This Essay was in the LA Times on June 15, 2008 written by Seth Greenland.

Today’s authors must sell their work — and themselves. The publisher’s promotional budget wouldn’t cover bus fare to the book party for “Shining City.” What to do? Try a hot tub, high-priced escorts and a pimp.

Not long ago, I found myself seated with a pimp and three high-priced escorts, the kind favored by the former governor of the great state of New York. I was in a lawn chair while the four of them were in a hot tub — what is the word? — gamboling in the steamy water and . . .

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Once upon a time, an author published a book and left the selling to the experts in the marketing department. This was the case as recently as last week. But that quaint notion has suddenly gone the way of Duran Duran. Now, because of recent developments in the world of publishing, writer and merchant are fusing into one. Willy Loman and Arthur Miller have commingled. Call it — forgive me — Birth of a Salesman.

Publishers still occasionally provide promotional support for an author to whom they have paid a whopping advance. Other authors, however, the ones without giant deals, are placed on an ice floe and set adrift. Yes, you say. Of course. ‘Twas ever so. But if once comfort might have been derived from such platitudes, this was before the Internet and the anticipated Death of Print.

And yet, the ironic thing about the Death of Print is that no one seems to have told the publishing industry. Even as review column inches shrink and fewer writers appear on radio and television, books continue to tumble out like bunnies during birthing season.

It is a faint and slightly maundering sound, muffled, no, smothered by the cacophony of the culture. But to borrow a phrase from the indefatigable Mrs. Loman: Attention must be paid.

How?

Why, the author video. In the last few months, I have become an expert on this subject, as any author now must be. My new novel, “Shining City,” will be published in July, and the promotional budget would not cover bus fare to the book party. To attract readers, I find myself looking to do something . . . sizzling. All of which brings us back to that hot tub, with those three high-priced escorts and that pimp.

Yes, yes, I know — this seems utterly gratuitous: blatant, even prurient. David McCullough would never sit next to a hot tub in which John Adams is frolicking with Dolley Madison and Betsy Ross. But McCullough and I are very different writers, and given my material, pimps and hookers are not so far off the mark. “Shining City” is about a regular guy from Van Nuys, a middle-class dad, who inherits his brother’s dry cleaning business and learns it is a front for a high-priced call-girl ring. He needs money, so he does some on-the-fly moral calculations and, presto, he’s a pimp. Whatever you may think of the character’s principles — feel free to judge him with your book group — it’s great material for an author video.

These days, of course, author videos come in a variety of flavors — as many as there are writers, it seems. The most basic features the author — who has, say, written six novels and never had to do anything this degrading — seated in her book-lined office casually addressing the camera. “Hi,” she says, “I’ve written a new novel. Here is what it is about and I would like you to buy it.” In its subtlety and sophistication, it’s like a television ad for detergent circa 1962.

In other videos, the author remains invisible. Instead, we see computer-generated words combined with a series of graphics meant to give a feel for the book. The aesthetic is that of a neighborhood 14-year-old with iMovie on his laptop — but it’s better than the dramatization, in which a scene or scenes from the book are acted out, making us forget about the writer altogether and wonder about the movie, not a good thing when the idea is to pique someone’s interest in a book.

Then, there is the high-end soft-sell that portrays the author, torn from the comfort of his office, thrust into the world and moving through locations that evoke the book. In one recent example, John Banville can be seen in Benjamin Black mufti, wandering the streets of Dublin talking about the hero of his new thriller. For novelist Jay Cantor, the setting is a Cambridge, Mass., cheese shop. I don’t know what this has to do with anything he’s written, but it did get my attention — hmm, what is Jay Cantor doing near that brie wheel? — and this, after all, is the idea.

For my video, I hooked up with my friend Jason Kachel, who is the Sergei Eisenstein of the Los Angeles bar mitzvah circuit. If you haven’t attended one of these events lately, you might be surprised to learn they often include what has become known as a montage. This is a short film featuring the celebrant; at its most expressive, it can evoke the work of Fellini shot through with the sensibility of Mel Brooks (memo to Cannes: This should be a sidebar — “Un Certain Bar Mitzvah”). Jason is peerless in this form. What is the connection? He is used to working with people bereft of thespian talent. People, in other words, like me.

I HIRED HIM immediately and we set about writing a script. Although we had no intention of dramatizing the book, we needed human scenery, so I logged on to Backstage.com, created an account, and did an e-mail blast to the appropriate cohort (Author Seeks Actresses for Book Video), and we had our extras. As for the pimp, I called another friend, the novelist Mark Haskell Smith, and quickly explained the proposition: Was he willing to take a day off from writing to spend an afternoon with several beautiful women in a hot tub? He did not take long to commit. Locations were procured, craft services arranged.

We began our shoot at 6:45 a.m. and concluded 15 hours later. Editing took a few days, a score was composed by Stu Thomas, and Bob’s your uncle — the “Shining City” video is now online.

Will this help sales? Who knows? It’s a chaotic new world and if a novelist can’t have a little fun shilling for his own book then what, finally, is the point? But this is literature, and froufrou aside, it remains serious business. Accordingly, I try to carry myself with dignity and restraint.

Which is how I wound up on the Internet in my underwear. *

Seth Greenland’s second novel, “Shining City,” will be published in July.

Susan’s note: Authors and professionals we can help you. If you want coaching and 2 or 3 short video segments about your book, your business and or an interview check out the BizSpeak & Video Workshop and the Authors’ SpeakEasy Workshop

It is a great way to market your services and spread the word through many distribution sites.

The story was on the front page of the Business section in USA Today on April 4.

By David Lieberman

I was thrilled to see it as Speaker Services has been offering one-three camera shoots for the past ten years. I have been encouraging business folks to get video on their websites. Now with video blogging, youtube and social networking there is not limit to creating a buzz about your services or books.

“You don’t need a pan and a stream in California to join the next video gold rush. A video camera, computer and high-speed Internet connection will do.”

NEW YORK — You don’t need a pan and a stream in California to join the next gold rush. A video camera, computer and high-speed Internet connection will do.
A vast array of professional and semiprofessional producers are starting to use those tools to create ad-friendly entertainment and news videos expressly for the Web. The goal is to dramatically change people’s video-viewing habits — and cash in on a potentially enormous business opportunity.

“It’s like the early days of cable,” says former Viacom executive Herb Scannell, now CEO of Internet video investment and support firm Next New Networks. “We’re inventing new business models, new talent and new programming models.”

Internet users already can find countless fresh choices in the middle ground between reruns of slick network TV programming, such as the shows on Hulu.com, and amateur clips such as the kind popularized by YouTube.

Popular genres for original Web productions include dramatic series (Lonelygirl15and Prom Queen), topical comedy (BarelyPolitical.com, 236.com and comic Will Ferrell’s Funny Or Die), news analysis (TalkingPointsMemo) and specialized interests (for example, ThreadBanger offers the latest about sewing and knitting).

Producers have powerful incentive to test the market: Ad spending for Internet videos will rise 455% by 2011 to $4.3 billion, says research firm eMarketer.

“It’s growing faster than any other advertising category,” says George Kliavkoff, NBC Universal’s chief digital officer. “There’s just a sea change.” That’s one reason his company and other major TV network owners are starting to dip their toes into original Web production. Over the past few weeks:

•Disney (DIS) formed its first Web-only production house, Stage 9, which forged a deal with Toyota to sponsor its first made-for-Web series, the sitcom Squeegees.

Disney’s ESPN also said it will dramatically step up its Internet-only sports programming.

•NBC (GE) created its first network for original online video. Visitors can get an in-depth look at new cars from clips produced by DriverTV; NBC paid $6 million for a 35% stake in the firm.

•And CBS, (CBS) which defined mainstream news in the radio and TV eras, launched MobLogic.tv, a website with daily clips that it says provides “a reality check on mainstream news, (Internet) 2.0 style.”

The modest size of these investments reflects the companies’ uncertainty about where they fit in.

“The challenge we have with this space is: How do you market these original Web shows so that they become something people want to see and not something that they just come across?” says Albert Cheng, executive vice president for digital media at the Disney-ABC Television Group. “We are experimenting.”

Independent entrepreneurs

While the giants dabble, independent entrepreneurs are taking advantage of the freedom the Internet offers to reach millions of people without having to go through gatekeepers such as TV networks and cable operators. They don’t even need powerful allies to help raise cash, sell ads, get online and market. New-generation studios including Worldwide Biggies, Black20 and 60Frames are eagerly seeking deals to support promising talent.

Most salivate at the prospect of creating a hit entertainment series — a string of episodes that typically run 10 minutes apiece or less — similar to Lonelygirl15, KateModern and Prom Queen.

It’s relatively easy to make a profit: They employ little-known actors, simple camera shots and few, if any, special effects. “The cost is just hundreds of dollars a minute,” Scannell says. “If you’re getting $10 (for every 1,000 viewers that see an ad), and you have 1 million views, then you’re break-even. If you get $20, then you’re in the black.”

Those that work closely with sponsors can do much better than that. For example, LG15 Studios cut a deal with Neutrogena that made the cosmetics and cleanser company and its products key elements in the story line for Lonelygirl15

“We were thrilled that there’s this medium that’s interactive, and if you can get creative and good writers and good brands and put all these pieces together, then you can do something that engages the audience and allows us to do this as our day job, which is insane right now,” says Greg Goodfried, co-creator and executive producer.

Their most recent production, KateModern, showed that the concept was no fluke.

“It just finished with 26 million views, and it was sold in sponsorship ahead of time,” says Quincy Smith, president of CBS Interactive. “Do it once, and it’s interesting. Do it twice, and now you’re starting to see something evolve.”

There’s a lot of activity as well in non-fiction Web video, especially from newspaper and magazine companies grappling with slowing ad sales. “Video is a central component to the future of these industries because they have to grow their business somewhere, and right now, online video is the most valuable real estate in the media industry,” says Jeremy Allaire, CEO of Brightcove, an Internet video services firm.

National newspapers including USA TODAY, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Financial Times, as well as regional publications such as The Houston Chronicle and The Gainesville Sun tap journalists for video reports, interviews and analysis. So do magazines, including Entertainment Weekly, Billboard, Better Homes and Gardens and Rolling Stone.

Beginning with the recent Super Tuesday presidential primaries, Newsweek — in partnership with corporate siblings The Washington Post and Slate.com — stepped up the competition by enlisting editors and analysts for live, CNN-like, Web-exclusive campaign coverage and commentary.

‘There’s a business there’

“It was sold to Dodge in three days,” says TV news veteran Tammy Haddad, executive producer of the coverage. “There’s a business there, and a very minor amount of money was spent. All of the reporters were already in place.”

Although many Web productions are profitable, producers say the big payoff will come in a few years as audiences and advertisers become more comfortable watching video online.

People collectively spent 959 million minutes a day watching Internet shows and clips in January, research firm ComScore says.

While that sounds impressive, Leichtman Research Group President Bruce Leichtman notes, “People still spend more time watching Extreme Makeover and Moment of Truth combined (on days when the shows air) than they do with all online video.”

That’s changing, though, especially among the young adult viewers craved by advertisers. About 42% of 18- to 34-year-olds watch Web videos at least weekly, up from 28% in 2007, Leichtman found in a recent survey.

The vast majority of the viewing time goes to user-generated videos and network TV fare, including clips people lift from news and comedy shows.

But those markets present challenges for advertisers.

They can’t effectively buy spots in advance on user-generated material, because “You can’t really tell what clips are going to be hot next,” says PodShow CEO Ron Bloom, whose firm aggregates Web videos to facilitate ad sales. “And it’s typically pornographic, stolen or stupid.”

Meanwhile, the major broadcast and cable networks may not have enough openings for ads on their rerun TV shows. “If you’re trying to spend $1 million on an online buy, you have to reach tens of millions of people,” says Jayant Kadambi, CEO of YuMe, a broadband video ad sales firm. “You just can’t do that on NBC.com.”

To keep ad dollars from flowing elsewhere, the major networks are busily creating Web attractions, including original videos.

For the most part, though, their productions have been designed to enhance viewer interest in popular TV shows. For example ABC’s Lost: Missing Pieces, CBS’ Big Brother House Calls, Fox’s Prison Break Visitation and NBC’s Heroes 360.

“It’s a good way to continue to have a relationship with these fans” and advertisers, Cheng says.

That also was a safe thing to do before the recent strike by Hollywood screenwriters was resolved. A key issue in the dispute was how much writers would be paid for work that appears online.

Now that there’s a contract, conversations about digital initiatives “have exploded,” says Vivi Zigler, executive vice president at NBC Digital Entertainment and New Media. “It’s a matter of ‘should we,’ not ‘could we.’ That’s important.”

Disney took the boldest step in late February by creating Stage 9 Digital Media. But the new media studio still dreams about seeing one of its series on TV.

“We call that the holy grail,” says Barry Jossen, general manager of Stage 9. “The new media business, from the sponsors’ point of view, is definitely experimental. So the kinds of commitments they are making are modest. It’s a break-even business.”

He’s undaunted by NBC’s experience in February — during the writers’ strike — when it became the first major TV network to air an entertainment show originally made for the Web. Although the series Quarterlife was a hit on the Internet, NBC moved it to cable channel Bravo after the first episode attracted a mere 3.1 million viewers.

“Just because their one and only shot didn’t work out as pristinely as they would have hoped or dreamed doesn’t mean that’s the only opportunity like that,” Jossen says. “We have to keep trying.”

Cutting deals

While Disney focuses on producing its own Web videos, CBS and NBC are buying and investing in independent producers.

CBS has led the way here cutting deals with firms including high school sports site MaxPreps, business-satire-oriented Wallstrip, celebrity news provider Dotspotter and Joost, which offers a hodgepodge of new and old videos.

That’s one reason the smart money is betting that the networks eventually will control the biggest mines when gold rush fever finally subsides.

“The theory of the Internet is that you can get anything you want,” says investor Richard Wolpert. “But you still have to be exposed to the fact that it exists. That is still a very valuable asset. It feels like this is the year when everything is happening. But on a historic perspective, it’s a 20-year process, and we’re in the middle of it now.”

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.

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.

I am looking for business owners, entrepreneurs, authors, coaches or any professional who want to personalize their services on their website or blog with a short one camera streaming video. Do you know anyone who could benefit from that kind of exposure?

In addition to posting it on your website you can put it on UTube, My Space, Google and various other websites which creates tons of visibility. I know that finding ways to market your business, product or service can be a challenging.

Here are some of the objections I hear from professionals why they can’t do a video. They don’t know how to say what they do in 2–3 minures or they are simply afraid. The biggest fear in the world is the fear of speaking more then death!

I can help you out here and that’s why I am offering a 2 day workshop called BizSpeak & Video Workshop, Sept 15 & 16 where our master branding, media and presentation coach Jack Barnard is going to work with the attendees interactively and prepare them to do a short video. On the second day we will shoot your presentation.

That’s Jack your master coach and me

I encourage you to consider video. Who else can sell your business or service better then yourself? (maybe with a little bit of coaching). Keep in mind that video inspires trust as we can to feel and sense who you are. It captivates your visitors’ attention and motivates them to take action. It creates a personal connection with potential clients and converts more visitors to customers. It provides a quick and easy way for visitors to get an overview of what you offer without having to read a lot of text. Best of all it can be uploaded to your website and to video distribution sites with access to hundreds of millions of potential customers.

Take a look at some of the sample streaming videos on the BizSpeak page and see for yourself. BTW: It’s a steal for $497. Contact me susan@speakerservices.com if this approach appreals to you.

A few days ago I talked about Alex Carroll the Radio PR Guy. He has a database of radio talk show hosts and producers who book speakers/authors for their shows. Today I am sharing a tip from him on how to create a pitch or media hook plus examples of radio show listings from his database.

Also included in this post is one of my favorite recommeded resources audioacrobat.
Have you considered doing your own radio show or podcasting? Or do you simply want to have an audio prescence of your website or blog? How about recording a teleclass and creating a product from it? You can do all of the above plus more if you have audioacrobat.

AudioAcrobat is a powerful and easy online radio and audio/video content development tool and a recording, streaming and hosting service. All of your audio messages are automatically converted into a single of html code that can be uploaded to any website. Dave Barrett, the owner offers training every week. See the schedule for the week of July 9 & 10. below. Try it out for 30 days for free. Click here to try it out.

You can see how I uploaded an MP4 of our speaker and authot Julie Thong to audioacrobat click here and to listen to audio see Lisa Marie Platske . Listen to a replay of a teleclass of a Q & A teleclass that I did with Jack Barnard on The Speakers’ Bootcamp or take a look at the Speakers’ Summit Hot Seat Video’s we produced . If you would like to develop a one camera streaming video for your website or blog etc you might want to attend the BizSpeak and Video Workshop September 15 &16 in Los Angeles and also see the streaming samples that I uploaded to audioacrobat .

BTW: On July 23, I am offering a free teleclass with Nita Vallens, talk show host for KPFK, Inner Vision and Jill Lublin, Guerilla Marketing. We’ll be talking about online media rooms and what producers/hosts say they look for in a compelling guest. Sign up Both of these ladies are speaking at the MediaSpeak Symposium in October.

At the MediaSpeak Symposium you will learn how to pitch to the media and actually have an opportunity to pitch live to radio, TV and print folks.

Back to Alex’s tip:

The first step towards being a guest on big radio shows is coming up with a great “media hook,” or “show pitch.”

Here’s a fill-in-the-blank formula that you can use to create a show pitch that is guaranteed to grab a producer’s attention virtually every time …

* Pitch Formula: “___ things you must do immediately when ______________”

And here’s a couple of examples of how you might apply it:

Show Pitch: “5 things you must do immediately when you find out the company you work for is about to be bought out”

Show Pitch: “3 things you must do immediately when someone starts yelling at you … or threatening you”

This is a very versatile show pitch formula and can be used for almost anything. The word “must” makes it especially compelling, and the word “immediately” makes it urgent. Here’s some more examples: “7 things you must do immediately when the Fed starts lowering interest rates,” or “when your flight gets cancelled,” or “when the principal calls and your kid’s in trouble,” or “when you notice an odd growth on your skin,” or “when you wake up from a bad nightmare,” or whatever. It’s pretty much limitless.

If you are ready to pitch to talk shows I suggest you purchase the database listing which includes 1,264 radio shows, faxes, e-mails, websites, categories, show descriptions, time slots, number of listeners, frequencies, markets, time zones, news directors, public affairs directors, program directors, and more … for each show.

And it is the only database available of just the big shows. Here’s the link to order the talk show database.

Sample of radio talk show producers on Alex’s list.
Rank, Host, Producer, Phone, Address

#1, Sean Hannity, James Grisham, 212-613-3800
WABC, 2 Penn Plaza, 17th Fl., New York, NY 10121

#2, Michael Savage, David Ruben, 541-664-8827
Talk Radio Ntwk., 724 E. Pine St., Central Point, OR 97502

#3, Howard Stern, Gary Del’Abate, 212-584-5100
Sirius, 1211 6th Ave., New York, NY, 10020

#4, Dr. Laura, Fax pitches to 818-461-5140, 818-377-5300
Premiere, 15260 Ventura Bl-500, Sherman Oaks, CA, 91403

#5, George Noory, Lisa Lyon, 541-955-0100
Premiere, 777 NE 7th St., Grants Pass, OR, 97526

#6, Bill O’Reilly, Ron Mitchell, 212-301-3000
Fox News, 1211 6th Ave., New York, NY 10036

#7, Glenn Beck, Stu Burguiere, 610-617-2033
WPHT, 10 Monument Rd., Bala Cynwyd, PA, 19004

#8, Laura Ingraham, Mike Kincaid, 541-664-8827
TRN, 724 E. Pine St., Central Point, OR, 97502

#9, Jim Bohannon, John Stolnis, 202-457-7997
Westwood One, 2020 ‘M’ NW, Washington DC, 20036

#10, Mike Gallagher, Jason Hiatt, 972-831-1920
Salem, 6400 N. Beltline Rd, Ste 210, Irving, TX 75063

Here are the upcoming comimentary AudioAcrobat training choices:

Monday – July 9, 2007

Basic Training…75 minutes

2:00 PM Eastern Time (EST)
1:00 PM Central Time (CST)
12:00 Noon Mountain Time (MST)
11:00 AM Pacific Time (PST)

———————————-

Podcasting and Video…75 minutes

Please have an audio recording for this class

7:00 PM Eastern Time (EST)
6:00 PM Central Time (CST)
5:00 PM Mountain Time (MST)
4:00 PM Pacific Time (PST)

***************************

Tuesday – July 10, 2007

Podcasting and Video…75 minutes

Please have an audio recording for this class

2:00 PM Eastern Time (EST)
1:00 PM Central Time (CST)
12:00 Noon Mountain Time (MST)
11:00 AM Pacific Time (PST)

————————

Basic Training…75 minutes

7:00 PM Eastern Time (EST)
6:00 PM Central Time (CST)
5:00 PM Mountain Time (MST)
4:00 PM Pacific Time (PST)

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Conference Call Number: (605) 990-0001

Remember you can try it out for 30 days for free.

Here are several suggestions on mapping out a marketing plan for your speaking business.

Also an article on what meeting planners look for when hiring a speaker with tips on video demos too.

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.

- Design an irresistible presentation kit that makes meeting planners want to hire you.
In this kit would be your one-sheets for each topic you speak on

- Customize your talks with targeted pre-program questionnaires

- Launch new product ideas based on solid game-plans

- Produce powerful video demos

- Create powerful websites, blogs and e-zines

What Meeting Planners Look for When Working with Speakers

• Are you easy to work with? The desirable speaker or trainer is organized, professional in all communications, and is flexible as opposed to “whiney” and demanding. Make their job easier and they will use you again and recommend you to others.

• Are you an expert in your topic? They look for a presenter who can communicate effectively with impact, drawing in and captivating the audience.

• Do you take the time to learn about their organization and customize your presentations for their people? They want someone who will take the time to research, and then adapt your presentation so that it is relevant and appropriate to the culture and climate of their organization.

• Do you engage the audience? Decision makers want a presenter who will get the audience involved and invested. They look to see if your audience seems sincerely interested and responsive to you, as opposed to someone who is just tolerated.

• Will you help the company achieve its goals? If their goal is to create long-term change, they need to be convinced that you can accomplish this before they invest in you. If they are looking for entertainment, they want to know that what you do will achieve this for the majority of their people.

• Do you have a video demo? Is it streamed on your website?

A great video demo can be your ticket into places you could have never reached without it. It can increase the number and the caliber of your bookings. It can be sent through the mail, streamed on your website, and even sent by e-mail. For most serious speakers and trainers, it is an absolute necessity for success.

Many meeting planners and executives will not even consider a speaker or trainer without seeing them in action. So your video demo can get you in the door, but then you have one chance to impress your prospect quickly. There is a lot of competition out there, and most professionals have a demo video. To stand out from the pack it’s essential for your video be creatively and intelligently designed, with excellent quality. It can mean a significantly higher income.

It makes sense to invest in a demo, but to increase the return on your investment, you need to design your demo to target, reach and persuade those who have the power to say yes or no to you. With that type of planning, you’re shooting at your target with laser guided precision! Without great planning and execution, you are just shooting arrows with a blindfold on.

Of course every speaker and trainer is unique, so each video should be unique. The tone, pace and image of your video will differ from others because of who you are and what you do. However, there are some basic attributes that appeal to most decision makers. It is up to you and your video production company to communicate that you have those qualities.

Tips on Video Demos:
Your demo video is like a five to seven minute sales call. A quality three camera professionally produced demo video lets your client know that you are a professional, experienced and in-demand speaker. A poor quality video has the opposite effect, and will usually not be watched at all.

• Stream your video and post it on your website so that you can be seen right away.

• Make a CD or DVD of your demo to send out to the planners when it is requested.

A quality demo video can:
- Help you get in the door and past the “gatekeepers” to the decision makers.
- Make a quick and great impression.
- Show your unique style and how the audience responds to you.
- Entice potential clients. Grab their interest so they’ll want to hear more of your presentation.
- Give you a quality tool to reach thousands of potential clients by streaming on the web.
- Increase the caliber of your bookings.
- Get you hired and increase your income!

See streaming video samples of 3 camera video demos that Speaker Services produces for their clients at the Video Demo Showcase. Next showcase is November 4, 2007.

I think you may be aware of the fact that text is static. Right? So as professionals it is rather important and necessary to be seen or heard. Tell me the truth. Would you be more likely to hire an attorney or an accountant if you could see them talking about the benefits of working with them rather then reading about them?

I sure would. At Speaker Services one of the services we offer is a one camera video shoot called BizSpeak & Video Workshop.

It is a 2 day event. September 15 & 16 in Los Angeles.

Our master trainer, Jack Barnard teaches the attendees how to talk about what they offer in 2 or 3 minutes and the workshop is very interactive.

Day 1
- Learn the template for a 3 minute to 3 hour speech structure
- Learn how to balance information, story support and interaction
- Tap into a systematic approach for creating dynamite presentations
- Familiarize, not “memorize” your material

Day 2
Shoot a two-three minute segment and leave with a CD which you can stream and post on your webstie, Goggle, UTube, MySpace…

Your Investment: $497, Limited to 20 attendees

Take a look at at the streaming video we created at the Speakers’ Summit in May. This is Chaz Gaddie.

If you recognize the value of streaming video on your website or blog etc and would like professional coaching and a great video shoot then check us out at

Check out the PDF for the Workshop BizSpeak & Video Workshop

I love the graphics. Dotti Albertine of Albertine Designs is my graphic artist/designer. She really specializes in Book Covers & Interiors however, when she has free time she helps me out.

You can hear Dotti in a short audio clip on my resource directory talking about Book Design.

For business owners, entrepreneurs, authors, coaches or any professional finding ways to market your business, product or service can be a challenge. Let me recap the benefits of marketing yourself through streaming video:

- Inspires trust rather then static text or pictures
- Captivates your visitors’ attention and motivates them to take action
- Creates a personal connection with potential clients and converts more visitors to customers
- Provides a quick and easy way for visitors to get a quick overview of what you offer without having to read a lot of text
- Can be uploaded to your website and to video distribution sites with access to hundreds of millions of potential customers

Streaming video is changing the way we communicate in and out of business at an amazing rate. Video e-mail, video instant messaging, video blogging and video web casting are the hottest new crazes in the communication industry.

Jump on the video bandwagon and speak up so we can hire you as a speaker, coach or a consultant.