with the invites and even though there was no pay she decided to go.  Unfortunately she had not taken my class Market Yourself as a Speaker and ran into several dicey situations on her travels.  Had she consulted with me she would have had a link on her website for meeting planners for her AV requirements so that the producer of the event would have all of her needs met before she arrived.

She also had booked another gig and it got cancelled which she did not find out until she arrived at her destination.  I said,  No contract agreement with a cancellation clause and a deposit a head of time to hold the date.  Big lessons learned and money spent that did not need to be spent.  She will be at my next workshop in Los Angeles on December 3, Market Yourself as a Speaker. Speaking is a business. You need to be armed with all the collateral find out more.  Not in Los Angeles?  No worries customized telephone coaching is available.

Greg Montana warmed my heart as he shared his accomplishments with me.  Because of www.speakerservices.com and your coaching I’ve shared the stage with Richard Branson, The Dalai Lama, Mark Victor Hansen, Harv Eker and have had some amazing partnerships. Thanks for the boost! Glad to see you are still incubating us speakers!  Congrats Greg.

To your speaking and marketing success,

Susan Levin

Speaker Services, susan@speakerservices.com

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TIPS and ADVICE



DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THIS IS TRUE?  Daphne Bousquet, CMP” daphne@eventsandprofits.com



One of my favorite things to do is busts myths.  And there are a few when it comes to workshops and seminars.  Often times, these myths can stop you in your tracks and prevent you from achieving your potential. Here is one that I hear all the time and perhaps you may even think it is true.

Ready? 

 You need a big event in order to make a lot of money.  
Nothing is farther from the truth. 

While large events have more potential for making more money, that does not mean that small events can not be very lucrative.

Sometimes smaller events do even better. 

When you have a smaller event, chances are you have a highly targeted audience.  Your ideal audience, if you will.
 The people that are at your event are there for a specific reason: to learn from you. Since the event is smaller, you have fewer demands on your time.  

That gives you more opportunities to really connect with your audience.  You can answer more questions and establish genuine relationships with people who will gladly sign up for your high end offer. (You do make an offer, right?)

After all, they know, like and trust you and the value you can bring to them and their businesses.
 
Now that you know you do not need hundreds of people (or even a hundred) in your event room to make a difference and a profit, does that take some of the pressure off?

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7 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR MARKETING IN 60 SECONDS OF LESS by Sarah Goliger @hubspot.com

We all know it is not always easy being an inbound marketer especially a good inbound marketer. The things we do to optimize our landing pages, create killer content, keep track of all our analytics they take time! Therefore, to be both a successful inbound marketer, we must be able to use our time efficiently http://www.hubspot.com/social-media-monitoring-in-10-minutes-ebook  to drive the best results in the fastest way possible.

The good news is, even when you do not have a lot of time on your hands, there are lots of little things you can do to dramatically improve your marketing . Here are 7 things you can do in 60 seconds or less to drive more traffic to your site, convert visitors into leads at a higher rate, and increase your ROI.

Tip 1. Respond to a comment, post, or tweet.  A big part of inbound marketing is engaging with your fans, followers, and customers, especially through social media. Take a minute to reply to a tweet or a post on your Facebook page, even if just to say, Thanks for the feedback! or Glad you liked our ebook! Following up with your fans  will show them that you value their comments and will help keep them engaged with your business, making them more likely to convert into leads.

Read more
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Top four book promotion activities you can engage in to sell more books in today’s world 
 @John Kremer


, www.bookmarket.com

1. Speak. Speaking builds a word-of-mouth army better than anything else. Speak locally – at garden clubs, libraries, bookstores, Rotary clubs, JCs, poetry nights, story swaps, book club meetings, etc. Then expand out to a wider area, to nearby cities, to nearby states. Eventually, expand out to an even wider audience.

When someone hears you speak, they become a bigger fan than if they had just read your book. If they like you when they hear you speak, they will tell ten times more people than by just reading your book.

2. Book yourself on national TV. TV is still the largest mass market media. It still reaches more people than any other media – and with more impact. It is worth spending the time contacting the ten or twenty news and talk shows that reach your audience. For most national TV shows, you can get the contact information in one of two ways: 1. from their websites, and 2. via your network of friends and fellow authors.

Your appearance on one major TV show will not only expose you to millions of viewers, but it also opens the door to dozens and sometimes hundreds of other media: newspapers, magazines, radio, more TV shows, etc.

3. Create relationships with high-traffic websites. How many major high-traffic websites that attract your target reader have you created relationships with? Are these real relationships where you contribute content to them on a regular basis?  In today’s world, Internet relationships are the key to marketing success.

Uncover five to ten top websites that already reach the audience you want to reach. Look over their sites until you find a way to contact someone behind the site – a webmaster, an editor, the founder. Then email them with an offer of free content for their readers: an interview with you, a review copy of your book, a free article (that is really good), some tips for their readers, a Q&A column on your specialty, etc. Their obligation, in return, is to link to your website or sales page.

4. Do a Superstar Blog Tour. Or a Mega Blog Tour. Or a Blogpalooza. I’m not talking about the old-style humdrum virtual book tour of 15 or 20 blogs. I’m talking about an event blog tour that creates Internet buzz on a major scale. Event blog tours can build brands, create incredible website traffic, and sell tons of books.

The neat thing is that effective event blog tours take less time to carry out than the traditional Amazon Bestseller Campaign – and are almost always more effective in selling books, building a brand, and driving traffic.

If you want to know more about event blog tours, check out this recording of me speaking about the value and method of carrying out an effective impact blog tour: http://www.bookmarket.com/blog-tour-palooza.htm.

These four book marketing techniques work for almost any kind of book: fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, children’s books, how-to, spiritual, business, even cookbooks. You don’t have to do all four. Start with one and work it hard – you’ll get better results than doing Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, EzineArticles, or other Internet marketing flavors of the week.

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Everyone is always looking for the best deal.  Do I have one for you.

Do you know Speakers Community Membership Club ? Over 100 mp3s 60 days free JOIN NOW http://bit.ly/rUSbGI

UPCOMING TELECLASSES

11/16 -  Organize & Optimize Your Social Media Efforts interview with Kim Beasley
- Have you ever felt overwhelmed while trying to figure out how to use social media to get your message out?

- Do you feel stuck in a rut when it comes to connecting with your target customers on social media?

- Are you trying to figure out how to use Google + to develop your business brand and your personal
identity?
Read/register

11/30/11 -  Amazon Bestsellers with Denise Cassino

Discover an affordable way to launch your e-book to #1 Bestseller on Amazon!

All programs apply to both print books and ebooks!

- The steps and strategies of a bestseller campaign?

- How to reach a large targeted audience without the expense of advertising.

- Why it is a win-win situation for the author, the partners and the book buyer.
- The value of joint ventures

 Read/register

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Tweets and blog posts you might be interested in

:

- Top searches on my blog how to market yourself speakers,  speakers schedule of fees, membership site,  making money as a speaker I can help

- Blog Post 10 Social Media Tips for Professional Speakers.  Use Each Form Of Social Media To Strengthen the Others.  http://bit.ly/sK5HeJ

- 


Professional Marketing Materials see list of services http://t.co/5PkGA894 new coaching program Position, Prospect, Land Gigs. Can we help you?

- 

2011 and 2012 Marketing Trends – Be On The Cutting-Edge, Not The Bleeding-Edge! http://steveslightbulbmoments.com/?p=521  via @StevesMoments

- 

Mary Cimiluca I am so proud of you landing several fantastic and high paying speaking engagements. Happy to have you in my corner and that you followed my advise to ask for more and they said YES!

- Grab Your Audiences Attention Right off the Bat http://t.co/fXCnPrBs The opening statement is important do not blow it.

- 

Prospecting: It is All in the Process @wendyweiss The Queen of Cold Calling™ Tips to ensure maximum results http://bit.ly/tejApu

October 20,  2011 – Speaker Services Update

Marketing & Training Services since 1992

Speaker Services http://www.speakerservices.com

In this issue
- Note from Susan Levin
- News from our colleagues & friends

I am preparing to attend Maurice DiMino’s Presentations that Sell Bootcamp in Los Angeles the next few days.  In this Bootcamp the attendees learn how to craft a talk and once they have it together they are challenged to connect with audiences.  Here’s where I come in. Maurice invited me to have a vendor table  as I am a great resource for the attendees. I am looking forward to connecting with them tonight at dinner and over the weekend.

I just downloaded Seth Godins latest book We Are All Weird.  Jacqueline Novogratz wrote a terrific review of the book.  We Are All Weird is a song of freedom, an exuberant manifesto with the richness of choice that comes with wealth, the markets, the internet, our increasing connection with one another across the globe. He argues that the era of mass marketing is over (thankfully) and that as humans we seek not just to consume but to connect, and therefore we find those who love what we love and, when it works best, create or join tribes. We are allowed, indeed, encouraged to be individuals, to specialize rather than fit in or be normal and this is where richness begins. As Seth says, Stuff is not the point. Connection, choice, pursuing what we love is.  BTW:  It was only $2.99!

Are you a speaker, expert, author, coach or entrepreneur attempting to connect with audiences who want to hear your message?

Have you considered adding speaking to your marketing plan?

Do you know how to monetize your speaking gigs?

Would you like one-one coaching with a marketing expert? http://www.speakerservices.com/marketing.html

Are you attempting to find gigs on your own and not getting a response from the event planner?

Would you like to know the names of the decision makers in the college and association and corporate markets?

Maybe you need a coach to assist you in branding and helping you put your talks together?

Wondering how to get a great video(s) for your website and social media?

Speaker Services team can assist you.

Whether you are a beginning speaker or further  along the path our agency can customize a package to fit your needs.

Here are some options for you to consider:

CONNECT WITH AUDIENCES via Speaker Services online paid listing directory brings speakers together with audiences since 1992.   We connect you with audiences that you might not find on your own.  We reach out to 5,000 event planners every month who are searching for experts for their audiences. See http:www.speakerservices.com

INVEST IN A WORKSHOP

Saturday, October 29, Market Yourself as a Speaker, Susan Levin in Marina del Rey http://bit.ly/pxk58a

The information, techniques and tools that you’ll receive from attending Market Yourself as a Speaker are essential to building your speaking business.

Immediate Benefits:

- Design a masterful presentation package that attracts meeting planners to hire you

- Create your one-sheets, introductions and rating forms

- Customize your programs with pre-program questionnaires and more

Monday, November 7, Speak Your Way to More Clients, Capistrano Beach with Ursula Mentjes and Susan Levin http://www.salescoachnow.com/speak-your-way-to-more-clients/

You will leave with a Proven Formula to Create the Perfect Speaking Business Plan for YOU in 2012

________

Like to listen to mp3s?

SPEAKERS COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP GROUP

Join the Speakers Community Membership 60 days for free & a modest $19.95 a month.  Listen to the expert interviews live or download mp3s.

NOTE: 10/26 Complimentary teleclass

Post Do You Have Professional Marketing Materials? http://t.co/GwZ7x94o & comp teleclass 10/26 same topic register http://t.co/5JxUQ8R0

_________________

NEWS & TIPS FROM OUR COLLEAGUES

The new frontier, Seth Godin

 http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2011/10/the-new-frontier.html

What, exactly, is wrong with the old frontier?

When Google + launched, millions of formerly optimistic people became optimistic again. Maybe this was going to be the one, the social network with just the smart people and none of the lame stuff, none of the spam or the pitches or the people we’re trying to avoid.

And the same thing is true when the pack runs to the new nightclub, the new technology, the new suburban subdivision. Maybe this will be the one…

Of course, it rarely is. So much disappointment and so much bitterness. It’s never as great as you hoped it would be. Ennui and then, eventually, waiting for yet another new frontier.

It’s the old frontier that actually presents the most interesting opportunities, because the shine has worn off. This is your platform for real innovation, innovation in a place or a market or a situation that truly is ready for it

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Need Some Marketing Inspiration? Download @HubSpot’s New eBook: 101 Marketing Quotes: http://t.co/oItXB2tn #101Quotes

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Did anyone catch our speaker and author Author Carole Lieberman on TV Sat night talking about the Michael Jackson case? She is an expert witness too. See her speaker listing http://www.speakerservices.com/speakers/detail/413

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Learn the latest trends in the world of speaker marketing 10/29 in LA w Susan Levin Market Yourself as a Speaker Wksp http://t.co/XwKiTPYQ

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New blog post How Sponsors Define Value: Vickie Sullivan, http://t.co/PSkPZsYK

Blog post Is Cold Calling Dead? 6 tips to success http://t.co/4AyLkhXz

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What our clients are saying about Speaker Services:

Susan provides a toolbox of services and experts for the business person or author who wants to develop a revenue stream from speaking engagements. I used both her training and directory and more than doubled my speaking revenue in less than 90 days.
- Betty LaMarr, Executive Coach, Speaker

Susan is just amazing at getting new speakers up and running in the profession.
- Debra Valle, Coach

I had the occasion to refer a client to Susan and Speaker Services. The reports from my client were glowing, beyond her expectations. She reported tremendous value from the experience with Susan. I will refer to her again and again.
- Rory Cohen, Founder and President , Entelekey, Inc. Take 10 Now

I am ready to answer all your questions and concerns and make suggestions to fit your budget and marketing plan.  E-mail me at susan@speakerservices.com for an appointment to chat.

Susan Levin

Speaker Services, susan@speakerservices.com

310-822-4922 PT

SPEAK YOUR WAY TO MORE BUSINESS

October 2011  E-Zine

Marketing & Training Services since 1992

Speaker Services http://www.speakerservices.com

In this issue
- Note from Susan Levin

- Meet our featured speakers & authors

- Tips and Resources

- Teleclasses

- Tweets

My phone rings and a speaker says, I do not understand why I am not getting a call back from the business or association planner when I leave a message.  I ask what was your message?  The discovery is there is no compelling message. Instead of saying I am a speaker and speak about….do you have an opening for me to speak?  How about this? How does this sound? BTW:  This was a pitch in Reporters Connection from a radio producer looking for an expert.  A report featured in Reuters shows, in the past three years unprotected sex among teens is up 39% in America. Fewer teens know about safe sex, what contraceptives are available and how to use the ones they are familiar with.  I am an expert on why the increase and how parents can approach the subject with teens.  We have been getting so many calls like this that my team and I have put together a crash coaching series coaching series that will get you or your speaker booked.  Give me a call if we can help you out.

We are closing the doors for registration for Talk Up Your Business Los Angeles Workshop on Monday, October 10.  The event takes place on 10/17.  If you are planning on attending please register now.

Enjoy the advice and resources and tweets that I have provided for you in this month’s e-zine.

Susan Levin

Speaker Services

310-822-4922 PT

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Featured Speakers

Nicole Roberts Jones Author, Video  Massachusetts, Nationwide
Empowerment coach, trailblazer and visionary shares powerful, asset-based formula that moves you from darkness into a life beyond limits.
Topics: Inspirational, Personal Development, Professional Development, Women’s Empowerment, Work/Life Balance

Terence Dixon S. California
Ultimate Fitness expert shows how to harness the power of Intention and Focus to gain a new body, new faith, and unstoppable self-confidence.
Topics: Christian, Fitness, Health, Personal Development

Grant Garris Author, Video, Atlanta, Georgia & Chicago, Orlando
Adoption and life coach addresses sensitive topics like surviving childhood abuse, sexual identity in corporate America, and adopting a child, with empathy, humor and compassion.
Topics: Abuse, Adoption/Foster, Parenting and Children, Sexuality

Michael Hingson, Author, Video,  San Francisco, Nationwide, International
Blind sales executive and Guide-dog user who survived 9-11 reflects on trust, teamwork, ethics, diversity, animal-human bonds, and human values.
Topics: 9-11, Diversity, Motivational, Team Building

Brenda Lane-Oliver, Author,  Maryland, Nationwide
Performance coach/author reveals how to bring out the best in teams, managers and employees and shows women how to move up the career ladder with passion, dignity and determination.
Topics: Leadership, Marketing, Success, Women’s Issues

Michele the Trainer, Los Angeles
World-class health, fitness and weight-loss expert reveals how to feel younger, more agile, confident and productive, and transform your body into the healthy one you deserve.
Topics: Fitness, Healthy Lifestyle, Time Management, Women’s Health

Lawrence Polsky, Author, Video, New Jersey, Nationwide
Executive coach reveals practical ways to energize you and your team as you face new challenges filled with conflict and change.
Topics: Change, Conflict Resolution, Leadership, Team Building

See All Speakers and Authors

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TIPS & RESOURCES

Our friend and colleague William Yelles is offering a training on Oct 15 & 16 in LA  called WordPress Website in a Weekend http://wordpressweekend.eventbrite.com/ You’ll learn all the ins and outs of building a great looking site to start making money and reaching customers online  and best of all, it takes just one weekend.
This course is perfect for the small business owner or entrepreneur who does not want to spend thousands of dollars  or weeks, even months, of time  with hiring a developer.  Contact William 310-913-8454 cell
williamyelles@yahoo.com
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What if people could ask you questions while they read your book? That’s the goal of @author, a new feature introduced by Amazon for its Kindle e-books. Readers questions can now be tweeted directly to authors via the @author handle. Tim Ferriss, author of the mega-bestsellers The 4-Hour Body and The 4-Hour Workweek, is one of the first to use the feature. If a trendsetter like Tim is doing this, you probably should consider doing so, too, when the service becomes available to all authors. Read this Business Week  http://t.co/StU8dFKl story for a thorough explanation of @author.
~ Bill Harrison at Reporters Connection
Not already a member? Join now to get our free media leads http://www.ReporterConnection.com/JoinNowFree/
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Make Your Blog Your Home Base, Joan Stewart,  The Publicity Hound

It is darn near impossible to sell something directly from Twitter, or even the snazziest Facebook page.

 But not from your blog. Your blog is the place where you can promote your expertise, explain how to use one of your products, answer readers questions about your services, or go into great depth explaining why visitors should donate to a worthy cause you are promoting. It is also the place where you can convince journalists that you know so much about your topic that they should be using you as a source, and probably even interviewing you for their articles.

You can post photos and videos at your blog, too. After you’ve hooked visitors and convinced them they need your products or services, you can link to a sales page at your website. 

The big mistake on social media sites is that most people skip the blog. They try to take their followers directly from Twitter to a sales page. Spend a few minutes reading all the junk in your Twitter feed and you will see what I mean. 

If you are not blogging yet, it is not too late to start.

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Older People Flocking to Facebook, Other Social Networks
By Josh Wolford – smallbiznewz

Use on the rise for those aged 50 to 64

The Pew Internet Project has just released some findings from a survey it conducted over a one month period that give us a look into the shifting demographics of the world of social media. The main takeaway:  Social media use within the older demographic is on the rise.

That’s right, places like Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace are expanding from institutions for the young to institutions for everyone.

Have you noticed a broader demographic when it comes to social media use?  Let us know in the comments.

 The survey asked 2,277 adults (aged 18+) about their social media use.  What they found was that use among folks aged 50 to 64 has jumped to 32% – that is up 60 percent  from last year’s number which was only 20 percent.

  Read the rest of the article.

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WHERE CAN YOU CONNECT WITH SUSAN LEVIN?

10/17   Talk Up Your Business Los Angeles, Master the Message, Master the Marketing Workshop learn more

10-21-23   Maurice DiMinos, Presentations that Sell Bootcamp I will have a vendor table so make sure to say hello if you are there.

10/29  Market Yourself as a Speaker workshop, Susan Levin, learn more

11/7  Speak Your Way to More Clients, Capistrano Beach

11/9   Wealthy Bag Lady, Fill Your Purse Event, Get All the Clients & Sponsors You Want, Linda Hollander & Susan Levin, $35, Learn more

11/12  Mesmerize Your Audience, Jack Barnard, Los Angeles learn more

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Upcoming Teleclasses

SPEAKERS COMMUNITY Membership Club

FREE for Speakers Community Members.  Join now and get  2 months complimentary

October 13,  Get Massive Publicity Fast, Bert Martinez, learn more

_______

COMPLIMENTARY Teleclass
October 26, Marketing & Promo Materials that Gets you Booked, Jean-Noel Bassior & Susan Levin register

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Tweets of interest

- Learn 2 master yr message, marketing & prospect in LA Talk Up Your Business Workshop 10/17 http://bit.ly/rgjOJJ No hard sell-just the facts http://twitter.com/http://twitter.com/http://twitter.com/

- RT @donnagunter Top 5 Favorite WordPress Themes for Service Business Owners bit.ly/p3Nfpd Incredibly helpful info thanks Donna

- Reading: Seth’s Blog: The forever recession (and the coming revolution http://twitthis.com/at84t8

- Update Speaker Services Your Conference Audience is Dead  http://bit.ly/pje7Mq

- Speaker Services online store of products MP3′s, books, manuals & workbooks. Improve your speaking & marketing skills http://bit.ly/qB5MSB

Leave Voicemail Messages That Have Prospects Begging To Meet You | Market Yourself as a Speaker: http://bit.ly/qC6EzN

- How 2 be a multi thousandaire like me! http://j.mp/qFFZ2X thanks @loiscreamer 4 posting on LI Speaker Services Group. So agree with ya

- Check this video out Mistakes Speakers Make http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-vwIsXLSgo&feature=share via @youtube

Speaker Services- October 17,  2011 Update

Marketing & Training Services since 1992

Speaker Services http://www.speakerservices.com

In this issue
- Note from Susan Levin
- Tips and Advice
- Teleclasses & Workshops
- Tweets & Blog Posts of interest

Hello,

I spent the last two days shopping for a car with my friend and it was exhausting.  We finally made the deal and as you can see I am pretty darn happy and relieved. He got a Scion XD.

Does this sound familiar to you? My assistant or I have been making calls attempting to get speaking engagements and am not getting any call backs? You know you are an expert at what you offer and yet you are seeing changes in your business, bookings, prospects and your bank account. Could it be that you have been speaking for years and never had to treat your speaking practice as a business?  It might be a time for a tune up.

Are you investing in your continuing education and or updating your marketing materials? If you can relate to what I am sharing with you perhaps you would like some solutions.  Send me an e-mail susan@speakerservices.com for a complimentary session on the phone and lets see if we can customize a dynamite package for you based on your budget.

My colleague Dr. Letitia Wright, D.C. shared the following in a message to her LinkedIn contacts.  The Gurus Are Back. Have you noticed more emails from the “Gurus” lately? You know, the people who used to have these huge meetings with anywhere from 250 -1,000 people? They would tell you how to have the good life (whatever you consider the good life to be) and then charge you money to help you do it? They sell information packages with strategies that no longer work or ones they have never actually used to make their success.

Many of the Gurus filed bankruptcy (just like regular people) and disappeared for a while. Now they are back selling something slightly different. Some are in jail or on trial for murder, fraud and a lot of other things. A few have committed suicide over the last few years. Yes the economy hit them hard too because they depend on the rest of us to give them money. When we did not have it, they did not either.  I will add that it makes me furious as they ruin the trust level of our potential clients who have every right to be mistrustful.

I always share with my potential clients that it is a good idea to work with a heart-based business and not run after the shiny objects that offer flamboyant promises.

Susan Levin

Speaker Services

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Complimentary teleclass 10/26

Marketing & Promo Materials that Get you Booked

Susan Levin and Jean-Noel Bassior register http://www.speakerservices.com/teleclasses/detail/238

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Meet Susan Levin, owner and founder of Speaker Services at the following events in Los Angeles or Orange County.

10-21-23   Maurice DiMinos, Presentations that Sell Bootcamp I will have a vendor table so make sure to say hello if you are there.

10/29  Market Yourself as a Speaker, Susan Levin learn more

11/7  Speak Your Way to More Clients, Ursula Mentjes & Susan Levin, Capistrano Beach learn more

11/9   Wealthy Bag Lady, Fill Your Purse Event, Get All the Clients & Sponsors You Want, Linda Hollander & Susan Levin, $35,  learn more

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TIPS & RESOURCES

Discussion in a LinkedIn group re getting booked in colleges or high schools

Nicole B. Simpson CFP

You can take an independent alternative by contacting each college individually. Find out who is on the planning board or planning committee and submit your information there. They make the executive financial decisions.

High School

You must first review what the states core curriculum requirements are and see where your program best fits. Once you have determined that, you can do one of two things-you can approach each high school or you can go straight to the Board of Education. I have found the individual high schools work best. If you can get one school to walk to you to the board (who will ultimately have to pay), then you can go to the other schools in that district having already been approved by the board.

They both take a lot of time to do so be prepared to invest the time. Most people give up because the results are sooooo slow but once you are in, you are good, unless you blow it.

LOL-I recently did the legwork for myself. Realistically, it took me about 1 hour to accumulate an average of 6-7 real contact people. However, once it is done, you have the list. I went from state to state and my goal was ten schools in each of the states. I made it my business. Now I have a list to tackle. My topic was time sensitive (9/11) and they generally do not operate as soon as they get back to school but I already confirmed myself as a keynote for Rutgers for 2012 so it made it totally worthwhile. The schools have the budget to pay so it is truly worth it in the end. Another route you can take is to find out what schools have presenter conferences.

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New Sponsorship Opportunities

Vickie Sullivan vickiesullivan.com

In this jumpstart to next years elections, we hear a lot of bad stuff about ObamaCare.  Here is a silver lining: drug store chains are getting into the health insurance business.

That is right,  Walgreens plans to sell health insurance products later this year. Why do we care?  Because they are using sponsorship deals to promote their health and wellness positioning.

This industry leader is looking for both local and national opportunities, as new deals range from national sports teams to community events.  Idea:  any expert in this area with strong ties to their community (or a broad-based national brand) has a shot getting their speaking fee paid to those public health events.

Moral of the case study:  organizations use sponsorships to introduce new products to their customers.  Help them and you can get your share of the ever-growing sponsorship pie

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Sharings from our Speakers

Nan Vaughn wrote: Good news I got a free gig from SS for the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, and after the presentation last week in Palm Springs, they contracted me to do four 50 min. telecoaching sessions as a follow up.  I did not have to submit a proposal or even negotiate and I am getting $2500! Also, they are interested in me for several other training/facilitating opportunities woohoo!

Speaker and Author Carrie Flintom shared

- Partial list of speaking gigs

- Simi Valley Hospital foundation

- WOW – Wonderful Online Women organization

- Womens Wellness Weekend

- University of Dominguez Hills

- Orange County Association of Educational  Office Professionals

- California State Employees Association Womens Committee Conference

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Tweets of Interest

- Check this video out — Your Marketing Plan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP58srL4bm4&feature=share via @you tube

- Jane Honeck Author & Speaker Has a double sided 1 sheet on her speaker listing. Thanks to our team for putting it together see http://www.speakerservices.com/speakers/detail/379

- Happiness is not what makes us grateful. It is gratefulness that makes us happy. David Steindl-Rast, A Listening Heart

- Download @HubSpot‘s free eBook: 99 Tools to Help You Generate Leads with Social Media

-Google+ Launches Real-Time Search and Hashtag Support http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/27206/Google-Launches-Real-Time-Search-and-Hashtag-Support.aspx via @HubSpot

- How Sponsors Define Value http://bit.ly/nmWQMZ In LA Speaking & Sponsorship Fill Your Purse event $35

- 60 Ways Personalization is Changing Marketing http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/13829/60-Ways-Personalization-is-Changing-Marketing.aspx

Update 9/28/11

Hello,

I was going to save the following information to share with you at the beginning of the month. However, it was so right on that I just could not wait to share it with you.  You see I posted the following two items around on social media and received many comments and I felt this might be of great interest to you now.  Business is changing rapidly and we need to keep our finger on the pulse of the industry.  The is a compelling post Your Conference Audience Is Dead Velvet Chainsaw | Midcourse Corrections, jhurt@velvetchainsaw.com

It used to be that face to face presentations were one of the most important places people would go to get new, cutting-edge, critical information.

They would pay a conference registration fee, airfare, lodging and expenses to attend a conference just to get that new information.

But that has changed with the click of the mouse.

Information Is Ubiquitous

People no longer need to go to presentations to get information. They can Google it.  Or Bing it.

They can get it from blogs, enewsletters, ezines, Facebook, LinkedIn, online reports, Scribd, Slideshare, Twitter or other websites. The thought that your organization has exclusive content that can not be found elsewhere online is absurd and in denial.

Content is now dispersed across multiple platforms and our engagement with it is more fleeting. Our personal habits now control our flow of information. Our willingness to commit to 60- to 90-minute presentation to get a piece of critical information has decreased.

With the proliferation of information everywhere, audiences look for other things to do at your conference. They look for opportunities to become participants, to collaborate, to network and to share.

Read the rest and the bottom line.

My colleague speaker and marketing consultant Lois Creamer, Book More Business wrote the following How to be a Multi-thousandaire Like Me! I can not stand some of the promotions we see promising Make a Million doing this, that or whatever.  In fact, usually I do not even believe the person promoting the event has ever seen a million, forget making a million.

As for me, I am a multi-thousandaire and happy. Do not get me wrong, I would not mind becoming a millionaire. I am just a realist. Truth is, most speakers and consultants I know are more like me in the money department. That said, I love to hang around with people who are much smarter, richer and funner than me. Funner? Is that even a word? It should be if it is not.  Read the rest of the blog post.

I would like to hear your thoughts on the above.

Very powerful information here.  It is as if they put words in my mouth.  I read this information with great interest as this is exactly the way I have been running my business since 1992.

We market and train experts who want to grow their business and income through speaking.  We never promise that they will get 99 clients in 99 days or make a 7 figure income right off the bat. We start at the very beginning if need be and teach our business folks how to put together a compelling talk that can create lead generation.  When ready we can market them to organizations, companies and associations who want them to speak to their audiences.  We accomplish this through a listing in Speaker Services directory.  Our team can write marketing materials, train your VA’s or assistants how to prospect for gigs for you as well as how to leave a voice message that gets you a call back.

Did you know that we offer a complimentary session on speaker marketing? I will give you content and answer your question and make recommendations as to how we can assist you further.  If you are interested e-mail me susan@speakerservices.com and I will schedule an appointment for you.

Make sure to visit our website http://www.speakerservices.com .

If you are in S. California and you are ready to learn how to master your message and market your message and prospect for speaking engagements then sign up right now for the following $99 event.

See program and registration at: http://www.speakerservices.com/talkupyourbizla

Gain Credibility, Boost Your Visibility And

Get More Clients By Talking Up Your Business

These days, if you are a would-be speaker, a business hotshot, an entrepreneur or a network marketer; if you have a product, service or about-to-be-realized dream; you absolutely need to be speaking about it, do seminars & workshops about… you need a kick-butt website, you need to blog about, to social network about, to get great publicity about and you definitely need to know all the up-to-the-minute marketing tricks!

In short: to truly make a lasting impact, you need to be a media maven: a compelling presenter…a website wizard…a publicity hound…a master marketer.

- FIND the niche that suits your passion and skills and what is uniquely marketable about your mission

- PRODUCE presentations that captivate and attract attention…motivate action and get results

- LEARN marketing secrets and strategies to show you how to attract and reach your ideal clients

- IMPLEMENT the latest technologies: social media, blogging, mobile marketing, video, YouTube to boost your visibility

- MASTER the art of speaking and selling with intention

Talk Up Your Business brings together four state of the art experts in their respective fields:

Susan Levin, Jack Barnard, Ursula Mentjes, Jean-Noel Bassior

Date:  Monday, October 17, 9am-5:30pm, Venice, CA
Investment $99, Seating Limited

See program and registration at:

http://www.speakerservices.com/talkupyourbizla

A Speaker Services Production

See you at Talk Up Your Business LA

Susan Levin
Speaker Services
susan@speakerservices.com

September 2011 E-Zine

Marketing & Training Services since 1992

Speaker Services http://www.speakerservices.com

In this issue
- Note from Susan Levin
- Meet our featured speakers & authors
- Tips and Advice
- Teleclasses & Workshops
- Tweets & Blog Posts of interest

Today I am sharing with you new reports about the meeting attendees that several of my colleagues posted in their blog or e-zine.  Also be sure to read tweets and blogs of interest as there are many interesting items ie: 17 Things Marketers Should Delete From Their Facebook Strategy NOW.

I am wondering Are you talking up your business?   Speaking is the fastest path to more clients, more credibility and more business.  As an author, consultant, coach, service professional or entrepreneur, speaking establishes your expertise, while marketing you at the same time.

But how do you get those speaking gigs? What do you need to have in place to get meeting planners to book you? How do you create a compelling message that you can adapt to any audience, lengthen or shorten at will and create a huge impact? How do you create massive visibility from your speaking gigs and leverage this publicity into more leads and more clients?

Whether you are new to speaking or are an expert with multiple speaking engagements under your belt, there are ways to profit from speaking that you probably have not even considered.

There are so many moving parts and angles that you have to master.

You can find the answers at the Los Angeles Talk Up Your Business, Master the Message, Master the Marketing on Monday, October 17

See the website and the program and sign up now as the seating is limited and it is only $99. http://www.speakerservices.com/talkupyourbizla

The Improv group led by jack Barnard finished their class with a performance.  Friends and family members had a great time.  In this photo is Ryan Jackson, Norah Edelstein and Raj Sharma doing a scene.

Enjoy the holiday weekend.  I hope you have some fun activities planned.

Speak your Way to More Business.

Susan Levin
Speaker Services
susan@speakerservices.com
310-822-4922 PT

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FEATURED SPEAKERS & AUTHORS FOR SEPTEMBER 2011

Click on name for full description and contact information.

	Michael Hingson — San Francisco, Nationwide, International Blind sales executive and Guide-dog user who survived 9-11 reflects on trust, teamwork, ethics, diversity, animal-human bonds, and human values. Topics: 9-11, Diversity, Motivational, Team Building
	Devin C. Hughes — San Diego, CA Coach, trainer and former athlete shows how to conquer the sense of alienation called “The Isolation Syndrome” and get your life back. Topics: Bullying, Cultural Diversity, Learning Disorders, Motivational, Parenting and Children
	Brenda Lane-Oliver — Maryland, Nationwide Performance coach/author reveals how to bring out the best in teams, managers and employees and shows women how to move up the career ladder with passion, dignity and determination. Topics: Leadership, Marketing, Success, Women’s Issues
	Susan Levin — Los Angeles Susan Levin specializes in helping business people attract a steady stream of ideal clients by marketing their business and income through speaking. Topics: Business Building, Business Opportunities, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Speaker Marketing
	Ursula Mentjes — Anaheim, S. CA Certified NLP Coach, author and sales expert Ursula Mentjes offers mindset shifts and strategies to make selling easy and significantly increase sales. Topics: Business Building, Entrepreneurship, Goal Setting, Sales
	Lawrence Polsky — New Jersey, Nationwide Executive coach reveals practical ways to energize you and your team as you face new challenges filled with conflict and change. Topics: Change, Conflict Resolution, Leadership, Team Building
	Jothy Rosenberg — New England, Nationwide Author, extreme athlete, entrepreneur and two-time cancer survivor empowers others to say “I CAN” in the face of major challenges. Topics: Disabilities, Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, Inspirational, Motivational, Success
	Kathryn Tull, MFT — Los Angeles Relationship specialist, therapist and trainer offers powerful techniques that help you feel heard and appreciated as you boost self-worth, honor your past, and reclaim your power in the present. Topics: Abuse, Family, Motivational, Personal Development, Relationships
	Christy Waters, RN, BSN, MA, CLNC — Los Angeles Registered Nurse and Certified Legal Nurse Consultant (CLNC) with pharmaceutical background shows legal professionals how to review medical data so you can decide if a case is worth your time and effort. Topics: Health Care Business, Legal, Medical & Nursing Malpractice

SEE ALL SPEAKERS

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TIPS AND ADVICE

- New Report About Meeting Attendees

Vickie Sullivan  www.sullivanspeaker.com

Do you think virtual attendees  those who attend conferences from the comfort of their cubicle multi-task more than the audience you speak to right in front of you? Nope everyone (over 80%) is checking their email during your presentation, according to this fascinating study about meeting attendees both virtually and face-to-face.

Conducted in May by PCMA (Professional Conference Management Association), so this data is pretty fresh.  Most interesting finding:  the different motivations between virtual and physical attendees.  The former signs on for the value of the content (97%) and ease of use (90%).  The latter gets on a plane to meet with the speakers and colleagues (68%) and to meet more customers and prospects (56%).  And everyone (over 80%) seems very comfortable networking with strangers both online and off.  (Thank you, social media!)

Pay attention to this finding content marketing and distribution needs are not being met.  Distribution on all devices yes, that means smart phones is now expected. Getting information before, during, and after the event is important to both types of attendees.  Content is still king; the demands for searchability and availability are a given.  And we are not just talking white papers either.  Videos and other interactive formats make a difference.

As experts who speak, we always want to know more about our audiences.  This report is a treasure trove of cool information.  Click here to get the report (sign in is required).

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Economic Significance of Meetings to the U.S. Economy Convention Industry Council

- Mary McKay, turnkeyspeaker.com

You will be interested to know that the Economic Significance of Meetings to the U.S. Economy Convention Industry Council 2011 just reported last week that 205 million people attend 1.8 million meetings a year in the U.S.  And as Meetings & Conventions reported last year, planners say that motivational messages are among the most appropriate keynote categories: of the 116 meeting planners who responded, 69 % say that an uplifting speech is highly appropriate followed by the second highest category, industry related topics at 62%.  They also reported that while 15% of respondents do not pay their keynote speakers, 28% budget less than $5,000 and at the high end of the spectrum, 3% can pay more than $50,000 for a top name.

They also reported that word of mouth if the prevailing method of finding speakers.  There is only one way that you can become word of mouth.  And that is if someone hears you and recommends you.  So those free gigs you are doing right now can make a big difference.

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- Approaching prospects — Ron Katz

I have been doing a consulting gig on the other side of the desk for the past couple of months and amazed at how many bad pitches I have received from speakers, trainers, and other assorted presenters. Most of the worst ones are all about the wonderful things the presenter can do with little or no effort made to find out what the organization I am working with needs. In other words, it is all about them. Remember to do your homework, find out what your target might need, and then sell them on the benefit of hiring you. No one is going to hire you because it is good for you. One person actually had the nerve to tell me he had  work for less than his usual fee because he really needs the work right now. You will only get the work if the target organization can see how it will benefit them

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- Authors Who Visit Book Clubs

Bill Harrison  Reporter Connection  http://www.reporterconnection.com

GalleyCat has created a new way to connect book clubs with authors who want to visit them in-person, by phone or via Skype video. It’s called, quite simply, “Authors Who Visit Book Clubs.” The directory already has more than 300 authors and can be found here. Want to add your name? Go to GalleyCat’s Facebook page to sign up for free.

You’ll probably find the real payoff from such appearances won’t be in the number of books you sell, but rather the chance to connect with your fans and get valuable feedback. For instance, Jim Collins decided to write Good to Great, a business bestseller which has sold over 4 million copies, after dinner with a reader of his previous bestseller Built to Last.
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-  7 Things Marketers Should Delete From Their Facebook Strategy NOW from HubSpot Blog

What to Axe From Your Facebook Marketing Strategy

1. A Business “Profile,” Not a Page: First things first. Before you even think about anything else, know this: businesses have Pages, people have Profiles. If you haven’t already, create a Facebook Page for your business immediately. If you’ve already set up a Profile, Facebook enables you to convert it into a Page. Pages are specifically built for companies, brands, and organizations, and they provide all the right functionality (e.g. generating fans) for your business’ Facebook presence.

2. A Lengthy Page URL: So now you have a Page. What comes with it is this really long, unidentifiable, impossible-to-remember URL. Make it easy to communicate your Facebook presence to others by creating a vanity URL and username that’s easy to remember and share. For example, HubSpot’s Facebook Page URL is http://www.facebook.com/hubspot. (Note: Once your vanity URL is set, Facebook doesn’t let you change it, so make it count!) Read more

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- The Ultimate Google+ Cheat Sheet
hubspot.com

Google+ is growing like crazy. In fact, it is the fastest growing social network ever. Just as with any other social network, marketers have a lot to learn and do. So we thought we would invest some time into making your life easier. In this post, we’ve compiled the best content about Google+ from all across the web. Use it to learn how to leverage Google+ for both business and personal uses.

Google+ Vocabulary: Quick Reference Glossary

Stream:  the list of messages that is displayed on the Google+ home screen and for each Circle of contacts

Hangout:  a platform for group video chatting and collaboration that is used by Google+ members

Circle:  the method of organizing connections into groups for more targeted sharing and better privacy

Google Profile:  your personal home on Google+, which allows you to share interesting, work experiences, personal information, and much more

Sparks:  the magazine of Google+, which bring together information on a topic for easy viewing. Enter a keyword, and see public Google+ posts on that topic.
Read more:

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SEPTEMBER  TELELCLASSES
SPEAKERS COMMUNITY

Teleclasses FREE for Speakers Community Members. Join now and get  2 months complimentary
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September 15,  3 Steps to Success: Niche Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Speaking Business Profitably, Susan Friedman, CSP

In this dynamic and high-content session, you will learn a unique 3-Step Riches in Niches Success Formula to build your speaking business faster and with less frustration. This practical framework of powerful, proven, and simple-to-use success strategies, makes it easier for you to find and cash in the right niche market for your business.

Join Susan Friedmann, The NichePreneur Coach, to discover simple steps to success to grow your speaking business profitably.  Read more/register

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September 26, Websites that Sell for Experts, Authors, Speakers, Kriste Rimmele

Learn proven strategies to help you effortlessly attract customers, get more leads, and command higher fees.

Discover:

-  5 tips to help you skyrocket the profits on your website

-   How to build an effective speaker website that gets you booked

-   How to build a personal brand that makes you unforgettable.

Kristie Rimmele knows first-hand how to build massive publicity and sales online.  She is the found of Webmomz.com, a community for work at home moms, president of Branding on the Net, and author of several books including I Love My Life: A Moms Guide to Working from Home. Read more/register

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WORKSHOPS IN LA & ORANGE COUNTY

Monday, October 17, Talk Up Your Business, Master the Message, Master the Marketing Workshop, Los Angeles

Jack Barnard, Susan Levin, Ursula Mentjes, Jean-Noel Bassior

SPEAKERS, AUTHORS, EXPERTS, COACHES, CONSULTANTS

Gain Credibility, Boost Your Visibility & Get More Clients by Talking Up Your Business

If you are a would-be speaker, a business hotshot, an entrepreneur or a network marketer; if you have a product, service or about-to-be-realized dream; you absolutely need to be speaking about it, do seminars & workshops about  you need a kick-butt website, you need to blog about, to social network about, to get great publicity about — and you definitely need to know all the up-to-the-minute marketing tricks!

In short: to truly make a lasting impact, you need to be a media maven: a compelling presenter…a website wizard…a publicity hound…a master marketer.

GREAT, practical advice and training, energizing and inspirational presenters from whom I learned a great deal.  Strategies I know I’ll use over and over.  Thanks to Susan and Jack for a weekend that left me confident and prepared!
- Melinda Bates, Author, Clintonista, A White House Memoir

See the program and register

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Saturday, October 29,  Market Yourself as a Speaker, Susan Levin

Are you a seasoned expert with years of advice and experience to pass along? Whether you are an executive, educator or salesperson you could be missing out on an important source of your income: THE SPEAKING CIRCUIT.

The information, techniques and tools that you’ll receive from attending Market Yourself as a Speaker are essential to building your speaking business.

Market Yourself as a Speaker workshop is the dash track to making the changes necessary to reach your target market.
- Suzanne Takowsky, Beverly Hills Times Magazine

Learn more and register

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Monday, November 7,  Speak Your Way to More Clients, Capistrano Beach, Ursula Mentjes and Susan Levin

Speak Your Way to More Clients was packed with tricks of the speaking trade.  Following the examples provided during the workshop will be vital to making my next speaking engagement a great success!,  Carleen Paul, Skills for Success Reading Center

Establish yourself as an Expert through speaking  a powerful marketing tool that lifts your business or service to the next level. Begin now to build a profitable speaking business that gets your message out to the world!

- The Tools to Establish Yourself as the Expert in your Industry
- Generate List Building Systems to stay in front of your Prospects and Clients
- Proven Strategies to Land more Speaking Engagements
- Discover the Problem that you Solve for your Clients and the best way to Communicate it to the Decision Maker
- Create your Top 25 Target Client List and more
Read more/register

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Tweets of interest

- 10 Reasons Why an Online Speaker Kit Gets Meeting Planners to Book You! http://bit.ly/r5AU40 so what do you speak about?

- I luv my AudioAcrobat http://bit.ly/pDSQ6J do you use it? If not check it out. My favorite resource.

- Resources 4 speakers, experts & authors Blog: hundreds of posts http://speakerscommunity.com/blog & videos Utube Channel http://tinyurl.com/2e3dzjm Rock on!

- Get Booked on Radio Talk Shows http://bit.ly/p0oRIv Alex Carroll shows you how to Get Rich & Become Famous Being A Guest on Big Radio Shows

- Do you have an mp3 library? Favorite resource for speakers/authors. Hundreds of interviews, 60 days free. Join now http://www.speakerscommunity.com

- 17 Things Marketers Should Delete From Their Facebook Strategy NOW http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/23603/17-Things-Marketers-Should-Delete-From-Their-Facebook-Strategy-NOW.aspx via @HubSpot

-ASU LEARNING: University bringing more speakers to campus and community http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2011/aug/29/asu-bringing-more-speakers-to-campus-and/

-The Ultimate Google+ Cheat Sheet http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/23765/The-Ultimate-Google-Cheat-Sheet.aspx via @HubSpot

- Interesting article about Groupon http://www.smallbusinessnewz.com/topnews/2011/08/29/daily-deals-groupon-down-livingsocial-up-facebook-out

August 2011 E-Zine

Marketing & Training Services since 1992

Speaker Services: http://www.speakerservices.com

In this issue:

- A note from Susan Levin

- News from our speakers and colleagues

- Teleclasses & Workshops

- Tweets and Blog Post of Interest

This past week I had the pleasure of teaching Speak Your Way to More Clients with my colleague Ursula Menjtes.  We also had the pleasure of coaching a client from Colorado for three days in person who you will be hearing about in a few months as soon as we complete his branding and speaker listing.  As a marketing consultant for speakers, authors and experts I am always talking about the need to have promotional marketing materials.  I am sure you have heard me say speaking is a business and it is essential to have well written materials. So if you are not getting the media attention you deserve or attracting new clients or not getting speaking gigs it could be your promo materials.

Speaker Services team can assist you with speaker proposals, one sheets, bio’s, interview questions, press releases and more.  I have posted the services on our blog along with a description of each item see http://bit.ly/qIRbHL We are offering complimentary intakes with a suggested plans of action.  E-mail me susan@speakerservices.com if you would like a session.  You may also be interested in reading 10 Reasons Why an Online Speaker Kit Gets Meeting Planners to Book You! http://bit.ly/nfNRqf

If you are in Los Angeles you could attend Market Yourself as a Speaker Workshop on 8/13 where you will learn about professional promotional materials from me.  See details

Are you doing anything for fun this summer?  Jack Barnard, our master branding. media & presentation coach along with 15 folks are.  What exactly are they doing you ask?  They are in a 5 part Inspired Improvisation class learning how to get out of their head and into their bodies and to think on their feet.  Lots of belly laughter the first evening. The last evening 8/29 is a performance and you are invited to attend complimentary.  It is in Venice, CA.  E-mail me for the information and if you are interested in attending or for the next series.

As you may know we are going to Atlanta on Sept 30 and Oct 1 for Talk Up Your Business Workshop.  On August 11, I am offering a free teleclass preview with our speakers on Talk Up Your Business.  You can meet Daphne Bousquet, Rick Frishman, Jack Barnard & Susan Levin, register here

In Atlanta see workshop info http://www.speakerservices.com/talkupyourbiz . Psst there is an early registration fee by 8/30 of $147.  We have had many requests from out West Coast peeps to offer a similar workshop in Los Angeles and I am working on it as I write and will be announcing the date soon.

Speak Your Way to More Business

Susan Levin

Speaker Services, susan@speakerservices.com

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Welcome to our new speaker for August 2011

Devin C. Hughes is a Coach, trainer and former athlete shows how to conquer the sense of alienation called “The Isolation Syndrome” and get your life back.
Bullying, Cultural Diversity, Learning Disorders, Motivational, Parenting and Children

See all speakers and authors

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Speakers’ Community Membership Club

Teleclasses are complimentary for members of the Speakers Community  join now 60 days free

Wednesday, August 24

Heartfelt Marketing: Allowing the Universe to Be Your Business Partner interview with Jacquie Jordan teleclass

Once again Jacquie Jordan does an excellent job of telling how it is. Anyone who is interested in the marketing field no longer has to experience sleepless nights, fear and anxiety. What you need is here in “Heartfelt Marketing”. Jacquie knows what she’s talking about.   Learn more and register.
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WORKSHOPS in LA & Atlanta

Friday & Saturday, September 30 and October 1

ATLANTA-  Talk Up Your Business, Master the Message, Master the Marketing

Speakers, Authors, Consultants, Coaches, Experts, Entrepreneurs, CEO’s

If you’re a would-be speaker, a business hotshot, an entrepreneur or a network marketer; if you have a product, service or about-to-be-realized dream; you absolutely need to be speaking about it, do seminars & workshops about… you need a kick-butt website, you need to blog about, to social network about, to get great publicity about — and you definitely need to know all the up-to-the-minute marketing tricks!

In short: to truly make a lasting impact, you need to be a media maven: a compelling presenter…a website wizard…a publicity hound…a master marketer.

See the program and register.  Early registration ends 8/30. $147 for 2 days.

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New workshop:  Monday, October 17 in Venice, CA

Charisma: Great Leaders Have It Workshop

For Executives, Coaches, Entrepreneurs, Speakers

Led  by Jack Barnard, Susan Levin and Tony Perez

Charisma: a strong personal quality that makes other people like you and be attracted to you.  Macmillan Dictionary

Charisma: a personal magic of leadership arousing special loyalty or enthusiasm. Merriam-Webster

Read more

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NEWS From OUR SPEAKERS & COLLEAGUES

See Jean-Noel Bassior’s video and write up in Day In The Life: Executive Chef at Westwood’s W Hotel – Westwood-Century City, http://t.co/XzdZcO9

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Story On Biking: the amazing story of Jothy Rosenberg http://t.co/ANRSk0p
Jothy is an author, speaker and extreme athlete, entrepreneur and two-time cancer survivor empowers others to say “I CAN” in the face of major challenges. He speaks about Disabilities, Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, Inspirational, Motivational, Success see his speaker listing http://bit.ly/nphM9F

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Speaker and author Helaine Harris shares:
I am thrilled to invite you to register for a FREE Teleseminar series specifically designed for folks who want more love and abundance in their lives. It’s called the Activate Amazing Prosperity with Heart Energy! You will hear from 13 experts, authors and speakers in activating your heart and power centers to attract amazing abundance. Do you feel like you’re doing something WRONG?  No matter how hard you try and or whatever new thing you do, you don’t have enough money?  That is all about to change http://www.hzharris.com/telesummit

Helaine is a leading-edge coach and therapist reveals deep connection between love and abundance, shows how to attract clients and customers who appreciate you, and how to access your inner wisdom to fulfill your life purpose.  See Helaine’s speaker listing http://bit.ly/p7KCtT

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Bill Harrison wrote, Simon & Schuster reports that, in its first week, Jaycee Dugards’s memoir, A Stolen Life, sold approximately 700,000 copies. On the very first day it was published, Jaycee’s book sold 175,000 copies – & almost 100,000 were e-books. That’s an e-book record. What are you doing to tap the e-reader market?

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Lessons, Tips, Laughs and Gasps from ‘Shedding the Corporate Bitch’ by Bernadette Boas

Bernadette Boas Author, Speaker, Radio Personality, Change Agent, Brand Maker – Shedding the Bitch, Raising Capital – ASK ME

Have you encountered a bully or nasty boss, or an aggressive team member in the office… even at home? Have you ever wondered what motivates them to be who they are? 

For twenty-five years, I was that corporate bully, and now am thrilled to announce that my first book, Shedding the Corporate Bitch, has just been published on August 1. 

It’s my apology to all of the road kill that I left behind, while it also educates those afflicted by those nasty people about what causes them to lash out and create a challenging work environment. 

Now available everywhere, my personal story provides insights into the successes, failures, lessons learned, influences, and overall impact that my professional persona (Corporate Bitch) had on my career. 

 

Available now at your local bookstore, Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com, and online at www.sheddingthecorporatebitch.com where you can also get a free autographed copy!!

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Who says complimentary speaking does not turn into paid gigs?

“I got a free gig from Speaker Services for the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, and after the presentation last week in Palm Springs, they contracted me to do four 50 min. tele-coaching sessions as a follow up. I didn’t have to submit a proposal or even negotiate—and I’m getting $2500! Also, they are interested in me for several other training/facilitating opportunities—woohoo!.” – Nan Vaughn, Speaker/ Author. See Nan’s Speaker listing

Want what Nan has? Our service has been connecting speakers, coaches, experts and authors together with audiences since 1992. http://www.speakerservices.com

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Pat Mussieux writes Any opportunity to speak is a gift, as far as I am concerned. It’s a chance to get your message out, to transform lives, to practice your presentation/skills, etc. – the critical piece is to ensure it is your ideal audience! And the critical piece is definitely ‘seeding’ throughout your presentation – and follow-up! Follow-up! Follow-up!

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Dr. Carole Lieberman weighs in on KTLA TV on Casey Anthony case http://t.co/W98oGHT .

Dr. Carole is the go-to guest for Oprah, Larry King, Katie Couric, Bill O’Reilly, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight, CNN, Fox News, BBC, and other major media outlets when they need expert insight into the top news stories of the day or how to deal with life’s ups and downs. See Carole’s speaker listing

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SEE WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT OUR SERVICES

Susan Levin is a great mentor with great experience to share 
and a great heart to match! – Melissa Evans, Guru of Implementation

Susan provides a toolbox of services and experts for the business person or author who wants to develop a revenue stream from speaking engagements. I used both her training and directory and more than doubled my speaking revenue in less than 90 days.”
- Betty LaMarr, Executive Coach, Speaker

I really appreciate Susan Levin, she is intelligent, practical & a very nice person & offers solid advice about the speaking industry. She has great information on her website and is very professional. She really has a passion for the speaking industry & is not just in business for the money. I do not hesitate to recommend her. – Tiffany Bradshaw, Bradshaw & Co. Business Consulting

Get a speaker listing with Speaker Services and connect with audiences who want to hear your message: Learn more.
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TWEETS AND BLOG POSTS YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN:

- Learn marketing secrets & strategies that attract your ideal clients speakerservices.com/talkupyourbiz/ Atlanta 9/30 & 10/1 get your seat now

- Blog Discover how to secure your income for the rest of the year.The Top Item To Sell At Your Workshop @daphnebousquet http://t.co/lBAdvmA

- Check this video out — Susan Levin, What Meeting Planners are looking for in speakers http://t.co/YfDoEew Various formats for presenting.

- 15 Tips to Conquer Fear of Public Speaking: http://t.co/20D0Hx0 @dianediresta

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Follow us on

Twitter: http://twitter.com/speakerservices
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/susan.levin
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/susanlevin
Read the Blog http://speakerscommunity.com/blog
SpeakerServices Utube Channel http://tinyurl.com/2e3dzjm

By Kristie Rimmele of Branding on the Net

1. Meeting planners want to hire a speaker that makes them look good – an online media kit gives them everything thing need to know to decide now if you are the right speaker.
2. It allows meeting planners to see first hand what programs you offer and the specific takeaways that audience members will receive.
3. It helps meeting planners to check out your credentials so they are sure they are hiring someone with a high level of expertise and experience.
4. It provides meeting planners with a way to instantly see a video of you doing your best stuff.
5. Meeting planners get to read praise from others who hired you and be assured that you are a real pro who delivers.
6. It shows meeting planners the caliber of other clients who have hired you to present.
7. It gives meeting planners all the promotional materials they need to make their event a real success.
8. It tells meeting planners exactly what to do to book you now.
9. When the meeting planner DOES contact you – they are a hot lead – ready to book – you just close the deal.
10. Your competitor has one – if you don’t have one then guess who gets the job?
    Bottom line – if you want to book more speeches and fill your speaking calendar, you need an online speaker kit!

Article by Kristie Rimmele – Dubbed as the “Marketing Maven & Brander Extraordinaire” Kristie Rimmele turns entrepreneurs into the lavishly paid in-demand experts in their field. Learn how branding helps you to attract customers, build income, & gain visibility while successfully promoting your business online with our FREE report “Web Branding Secrets” by visiting www.brandingonthenet.com .

* Speaker Services offers professional writing for your presentation packets and consulting. Do You Have Professional Marketing Materials?  See http://bit.ly/olWlcb

Do You Have Professional Marketing Materials?

Not getting the media attention you deserve?

Not attracting new clients?

Not getting speaking gigs?

Speaker Services Team Can help

Services Include:

√  Speaker Listing for the web, social media, calls for proposals and in Speaker Services Online Directory. http://www.speakerservices.com/adv_pkt.html

√  One-sheets Made Easy
A one-sheet combines text with colorful photos and graphics to spotlight who you are and what you do. It can be one- or two-sided. Many speakers use one side to promote their speaking and the other to feature a book or product. Great for event planners and talk-show producers because they can quickly “get” what you’ll offer their audiences.

√ Bios and profiles: short, medium, long
Bios in three formats: short, medium and long, so you’ll always have what the media outlet needs.  Also write-ups and listings for corporate publications and professional directories.

√ Interview questions
Talk show hosts and producers love guests who send questions in advance ─ it cuts down their prep time and results in a better interview. We know how to create interview questions that allow you to hit the high points and tell the story you want to tell.

√ Introductions
Show up at your next speaking engagement armed with an intro you actually like!  We can provide short intros for TV, radio, and teleclass appearances; medium-length for speaking engagements.

√  Testimonials
We  can edit testimonials for maximum impact.

√  Pitch letters to editors, reporters, producers
You don’t have to wait for your next event to attract media interest. A strong pitch letter sent to reporters, editors and talk show producers can suggest story angles that generate interest in you, your work, or your product.

√ Press releases
Professionally done to announce an event or the release of a book, film or product; can also be used to link what you do to a local or national news story so the media will call on you as an expert.

√ Videos and Media Coaching
We can provide short, affordable video clips of clients talking about what they do. Great for  websites, blogs and YouTube, and better quality than most Web cams.

√ Website review + write, edit, or rewrite
Make your website copy short, compelling and user-friendly.  We’ll review your site, suggest ways to make it better, and write, re-write or edit the copy.

√ Book Mentor coaching to complete and publish your book
Need help writing or publishing your book? Should you query a literary agent and go mainstream, or is self-publishing best for you? If you opt for mainstream, we can show you how to write a powerful query letter and book proposal and how to play the publishing game like a pro. If you decide to self-publish, we can guide you through the process so you’ll get a great-looking book for the best possible price per copy.

√ Copy for book cover, front and back
Book covers sell books. We can write or re-write your front and back cover copy to make it irresistible.

√  POSITION, PROSPECT AND LAND GIGS NOW taught by Susan Levin & Jean-Noel Bassior (one-on-one or group sessions)

Success strategies for you and your staff. Identify target markets and decision makers. Learn how to leave voice messages that get call-backs.

Session 1
We coach the VA so she/he can market your client as a speaker in a more effective way. We’ll do four sessions. In the first, we’ll show how to make cold calls and get to the right person. We’ll also show how to follow up the first call with a proposal for meeting planners that clearly shows why they should book your client. We’ll coach the VA on how to write the proposal in a way that tailors it to each group’s needs. The VA will send us a draft of the proposal so we can make sure she’s on the right track.

Session 2
We go over the draft of the follow-up proposal with the VA and offer editing suggestions to make it as strong as possible. We make sure she understands how to write a powerful proposal that shows why the group or organization should book your client as a speaker.

Session 3
We show the VA how to prospect for gigs and research target audiences for both speaking and PR. A special report with the information covered will be provided at the end of the call. We will give a homework assignment to choose two or three organizations or companies to call. The VA will make the calls and report back to us in the next session.

Session 4
In the fourth session, we listen to the VA’s experience in contacting meeting planners and sending out proposals. We answer her questions and offer feedback to make sure she understands everything we have covered as she moves forward.

Call for a complimentary session today!

Speaker Services, Susan Levin: 310-822-4922 PT

Marketing & Training Services since 1992

Speaker Services: http://www.speakerservices.com

Greetings,

Today we are trying out a new e mail format.  Let me know if you like it.

There are a few items I want to share with you today that you may not be aware of that we offer.

I have been noticing that some folks come to workshops, buy home study courses and do not implement the information.  I know many of us including myself are in overwhelm  and probably could use some hand holding. So I decided to form a virtual group:  Marketing Works MasterMind Study Group.  It will meet once a month on the telephone for 90 minutes with a six month commitment. Each month I will be teaching a new element re speaker marketing and during that month you will digest the content and get the work done until we meet again.

I find that many folks sorta know what they need to do but sorta don’t get around to implementing.  This group is designed for just for that.  I will start the group once we have 10 people enrolled. It is a small monthly investment. Read more

Here is my second offer: Our team can put together your promotional materials ie: one-sheets, bios, speaker listing, interview questions, press releases.  I asked this question in my linkedin groups a few days ago, Not getting the speaking gigs? Do you have professional marketing materials?  Wow that stirred up a lot on interest and some controversy.  I took a look at what some speakers and authors thought were good marketing materials and sad to say they would never get booked for speaking nor media with what they had or didn’t have.

E-mail me susan@speakerservices.com for an appointment to discuss your needs and for us to recommend and customize the perfect package for you.  You do not have to be listed as a speaker in our directory to take advantage of this stellar service.  We  make you look professional so that you can get the gigs and media interviews.  See an example of a two sided one sheet that we created for our speaker and author Melissa Evans, The Guru of Implementation. Melissa Evans one sheet

In Los Angeles we are looking for 9 people to be part of an Inspired Improvisation Group for Speakers and Authors led by our master branding. media and presentation coach Jack Barnard. It is all about presence.  Jack shares,

“In my coaching I work from a model I call the Communion Trio: 1) Content 2) Connection and 3) Comfort. All three are equally important. You can have your topic nailed, memorized word-for-word, but if you are not present, in the moment, comfortable in your body, free in your emotions, somehow or other we know it, and the results of your presentation are greatly diminished.”

E-mail jackp.barnard@verizon.net if you want to play for 5 weeks in August with us.

Okay onto more stuff…

Susan Levin, Speaker Services, susan@speakerservices.com
310-822-4922 PT

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TIPS & ADVICE

I asked this question to some of my LinkedIn groups. Interesting responses. Are you passionate about what you speak about?

Speak Your Passion video http://t.co/QblXAld

Richard Kent Matthews – JFK once said that the only reason to give a speech is to change the world. Without passion, that isn’t possible. If you’re not convinced about what you speak of, how will anyone else be convinced.

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Steve Jobs:  Love what you do. Marketo Blog Secrets of Lead Generation Superstars

The founder and CEO of Apple Inc., Jobs believes that entrepreneurs must have a passion for what they’re doing. If you don’t love it, he reasons, you’re not likely to have the drive to successfully manage lead generation initiatives. You’re also more likely to eventually give up altogether. Loving what you do, he says, can make all the difference in the world.  Read more. http://bit.ly/iNt1VN

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Reporters Connection – For media leads

Not already a member? Join now to get our free media leads http://www.ReporterConnection.com/JoinNowFree/

A sample of what you will receive on a daily basis.

Business & Finance

1.  Looking To Interview Entrepreneurs Who Have Experienced Spectacular Failures In Business (HireYourVirtualAssistant.com/Blog)

2.  How Did You Successfully Outsource Your B2B Sales Leads Generation? (HireYourVirtualAssistant.com/Blog)

Food & Cooking

4.  Heart & Soul Food (Kardea Kitchen Online/Book)

5.  Have Any Great Summer Family Entrée Ideas? (Various Blogs)

Health, Nutrition & Fitness

6.  Seeking Personal Injury Attorney In New York City Area For Cable TV Show Interview (Local Access Cable Television)

Psychology & Self-Improvement

7.  Fallen Ministers (Civitas Press)

8.  Seeking Stories About Overcoming Adversity (KXRB Radio)

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Joan Stewart, The Publicity Hound shares Google’s +1 Button

1. Install Google’s +1 Button

When Google, the King of Search, gives Publicity Hounds an easy way to let our websites and blogs stand out, we need to embrace it with all four paws.

The newest tool is the +1 button, shorthand for “this is pretty cool” or “you should check this out.”

It’s already popping up on websites and blogs, including  my blog.

Here’s how it works:

When you install the code that makes the button visible on your own site, people who like your content can click on it and tell Google and others that they’re recommending it. It’s Google’s equivalent of Facebook’s Like button.

But here’s the really powerful part. When you recommend somebody else’s content, your photo shows up when that person’s website is listed in Google’s search results. Your photo will show up only if you already have a Google Profile.

Do these four things today:

–If you don’t have a Google Profile, create one.

–Install the button at your website and blog. Or save yourself the headache and have your webmaster do it for you.

–Start recommending content you see elsewhere by clicking on the +1 button.

Reprinted from “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” an ezine featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity. Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive by email the handy cheat sheet “89 Reasons to Send a Press Release.”

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WORKSHOPS IN LA, ORANGE COUNTY, SAN DIEGO & ATLANTA

See all workshops

July 29, Speak Your Way to More Clients, Ursula Mentjes & Susan Levin, Capistrano Beach

“Are you tired of figuring out where to find new clients? It’s time for them to find you!”

Ursula Mentjes (Sales Expert) and Susan Levin (Industry Expert) have teamed up to teach you how to grow your business through speaking!

“Speak Your Way to More Clients was packed with “tricks of the speaking trade”!  Following the examples provided during the workshop will be vital to making my next speaking engagement a great success!”, Carleen Paul, Skills for Success Reading Center

“This is the perfect blueprint for pursuing a successful speaking career!  Getting the actual “HOW” was absolutely priceless!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!” -Janise Graham, Janise Graham Insurance and Financial Services

Learn more

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August, 13 – Market Yourself as a Speaker

led by Susan Levin, Marina del Rey

Nuts and bolts of lecture circuit.

Are you a seasoned expert with years of advice and experience to pass along? Whether you are an executive, educator or salesperson you could be missing out on an important source of your income: THE SPEAKING CIRCUIT.  Learn more/register

“Susan has given me a great deal of personal advice which has helped me go forward in my career as a speaker and consultent. I am honored to know Susan and to have the opportunity to work with her.” - Michael Hingson, Speaker & Author

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TELECLASS

Teleclasses are complimentary if you are a member of the Speakers Community Membership Club.  Join now. 60 days complimentary. Your audio/mp3 library of expert interviews twice a month.

see all teleclasses

7/29 Teleclass: It Takes More Then Talent- Marketing Your Speaking Services Interview with David Rohlander http://bit.ly/j2EIf4

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Tweets & Blog Posts of interest:

- Secrets of Lead Generation Superstars – http://t.co/vlU1EU4

- 5 Foolproof Ways to Generate Leads From Facebook http://t.co/jpoDhbc via @HubSpot

- Heartfelt Marketing: Allowing the Universe to Be Your Business Partner a must read book Jacquie Jordan cover photo by Starla Fortunato

- 10 Social Media Tips for Professional Speakers | Market Yourself as a Speaker: http://t.co/gHMX8kF Tip Search Engine Optimize Your Blog

- New blog post 75 Tips for Using Video in Business: Carol Roth’s Blog Read full  http://bit.ly/lXgokq

- Experts Do u have yr marketing presentation materials ready? We make u look professional Speaker Services team can help http://t.co/jMqTUtd

- Leverage yr expertise 4 more business. Create a magnetic presence. Talk Up Your Biz Atlanta check it out http://t.co/cu0bNfE

- Blog Leave Voicemail Messages That Have Prospects Begging To Meet You http://t.co/pPkVFcB 5 strategies 2 increase your enticement quotient.

- Visit Speaker Services online store. Improve your skill set learn from the experts

Invite from Susan Levin

COMPLIMENTARY

YOU…THE STAR!!! SPEAK-WRITE-MARKET MINI SUMMIT & VIDEO DEMO SHOWCASE In Los Angeles

Sunday, Sept.26, 9:30am-5pm   $FREE  Register Now

In this day and age, to truly make a lasting impact, you need to be a media conglomerate: a compelling speaker…a credible author…a believable video performer…a master marketer.

In “YOU…THE STAR!!!” you will learn — from acknowledged experts in their respective fields — the ins and outs, the secrets and strategies for being a multi-faceted media personality.

Regardless of profession, everyone is an expert in their field and this event is a perfect opportunity to turn your expertise into a successful business; to master the game of speaking, to navigate the latest technology, and learn exciting new strategies for producing active and passive income.

THE PROMISE OF “YOU…THE STAR!!!”

- EARN why the magic of speaking is invisible

- POLISH your performance, presentation and communication skills, no matter what field you are in

- TRICKS to sharing your passion & excitement that translate into action and sales

- WITNESS a live video demo shoot

- DISCOVER why a speaker video demo is the ultimate calling card

- GET the #1 secret so you can “play” on camera – it’s the magic secret sauce that brings you $$S!

- LEVERAGE videos into your marketing campaign and convert visitors into customers

- EXPLORE self-publishing vs mainstream publishing

- CREATE time to write your book

- TURN your content into cash

- FIND out how event producers decide who gets booked

- UNCOVER what’s uniquely marketable about you and your mission

- MASTER Social Media, Blogs, Article Writing, Teleseminars, UTube

PRESENTERS:
Jack Barnard is a master presentation & branding coach, a media trainer & writer: a true maverick in the business. He works with speakers, authors & entrepreneurs, both one-on-one and in groups. His original method emphasizes the uniqueness of the individual, focusing on the permission to bring forth one’s distinctive style.

Susan Levin is owner & founder of Speaker Services. Susan is an International Marketing Consultant for speakers & authors. Her company offers marketing & training services & video production service.

Jean-Noel Bassior is a book coach & journalist who specializes in celebrity interviews. She is the author of Space Patrol: Missions of Daring in the Name of Early Television published by McFarland.

Barbara Niven is an Actress, Speaker and Performance Coach.  Barbara is in demand as a Performance Coach for actors, hosts, speakers & executives. In her studio she videotapes sessions for instant replay & feedback.

Location:  Marina del Rey, 9:30am-5pm

When you register you will receive the address and location.

REGISTER NOW

Great post by Helena Bouchez in MarketingProf Today

As I always say speaking is one of the best ways to connect directly with decision makers in your industry. Following the noted guidelines will help you better connect with the decision makers who can put you in front of an audience.

Speaker  Services can assist you in preparing your marketing materials and videos so that you will be more professional.  View a short video that I created on Speaker Marketing Plans at the bottom of this page.

Getting speaking gigs can be a mysterious and frustrating process, particularly if you don’t have much experience. You know the drill: Send pithy email offering yourself up (or copiously fill out online proposal form). Hit Send. Wait.

To find out what happens during “wait,” I interviewed a few content directors and program advisers, as well as some Web-seminar and teleseminar producers responsible for booking speakers.

Here is what they said, along with some sage advice on how to increase your chances of getting that breakout gig.

Be Patient

Long lead times for live conferences and events are the rule rather than the exception. Planning typically begins at least six months ahead of time but, depending on the size of the event or industry, can begin up to a year in advance.

Heather Lloyd-Martin, owner of SuccessWorks Search Marketing and program adviser for PubCon, SEMpdx, and major Direct Marketing Association conferences, explains: “There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes…. [When we're considering a speaker, there might be additional planning and logistics, and several layers of approval needed before we can confirm the slot.

" Lloyd-Martin says they approach A-list speakers first and then contact others who they think might be a fit. But, Unknowns, take heart. Lloyd-Martin says if she thinks you will do a good job and provide a fresh voice and perspective, she will bring you on.

Web seminars and teleseminars have shorter lead times (one to four weeks for teleseminars, three to four months for Web seminars) but can be even tougher to get in on because presenting virtually is much harder than speaking in person, says Marty Fahncke, a professional speaker and president of Conference Call University.

"If you are someone who feeds off the energy of people when onstage, the Web [seminar] or teleseminar format may not be for you. Keeping a virtual presentation moving and afloat requires the ability to sustain high, high energy for the entire session.”

Be Online

To be considered for either format, a robust online footprint is essential. “The first thing I’m going to do is type your name into Google,” says Fahncke. “I really want to see a book, but at the very least I should see examples of you being quoted by the media and links to whitepapers and articles you’ve written. Next, I’ll type in a few key phrases that would make sense given your topic. If you’re truly an expert in your field, your name should appear on the first page.”

MarketingProfs’ Web-seminar producer, Shelley Ryan, adds, “It’s best if I have come across your name already on social-media and networking [sites,] such as Twitter and LinkedIn. I want to know what you’re tweeting, are you interesting, are you engaged in conversation within the industry?”

Ryan says when considering someone for a slot, she will Google a candidate’s name to see what she can find out, and go to the candidate’s website and read the bio.

As for websites, all agree that a good one may not get you the gig but a bad one can lose it for you. Ryan recounts an incident with a Web expert she was considering for a presentation.

“He had a pretty good reputation and some interesting things to say about lead generation, and I thought, Gee, maybe… To find out more, I went to his website, but I didn’t stay long. It looked like his nephew had built it for him.”

Traci Browne, president of tradeshow marketing firm Red Cedar Publicity and Marketing, books speakers for organizations, including the Business Marketing Association Philadelphia. She says she looks for online evidence of expertise but will contact the organizers of conferences in which speakers have presented to before to find out what the audience response was.

Says Browne, “In this day and age of Flip cameras, it is almost not acceptable to not have a video sample of your presentation—or several samples. We’re not looking for high production values; we just want to see if you’re a good speaker or not. A video will show us how dynamic you are.”

Lloyd-Martin says she tries to get a sense of a person’s personality and what that person will be like in front of an audience. She also emphasizes that title and position do not guarantee someone is going to be a good speaker (a statement that everyone I interviewed agrees with).

“We’ve had really high-level executives read straight from their notes, which the audience does not enjoy. They might have a fantastic message, but if people tune out, it gets lost,” Lloyd-Martin says.

To avoid that scenario, she taps her network to find someone who has heard the person speak before or has been on a panel with that person. If she doesn’t have contacts, she said, she might dig into what the person has done online.

“Everyone’s an expert and being promoted as [an] expert. But if I go online and find that the person has never written on their topic, and I can’t find any information about them beyond LinkedIn, I have to wonder if they are really who they tout themselves to be,” she says.

Make Contact

How people want to be contacted varies. For example, Ryan prefers to be contacted directly by the speaker, rather than by a public-relations (PR) person or handler.

“Talking directly to the presenter allows me to start a relationship as well as to get a sense of what that person is going to be like for a broadcast.”
She doesn’t have much patience for candidates who play hard to get. Case in point:

“If a Guy Kawasaki [founder and managing director of Garage Technology Ventures and co-founder of Alltop] or Seth Godin [best-selling author and renowned speaker] can pick up the phone and call me directly…” Lloyd-Martin doesn’t mind working with representatives but cautions, “Build a relationship with me but don’t hammer, or I’ll be thinking, If I bring on this speaker, I’ll be bringing on this obnoxious PR person, too. Can I handle that? All agree it’s a good idea to ask what the preferred form of contact is in the initial email and to abide by it.

Browne urges candidates not to underestimate the power and purpose of the online proposal application form, which she uses as a screening tool. “If speakers can’t be bothered to fill out the form, chances are they won’t put much thought into their presentation, either.”

All agree that if there is an online submission form, it’s safe to assume that is the way the organization prefers to receive your application. Other things on which the interviewees agree: (1) Email is the best way to make initial contact, and (2) dispense with the clever subject line (which might be construed as spam) and get right to the point.

If you don’t hear back within a few days, it’s acceptable to send a follow-up email. If there is still no response, then call the person to make sure the email has been received and didn’t get caught in a spam folder. Remember to leave your email address on the voice mail so the person can check.

Pet peeve: people who enable email return receipts. Don’t.

Engage

Browne says proposals from association members and those who have a booth at the show definitely carry more weight. Her advice: “If you do get a booth, rather than staffing it with a salesperson handing out tchotchkes, consider offering free 20-minute mini-consultations to discuss solutions to pain points of participants who might be prospective clients.”

Similarly, Ryan says, MarketingProfs recruits first from its network of member contributors and often will invite candidates to write an article for the site to gauge interest in the topic based on click-throughs and reader feedback.

* * *

Helena Bouchez is principal and owner of Helena B Communications

An important element of your business is testimonials.  I teach my clients to collect their testimonials from their speaking engagements and add them to their marketing packets, blogs. flyers and websites.

LinkedIn has a recommendation section where you can write testimonials about your colleagues.  The following testimonials came from LinkedIn.

Here is how I will use them:  Posting it right here on my blog, adding it to my speaking coaching page on my website.

It is tricky to say I am the greatest…however, if you use a third party endorsement you can say Executive Coach, so and so said ….. Now you can add it to your bio and speaker introduction.

I love the following words.  This is how my colleagues and clients rate me on LinkedIn.

Qualities: Great Results , Personable, Creative, Expert , Good Value, Integrity

“Susan is a brilliant, dedicated and enthusiastic teacher and coach. She has helped my sister to develop professional skills in public speaking, in front of live groups and on video. Her seminars and newsletters are chock full of invaluable information yet despite her popularity, Susan treats everyone as a unique and important individual. I would highly recommend her.”
- Sigrid Macdonald, Writer , Freelance

“Susan offers a great deal of information at an affordable price. Her speaker services calls and services offer a great deal of support for speakers.”
- Jeanette Chasworth, Interior Designer

“Susan helps speakers grow in their skills and marketing capabilities. She invests her time, energy, passion and expertise to develop others. I worked with Susan at a speaker showcase and video production session in Beverly Hills, and got fantastic results from the event and the video. I highly recommend Susan to anyone who wants to boost their speaking career to the next level.”
- Gene Mage, Speaker

“Susan provides a toolbox of services and experts for the business person or author who wants to develop a revenue stream from speaking engagements. I used both her training and directory and more than doubled my speaking revenue in less than 90 days.”
- Betty LaMarr, Executive Coach, Speaker

“Susan Levin will push you into greatness. She knows what needs to be done to help you and she will make sure you get there. She has an amazing capacity to attract some of the best speakers and teachers to her seminars.”
- Gurutej Khalsa

“I had the occasion to refer a client to Susan and Speaker Services. The reports from my client were glowing, beyond her expectations. She reported tremendous value from the experience with Susan. I will refer to her again and again.”
- Rory Cohen, Founder and President , Entelekey, Inc./Take 10 now

“Through her web site, www.speakerservices.com, I have received several speaking invitations which turned into contracts. Susan is well connected in the speaking community and is willing to share her connections and vast knowledge. Whenever ANYONE asks me how to begin a public speaking career my FIRST recommendation is that they visit Susan’s web site and join her networks. Susan has also given me a great deal of personal advice which has helped me go forward in my career as a speaker and consultent. I am honored to know Susan and to have the opportunity to work with her.”
- Michael Hingson, Speaker

“Susan is a great resource for anyone who wants to expand their talents in speaking and writing. I have worked with Susan on several occasions and she has always been helpful with great advice. You can count on Susan to give you un-biased advice that is in your best interest. Her company, Speaker Services is worth your investment if you want to become a speaker or writer for profit.”
- Steve Martinez

“I first met Susan at a meeting for the National Speakers Association and heard her speak. She offers wonderful services for anyone who is thinking about becoming a speaker professionally. I recommend her services highly.
- Basia Chris, Marketive”

“Susan is just amazing at getting new speakers up and running in the profession.”
- Debra Valle, Coach

“Susan’s years of experience pay off! She is able to help clients always create a professional product that will take them to the next step on the way to their goals.”
- Camille Leon, President , WAVEgeneration

“Susan has a tremendous wealth of knowledge pertaining to the speaking world. Her events are extremely entertaining and filled with useful information from people at the highest peak in their speaking careers. I was introduced to Susan three years ago at the start of my new career. I wanted to learn how to become a more effective speaker, however life and mainly fears gave way to me avoiding a phone call to Susan. That changed a year ago when I enrolled in the Speaker’s Bootcamp. Along with Jack Barnard, Susan has taught me so much that week about the art of speaking but mainly, the spirit within me to capture my audience. I highly encourage anyone interested in learning about how to become a speaker to contact Susan and her band of merry teachers. You will be a better person for it; even just to be in her network.”
- Keav Ung , Financial Consultant , Retirement Benefits Consulting

“Susan does such an amazing job of putting on seminars that really help people improve their speaking abilities and effectiveness in any environment. She also has an ability to attract great people to her workshops so that you are surrounded by high level instructors and fellow students. I highly recommend her to anyone interested in speaking.”
- Raul Martinez

“Susan is a long-time pro when it comes to helping people get going in the speaking business, and I say that in a good way. She is constantly looking for ways to help new speakers get their acts together-literally-and to help them create successful speaking businesses. The people she hires to help her are all.”
-Alan Stafford

“Susan is incredibly generous in sharing her knowledge. Her private consultations yield great results. She also creates powerful events with wonderful networking opportunities as well as top-flight experts in the speaking industry. Susan has a deep commitment to offering high value at reasonable prices – I highly recommend her and Speaker Services!”
- Moira Shepard

“I would strongly recommend Speaker Services to anyone who is thinking about using speaking in public to enhance their business. Susan is professional, available, knowledgeable, generous and I always had an excellent return on my investment from Speaker Services!”
- Jessica Waters [Duquette]

“Susan is a tenacious networker. This manifests itself both through her exhaustive online as well as offline projects. She really spends all day, every day, keeping her ear to the ground to be aware of opportunities, best business practices and the latest useful tidbits. While this would have the potential to be distracting in another individual, in Susan it creates a comprehensive knowledge of the speaking industry at all levels and from all points of view.”
- Sam Levy, Netman

“Susan Levin is an expert in the field of Speaking and Training and has truly helped me launch my speaking career. In addition, she has connected me with phenomenal speaking opportunities and wants to see all of her clients and business associates succeed. I highly recommend Susan and her company, Speaker Services!”
- Ursula Mentjes, Author, Speaker

“I have taken Susan’s Media Speak, Speaker Summit and Market Yourself as a Speaker workshops. Susan offers AMAZING value and goes above and beyond to make sure that her students are successful. Her speaker listings are excellent. I recommend Susan as a top professional as well as a compassionate and caring person.”
-Carole Hodges, Speaker, Coach

“Susan has a passion and dedication to helping business people demonstrate their expertise through speaking and getting media attention. She knows the best people and is a wonderful resource. She really wants you to succeed.”
- Dr. Jeanette Raymond, Therapist

“Susan has been an invaluable resource for me. Because of Susan, my presentation skills have increased, my confidence as a speaker has increased and she has introduced me to wonderful people who have been tremendously helpful in other ways. This includes media experts, radio and TV hosts, etc. In addition, the video demo on my website was done by her company. If you want to make speaking a career or use speaking as a vehicle to enhance your business, choose Susan Levin as your # 1 resource.”
- Todd Creager, Therapist, Author, Speaker

“Susan is a great coach in professional development. I’ve learned a great deal from Susan Levin and her organization on public speaking presentations, self promotion, and marketing. I highly recommend her for your professional needs.”
- Susan Orosco

Just thought I would let you know that I have been getting hit after hit after hit on a comment I made on a CNN article on Professional Speaking for a living. EVERYBODY wants to know how to get their name out there.  I am letting the folks who contacted me regarding a career in speaking know about your services and the upcoming Speakers Summit. The support I have received from you has TRULY paid off.
- Marja Lee Freeman

Susan Levin is a marketing consultant for speakers and authors.  She is the owner of Speaker Services since 1992.  The online directory Speaker Services brings speakers and audiences together.  She can be reached at susan@speakerservices.com

Carmine Gallo  BusinessWeek

Practice makes perfect. Get in front of an audience by teaching a class or lecturing at conferences, libraries, or service clubs

New York real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran is a featured judge on Mark Burnett’s new ABC business reality show, Shark Tank. You might be familiar with Corcoran’s story—turning a boyfriend’s $1,000 loan into the Corcoran Group, a $5 billion real estate empire. You might be less familiar with how she became an effective public speaker. It’s simple, really. Corcoran recognized her weaknesses and sought every opportunity to overcome them.

After entering real estate, Corcoran was asked to give a speech to a banking group. During it, she froze up and couldn’t finish. The next morning, she decided to teach herself how to be a better speaker and signed up to teach a course at New York University. “Losing my voice at that speech was wonderful. I was rewarded for not being a good communicator,” Corcoran once told me when I interviewed her for one of my books. Great speakers are not born. They work at it. In Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell suggests it takes 10,000 hours of practice to be world-class at a particular skill. Well, you’ll never practice speaking and presenting that much if you don’t pursue every opportunity to refine your skill. Follow Corcoran’s lead, and decide on a topic or two you can teach an audience about. Then consider colleges and universities in your area as well as other venues where you can put yourself in front of a live audience.

Conferences. Aaron Wheeler owns a luxury real estate firm serving the San Francisco and Las Vegas markets. He routinely gets himself invited to conferences around the country by pitching organizers directly or filling out “call for presenters” forms online. Although few conferences pay Wheeler to share his expertise about leveraging technology for real estate marketing, they sometimes reimburse him for his travel or offer free access to the conference. But Wheeler says he doesn’t speak to get paid. Instead, his presentations help him sharpen his presentation skills. “I’ve learned how to engage the audience by being more concise and to give more frequent and more effective demonstrations of the technology I’m featuring,” says Wheeler. He has learned that audiences don’t want to hear him sell himself. Instead, they want to hear specific tips that they can use immediately. “Attendees can vote with their feet. If you’re not providing meaningful content, they’ll walk to the next room and you won’t be invited back.”

Libraries. There are more than 100,000 libraries in the U.S., and most host events by local authors and experts. While authors understand that libraries provide valuable exposure for their books, few business professionals take advantage of the fact that you don’t need to have written a book to speak at your local library. Libraries are constantly looking for experts to share their knowledge. No, they won’t pay you, but you can improve your speaking skills while giving something back to your local library. It’s also exposure for you and your business; many libraries promote their events to thousands of patrons via e-mail, newsletters, and local newspapers. (You can learn about libraries’ resources for entrepreneurs in this story.

Civic and business organizations. Chambers of Commerce and Rotary and Kiwanis clubs are always looking for guest speakers. These groups typically promote speakers in advance, so your audience is typically very receptive—the people want to be there to learn something. It’s also great marketing for you. The key, however, is to pitch yourself as someone who offers valuable advice—not someone who has something to sell. Wendy Gutshall, special events manager for the Pleasanton (Calif.) Chamber of Commerce recommends that you get in touch with the events person at your local chamber and pitch a talk with a strong business hook. Explain clearly and concisely just how your subject matter applies to members of that particular organization and how those members will benefit from your talk. “Above all, never make a sales pitch,” Gutshall reiterates. “We look for strong content and relevant advice.” This is the most important distinction between an inspiring speaker and one who never gets invited back. The former share information; the latter sell themselves.

Houses of worship. Matt Montague is a PR pro in the Finger Lakes region of New York. About 10 years ago, Montague messed up when trying to describe his client’s public relations plan. “I froze completely for a very long minute. It was embarrassing and unprofessional,” he told me. Montague volunteered to be a lector at his local church. Speaking in front of hundreds of people for the Sunday readings “helped with voice control and gave me the confidence of facing a large audience without fear. Once you can speak to that many people, you can speak in front of anyone.” (Montague has spoken at masses with 1,200 people). Montague is not alone. Several business owners have written me recently, each with a story of speaking at church helped them overcome their fear of public speaking or helped them improve their skills.

All of these venues are great places to practice public speaking regardless of your level of skill. The first steps are to determine what you can teach your audience then seek out regular opportunities. By doing so, you’ll be on track to give a good business presentation when the next make-or-break moment arrives.

Carmine Gallo is the communication skills coach for the world’s most admired brands. He is a popular speaker and the author of several books including Fire Them Up! His upcoming title, The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to Be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience, will be published by McGraw-Hill in October. More of Gallo’s columns are available in his ongoing series.

Speaker Services offers marketing and training services.  Check it out.

Lisa Sasesvich, The Invisible Close Queen

From prehistoric cave drawings that portray the hunt to the latest innovation in movies, storytelling has been a constant. In fact, if you think about it, in every technological era, the inventions that help us better tell a story are just as enduring as those that assist us with more basic needs.

Given that the need for stories seems to be hard-wired in our brain, it’s not surprising that they would be potent tools during presentations. Stories told well offer many benefits, including:

- Perking up the audience, which becomes more attentive.
- Emotionally impacting the audience, connecting them with their hearts.
- Enhancing your credibility by providing social proof of the benefit of your product or service.
- Conveying benefits far better than a list of facts.
- And, they’re easy to remember. The story (and your offering) is what the audience will take away.

Before I tell you how to tell a killer story, first, let me correct a common error. When you’re presenting information about your product or service, choose about three key points. A big mistake I see is people shoving 30 different points into a talk. That overwhelms and confuses the audience. Remember, a confused mind says no.

After you choose your three or so points, illustrate each one with a story that conveys a benefit about your product or service.

It’s also important to prepare your stories carefully in advance to make sure you truly love telling them and that they touch your audience in the way you desire.

Here are a few additional ways to tell a powerful, interesting and effective story. To give credit where credit is due, these guidelines are a hybrid of teachings I picked up many years ago from trainings I participated in with Landmark Education and PAX Programs, Inc.

1. Start with real “material” from your or another person’s life. This will usually be something that happened as a result of implementing your system or service — something that would not have happened otherwise. For example, let’s say you offer a weight loss program and one of your three points is your powerfully effective exercise component. You show that powerful effectiveness by telling the story about the family you worked with who all together lost 200 pounds. And you focus, especially, on the daughter, who went from having a difficult time at school to gaining friends and social standing and truly transforming her life.

2. Construct your story in a BEFORE and AFTER model. If the story is about yourself, think about how you were before you learned what you learned or did what you did. Using the weight loss example, perhaps you, yourself, lost 100 pounds. What was your life like before you lost all that weight and how has it changed?

3. Don’t summarize! Savor the opening. Take your time. And provide memorable, pertinent details. For example, going back to your young client, perhaps she’d always wanted to run for student government but lacked the confidence to try. You fully explore her story, provide details about her unhappiness, and then, how after her success with your program, she ran for student body president and won! Tears rise in the eyes of your audience, who relate so much to that girl’s struggle and celebrate her (as well as their own possible) success.

4. Did you make “the point?” After you think you have constructed your story well, tell it to several friends. Ask them if the point is clear, if they were able to follow you, and if the story significantly increased their interest in what you offer. If not, keep working on it or, perhaps, find a better story.

Remember, it’s about making an impact, demonstrating the power of your offering in a way that touches the audience’s heart. Because, as I wrote in a recent Nugget, from their heart is where your prospects should buy.

Sales-from-the-podium expert Lisa Sasevich has x-ray vision for seeing the sales opportunities that exist in every company, and the creativity to convert them into gold! If you’re looking for simple, quick and easy ways to boost sales without spending a dime, get your FREE Sales Nuggets now at www.theinvisibleclose.com.

One inexpensive but effective marketing tactic that many consultants and service providers use is speaking in front of target audiences. They find that speaking engagements help them to build awareness of their business.  Speaking has a lot of benefits:

-  Opportunity to talk to a group of potential referrals and future clients

- Helps to establish you as an expert for your topic or field of interest

- More effective than just attending a meeting and networking

How do you get those speaking engagements?  One way is by using a speaker sheet, which can be compared to a sell sheet or spec sheet for a product.  A speaker sheet is also called a Speaker Fact Sheet or “One-Sheet“.

They are designed for meeting planners to quickly review information needed for booking the speaker. The speaker sheet should show how you are an expert in a certain area. It’s a sales tool to aid in getting speaking engagements.

Speaker One Sheet: Preliminary Planning

The goal of your one sheet (also known as a a onesheet, onepage, one page, one pager, promotional sheet, etc) is to present a visual representation of you, your topic(s) and what you will deliver to an audience—in a condensed, easy to disseminate format. Your one page is about YOU the speaker and your presentation, not your company or a sales piece on the services your company offers.

A one sheet should be:

- Be visually appealing and professional

- Give the reader an impression of what the audience will “feel” when you speak

- Generate interest in you, your topic and what is unique and special about your presentation

-  Show value and results

-  Provide credibility

-  Provide a way to contact you or your bureau for additional information

-  Be only one page. (one or two sided)

- Be printed professionally on high quality paper and you need to have an online PDF version. The online version is becoming the most important these days. But some people still request hard copies.

Tip:  5-7 bullet points of the benefits of your presentation.  What’s in it for the audience.

ie: Design an electronic presentation package that attracts meeting planners to hire you

Use action words-verbs that paint a picture.  For example:abolish, accelerate, achieve, adopt, align, assess, avoid, capture, choose, connect, create, define, deliver, develop, discover, eliminate…

Speaker Services is offering a one day workshop in Los Angeles on July 11, 2009 with Sheryl Roush Solid Gold One Sheets and guest writer Jean-Noel Bassior 

Sheryl Roush, Marketing Design Expert, Int’l Speaker & Trainer, 12-time Author, Sparkle Presentations, Inc. www.SparklePresentations.com

The fee is $325 through July 1 thereafter $425 (includes 30 minute consultation with Sheryl).

Learn more/register

Listen to a teleclass with Sheryl talking about Solid Gold One Sheets.  Click here to listen

I have to say this was by far one of the best events that I ever produced.  We had 20 speakers, 75 attendees over three days and the feedback was fabulous.

Save the dates for 2010 Summit, April 30, May 1 & 2, 2010.

Today I am going to share the handout that Marilyn Snyder provided for the Summit attendees on how to Avoid Death by Power Point. marilynsnyder3.doc

 Marilyn Snyder

Here are some moree photos of the event: 

James Malinchak & Susan Levin

Speaking on how to get booked in the college market

Sheryl Roush, Solid Gold One-Sheets & Sparkle Presentations 

Lisa Castro visiting Speaker Services Table

Ladies at breakfast

Lisa Sasevich, The Invisible Close Queen after her talk

You’ve decided to become a speaker, you have the knowledge, the talent and the desire to share with the world! You have spent hours putting together the perfect presentation and the money to create a speaker kit along with an online presence…now what?

Where will I find the opportunities that will give me more exposure…more credibility?

First, you have to interact with the planners, the organizers, and the media, build relationships, network and let your presence be known…let them know you are the expert, otherwise they won’t even know you exist! It’s like opening up shop in the middle of the woods…no one is going to know your deep in the woods, that you have an excellent service to provide if you don’t let them know! It is important to get yourself out…network…market…let them know you are the expert and while doing so open your mind to all the possible opportunities that are available to you…all the ones that are just laying there waiting for you to grab them!

Opportunities are in abundance for those who know where to find them and how to use them to their advantage…open your mind and heart and you will find them…and be careful because sometimes opportunities can find you and you don’t even realize it until it’s to late…keep your eyes open!

Don’t turn down an opportunity just because you feel it isn’t big enough, or isn’t really your thing because what your doing is shutting the door to a potential opportunity that could have taken your business into the next level.

Opportunities can come in many different forms and those that can find the “hidden” opportunities and use them to their advantage will be the ones that advance in their speaking career much quicker. Don’t be so blinded to an opportunity when it’s looking you directly in the face…open your mind to what could come of that opportunity, where could it take you? How can you leverage it? Sometimes we overlook the smallest thing…the smallest opportunity and not even realizing that it could have been one of the biggest stepping stones to success!

Sometimes opportunities will come to you and they will be visible as day, sometimes they will be hidden and unclear…and more times then not the ones that were unclear and hidden…the ones we weren’t looking for…are the ones that will open the door to new ventures, new opportunities, new relationships and new clients!

Remember great enterprises were built on small opportunities… think about that when your turning down your local rotary club, a fundraiser, an interview, or school function. Look beyond the obvious… beyond the initial dollar sign… you might be surprised what you find!

Being a creative and resourceful business development expert for 23 years Wendi McNeill coaches, encourages, and teaches speakers, coaches and authors how to take the essential baby steps, while completely focusing on one step at a time so they can advance to the next level in their speaking business. www.CharliJane.com

Check out www.SpeakerServices.com   we offer training, marketing and development services to professionals who want to increase their income and business through speaking.

by Laura Stack, MBA, CSP, The Productivity PRO®

You’ve got the talent! You’ve got the ambition! You’re sick of that corporate job!  You’re ready to break out on your own as a professional speaker…or are you? Here are some things to consider before you leave that 9 to 5 job and segue into a professional speaking career:

1. Get real-world experience before you quit the employment ranks.
People always want to know “how I got started” as a professional speaker. You don’t really just “start.” I highly recommend you get some real-world training experience first. My first job in the training profession was as an employee with TRW Defense Systems. Understanding of the role of training vendors in a corporate setting is invaluable when you start approaching prospective clients, and you get paid while you learn. I then taught adjunct courses at the University of Colorado, which gave me skills in Instructional Design. You could teach a class at a Learning Annex, university extension center, or Free University in your area. Next, I presented seminars around the country for CareerTrack, Inc., which gave me a broad understanding of the meetings industry and gave me extensive platform time in front of real learners.

2. Get business training.
I went to college and got my undergraduate and masters degrees in business. The biggest reason people fail when they break into the speaking business is they fail to understand it IS a business. It takes marketing, accounting, technology, customer relations, systems, public relations, and financial savvy to make it work. You have to know how to sell your services, relate to meeting planners and bureaus, back up your presentations with products and many other skills related to managing your company. You will not fail because you’re an excellent speaker; you will fail because you stink in business acumen. If nothing else, take some college business courses for no

3. Get a mentor and some guidance.
The National Speakers Association has local chapters around the country. Each chapter operates a bit differently, but most of them offer some type of “Apprenticeship” or “Fast Track” program for people who are seriously interested in moving into a professional speaking career. For example, in Denver, you can join the NSA/Colorado chapter as an Affiliate (not a professional member) and participate in the “Fast Track” program. Fast Trackers meet once a month, to help people ramp up quickly in the mandatory competencies of platform mechanics, professional awareness and relationships, topic development, and sales and marketing. Many chapters also offer a “Coaching” program, which will pair you with an already-experienced professional speaker to work one-on-one with you for a year. For information on a local NSA chapter in your area, visit http://www.nsaspeaker.org/search/chapter_directory.xpl.

4. Get a mastermind group.
It is incredible helpful to network with a group of people (even across the country) who are on the same journey you are. As you’re getting ramped up, you’ll want to exchange ideas with others who have the same aspirations. Having a mastermind group is like having a personal board of directors for your new company, to give you guidance and shorten your learning curve. An excellent resource is the Academy for Professional Speaking (www.academyforprofessionalspeaking.org), which is a community of experts who want to turn their passion and talent for public speaking into a successful career. The Academy accesses NSA’s vast universe of learning opportunities, friendship, participation and growth. Best of all, it offers you the support of other aspiring speakers and additional seminars and educational opportunities, its own newsletter, and a networking directory of other national members.

5. Get some platform time.
Let me dispel one myth of the professional speaking business. Some people may tell you to never speak for free, which I believe is absolutely ridiculous. When I first started speaking, I would talk to anyone, anytime, who would listen to me speak. I had a really nice collection of coffee mugs going from all the rotary groups I visited. There are many service clubs in your area that are in desperate need for a speaker each meeting. They can’t pay you, but the objectives in getting started in the business are to meet people and SPEAK. Alan Weiss says it beautifully in his book Money Talks (the bible of the industry), “You’re better off speaking for free in front of potential customers than you are not speaking at all in front of no one.” Pick up a copy of your local Business Journal and turn to the “Calendar” section. You will see a list of groups and contact names just waiting for you to speak. Most of these local meetings only require 30-60 minutes of your time, and you can arrange your work schedule accordingly. These programs will allow you to practice and hone your speech before you try to sell it.

6. Get some clients BEFORE you stop moonlighting.
I saw Guy Kawasaki (one of the masterminds behind Apple Computer) speak in LA a few years ago. He said one of the successes of Apple was that they allowed their potential customers to test drive their computers. In the speaking business, you are the product, and you should allow people to “test drive” you too. When they like you, they will eventually buy. When I first started out, I offered free “brown bag” luncheons to large corporate clients as a way to get my foot in the door. You don’t even have to quit your day job! Identify a company you’d like to work with, call the main number, ask for the person who handles employee training and development, call that person, introduce yourself, and ask, “Do you sometimes bring in outside training contractors to conduct onsite training seminars?” Be honest. Tell them you are “just starting out” in the business and are offering a complimentary one-hour brown bag seminar as a way to introduce yourself and your product. It’s a good idea to work up a little “one-sheet” on yourself first, so that you have a piece of promotional literature to send. Registering a business name and getting business cards printed up is a good idea while you “moon-light” in this fashion. After giving the presentation, I would ask for a testimonial letter in return to help you start your client list. Having these letters will be very helpful when you start asking for money. After they love you, they will want you back. Get enough of these…and bang…you have enough clientele to support you when you get started.

A little training, a little preparation, a little support…combined with your immense talent…and you, too, can be a professional speaker!

Susan’s Note:  Check out our online directory www.speakerservices.com for connecting with audiences and for training Speakers’ Bootcamp http://www.speakerservices.com/services/thegame.html

The following post is from Graham Moore

Presenting to an audience no matter how small or how large is an important part of the way we do business today. It may be to motivate and influence our team to perform at their best, it may be to pitch for new business, it may be to present proposals to the board, to persuade the customer to buy, it may be simply to convey to others information about a new process or a new idea.

In my work see many presentations and I am so often disappointed by what I see. Almost daily, I see these mistake and it saddens me because I know these people could do so much better.

As a presentation skills coach and trainer, I’ve worked with many people to improve the impact of their presentations. Often there are some simple changes which people – yes, people like you – can make which significantly increase the impact of the presentations.

But let’s look at the biggest mistakes made by people in business when they are presenting.

1. Not being concise

This is what I call the ‘Waffle and Fluff’ syndrome. How often have you been watching a presentation and the presenter takes so much time to get to the point of is topic and or when they do, they add unnecessary and irrelevant material. It is important that you make it clear up front what you are going to talk about then keep to topic, Sure, there are various tools you can use as a presenter to engage your audience but make sure you are clear on what your message is ? and stay on topic. So cut the ‘waffle’ and ‘de-fluff’* the presentation. (*Fluff ? We could also call this ‘filler’- filling out the presentation but not adding any real value.)

2. Not understanding their audiences’ needs.

If you’re going to be presenting to an audience, it’s important that you understand who they are, what is their level of understanding of what you’re talking about, and what do they need from you. Do your research before you present. It’s often a very simple thing to do and will make your task easier and make your presentation a ‘fit’ for the audience.

3. Relying on PowerPoint

We’ve all seen it – the presenter who not only has a lot of material on the PowerPoint presentation (Far too much detail to be read on the screen!) but he or she reads the PowerPoint material as each slide comes up. It’s as if they’ve written their all presentation on PowerPoint and then simply read it to the audience. PowerPoint is an aid to the presentation, it should be used to enhance what you are saying and, by following a few simple rules, can be a very effective enhancement to help convey the message. But when the person reads everything on the slide – or has too much on each slide – they lose the audience’s attention. Nothing will kill your presentation quicker – that’s why it’s called ‘Death by PowerPoint’.

4. Not engaging their audience

Engaging the audience is of important if we want to have any sort of impact. How can you sell, persuade, influence or motivate if you don’t have the audience engaged? Engaging means they will want to listen to you, they will want to take on what you are saying, they will be motivated. If they’re not engaged, they are just sitting there waiting for you to finish. So how do we engage our audience? Well, there are a number of ways – and they’re easy to do.

Three of the ways are 1. Being concise (See above) 2. Understanding your audience (see above again) and 3. Effective use of PowerPoint.

Even by simply looking at each person, you will increase the level of engagement. But there are other ways – and they’re not hard to incorporate in your presentations.

5. No call to action

The purpose of any business presentation, indeed any presentation at all, even if it’s to the Mother’s Group or the PTA, has a purpose. You have an objective in making that presentation. You may want them to buy your product, accept your proposal, take on and act on the new information or be inspired and motivated to change their behavior. Many presentations end with what can only be called a ‘whimper’. It’s as if the person making the presentation is so glad it’s nearly over that they just want to finish and sit down. They are missing the all-important ‘call to action’. If you’re not incorporating a call to action at the end of your presentation, you should take time to learn how to do this – or your presentations will not be effective and get the outcome you are seeking.

You can avoid these big mistakes and set yourself apart from other colleagues and other presenters. Speaking effectively is such an important skill for anyone in business or in the corporate world today and those who take time to sharpen their skills in this area will stand out from the pack, will be more confident and will be more successful in achieving business outcomes.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
Graham Moore is a professional speaker and trainer who presents to audiences internationally. With over 15 years experience, he also conducts presentation skills training and coaches professional speakers , managers and executives to improve their speaking and presentation skills. If you’d like to easily and effectively make significant improvements to your speaking and presenting skills in business go to http://mooresuccessonline.com

You may know that I bought a flip video camera and I have been learning how to use it. This past weekend we produced our annual Speakers’ Summit I was able to capture several snippets of the various programs. I will share one of the videos with you in my posts for the next week or so.

John Kremer listed tips in his e-zine today about how to use video for marketing. As you will see I am already using the videos I created as he suggested.

Below you can see the short video of Jack Barnard who spoke at the Summit on FOUR-PLAY: THE FUN-DAMENTALS for an ORGASMIC PRESENTATION.

How I plan to use her video is to post the short video on my product page for the mp3. I also put it on youtube on my speaking channel and on Facebook.

Tips oh how to use video

1. Create short videos about your products and services, upload them to your website, and include video links in your press releases.

2. Speakers, create short video snippets of your presentations and post them at your site

3. Use videos to demonstrate how to use your product.

4. Authors, create short little videos that discuss portions of your books.

5. Take visitors on a tour of your website using a screen-capture software program like Camtasia.

6. Shoot your own video of events the media won’t cover, and submit the video to local newspapers and TV stations, many of which offer consumer-generated video at their websites.

7. Use video on a one-page sales letter. If a picture is worth a thousand words, video can close the sale.

8. Generate leads and pull traffic by creating videos and posting them to YouTube and other video-sharing sites.

9. Use video at your blog, or create a video blog on a free WordPress platform.

Jack Barnard, Master Presentation Coach speaking at the Speakers’ Summit08.

We just finished the 5 day Bootcamp and I am always blown away by the comments of the attendees. Eileen Joyce wrote a poem about her experience.

See a very short one camera video that was created at the Bootcamp.  Doug McKee  click here.

See more comments and next Bootcamp Dates. I will be adding some of the short videos that the attendees created soon on the Bootcamp page and here as well.

What happened to me in Jack’s Speakers Bootcamp
I went not knowing quite why
I flubbed a lot of exercises
And had the time of my life

Each day opened something new inside
Although I couldn’t tell you what

Then the day after it ended
I see who I am, what I’m doing and saying
who wants to hear it and what we all get from it!

I’m selling
a way to open your heart—to the secrets it holds
so you can fully express all your pain and your passion.
Start living each day like it’s the last one you have.

I call it Speaking From Your Heart
And we all can do it!

THANK YOU Jack Barnard and fellow beings

Here’s the gang

A one-sheet is one of the most important elements of your presentation packet. Along with a 3 camera video demo and a great one-sheet you are on your way to getting booked. Karen Saunders owner of MacGraphics, a design firm weighs in today about one- sheets.

They’re the workhorses of any marketing program. They hit the streets for you, and they’ve got muscle. Everything you want someone to know about your expertise and services – all in one place. So if you don’t have one, you’ve got to get one!

Picture this: You take the time to get involved in various networking groups – or maybe you do some cold calling – or maybe you happen to meet someone who may have a genuine need for a person just like you. So now what? Well, there’s a simple and effective way to share your expertise. And it’s called a one-sheet.

Here are seven questions that a typical decision-maker would ask you in person at a first meeting, so get ready to answer:

- How would you describe your area of expertise?
- Who are your presentations designed for, or what type of people do you work with?
- If we hire you, what are the benefits for the leaders of the organization? For the participants in the ranks? For organizational progress?
- What have you done that makes you such an expert?
- Which groups have you worked with before?
- What did participants think of you?
- How can we reach you for more information?

Now that you know what questions they will ask, there’s a clever formula to including all of these elements in your one-sheet.

You’ll cover all the bases if you include the following points:

- The topics/programs you address
- Who you target audience is
- Benefits (put them right in the headlines)
- Your biography
- A client list
- Testimonials
- Contact information (list it all – phone, fax, email, website)

And don’t forget the secret ingredient – you. Even if you have all of these other elements in place, the icing on the cake will be your own personality.

Let me give you an example. My client, Doug Butler, is a speaker whose message is “Cowboy Wisdom”. I’ve built his one-sheet around the western cowboy theme, and it’s now part of his brand. We included lots of cowboy graphics, an action shot of him with a lasso, and a portrait shot of him wearing a cowboy hat with his guitar. His one-sheet reflects his personality, and it’s what participants want from him.

You’ll add credibility if you can include logos to show your affiliation with any industry or professional organizations that will be recognized by your target market. Be sure to include your own logo along with a clever tag line. Doug uses this tag line: “Forge a firm foundation with Doug’s tried-and-true Cowboy Code.”

But these techniques don’t stop with the one-sheet. You can carry them over to all your other marketing materials! With these must-have elements in your one-sheet, you can turn your prospects into sales, and watch your revenue grow!

Karen Saunders is the owner of MacGraphics Services, a unique design firm for today’s entrepreneur. Whether you outsource your promotional pieces or are a do-it-yourselfer, Karen takes the mystery out of marketing.

Note: At the Speakers’ Summit, May 2 and 3 in LA- One Sheet Expert, Sheryl Roush will be talking about Solid Gold One Sheets along with 5 other expert speakers. Join us and bring 2 friends for a modest investment of $397 total. Click here to learn more.

One of the biggest mistakes speakers make is offering too much information in their programs. Somehow speakers seem to think that they have to give more then less so that their audience will get it! Check out the video below that TJ Walker did on Data Dump Before You Speak.

Another thing happens too-the presenters forget to involve the audience and when the audience is not involved what happens? They tune out.

Here are a few suggestions for organizing your presentation:

- In an hour talk have 3 to 4 points

- Support your points by telling stories that the audience can relate too

- Involve the audience by asking questions and don’t forget to repeat their answers so everyone can hear them

- Create a simple partner exercise that supports your point and don’t forget to ask a few folks what their experience was and don’t forget to repeat their answers

There is much to learn about organizing your presentations. And if that is not enough you also need to connect, have confidence and of course content. We call that the holy triad.

If you are interested in learning more about great presentations join us for the 3rd annual Speakers’ Summit in LA on May 2 and 3. I am offering an unheard of fee to attend $397 and bring 2 guests. Do you know anyone who might be interested? This is a once a year event. Please look closely at the program

Jack Barnard, my partner will be talking about the THE MAGIC OF SPEAKING IS INVISIBLE at the Summit. He says, “You can have all the outside stuff together, you can be fire-branded, media-trained, slickly structured; have well-designed, colorful one-sheets, possess a commanding voice, connect like peanut butter and jelly, and look like Dr. McDreamy…but if you’re not truly cozy surfing the present moment, results are compromised. It’s all about the present moment. That’s where the promise of speaking and presentation is brilliantly delivered.”

And that is only one of his talks. The other talk is quite racey and I am sure it will get your attention. Are you ready for this? FOUR-PLAY: THE FUN-DAMENTALS for an ORGASMIC PRESENTATION

My colleague T J Walker has a short video with great tips click here to listen Data Dump Before You Speak

He says, “If you want people to fall asleep while you speak, cover 38 facts and 27 bullet points. However, if that information is really important TJ has a solution.”

by Burt Dubin http://www.speakingbizsuccess.com

Here’s how to make every presentation lead to requests for you to speak again at other events. Make building your reputation and enhancing your perceived value the primary function of every presentation.

Here are seven tested, proven methods I’ve discovered from my study of the skills of the masters of the professional speaking business. Use this concentrated wisdom to improve your speaking business skills from booking to booking!

1. Satisfy the decision maker and the meeting planner

- With your skills, credentials, experience, books, articles, and media coverage.
- Make your program description show exactly what your presentation delivers.
- State your recommendations, guarantees, and endorsements.

2. Exploit your window of opportunity

With associations that have annual meetings, make your initial contact about one month after their last annual meeting. Ask when their planning starts for the next meeting. Ask when the theme is selected. The time window for booking your presentation opens at that point. This window to book more speeches lasts as little as one month.

Decisions on keynote speaker and other general session presentations are made first. This may be 3 months before Breakout Session presentations are selected.
Study your market and know that market intimately. Think like your market’s decision makers think. Get the right promotional materials before the right person at the right time. It is a critical to demonstrate your professional skills at this time.

3. Give decision makers and meeting planners the value they want

- Provide in-depth knowledge, wisdom, and strategies on a topic or issue that is hot at the time.

- Offer two, sometimes three programs. For example, offer a keynote speech for the major program followed by a breakout session addressing the “how-tos”.

- Offer also to speak on a panel or lead a presentation to senior executives. Use your skills and ingenuity. Deliver extra value. Offer pre-event presentations or training, too. Add value every way you can.

4. Generate areas of expertise

Topic expertise. Get known as the skilled specialist – the expert who speaks.
- Platform artistry. Showmanship skills are everything.
- Promotional expertise. Market yourself professionally.
- Negotiating skills. Make their booking you win-win.
- Credibility as an expert presenter in your topic. (See 5, below.)

5. Develop your credibility
- Become a celebrity.
- Publish articles and books.
- Document your skills and accomplishments; be recognized; earn academic degrees and industry certifications.
- Create a proven track record.
- Develop a client list. Big names are best.
- Earn magnificent evaluations.
- Keep your fees appropriate, even a bit less than you’re worth.
- Seek prestige engagements. Target well-known prospects.
- Answer your office phone professionally.
- Upgrade your promo kit and your brochure.
- Upgrade your demo tapes, both audio and video.

6. Make yourself worthy of higher fees

- Improve your topic expertise, presentation skills, negotiating skills.
- Ask for what you want. Be prepared to reject inappropriate offers.
- Relate any difference in fees to the total meeting budget, total head count at your session, cost of the luncheon or banquet per person.

7. Fit the Budget without altering your fee structure
- Offer multiple programs at the same engagement.
- Offer multiple engagements of the same presentation.
- Offer to split travel expenses between meetings of other organizations at the same time in the same city.
- Offer a flat fee; combine speaking fees and expenses into one quote.
- Offer a product sale arrangement. Sell product and reduce your speaking fee.
- Offer a separate presentation the next day at no extra charge.
- Find a sponsor. Have a profit-making organization or member sponsor or co-sponsor your presentation, paying all or part of your fee.
- Offer to barter for something they have that you want, for example a free booth at their trade show or a master videotape of your presentation.
- Offer to permit the association to market videos and recordings of your presentations as well as your products and you share the revenue with them.

I’ve been learning how to create video from my mac laptop and here is a very short video message that I created. I want to reach out to my e-audience in a more personal way rather then always via text. Have a look please and let me know what you think. Does it inspire trust-do you get a sense of who I am?

speak-your-way-to-more-biz.mov

Today’s post is by Scott Jeffrey

A speaker’s kit is a brochure to promote your various speaking services (keynotes, workshops, etc). Event planners (sometimes via speaker bureaus), business executives, and small business owners are your most likely recipients. The size of your speaker’s kit will depend on how actively you speak publicly and in what venues. The design of your speaker’s kit should be similar to your media kit, which should be consistent with your website and your overall brand or professional identity.

Here are the various pages and information that you’ll probably want to include:
Keynote Presentation: This is your “flagship” presentation that probably parallels the main topic of your latest book. What’s the title of this talk? Who is the target audience? How will they benefit from hearing you speak?
Seminars: Do you conduct seminars or workshops? What are they called? Do you offer them to businesses and conduct your own venues as well? Who is the target audience? What will they get out of it?
Testimonials: This section is often called “What Others Are Saying.” Although you can create a separate sheet of testimonials from past clients, it may be more effective to sprinkle your testimonials throughout your speaker’s kit.
Past Clients: Where have you spoken before? Having a few high-profile companies under your belt lends credibility to your platform and builds certainty in the mind of a potential client. If you speak frequently, list your top (most recognizable) clients. If not, list your past engagements. This information can be presented with your testimonials or your seminars, or can be listed in the margin of another page.
Biography: The bio included in this kit can be longer and more detailed than the media kit. There’s a good chance that a person looking to spend thousands of dollars to bring you in to speak to his company will want to know more about you. Be sure an appropriate headshot is included on the bio page.
In addition to having your speaker’s kit available for download on your “Speaking” or “Events” web page, you’ll want to have one or two short downloadable videos (two to three minutes) available on the same page. Show prospective event planners what you’re like live.

For an excellent speaker’s kit examples:

Patricia Fripp’s www.fripp.com (click on “For Meeting Planners”).

Tony Alessandra’s Meeting Planners page: www.alessandra.com (click on “For Meeting Planner”)

Marjorie Brody’s www.brodycommunications.com.

Scott Jeffrey is an author coach and the author the 10-CD audio program, Everything You Need to Know to Become a Best-Selling Author. For more information, please visit www.BestSellingAuthor.com.

Listen to a 9 minute audio/mp3 with me Susan Levin talking about the purpose of speaking.

Why-Why do you speak?

Who- Who is your audience?

What- what is your message?

Where- Where you might speak

How-How will you give your presentation?

Included below is a presentation worksheet/checklist for you.

PRESENTATION WORKSHEET

• What are you passionate about?

• What topic creates a great compassion in you for your listeners?

• In one sentence, what is the purpose or mission of the specific presentation you want to work on?

• Who wants to hear it?

• If you have no choice in picking the audience or topic, how can you analyze this audience to find their wants, needs, attitudes, and capabilities?

• Once you’ve made an educated guess about the audience’s attitude, will you need to design the presentation using more benefits or humor?

• Are you prepared? What will it take in rehearsal and study to ensure you will not have stage fright and a fear of making changes in your presentation?

• Are you an expert in the topic area you will present ? What else must you do so you will view yourself as a credible expert?

• What overall theme will you use to substantiate your mission?

• What three or four main points must your listeners take home?
1
2.
3.
4.

• How will you organize the material, what format do you like?
Analogies, Storytelling? Problem, cause, solution?

• What mood does the meeting planner wish to be created with this meeting? Fun? Serious,, Educational? A special dress theme?

• What title have you given the presentation?

• What can you do to ensure your listeners will listen, understand, believe and retain the information?

• What else can you do to ensure you will have rapport with your audience?

This is me Susan Levin with Jack Barnard, Master branding, media and presentation coach at the NSA Convention

Thank you Jack, and fellow booties for helping me dump outdated thoughts, feelings and behaviors and claiming the resourced communicator within!
- Doreen Van Leeuwen, LMFT

The Bootcamp is truly a transformational experience. Jack’s generosity with his skills, knowledge and talents helps everyone make gigantic strides in their speaking abilities.
- Raul Martinez, Mortgage Planner

Jack and Barbara

Betty and Barbara

Bootcamp was indeed an experience. It met my expectations and more. I left with an incredible brand and identified a plan and process for developing speeches and seminars.
- Betty LaMarr, Executive Coach

Jack is the Wizard of Oz for speakers. Every person had a profound transformation and walked away with marketable branding and a solid speech foundation. Thank you Jack, for your heart and soul. We’ll take part of you with us out into the world.
- Barbara Niven, Actress, Writer, Director, Speaker

Darryl

I asked God to bring people into my life that can help me reach others struggling with addictions. I truly believe Jack has moved me to the front of line.
- Darryl Hagar, Merchant Marine Officer, Author

The depth and practicality of this 5-day Bootcamp was as inmpactful as Jack’s passion and personal genius for his topic. Thank you for setting me up as a speaker and helping me create our brand.
- Otto Siegel, Genius Coach, Author

Jack takes us to our growing edge and pushes us beyond it.
- Rik Isensee, Author, Therapist

I had an eye opening experience. Jack is the master coach of masters.
- Roy Brown, Speaker

January Jones

The Booties 8/07

What a great group of folks

Angie and Marlin

In 5 days Jack unraveled and untangled 20 years of insecurities. He took me on a journey into authenticity which (to my surprise) revealed an inner strength that I didn’t know was available.
- Angie Milhous, Speaker, Change Your B.S.

Jack has the unique ability to quickly identify, understand, extract and teach his students the true messages they most desire to speak about… The Speakers’ Bootcamp was the perfect forum to obtain the necessary skills to learn the magic of speaking.
- Marlin Keesler, Author, Our Life on the Run

Susan (me) talking about marketing yoursef as a speaker

Jack teaching

Jack and Carlos

The phone rang the other night at 10pm and it was one of our new speakers calling in a panic. The message was, I need to talk to you right away, I got a call to speak out of state and I don’t know how much to ask for a speaking fee-help!

When I responded, I asked her a few questions ie: what’s the budget and who is the group? She answered the later but didn’t know what the budget was nor did she know how to negoiate a fee plus put together a contract.

I sent her a sample contract (I included one for you below) along with a pre-program questionairre and offered suggestions on how to speak to the meeting planner.

Yesterday, I was teaching marketing skills at the Speakers’ Bootcamp and shared the same information with our “booties”. BTW: Tomorrow is the 5th and last day for the Bootcamp and we’ll be offering it again in March ’08.

Here I am talking about negotiating fees

Here are a few tips on how to negotiate fees

- Have a small form made up and ready when potential customers call. List: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How. When they ask you to speak for their group, smile and say “Tell me more.” After you get all the rest of the information ask this question: “What is your budget for this program?”

- When clients say they need to negotiate and reduce your fee, do not give them a bargain price for no viable reason. Find a way to exchange value for value. When you do this, customer will have respect for you and the quality of your services you offer. If you do not value your work, no one else will.

Reasons to Consider a Lower Fee

- Showcase Opportunities to Prospective Buyers: If working for this client has marketing opportunities for other speaking, consulting, or product sale. Audiences of speakers bureau representatives, meeting planners, and association or corporate executives fall into this group.

- Barter part or all of your fee: If the client has a service or product that is of real value to you, barter part or all of your fee in exchange. Speakers have traded speeches and seminars for new automobiles, long-distance dialing credits, boats and many other valuable things!

- Exchange part of your fee for an ad in their company or association publication: If the audience might prove a good market for your books, cassettes, products, and other services. An ad is a concrete value which has a price which you can negotiate.

- Exchange part of your fee for an ad their event program brochure. These ads can bring you cash sales. An ad is a concrete value which has a price which you can negotiate.

Talking to the “booties” about marketing

Sample Invoice for Payment & Agreement to Engage

Description or title of the event:

Date(s) of engagement:

Time Frame for presentation:

Location:

Correspondence, billing etc shall be directed through:

The client, _________ agrees to pay _________ (speaker)
the following fee of $______. In order to secure the engagement date, a
non-refundable 50% deposit in the amount of $2,000, or full fee less 10%
discount in the amount of $3,600 is due within ten (10) working days upon
the receipt of this agreement. The balance of $2,000, if applicable is due
by ______

The engagement is confirmed only when payment and signed
agreement is received by (your name) _________________________.

Payable
to_________________________Address________________________
Phone ______________ Tax ID#________________________________ .

Travel expenses from ______________ to __________, and two nights hotel
accommodations, to be pre-arranged and paid for by the client Other out of
pocket expenses such as meals, ground transportation, etc to be reimbursed
by client. Client consents to having any products (books and tapes) (name) ________ displayed and available for purchase at, or just outside the room
where his presentation is held, All proceeds go to (your name) ______, unless
client wishes to order products wholesale for resale of the event.

Because of the potential loss of income and travel complications for(your name)_______, if the engagement needs to be rescheduled by the client, (your name)_________ must be notified at least 45 days before the event, or a surcharge of 20% will be added to the total fee.

Cancellation within 45 days of the event carries a surcharge of 35%, in
addition to the deposit, plus all expenses incurred by (your name) ______ in
preparation for this event. Al late fee of 10% of the balance applies if
the balance is not paid by the due date.

If (your name) ______ is unable to deliver the work to be performed due t illness, injury, or an act of God, the client can either reschedule the engagement,
or receive a full refund of any fees paid.

Reservations for two nights accommodations will be made at _________________

Transportation from the airport provided by _________________________

Transportation from the hotel to the meeting site provided by_______________

If questions arise, Mr. ______________needs to contact _________________
Phone number: ___________________ E-Mail: _________________________

Approved by the client, signature ________________________

title______________________ date ______________________

Approved by Mr. _____________ signature and date________________________