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?...
Sunday, June 29, 2008
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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