Dear
,
The first Presenters & Programs catalogue was mailed out on time to over 30,000 association executives, meeting planners and event coordinators. As you know, we had planned to mail approximately 17,000, but Gregory was able to obtain another incredible list and that enabled us to mail the larger number with absolutely no extra costs to our advertisers. We have had great feedback from some of the bureaus we work with as well as clients telling us they like the size and style of the booklet and especially the offering of high quality professional speakers. And what’s not to like? It’s a great group of international speakers, authors,and personalities.
We will be at MPI in Pasadena, California on March 25th along with the Las Vegas Convention Speakers Bureau, so if you are there, please stop by, say hello, and pick up a copy of the catalogue.
Hope to see you!
Get on the List
By Doc Blakely
 A friend of mine used to work for a company that did surveys. It was his job to call people and interview them about the product his company sold. Some people got irate and told him, “Take me off your list. I hate these things.” He always patiently explained that the person was already on the list and if he took them off that list he would have to put them on the list that they couldn’t get off so it was better to stay on the list they were on. When they asked why, he explained “You don’t want on the other list. You will never, ever get off that one. It’s better to stay on this one. You can get off it.”
So they’d stay on his list and answer his questions.
Here’s my list of dumb phrases I’d like to see disappear:
- “To be perfectly honest with you…” Wait, a minute has our conversation to this point been tainted? Have you been only slightly, modestly or imperfectly honest with me?
- “That’s to die for.” They usually say this about food of some sort. I’ve never tasted any food that was worth dying for. I’ve eaten in a few places where I thought I might pass away during the night but the gas kept me alive until daylight. And every time “they” say “it’s to die for” I’m reminded of that dish, a sardine casserole.
- “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.” Ridiculous sayings like this do not stretch the imagination nearly as much as “but if you can get him to float on his back you’ve really got something.”
- “Six of one and half a dozen of the other.” No wonder America lags so far behind the rest of the world in math. What does beer and doughnuts have to do with anything?
- “If push comes to shove…” If you speak another language try translating this. It’s like saying “If pull comes to yank, if jerk comes to snatch, if extract comes to vanilla.”
- “You mean not at all?” This has to rank right up there with “Huh” as brilliant conversation. You usually get this question in response to a remark like “None of your heifers are pregnant.”
- “You know…” “I’m going to the University you know and you know I’ll graduate with a degree in journalism you know.” And you’ll starve…don’t you know?
- “You want fries with that?” No, but a can of Mace would be nice. Call me old fashioned if you will but I don’t care for fries with a yogurt twist cone.
- “No way”- “Way” This makes as much sense as “No Sir”- “Sir” and “No kidding”-“Kidding.” I’d like to see that replaced with “No joke?”-“Joke.”
- And finally “Well, I didn’t ask to be born” is an original thought to all of us at one time I suspect but my Father broke me of the habit years ago when he said, “Yeah well, if you had the answer today would have been no.”
Branding Tips
by Gregory A. Kompes, The Writerpreneur
 Websites
Everyone needs a Website. These virtual sales brochures brand you as an expert in your niche. When well-designed, websites create a positive first impression with your editors, agents, publishers, clients and readers. By following these four steps, you’ll have a great, do-it-yourself site online in no time, for under $100 a year.
Step One: Purchase a domain name that reflects you, your writing, or your services. It’s good to be creative, but important to maintain a professional image. No matter what domain name you choose, it’s a good idea to also purchase your own name (i.e. www.gregorykompes.com), before someone else does.
I use and highly recommend FabulistFlashDomains.com where domain names are under $10 a year and site hosting (see Step Two) starts at $3.99 a month. Do your research, there are a lot of domain providers out there. Most offer an annual payment that adds convenience and saves you money.
Step Two: Websites need a “host” or a place to live online in order to be accessible to viewers. An internet search for “website host services” will jumpstart your research. When selecting a site host, avoid the “free” hosting sites because they put advertising banners on your site creating an unprofessional look. Many site hosts offer banner-free services starting at $3.99 a month. As your career grows, so will your reader following and website needs. It’s good to start small and add services as you need them, so select a host that offers upgradeable services.
Step Three: Create site content that promotes you, your services, and your books. Take Jenna Glatzer (www.jennaglatzer.com), author or ghostwriter of 16 books, as an example. Glatzer describes her site: “I have info about each of my books, along with my bio, media appearances, reviews, free articles for reprint, frequently asked questions, and contact info.” Websites are perfect for selling books, advertising services, blogging, and capturing your reader fan base through e-mail subscriber lists and newsletters. Future columns will explore these topics in more detail.
Step Four: Build a professional-looking website or blog. Some site hosts offer easy templates. If you can use PowerPoint, you’ll quickly understand Website creation software such as FrontPage, Publisher, or Website Tonight. If you’re interested in learning the simple website programming language HTML, W3Schools.com has an excellent (and free) HTML tutorial.
Or, if you are not technically inclined, you may want to hire someone to build your site for you. After it’s done, follow your host’s upload instructions (or have your hired gun do so for you) and your site will start promoting you 24-7.
Words of Wisdom
Paul F. Peixoto shares words of wisdom.
1. Did you choose the speaking profession or did it choose you?
I think it was a little bit of both. I certainly wasn’t going after a speaking career, having studied engineering in college. But the first time I experienced how profoundly you can affect and influence people’s thinking and behavior through speaking and training, I was hooked for life.
2. When and how did you 'know' you were a speaker?
I knew I was a speaker when that first person came back to me after a talk and thanked me for how much my ideas moved and changed his life. When I realized that I could have such an effect on people’s lives through speaking, I knew that was the direction in which I wanted to take my career.
3. What are the biggest surprises you've encountered? (as a speaker)
The biggest surprise for me continues to be how long the effect can last in some individuals. I’ve had people come to me years after a talk and tell me that they still are affected by my words. That’s a great feeling. It’s also surprising to me to hear what really moves people. Often I find that it’s my sidebar comments or a drop-in at the last minute that has a much greater effect than anything I had planned. Being in the moment (as the actors will teach you) has tremendous value when you’re on the platform.
4. What is your proudest speaker moment?
I was attending a weekend-long meeting of a group that was discussing a number of serious issues plaguing their organization. The discussion had been pretty heated in most of the meetings and I was scheduled to speak during the latter half of the agenda. By the time my slot was up, tensions were high and the client asked if I could do anything to relieve the stress and point us back in a profitable direction. I did a quick gear-shift and severely modified the talk I came to give. The end result was that the attendees felt it was the best session of the weekend, making the trip worthwhile. The client was credited with having the wisdom to have me on the agenda and the attendees were spared feeling like they’d wasted a weekend.
5. What was your worst speaking experience?
Early in my speaking career I was asked at the last minute to cover for a speaker who couldn’t make it to the meeting. The catch was that I had to deliver their message and not my own. Working from someone else’s notes and thoughts was one of the toughest things I’ve ever been asked to do. It is also something I will never do again. If you ask me to speak – you get me!
6. What's your favorite self-marketing idea?
I don’t know that I’ve found a favorite marketing idea yet. The key today, I think, is that you have to do it all. There isn’t one form of marketing that will win you a ton of business. You need to experiment with all types at all times. Beware of the hype.
7. What business challenges have you faced as a speaker?
Differentiation is a constant challenge. The marketplace seems to be getting more crowded with each passing year and because of this the ability to define and dominate your niche gets increasingly difficult. Setting yourself apart from all the rest demands focus and planning.
8. Who was your role model or inspiration?
Most of my role models don’t come from the world of professional speakers but rather from the church. Some of the greatest speakers can be found in our nation’s pulpits each Sunday morning. Anybody that can passionately breathe life into the same material 52 times a year has got to have some serious game.
9. What's the best advice you were given about speaking?
The best advice I’ve been given has been to resist trying to duplicate someone else’s style and just be myself. Trying to be someone else is disingenuous, usually obvious to the audience, and ruins your credibility.
10. What words of wisdom would you share with a new speaker?
Be yourself at all times. Your unique mix of gifts, talents, experience and personality make you more than qualified to stand up and deliver your message with passion. Anything else is imitation.
E-Book Opportunity
Peter Fogel, a fellow NSA speaker, is compiling an e-book called World’s Best Public Speaking Secrets.
It is geared towards newbies and intermediate speakers who want to take their business, and/or speaking skills to the next level.
He is seeking your contribution to the book and would be honored to get a few paragraphs, even ½ a page on your expertise that has made you a success. He wants to present your “Words of Wisdom,” to people who can learn from you. The sky’s the limit on the subject matter.
- It can be about the speaking business (on how to market yourself properly to get more work)
- How to get started in the speaking business.
- Advice on dealing with decision makers
- How to improve your platform skills
- How to craft a story and engage your audience.
- How to properly use humor in your presentation.
- Pitfalls for new and even veteran speakers should avoid.
- Secrets to dealing with meeting planners
- Creating information products
- How to create multiple streams of income for your speaking business
- Finding a sponsor
- Ways to overcome stage fright!
- How to properly run a speaking business
You are only limited by your imagination. There is no remuneration for this project, but Peter will include your website and byline (and any books you’ve written if you want.) The exposure could be quite impressive.
Send a photo (jpeg) along with your submission. Submissions or questions can be sent to Speakingebook@yahoo.com
Peter would like to get moving on this project so send him your contribution (at your earliest convenience.)
Industry Events
USA.
February 12 - 15. NSA/US Winter Conference. Orlando, Florida, Disney's Coronado Springs Resort.
FRANCE.
March 11-12. The Association Francaise des Conferences Professionnels (AFCP).
NETHERLANDS.
March 13-14 Professional Speakers Association of Holland
French and Dutch Convention Registration.
AUSTRALIA.
March 27-29. Sydney National Speakers Association of Australia (NSAA). Includes New Zealand participation.
SOUTH AFRICA.
April 15. Global Speakers Network meeting prior to the Summit.
April 16-19. Global Speakers Summit in Cape Town at the Cape Sun Hotel.
SINGAPORE.
May 8-9. Asia Professional Speakers - Singapore (APS)
MALAYSIA.
May 14-15. Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia Association of Professional Speakers
Ask Judi
How do I get names of people who might want to attend my seminars, hire me to do a speech, or buy my products?
David S.
Las Vegas
This is what I call “building a data base.” You can do this in several ways. The most important being to “ask” for the information.
You can put a place on the evaluation form that asks the participant to give you the name, phone no. and email address of someone who might enjoy hearing a program such as the one they have just attended.
Tom Winninger is a master at getting repeat and spin off business by simply saying something along the lines of, “As you can see I am very passionate about today’s material. If you know of a company or association who might benefit from a presentation such as this, please come up after the program and hand me your business card.”
I send out a monthly electronic newsletter free of charge, so during the presentation, I mention the newsletter and say, “If you would like to receive it, just give me your business card before you leave today.”
At public seminars, I usually do a drawing for a product. People can put their business card or their name and personal information on a piece of paper and drop it in. It’s a good idea to have small pieces of paper preprinted with the information that you want by the drawing box, so people can fill them out and drop in the box. Be sure to have pens and/or pencils there as well.
Offer something free on your website for people to go and fill in their name and email address in order to receive it.
If you are doing a power point presentation, be sure that your website is on it. Also include your website on all handout materials and giveaway items.
With any of these techniques, it is a good idea to clear it with the meeting planner ahead of time.
When you get home, be sure to follow up with those people that gave you their information. Be sure to let them know right away that you appreciate their participation. Don’t wait too long or they may just forget who you are!
About the Editor
Judi Moreo has been a professional speaker for over 20 years. She has spoken in 27 countries on four continents. In addition, she is the author of the award-winning book, “You Are More Than Enough,” and co-author of “Conquer the Brain Drain: 52 Creative Ways to Pump Up Productivity,” “Getting Things Done”, and “Ignite the Spark.”
Judi has served as President of Turning Point International, a training and development company, for the past 15 years and is an astute businesswoman. The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce awarded her company a “Circle of Excellence” award, the US Business Advisory Council named her “Nevada Business Person of the Year” and this year she received the “Diamond Star Visionary Award.”
Judi will be presenting at IFFPS Global Speakers Summit in Cape Town, South Africa in April.
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