"Technology gives us the facilities that lessen the barriers of time and distance." Emily G. Balch
The industry isn’t the same as it used to be. The good old days meant that as a speaker all you needed was a phone and a rolodex. Those days are gone. You can’t just keep up. You have to stay one step ahead. There are some great technological advances, that if embraced can actually save time, energy and money. Let’s examine three basic, cost effective options.
Webinars
The term webinar is short for web-based seminar and is a presentation, lecture, workshop or seminar that is transmitted over the Web. The webinar is the most interactive and allows the most participation between the audience and presenter.
It allows much more flexibility to the instructor because it makes it easier to touch more audiences in a single day. A webinar presenter can give multiple presentations while a live speaker is limited to one or two. The audience is only restricted by technology versus location.
The audience can ask questions without disrupting the presentation. The speaker can take the pulse of the audience by posting a text question and actually change the outcome of the presentation by appropriately reading and responding to the participants. Plus it is hard to beat giving a program in your bunny slippers from the comfort of your own home.
There are great benefits for the meeting planner as well. Because everything is virtual, there are no travel, airfare, hotel or meal expenses to pay for the instructor. A lot of speakers offer these types of programs for reduced rates for the convenience of delivery from the comfort of their living room. The participation rates can increase because none of the attendants have to worry about travel expenses either.
The meeting planner doesn’t have to secure a venue. The savings in meals and room rental alone can have a tremendous impact. The webinar service itself is also reasonable. Most come with a cafeteria style menu where you can select, and pay for, what suits your needs. Because everything can be downloaded by the individual participants, this method of education is completely green. The meeting planner doesn’t have to spend time, money or resources printing handouts. (Loriann White would be so proud!) Plus, if you miss it, that’s ok. These sessions are archived online for fast and easy retrieval.
Teleseminars
Teleseminars are telephone based presentations. They are extremely similar to webinars but lack the interaction that so many customers desire. My company had a recent request from a large industry association to host a series of teleseminars. This is new for this particular association and the participation numbers are high for a teleseminar so I asked the planner about the change. She let me know that attendance at their recent annual conference was down due to budget restrictions on travel. By offering a teleseminar series, they can bring the necessary education to all of their members regardless of location for a fraction of the price of booking speakers for a multiple day conference.
Podcasts
Podcasts are normally a series of audio files that are available on line. There is usually no interaction between the facilitator and the audience. However, all technology has its place. There is an extremely successful health and wellness speaker that has grown his empire over the last year fifteen minutes at a time. He gets up every day, seven days a week, and loads a fifteen minute podcast on ITunes. He has done this for a year and now has a following of over 16,000 people all over the world. Pretty cool, huh?
The main thing to remember with any technology is that is works for you if you know how to work with it. There are pros and cons to any form of education. The best thing about these technologies is the registration information you acquire when hosting a function that can be used for marketing afterward. Plus, I have never seen a webinar have too many cocktails and hit on anyone’s boss.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Green is the new black
"Forty may be the new thirty, but green is definitely the new black."
Loriann White
Co-founder and President
Association for Green Meetings & Events
Loriann White knows what she is talking about. After serving the hospitality and meetings industry for over 17 years, she is the co-founder, president and chief innovation officer for Association for Green Meetings & Events, Inc. (AGME), as well as co-founder for the Atlanta Green Meetings Council.
Why do you care about what a self proclaimed "tree hugger" thinks? You should care because she is a leader in her industry and respected by her peers. In 2007-2008, Loriann served the Meeting Professionals International Georgia Chapter (GaMPI) Executive Board of Directors committee as VP, Strategic Events, overseeing all high-end education programs and events. In 2006-2007, she served as VP, Education overseeing all monthly educational programs. During her tenure, she implemented new practices to include Blue Ocean methodology, Green Meetings and Emergency Contingency Plan, On-Line Webinars on Technology and Marketing as well as securing first -ever speaker honorarium and AV Sponsorships. Under Loriann's leadership, MPI awarded GaMPI Awards of Excellence in Education at the MPI-PEC program in 2008.
In 2003, Loriann received Meeting Planner of the Year, in 2005 as GaMPI's Sponsor or the Year. In 2004, Loriann was nominated in Georgia Trend Magazine as Top 40 Under 40 and received Convention South's Top 20 Meeting Professionals to Watch in 2005 and 2007. Loriann was a finalist as MPI International Meeting Planner of the Year for 2005 and finalist as MPI Marion N. Kershner Memorial Chapter Leader of the Year in 2006. In June 2007, she received Chapter Leader of the Year award and Special Project of the Year: Green Meetings Initiative for her introduction and implementation of green practices within the chapter - produced a savings of $17,243 in print costs alone.
So Loriann is Super Woman. What does that mean to you? Having green meetings has a tremendous impact. The benefits of implementing green meetings are three-fold.
The Environmental Bottom-Line: Going green is good for the environment. By not pre-filling water glasses at each table during a three days of lunches for 2,200 attendees; approximately 510 gallons of water can be saved.
The Economic Bottom-Line: Going green can save you green. By utilizing technology for all communications, an event with 250 attendees can save you approximately $1,100 by using on-line registration; email evaluations and speaker handouts at the conclusion of the program.
The Social Bottom-Line: Going green enhances your image in the community. By donating leftover food to a local community food bank or shelter, you give back to the community while diverting waste from landfills.
If you want more information, check out the AGME website at agmeinc.org
Remember that recycling is the key to everyone's future. In a world of over 23,000 meeting planners, different is good. Standing out as unique among your peers is a good thing. Standing out by saving your company and you client money while looking out for the environment is a great thing.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
It's a thankless job, but somebody has to do it
"My to-do list is so long that it doesn't have an end; it has an event horizon." Craig Bruce
Meeting and event planners have the single most thankless job on the planet. Let's take a look at a day in the life of a meeting planner. For the purpose of our day, we will call our meeting planner Amber.
Amber gets started before most folks. She is in the office by 7am. She can't find her desk because it is covered with marketing material. There is propaganda from the new hotel down the street, the new restaurant that is opening sent her an invitation for their reception, the MPI chapter registration for the event next year is filled out and waiting to be mailed and in the corner are 10 media kits from speakers that include DVDs waiting to be watched.
The resort for the conference left a voice mail letting her know that they can only accommodate 300 of her 500 guests. There are 89 emails to return and her boss wants to know if she has the seating chart for the banquet on the 18th finished yet. The phone starts ringing at 8am. It is a professional speaker. Before finding out if she is busy, he launches into his pitch. His is great. He is the greatest speaker since sliced bread. He can motivate a mountain to move and the skies to open. Amber didn't even catch his name because he started talking before she started listening. Can he send a media kit? Sure, why not? She will add it to her collection of never seen DVDs. All of this occurs before 9am.
GIMME A BREAK! These folks have so much going on they barely have time to breath. Give them some space. If you are going to contact a planner directly, please keep a few simple pointers in mind.
1. This is a relationship based business. No one wants a used car salesman coming to their house and pounding on their door. Likewise, meeting and event planners get pounded on by every vendor and representative in the field. Don't be one of them.
2. Manners Matter! Make sure the person you are calling on is a good fit for both of you. Be courteous. Ask if they have time to speak with you. Respect the answer if they don't. Be clear and concise and get to the point. State your name and tell them what you can do for them. I am sure you are a great speaker but no one has time to hear you recite your resume.
3. Follow up is important. Do what you say you are going to do. If you say you will call back in a week, do it. If you are going to send an email, send it. Try to remember that you, as a speaker, are on a check list next to set up chairs and pay caterer. The easier you are to deal with, the more likely you are to get dealt with on a consistent basis. These folks are busy. If you leave a message on Monday, don't get upset if you don't get a call back on Tuesday. Wait a few days and try again.
IF the thought of trying to communicate with meeting and event planners is still overwhelming to you, don't worry. We are fluent in planner. Just give us a call and let us simplify your life.
Meeting and event planners have the single most thankless job on the planet. Let's take a look at a day in the life of a meeting planner. For the purpose of our day, we will call our meeting planner Amber.
Amber gets started before most folks. She is in the office by 7am. She can't find her desk because it is covered with marketing material. There is propaganda from the new hotel down the street, the new restaurant that is opening sent her an invitation for their reception, the MPI chapter registration for the event next year is filled out and waiting to be mailed and in the corner are 10 media kits from speakers that include DVDs waiting to be watched.
The resort for the conference left a voice mail letting her know that they can only accommodate 300 of her 500 guests. There are 89 emails to return and her boss wants to know if she has the seating chart for the banquet on the 18th finished yet. The phone starts ringing at 8am. It is a professional speaker. Before finding out if she is busy, he launches into his pitch. His is great. He is the greatest speaker since sliced bread. He can motivate a mountain to move and the skies to open. Amber didn't even catch his name because he started talking before she started listening. Can he send a media kit? Sure, why not? She will add it to her collection of never seen DVDs. All of this occurs before 9am.
GIMME A BREAK! These folks have so much going on they barely have time to breath. Give them some space. If you are going to contact a planner directly, please keep a few simple pointers in mind.
1. This is a relationship based business. No one wants a used car salesman coming to their house and pounding on their door. Likewise, meeting and event planners get pounded on by every vendor and representative in the field. Don't be one of them.
2. Manners Matter! Make sure the person you are calling on is a good fit for both of you. Be courteous. Ask if they have time to speak with you. Respect the answer if they don't. Be clear and concise and get to the point. State your name and tell them what you can do for them. I am sure you are a great speaker but no one has time to hear you recite your resume.
3. Follow up is important. Do what you say you are going to do. If you say you will call back in a week, do it. If you are going to send an email, send it. Try to remember that you, as a speaker, are on a check list next to set up chairs and pay caterer. The easier you are to deal with, the more likely you are to get dealt with on a consistent basis. These folks are busy. If you leave a message on Monday, don't get upset if you don't get a call back on Tuesday. Wait a few days and try again.
IF the thought of trying to communicate with meeting and event planners is still overwhelming to you, don't worry. We are fluent in planner. Just give us a call and let us simplify your life.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should
"A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice. " - Bill Cosby
I am certain that you are a capable speaker and an outstanding business person. You probably have a tremendous amount of experience and know exactly which direction you want to take to get to the next level.
Or maybe not.
If you aren't feeling well - you visit the doctor.
If you need legal advice - you go see an attorney.
If you have to file your taxes - you call your accountant.
You would never perform surgery on yourself, write your own will or file your own taxes. It is possible that you are an expert in one of these fields, but even then, you would probably have a colleague look it over or weigh in with their own professional opinion.
We would never consider trying to cross the line and perform expert services on or for ourselves. Why then, as a business professional, do we insist on creating our own business cards? Why would you try to get more speaking engagements by picking up a phone and cold calling out of a phone book? You are surely a technological genius, but do you really want to spend your time creating your own website?
You can be an expert in the field of engineering or a brain surgeon and have no idea how to market yourself or your company to the right audience with the best materials at the correct time. Leave it to the professionals that know how. That is what we are here for. We want to help you accomplish your goals without creating extra stress for yourself and others.
While nothing in this life is certain, if you give us the right tools and a little time, we can give you a big push in the right direction. Now go back to NASA and finish working with the other rocket scientists. Leave all the details to us.
I am certain that you are a capable speaker and an outstanding business person. You probably have a tremendous amount of experience and know exactly which direction you want to take to get to the next level.
Or maybe not.
If you aren't feeling well - you visit the doctor.
If you need legal advice - you go see an attorney.
If you have to file your taxes - you call your accountant.
You would never perform surgery on yourself, write your own will or file your own taxes. It is possible that you are an expert in one of these fields, but even then, you would probably have a colleague look it over or weigh in with their own professional opinion.
We would never consider trying to cross the line and perform expert services on or for ourselves. Why then, as a business professional, do we insist on creating our own business cards? Why would you try to get more speaking engagements by picking up a phone and cold calling out of a phone book? You are surely a technological genius, but do you really want to spend your time creating your own website?
You can be an expert in the field of engineering or a brain surgeon and have no idea how to market yourself or your company to the right audience with the best materials at the correct time. Leave it to the professionals that know how. That is what we are here for. We want to help you accomplish your goals without creating extra stress for yourself and others.
While nothing in this life is certain, if you give us the right tools and a little time, we can give you a big push in the right direction. Now go back to NASA and finish working with the other rocket scientists. Leave all the details to us.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
When Michael Hart speaks
"Whoever controls the media, the images, controls the culture." Allen Ginsberg
The media can be very fickle. Whether newspapers, magazines, radio or television, what they consider newsworthy today is outdated tomorrow. Much of this is due to the rapid news cycle world we live in. However, in the case of business related news, this cycle spins much slower because business news is rarely breaking.
But the key point to learn before we start is this:
Unlike breaking news where the shelf life might be days, even hours, business news can be pertinent for day's even weeks. However a story that gets no "legs" today may very well be a hot subject tomorrow. This happens for a variety of reasons ranging from a slow news day to changes in the industry that affect the local story. Sometimes a reporter may just have a bad day or simply not need the story.
There are stories that a reporter might decline one week and show up at your office in hopes of getting the full story the next week. This same reporter might have declined the same story just a week before. However, things change and you can become a hot source overnight.
Press releases are not magic. They rarely do all the heavy lifting. You will have to contact the reporters/producers you send it to. Some PR folk will tell you to fax blast your release or put it up on a dozen news wires. Of course if you send 1000 releases across the country you cannot possibly contact everyone. BIG HOWEVER - You might want to consider focusing on local or regional exposure, not creating a national media campaign.
Remember that it shouldn't be about getting tons of press releases into the market with the hopes you get some coverage. You should specialize in getting publicity that can be converted into measurable profit gains. Let the guru's teach you how to get publicity that strokes your ego.
Regardless of how many PR pros you talk to - press releases are not an exact science. There is some flexibility and despite what they say - creativity. There are however several absolutes.
By studying and following the format you will greatly increase the chances your releases will get you the attention you desire.
If you want to know more about press releases or marketing, please check out:
http://michaelhartspeaks.com/Home_Page.html
When Michael Hart speaks you should be listening. But only if you want to grow your business.
The media can be very fickle. Whether newspapers, magazines, radio or television, what they consider newsworthy today is outdated tomorrow. Much of this is due to the rapid news cycle world we live in. However, in the case of business related news, this cycle spins much slower because business news is rarely breaking.
But the key point to learn before we start is this:
Unlike breaking news where the shelf life might be days, even hours, business news can be pertinent for day's even weeks. However a story that gets no "legs" today may very well be a hot subject tomorrow. This happens for a variety of reasons ranging from a slow news day to changes in the industry that affect the local story. Sometimes a reporter may just have a bad day or simply not need the story.
There are stories that a reporter might decline one week and show up at your office in hopes of getting the full story the next week. This same reporter might have declined the same story just a week before. However, things change and you can become a hot source overnight.
Press releases are not magic. They rarely do all the heavy lifting. You will have to contact the reporters/producers you send it to. Some PR folk will tell you to fax blast your release or put it up on a dozen news wires. Of course if you send 1000 releases across the country you cannot possibly contact everyone. BIG HOWEVER - You might want to consider focusing on local or regional exposure, not creating a national media campaign.
Remember that it shouldn't be about getting tons of press releases into the market with the hopes you get some coverage. You should specialize in getting publicity that can be converted into measurable profit gains. Let the guru's teach you how to get publicity that strokes your ego.
Regardless of how many PR pros you talk to - press releases are not an exact science. There is some flexibility and despite what they say - creativity. There are however several absolutes.
By studying and following the format you will greatly increase the chances your releases will get you the attention you desire.
If you want to know more about press releases or marketing, please check out:
http://michaelhartspeaks.com/Home_Page.html
When Michael Hart speaks you should be listening. But only if you want to grow your business.
Monday, July 14, 2008
"A picture is worth a thousand words." Proverb
You are your brand and creating the right brand for yourself is everything. Have you ever gotten a card that was so amazing that you kept it? You showed it off to other people and both of you oohed and ahhed together? Do you still have it?
Do people show off your business card?
The single image presented in your logo is supposed to be worth a thousand words. Is your image good enough to make it into someone's hand? Memory? The name of your company and your logo should not only represent who you are, but what you do. You only have a few seconds to create that image that you hope people will not only take with them but remember. Just do it.
Consider how difficult it is to get noticed by a potential customer. Now consider how much more challenging you are making the process when you design you mail outs yourself. You only have a few seconds to get their attention. There is a fleeting moment to go from the administrative assistant's hand to the trash or the meeting planner's desk. Do you want to risk it? If you are going to spend money to print and mail materials, don't you want them to represent you the best way possible?
There are places where you can save money and cutting corners can sometimes be an option, but never with your design work. Always invest in an excellent graphic designer because ultimately you are investing in your own future.
Do people show off your business card?
The single image presented in your logo is supposed to be worth a thousand words. Is your image good enough to make it into someone's hand? Memory? The name of your company and your logo should not only represent who you are, but what you do. You only have a few seconds to create that image that you hope people will not only take with them but remember. Just do it.
Consider how difficult it is to get noticed by a potential customer. Now consider how much more challenging you are making the process when you design you mail outs yourself. You only have a few seconds to get their attention. There is a fleeting moment to go from the administrative assistant's hand to the trash or the meeting planner's desk. Do you want to risk it? If you are going to spend money to print and mail materials, don't you want them to represent you the best way possible?
There are places where you can save money and cutting corners can sometimes be an option, but never with your design work. Always invest in an excellent graphic designer because ultimately you are investing in your own future.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Does Your Marketing Need A Flip Flop?
This was originally posted by Jane Atkinson on April 21, 2008
http://speakerlauncher.com/blog/index.php
Quite often I’ll Google speaker websites to check out the competition for my clients. In today’s competitive climate, it shocks me to see that many speakers still start out their home page saying things like ‘John Doe is the best speaker you’ve ever heard. Hire John for your next meeting’.
Yeah right!
As the economy tightens, do you think that John Doe is the type of speaker that client’s desire? I have my doubts. The marketing flip flip is about putting the outcomes to the client first, and the speaker (as the solution to their problem) second.
Unless you are a celebrity or best selling author, your website should probably not be about you.
It should be about the service and solution that you offer. The exception to this would be speakers like The Passing Zone. They are jugglers and are mostly hired at meetings to entertain. They might also be better known than the average speaker, due to a stint on America’s Got Talent last year.http://www.PassingZone.com
Take a speaker like Toni Newman for instance.She’s an innovation expert. Her website is about innovation first, Toni second.http://www.toninewman.com - check it out you’ll see what I mean.
Here are a few questions to help you evaluate your marketing:
1. When arriving at your website, does the client know what you will do for them (outcomes) within the first 30 seconds?
2. Is the first 1/3 of your home page about them and their needs rather than you?
3. Are you positioned as an expert and a problem solver? Or as a ’speaker’?
If you answered ‘no’ to any of these questions consider doing a marketing flip flop to switch the order of your home page copy to be more client and outcome oriented.
It won’t take you too long to do this, and I believe it will have an impact. Try it, and write me back to let me know how it goes.
Happy marketing!
http://speakerlauncher.com/blog/index.php
Quite often I’ll Google speaker websites to check out the competition for my clients. In today’s competitive climate, it shocks me to see that many speakers still start out their home page saying things like ‘John Doe is the best speaker you’ve ever heard. Hire John for your next meeting’.
Yeah right!
As the economy tightens, do you think that John Doe is the type of speaker that client’s desire? I have my doubts. The marketing flip flip is about putting the outcomes to the client first, and the speaker (as the solution to their problem) second.
Unless you are a celebrity or best selling author, your website should probably not be about you.
It should be about the service and solution that you offer. The exception to this would be speakers like The Passing Zone. They are jugglers and are mostly hired at meetings to entertain. They might also be better known than the average speaker, due to a stint on America’s Got Talent last year.http://www.PassingZone.com
Take a speaker like Toni Newman for instance.She’s an innovation expert. Her website is about innovation first, Toni second.http://www.toninewman.com - check it out you’ll see what I mean.
Here are a few questions to help you evaluate your marketing:
1. When arriving at your website, does the client know what you will do for them (outcomes) within the first 30 seconds?
2. Is the first 1/3 of your home page about them and their needs rather than you?
3. Are you positioned as an expert and a problem solver? Or as a ’speaker’?
If you answered ‘no’ to any of these questions consider doing a marketing flip flop to switch the order of your home page copy to be more client and outcome oriented.
It won’t take you too long to do this, and I believe it will have an impact. Try it, and write me back to let me know how it goes.
Happy marketing!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Brand New You
It's all about the brand.
You're a speaker. Every decision you make should move you forward to your ultimate goal - creating who you are by doing what you do.
We have all gotten those calls. Can you speak on "Fill in the blank?" The answer is no, but you reluctantly say yes anyway. Perhaps it is difficult to say no or you just need to fill the hole in your calendar. Then you kill yourself preparing to speak on a topic that isn't right for you anyway. Now you have spent a tremendous amount of time on something that isn't moving you forward to your ultimate goal.
No one would believe that a speaker could be great at 100 different topics, but 3 is much more realistic. That is a different story. You speak on sales and specialize on large teams in a retail setting. Now we are getting some where. The more specific your niche market or niche topic, the easier it is to market you and your talents.
Let's get back to your brand. I was recently reading Off-The-Wall Marketing Ideas by Nancy Michaels and Debbie Karpowicz. They provided information on a case study about The Blaze Company, a marketing and a public relations firm in California. The owner Marci Blaze has incorporated her brand into every aspect of her company. The letterhead is stationary whose edges are burned to create a "blaze" effect. This creates an immediate visual identity for her and her company.
Let's take this a step further and look at what Blaze did during one Yuletide season. She had a thousand over sized matchbooks sent out with her logo and the message "Warmest Wishes."
By staying true to your brand, you can create new opportunities to represent your company.
So where am I going with all this?
If you specialize in sales don't waste time with presentation skills and facilitation. Figure out a better way to get your message out there with your brand. Everything you do should be unified and moving you forward with a single purpose: Promote your brand. If you want to be the best sales trainer, you can't afford to waste time speaking on anything else. By creating a unique brand a sticking to it, you can eliminate your competition. When it comes down to you and your 3 topics that all center around a single greater theme or Jack of all trades that speaks on 50 topics, the choice will be obvious.
The next time you get a call asking if you can speak on an unfamiliar topic, don't be afraid to say no and refer them to another speaker who does. Networking and partnerships are a great tool to promote your business.
Should I be telling you this? Does this speak to my brand?...
You're a speaker. Every decision you make should move you forward to your ultimate goal - creating who you are by doing what you do.
We have all gotten those calls. Can you speak on "Fill in the blank?" The answer is no, but you reluctantly say yes anyway. Perhaps it is difficult to say no or you just need to fill the hole in your calendar. Then you kill yourself preparing to speak on a topic that isn't right for you anyway. Now you have spent a tremendous amount of time on something that isn't moving you forward to your ultimate goal.
No one would believe that a speaker could be great at 100 different topics, but 3 is much more realistic. That is a different story. You speak on sales and specialize on large teams in a retail setting. Now we are getting some where. The more specific your niche market or niche topic, the easier it is to market you and your talents.
Let's get back to your brand. I was recently reading Off-The-Wall Marketing Ideas by Nancy Michaels and Debbie Karpowicz. They provided information on a case study about The Blaze Company, a marketing and a public relations firm in California. The owner Marci Blaze has incorporated her brand into every aspect of her company. The letterhead is stationary whose edges are burned to create a "blaze" effect. This creates an immediate visual identity for her and her company.
Let's take this a step further and look at what Blaze did during one Yuletide season. She had a thousand over sized matchbooks sent out with her logo and the message "Warmest Wishes."
By staying true to your brand, you can create new opportunities to represent your company.
So where am I going with all this?
If you specialize in sales don't waste time with presentation skills and facilitation. Figure out a better way to get your message out there with your brand. Everything you do should be unified and moving you forward with a single purpose: Promote your brand. If you want to be the best sales trainer, you can't afford to waste time speaking on anything else. By creating a unique brand a sticking to it, you can eliminate your competition. When it comes down to you and your 3 topics that all center around a single greater theme or Jack of all trades that speaks on 50 topics, the choice will be obvious.
The next time you get a call asking if you can speak on an unfamiliar topic, don't be afraid to say no and refer them to another speaker who does. Networking and partnerships are a great tool to promote your business.
Should I be telling you this? Does this speak to my brand?...
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Partners in crime
One of my clients recently asked me if I can provide a blogging service? My answer?
Absolutely!
Am I a blogging expert? Well, no. Not by any stretch of the imagination. But I am a networking expert and I understand what my limitations are. It took a little time to research, but I found a wonderful service that stands out in the field and has experience with speakers.
Meet the Blog Squad. I still haven't been able to read their entire website. It is so full of information that I just can't consume it all. They offer articles, newsletter and white papers. It's enough to bloggle the mind. The most interesting service that I have found so far is the Blog Directory Submission Service. For right at $100, you can have your blog listed in over 200 directories. What a cool idea!
http://www.blogsquad.biz/
Now the point that I am getting to is this: You can't be all things to all people. There are many talented and capable professionals available. Find one, create a partnership and offer the best service possible to your clients. They deserve the best and you deserve the business.
The next time a client calls with a request you know you can't fill, take a breath. If you don't have the resources, ask for the time to do the research. Remember, you want to provide the best service possible. Your client can't fault you for trying to fulfill their request. Now, time to network.
You have several options.
Let's start with Speaker Net News. It is a newsletter service that is provided at no charge and has a circulation of close to 8,000. They will let you post a question so that the entire readership can post an answer. Chances are, you will get some great responses. Your target audience is reading your question and eager to find new opportunities to network.
LinkedIn is another option. Once you are a member, you can submit a question to your contacts. You can ask that they submit it to their contacts and so on. You should get several responses and probably a few leads.
Your blog is a source. If you are connected to over 200 directories, think about the tremendous potential if you pose a query for a speaking or a consulting partner. If you have a a blog makeover by Denise and Patsi, your blog should be a force to be reckoned with.
National Speakers Association (NSA) has chapters all over the country. Go to a local meeting or send an email to the President of the chapter. Ask for a referral. Chances are the president has been doing this long enough to know a few people. NSA is always willing to lend a hand.
After you have worked your network, you should have a few options. If you are still feeling lost or just want to talk about your options call me. You never know, I might be good for a referral.
Absolutely!
Am I a blogging expert? Well, no. Not by any stretch of the imagination. But I am a networking expert and I understand what my limitations are. It took a little time to research, but I found a wonderful service that stands out in the field and has experience with speakers.
Meet the Blog Squad. I still haven't been able to read their entire website. It is so full of information that I just can't consume it all. They offer articles, newsletter and white papers. It's enough to bloggle the mind. The most interesting service that I have found so far is the Blog Directory Submission Service. For right at $100, you can have your blog listed in over 200 directories. What a cool idea!
http://www.blogsquad.biz/
Now the point that I am getting to is this: You can't be all things to all people. There are many talented and capable professionals available. Find one, create a partnership and offer the best service possible to your clients. They deserve the best and you deserve the business.
The next time a client calls with a request you know you can't fill, take a breath. If you don't have the resources, ask for the time to do the research. Remember, you want to provide the best service possible. Your client can't fault you for trying to fulfill their request. Now, time to network.
You have several options.
Let's start with Speaker Net News. It is a newsletter service that is provided at no charge and has a circulation of close to 8,000. They will let you post a question so that the entire readership can post an answer. Chances are, you will get some great responses. Your target audience is reading your question and eager to find new opportunities to network.
LinkedIn is another option. Once you are a member, you can submit a question to your contacts. You can ask that they submit it to their contacts and so on. You should get several responses and probably a few leads.
Your blog is a source. If you are connected to over 200 directories, think about the tremendous potential if you pose a query for a speaking or a consulting partner. If you have a a blog makeover by Denise and Patsi, your blog should be a force to be reckoned with.
National Speakers Association (NSA) has chapters all over the country. Go to a local meeting or send an email to the President of the chapter. Ask for a referral. Chances are the president has been doing this long enough to know a few people. NSA is always willing to lend a hand.
After you have worked your network, you should have a few options. If you are still feeling lost or just want to talk about your options call me. You never know, I might be good for a referral.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
You are not alone
I work with speakers and I have a confession to make.
Speakers are one of the few professionals that have as much support as they do. Do you think lawyers get together and tell each other how to better market their services? Do you think doctors coach each other on how to perform better? Do you think accountants tell each other where to look for new clients? I doubt it.
I have never seen another industry so eager to help each other out. Speakers have limitless resources. Some are free and some are not, but you can weigh and measure what works for you. There are newsletters, teleseminars, white papers, articles, ezines and association meetings. So much information and so little time!
I have just posted a resource page on my website with some of "my favorite things" most of which are free. If you speak for a living, go check it out.
If you still have questions, turn around and ask the speaker behind you. Chances are that he will be happy to help.
Speakers are one of the few professionals that have as much support as they do. Do you think lawyers get together and tell each other how to better market their services? Do you think doctors coach each other on how to perform better? Do you think accountants tell each other where to look for new clients? I doubt it.
I have never seen another industry so eager to help each other out. Speakers have limitless resources. Some are free and some are not, but you can weigh and measure what works for you. There are newsletters, teleseminars, white papers, articles, ezines and association meetings. So much information and so little time!
I have just posted a resource page on my website with some of "my favorite things" most of which are free. If you speak for a living, go check it out.
If you still have questions, turn around and ask the speaker behind you. Chances are that he will be happy to help.
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