Archive for public speaking
Call for Speakers: Chicago Green Festival 2011
Posted by: | CommentsPublic speakers: Apply to speak at the Chicago Green Festival – May 22-23, 2011 http://bit.ly/cBcIaS
Online Success Tips for Public Speakers
Posted by: | CommentsOnline Success Tips for Public Speakers
I can’t stress the importance for each and every speaker to create a strong online presence. Today about 90% or more of your buyers are going online to find their experts and you want to found quickly and easily. Below are a few tips to help you build a strong online presence.
- The most obvious of course is a website. Have a site that speaks directly to your audience and one that clearly states your message so there is no confusion in the visitors mind as to what you do, what you have to offer and how you can benefit them our their audience. Make your site is easy to navigate and has all pertinent information. No flash, it not necessary and it’s a distraction plus it makes your site load slow and they will close it and move on to another website. Be sure and have your media kit online because this is where buyers want to find it. Don’t send hard copies through the mail unless requested.
- Create videos and more videos! Today a lot of your marketing tools online are free or low cost so you all should be taking advantage of them because they will boost your online presence. Use YouTube to get your videos online and then copy and paste the HTML code and add the video to your website and blog. Your video can become a viral marketing campaign and be shared worldwide. It will also give the buyer a little taste of what you have to offer them.
Continue reading article here…….
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Speak up to Succeed: 6 Strategies to build your speaking career
Posted by: | CommentsThrough the years, I’ve honed my speaking skills to the point where today organizations contact ME. But this wasn’t always the case.
Marjorie Geiser
By Marjorie Geiser
To celebrate “Speak up and Succeed Day”, which is January 22, I’d like to share six strategies to grow your own speaking career, that have worked for me. Although you can follow any order with these, this may be the best progression to follow:
Join Toastmasters. Before I joined Toastmasters (TM), I thought I was pretty good at presenting. What I learned was that I had a LONG way to go! I learned how to use the stage, how to use my voice, how to use timing. I learned things I never would have learned on my own. And the most amazing thing about TM is that after every speech, someone comes up and gives an evaluation speech on YOUR speech! I still remember the first presentation I gave after joining TM: It was at a national conference, with an audience of around 700 people. In my mind, as I’m using the stage, my mind was running through all I had learned from my weekly TM meetings. I was a different person on that stage than ‘before TM’. Today I feel I’m just a rookie, although I have much more experience under my belt.
Speak, speak, and speak. They say practice makes perfect, and with speaking to audiences, this couldn’t be truer. Contact local organizations and offer to give free, short presentations, speak at every meeting at your TM club. Learn how audiences react to certain stories; learn what you are best at, etc. The more you speak, the more confidence you build up, too. Every new presentation I give provides me with clues about what worked and didn’t work, so I’m able to refine my message for the next time.
Determine your rates. Certainly when you start speaking, you may not really know what to charge. And speaking at local community groups isn’t going to grow your income. BUT, if you plan to include speaking as one of your revenue streams, you need to include it in your business plan as you outline your services and products. Do your research: What do others charge? Who is your target audience and how will you reach them? With speaking, perceived value DOES come with your rates, so plan accordingly. When I started, I was happy if someone would just PAY me! But I have to admit that I did a lot of ‘pro bono’ work. When I was asked for my rates early in my speaking career, I was really stumped, because I hadn’t thought it through ahead of time.
Learn how to negotiate. Often a new speaker will be contacted by an organization and asked what their fees are. Unfortunately, the person gives a pat answer, without opening the door for negotiations! So, high on the list should be how to negotiate. Keep the door open, be clear what your own expectations are, and keep the discussions honest.
Public Speakers: Create a Member Site
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If you’re a speaker you have a lot of knowledge and content to share. Why not leverage this knowledge and sell it in many different formats. What this does is not only fill in the gaps when your speaking schedule is slow, it gives you a chance to share with people who may not be able to attend your presentation but want to stay connected to you and your solutions.
Although there are many ways to do this one I am going to briefly mention is starting a membersite for your audience. It is one I am very familiar with and have been running myself since 2002. It’s as simple as putting the concept together, your content, your simple website (use WordPress.org, its free) and a member platform. As far as finding the perfect platforms this is something I have struggled with since 2002 and not until recently did I discover an awesome platform that works perfect with WordPress, its called Wishlist and it’s a one time purchase and that’s it, no monthly fees, no hassles and great customer service.
You can listen to the audio below to learn more and listen in to a success story from using WishList.
Click the play button to listen
Whatever formats you choose to create do pick several, such as a membersite, coaching program/s, audio/DVD set, teleseminars, etc.
Get started today!
Public Speakers: What it takes to get noticed by meeting planners
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Relationships and Meeting Planners … What does it mean for you?
A Full Schedule!
Relationships rule: Although there are many ways to get a planner to take notice of you, I want to focus on only one and the most important which are relationships.
We all know that building relationships is important to any successful business so this should come as no surprise to you. I am a firm believer in building healthy and strong relationships and it has been the backbone to my own business.
Where does it all start? Continue reading….
Workshop: 5 Steps To Positioning Yourself As A Public Speaking Expert
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Upcoming Live Workshop Invitation
Date: November 7th, 2009 – Omaha, Nebraska
Topic: 5 Steps To Positioning Yourself As A Public Speaking Expert So You Can Start Securing Speaking Engagements Within 90 Days!
Workshop Leader: Wendi McNeill
Description: This workshop is intended for new public speakers or for re-entry speakers who are struggling to fill their speaking schedule and position themselves. This workshop will cover the top 5 ingredients step by step to creating a successful and lucrative speaking business. There are vital steps involved in positioning yourself as a speaker. If you skip one or try to move too fast you end up backtracking and this creates a lot of frustration, time and a big dent in their pocketbook.
Wendi has created an extremely effective and foolproof blueprint for anyone who wants to start and grow a successful and lucrative speaking business. Simply follow the steps, follow through with them and you’re on your way to speaking success!
Learn more about the workshop here and get in on the early bird special!
Public Speaking: The top 8 tips that will bring you speaking success!
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1. Find your niche and audience…once you do dig deeper and really narrow in on a very specific group of people, a group that you are meant to serve, one that desperately needs your solution to their very specific problem. Find the problem. Offer the solution.
2. Create a brand for your speaking business. What do you want to be known for? Research your competitors and see how they’re positioning themselves…set yourself apart from them and be different, don’t be afraid to be the purple cow in the field. Be clear with your brand; do not confuse your audience. It really needs to be focused, targeted and clear. Be consistent with your brand as it will follow you everywhere and on everything from your marketing material to the way you answer your calls.
3. Create an online presence. A website that is designed to meet the needs of your target audience and one that includes all the necessary ingredients for online success as a speaker (this is vital because about 95% + planners and media professionals are going online to find their experts and you need to make sure you’re easily found with a very clear message)
Public Speaking: Are you a Generalist or Specialist?
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Some will say Generalist because they “think” they can reach a wider audience hence producing a full schedule and higher income…I disagree. We all have heard the saying you can’t please everyone and such is the case even when you’re a speaker. You have a very unique gift and a solid knowledge base and you’re meant to serve only one type of audience, you have something to bring to a very specific group of people that will change their lives for the better…continue reading article here
