Killer Offline Strategy No One is talking about (sneaky)

162 replies
Here is another insider strategy that can make you 100k THIS YEAR EASILY....

CONDUCT SPEECHES TO ASSOCIATIONS FOR FREE (they are dying for free speekers by the way)

Specifically, speak on the topic of list building, google analytics, good adsense and Google Adwords. The reason why you only want to cover 3 or 4 topics in your speech is that don't want to spell out the nitty gritty details on how each is done. And by the way...most associations (if your the main speaker) typically only allow you to talk for about an hour.

Conventiently.....after the speech you conduct a work shop (a week later) on List Building (down the street from your speech you gave to the association)...Charge a $50 fee for 3.5 hour session and limit it to 50 people exclusively.

Then (at the workshop) you teach them the power of list building, giving them examples ect.....and conveniently say at the end of the workshop say the following:

"I've just empowered you to do list building on your own....congratulations...you don't need me.
However....if you want .....as I know most of you are busy I can just take that job off your hands so you can concentrate on your business. We charge $1500 and $150 a month". However, due to the time demands of my current schedule and the time to tailor strategy for your business, I can only take 15 business owners from this group.

Ok...do the math

First speech - free (2 hours total of time speaking and networking afterwords)

Worshop - 50 business owners at $50 per person = $2500 - $200 for hotel conference room (net $2300)

Backend Sales from Worshop - 15 business owners x $1500 = $22,500

Residual Monthly Income $150 x 15 = $2,250 REOCCURING MONTLY INCOME

Total Income
$2300 + $22,500 = $24,800 plus $2,250 (reoccuring monthly)...all by giving away a free speech. And hey...this is not even including the consulting gigs from the original free speech.

Some of you guys could sell this strategy on Ebay and market it by saying this: make over $250,00O a year and $5000 monthly giving away free marketing speeches.

Lock and Load -- make it happen !


Chris Negro
#cash #clever #cow #method #simple #steroids
  • Profile picture of the author Ann Bedwell
    Good Ideas! Thanks!
    a
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[531488].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author K2SMedia
    Wow... That's actually a really good idea!

    I personally think there is BANK in public speaking/conferences/etc.

    Care to share a few tips on finding and contacting the right kind of associations?

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[531518].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author AtticusBaker
    Wow! I wish I liked speaking in public more :rolleyes: This would really rake in the dough!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[531520].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
      Originally Posted by AtticusBaker View Post

      Wow! I wish I liked speaking in public more :rolleyes: This would really rake in the dough!
      I'm currently working busines model right now.... its got amazing upside!

      Rock and roll !

      Chris Negro
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[531530].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author nhowie333
        I couldn't agree with Mark more! Relationships are everything! In fact, I am experiencing a big sigh of relief when I talk to people about how to stop selling, and create real relationships based on truth and trust instead.

        We really need to work together and connect with eachother to truly make a difference - WF is a great way to do that!

        I have to admit, I am new to the Warrior Forum and I am loving it. Does it become addictive?
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[538184].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author iw433
    That is the best way to go for off-liners. You gotta get out from behind the computer to make real money in the off-line world.
    Signature

    Bill Skywalker Edwards
    Address-O-Lite

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[531709].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Tam Chancellor
    Time to dust off those old Toastmasters' skills. I had planned to incorporate public speaking into my marketing mix, but I didn't realize it could be so lucrative.

    Pink
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[531750].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JCWHong
    Hey guys,

    Which associations in particular are good ones to target for these speaking sessions?
    Signature

    Justin


    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[531752].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
      Originally Posted by JCWHong View Post

      Hey guys,

      Which associations in particular are good ones to target for these speaking sessions?
      Really just any associations that is willing to give you time infront of their audience. Would highly advise you PRACTICE your speach many times before going up in front of hundreds of people.

      To me, public speaking comes easy as I've had much practice presenting in front of people during my undergrad and graduate school studies -- not to mention national conferences. Believe it or not, public speaking gets easier, because you KNOW THEY NEED THIS INFORMATION...and your the expert.

      You have nothing to fear..because you know what you are bringing to them is cutting edge information that didn't take them countless hours to learn. So value what your bringing to the table and you should be fine. Practice at toast masters should help you as well.

      P.S. If I can just think of one niche for you....restaurant associations would be a great start as MANY restaurant owners will be in the room and sometimes CEO's or high ups in a franchise.

      Hope this helps you !

      Chris Negro
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[532175].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
        Being the speaker at business networking events, rotary etc does work (in fact I covered it in some detail in the report Offline Gold For The Online Marketer which was released in January 2008...so the topic is not new and it certainly has been talked about at length before).

        In many cases they'll only give you 20 minutes or less so you'll only have time to cover one or two topics.

        Personally I have never bothered running a workshop afterwards...I just get clients from the people who approach me after I've spoken.

        Doing the workshop might be a good idea but I'm just not that motivated...the logistics of running a workshop can be a pain in the arse.

        This particular strategy is more effective if you live in a large city (you have many, many more speaking opportunities).

        But if you live in a smaller city don't overlook the idea of offering to do talks to groups in surrounding areas.

        Coming from out of town a little can increase your credibility as a speaker.

        Here's an old speakers joke: An expert is someone wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase who is more than 200 miles from home.

        Kindest regards,
        Andrew Cavanagh
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[532324].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
          One important point.

          This is NOT a strategy for when you're starting out.

          You'll want to have some experience working with real, live clients before you speak in front of an audience.

          That will give you the insight to speak on topics and in a language that generates interest and keeps your audience listening to you.

          Kindest regards,
          Andrew Cavanagh
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[532328].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
          Originally Posted by AndrewCavanagh View Post

          Coming from out of town a little can increase your credibility as a speaker.

          Here's an old speakers joke: An expert is someone wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase who is more than 200 miles from home.

          Kindest regards,
          Andrew Cavanagh

          How true...how true...its funny how people are. The grass is greener even in an out of town speaker scenario...they are just perceived to be more valueable.
          Signature

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[532342].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author MarkR
        A great way to get started is to offer your speaking skills to local libraries. Yes! Libraries.

        They love offering "free" services to their customers. The groups are a little smaller, but more intimate, which helps what you are ultimately trying to accomplish (creating relationships).



        The size helps you:
        1. connect better with your possible clients
        2. practice your presentation
        3. understand the questions that come up, so you can refine/improve your presentation
        4. practice your timing
        5. give you the confidence to go after bigger audiences, bigger revenue streams, and bigger dreams!
        This is a great place to start for folks that are just jumping into this goldmine for the first time.

        PS. How many libraries are there around you???

        Mark
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[532359].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author LoveLinguist
    Chris,

    And, the best reason of all - real live in-the-flesh people who TALK with and about you not just type...

    Sherrie Rose
    The Love Linguist
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[531756].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author mpeters7
    BRILLIANT. Create authority and leverage it!

    One question, what is the generic name for these associations if we want to hunt them down. Are they just called business associations?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[531938].message }}
    • Originally Posted by mpeters7 View Post

      BRILLIANT. Create authority and leverage it!

      One question, what is the generic name for these associations if we want to hunt them down. Are they just called business associations?
      I've always called them "public service" clubs or organizations

      such as Rotary, 20-30 Club, Lions Club, etc
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[608303].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        Originally Posted by mpeters7
        BRILLIANT. Create authority and leverage it!

        One question, what is the generic name for these associations if we want to hunt them down. Are they just called business associations?
        I've always called them "public service" clubs or organizations

        such as Rotary, 20-30 Club, Lions Club, etc
        These associations take two basic forms - service clubs, like Larry mentioned, and trade associations.

        For example, this weekend a marine dealers trade group sponsored a boat show at a local civic auditorium.

        You can generally find the service clubs that are active in your area by checking the Yellow Pages. Find the trade groups through the chamber of commerce or head for the library and use the Directory of Associations.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[608329].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author p2y
    You stole one of my methods I speak at real estate investor clubs for free on using craigslist effectively and using online resources for streamlining and screening clients. Everytime I speak I always get more people asking me how they can market their properties and that's when the deals get closed
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[532046].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author a2dsilva
      Originally Posted by p2y View Post

      You stole one of my methods I speak at real estate investor clubs for free on using craigslist effectively and using online resources for streamlining and screening clients. Everytime I speak I always get more people asking me how they can market their properties and that's when the deals get closed
      p2y, I do exactly the same thing except I get marketed by the person that owns the Real Estate Investors Group. I should pitch my friend on doing a couple of teleconferences and maybe even a presentation at one of the monthly meetings.

      We should share notes. I have a couple of Ads that work quite well here in Canada using Kijiji, Craigslist and USfreeAds. Some Web 2.0 ideas too.

      PM me to share notes...
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534453].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Lloyd Buchinski
    Originally Posted by chrisnegro View Post

    Specifically, speak on the topic of list building, google analytics, good adsense and Google Adwords.
    Sorry I don't get it. Why would the offline people want to know about
    adsense and adwords?
    Signature

    Do something spectacular; be fulfilled. Then you can be your own hero. Prem Rawat

    The KimW WSO

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[532093].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Rob Summers
    I'd have to agree with Andrew, granted even you guys who are just starting out now know more about marketing online than most business owners but that a speaker does not make.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[532343].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Buildingfutures
    Wow!

    As a natural speaker, theatre kid, etc.

    I would love to do this. But, my friend, how do I go about finding these associations?

    I would love to be able to do this.
    Signature

    Simple Mission Statement "Under the Radar and Over the Top!"
    Sean's Guide To The Forum
    Thoughts of a 22 Year Old Marketer

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[532344].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ShayB
      Originally Posted by Buildingfutures View Post

      Wow!

      As a natural speaker, theatre kid, etc.

      I would love to do this. But, my friend, how do I go about finding these associations?

      I would love to be able to do this.
      Use your phone book, for starters.

      Keep an eye out for event listings in your local paper, as well. If a group is promoting a speaker for their event, then they might want you as a speaker, down the road.
      Signature
      "Fate protects fools, little children, and ships called Enterprise." ~Commander Riker
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[532368].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Buildingfutures
        Originally Posted by ShayRockhold View Post

        Use your phone book, for starters.

        Keep an eye out for event listings in your local paper, as well.
        Well if you want to be blunt and smart about it shay, I suppose I could do that.

        However, I'm not one known to do things smart and easy the first time, haha!

        I'll check the library like our friend Mark says, maybe grab a classified ads to see whats up.
        Signature

        Simple Mission Statement "Under the Radar and Over the Top!"
        Sean's Guide To The Forum
        Thoughts of a 22 Year Old Marketer

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[532374].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author ShayB
          Originally Posted by Buildingfutures View Post

          Well if you want to be blunt and smart about it shay, I suppose I could do that.
          That's my job. Happy to help.
          Signature
          "Fate protects fools, little children, and ships called Enterprise." ~Commander Riker
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[532377].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
        Originally Posted by ShayRockhold View Post

        Use your phone book, for starters.

        Keep an eye out for event listings in your local paper, as well. If a group is promoting a speaker for their event, then they might want you as a speaker, down the road.

        Yeh it's amazing what you can find in a phone book.

        Look for business networking groups, Lions, Rotary, any organisation that has regular meetings may also have guest speakers.

        As I said before they often only want you to speak for 20 minutes so it's not too difficult as long as you have some experience at internet marketing (having a few business clients helps a lot).

        You can also search on that internet thing in your area for business networking groups etc etc.

        You are likely to get far more clients speaking at business networking events and business groups than you will going as a new member so it's worth the extra effort.

        Kindest regards,
        Andrew Cavanagh
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[532512].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author omojustice
    Huuum, that's a good ideas right there. Every public speakers has to take advantage of that right away...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[532367].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
    I've had many people PM me about how to overcome the fear of public speaking to make this business model work so let me share my personal experience in how I have gain this confidence.

    To be honest (and I can only go from my experience) but in college I used to be very timid (and insecure) with my presentations but going through undergrad and graduate school my confidence skyrocketed (as by that time) I've givin many speeches and have presented at national conferences of the marketing research projects I did.

    So on one hand I had great knowledge and knew what I was talking about (confidence factor part 1) and alot of practice giving speeches (confidence factor part 2). So I would say if some of you warriors are timid in public speaking......you either lack GREAT KNOWLEDGE (which I doubt as this is the best online markeitng information in the world on this forum in my opinion) or you lacking in confidence speaking in front of people.

    If you find yourself insecure on speaking experience I would vouch to say....you need to sign up with your local toastmaster group and get more experience (and work out the butterflies).

    Hope this helps !

    Chris Negro
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[532514].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
      At toastmasters you also have a good chance of meeting people who will hire you or (more likely) send you high quality referrals.

      Also there are usually a stack of toastmaster groups even in small cities.

      Kindest regards,
      Andrew Cavanagh
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[532541].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ShayB
      Originally Posted by chrisnegro View Post

      I've had many people PM me about how to overcome the fear of public speaking to make this business model work so let me share my personal experience in how I have gain this confidence.

      Chris Negro
      As someone who was painfully shy in high school, I did not want to be the same way in college. I viewed college as a way to start fresh - because so few people knew me.

      I started out small - by striking up conversations in elevators. Don't laugh. They were a captive audience and they were only going to be there for 2 or 3 minutes.

      Then I volunteered for a tutoring job - where I had to speak in front of a small group. It was only 2 to 4 people, but it was a start.

      Over the years, I have spoken in front of larger and larger groups.

      It takes time, but you can get used to public speaking.
      Signature
      "Fate protects fools, little children, and ships called Enterprise." ~Commander Riker
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[533916].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jon Alexander
    It's a great idea, though as the other poster says, you'd need experience and public speaking ability to carry it off.
    Signature
    http://www.contentboss.com - automated article rewriting software gives you unique content at a few CENTS per article!. New - Put text into jetspinner format automatically! http://www.autojetspinner.com

    PS my PM system is broken. Sorry I can't help anymore.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[532752].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      You want associations? I'll give you associations...

      Take a field trip down to the local public library, at least in the USA. Every library I've ever been in has a copy of "Directory of Associations" in the reference section.

      You get over 10,000 listings for associations and trade groups, from a local to national level, on just about any field you can imagine. You'll find contact information, a description of the association, sometimes out of date lists of officers and more.

      Grab a notebook, dive in and have fun...

      Edit: Chalk up another vote for Toastmasters. Wonderful organization.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[533211].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Bayo
    Great post Chris, and right on the money!

    This is great real-world stuff. I currently speak at community and business events about 1-2 times a month in my locale here in Chicagoland. So I can vouch for the fact that it works.

    The problem many of the people I coach have is with the public speaking skills. Because I am have a teaching/corporate training and speaking background, what I do is help them present their workshops and we split the proceeds based on an established agreement and it works fine.

    Some people just don't want to do the stand up speaking!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[533336].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author TimRobinson
    Haha only problem is most people are more afraid of public speaking than death :p

    But this is pure gold man, if anyone on here loves to speak and wants a quick way to get some income, do this immediately.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[533555].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Brad Spencer
    Imagine if you did this type of stuff totally online...

    Coaching calls where people get telephone and webinar access.

    No conference rooms...content is obviously recorded and packaged into lower priced products...

    AND... it can be more convenient than having to dress up in a suit.

    Just a thought...

    Cheers,

    Brad Spencer
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[533897].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author semninja
    I think only like 2% of the population is comfortable with public speaking so great idea if you can manage it
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534005].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author kevinw1
    If you want to do this and have no speaking skills or are scared of it - Toastmasters is your friend.

    One very important point (from experience) is to make sure you target your speech to the knowledge level of your audience. No good talking to them about email lists or Adsense if they don't yet understand why an online presence is important at all. And it's amazing how many small businesspeople don't.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534095].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author jimbo3891
      Originally Posted by kevinw1 View Post

      If you want to do this and have no speaking skills or are scared of it - Toastmasters is your friend.

      One very important point (from experience) is to make sure you target your speech to the knowledge level of your audience. No good talking to them about email lists or Adsense if they don't yet understand why an online presence is important at all. And it's amazing how many small businesspeople don't.
      Agreed Kevin.

      A little research into your group will help your presentation.

      Two similar techniques I used:

      Option #1) Find out ahead of time from the group WHO will be in attendance - either the name and contact number of people, or the industry/area that they're involved with. If you can get the contact information, call several people that are supposed to be there and have a five minute conversation with them. Tell them you're speaking for their group on <date> and you'd like to tailor your presentation to the needs of the group. Ask for a few minutes of their time to get a little insight into their needs based upon your subject. Tell them that you want to tailor the upcoming presentation to meet the needs of as many in the group as possible. Once again, if they're not willing to spend a little time with you, they're probably not a good prospect - not that you can't warm them up, it just make take a little time. Some will give you some time. Ask good questions that you've formulated ahead of time, take good notes, maybe even record the conversation (with permission of course), and then make some notes of the answers you get and who gave them to you. Pick your best answers to build your presentation around (more on this later).

      Option #2) This option takes a little more skill derived from a longer history of public speaking. Be the first to arrive at the event. As people start to arrive, pick out someone to strike up a conversation with. Introduce yourself as the speaker, tell them a little bit about what you'll be presenting (not too much, just enough to let them know what you'll be talking about). Then, ask them face to face for their feedback (already having the questions prepared ahead of time that you're going to "poll the audience"). Again, tell them that you want to tailor today's/tonight's presentation so that it helps as many in the group as possible. Be sure to record their answers and make note of who made the comments.

      O.K. at this point, I'm sure many of you are "sweating bullets". How am I going to put together a presentation and make it a few moments after I've found out what they need. Breathe in, breathe out. You're not.

      What?!?!?!

      Yes, you heard me. You're not. You're going to give the same presentation that you walked in the door to give. Except now, you have armed yourself with notes about what they expect from the presentation. When you hit a point that someone mentioned (or several people mentioned), you say, Mr. Jones, this will answer the concern that we spoke of last week/before we started this evening. When they leave the presentation, they all think that you tailored that presentation to answer the exact questions that they had on their mind. You are the hero!!!!!!! Believe me, I've been there.

      But, what about the questions/concerns that they had that aren't covered in your presentation? At the end, you can say that due to time constraints, you'll not be able to cover everything that we talked about last week/before we started. Due to either the complexity/specific nature of those concerns, they would be better addressed in a One-on-one meeting. Oh, wait a minute, did you just set them up to make an appointment? Why, yes you did.

      Have your calendar/appointment book with you and you can just about be guaranteed that you'll make some appointments. Make sure that you have some times blocked off with "ghost appointments" if you don't really have anything in your book. You don't want to look completely unemployed. Even if it's something at your friend's house, put it in your book - it looks better if you appear busy. Pretty soon, you will not have to fake that. You'll actually be booked and you'll find that you really do have to put blank times in your calendar for planning, "time off", etc.

      What happens if someone wants a time that you have already blocked off? Tell them you'll put them in as tentative and see if you can "push" or reschedule that appointment to another time. Be sure to let them know that it's not another client that you're moving or they will think that you're being inconsiderate to another potential client. I usually tell them it's someone trying to sell me something - I'm interested in what the person is selling, but I can probably reschedule that sales person to another time because they're in town all day.

      Good luck. Once agian, sorry for the long rant, but it's just flowing today.

      James Dunn
      Signature

      James Dunn
      Athens, GA
      http://wpmu.org/author/jamesdunn

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534246].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jimbo3891
    I was also one of those terribly shy people in high school. I don't know what happened, when it happened, or even how it happened, but I ended up doing some public speaking. I played the piano throughout high school and even several years into adulthood, but that was easy - I didn't have to open my mouth.

    Then, I was speaking in front of groups of 30, 40, 50, and up to 100 people. I was scared to death the first time I did it. But someone that I trust to be brutally honest with me was at the seminar. He said, "I've heard all my life about 'natural born speakers' and I didn't think they existed. Tonight, I've actually witnessed one." Boy, talk about giving me confidence - that did it. Plus, the exhilaration that I felt during the seminar was better than I could imagine any type of high from a drug. It was fantastic.

    From that time on, I began to speak more and more, up to 25 or 30 times in the next year. I was still a little frightened each time - even more so when I started to present a new seminar that I hadn't give before - but I enjoyed the high so much that I kept at it. After doing this for a couple of years I had a BFO (Blinding Flash of the Obvious). Whenever I stood up before that group:

    1) I was perceived as the expert by most in attendance
    2) I knew more about the subject than almost everyone in the room. There was the occasional "know it all", but I handled them by saying that their question was beyond the scope of what I had put together and I would welcome the opportunity to talk with them privately afterward when we could discuss the painful details of their question. Rarely did that conversation ever occur. Some were just testing me, some were offended by my put off. Those that were offended were clients that I didn't want anyway because they would always question my advice.
    3) (BFO) Hey, I am the expert. I know what I'm doing. If they knew as much as I do about this (insert subject, whatever it is), they'd be doing it themselves rather than sitting here listening to me talk about it. Thing is, business owners are usually so busy working IN their business that they don't have time to work ON their business. There is a difference. The things that we bring to the table as online marketers for their offline business are the things that work ON their business to grow it.

    You have to have that BFO - either through something that you read, something someone tells you, or through actual experience as I did - before it really sinks in. Hey, I'm well worth every penny I'm asking for and if someone is not willing to pay me for it, then fine. Someone else that can see the value will. As it applies to speaking, it's not a monetary thing, but it's a time thing - which is equally as valuable as the money they pay me. As business owners, time is a precious commodity that they can afford to waste very little of. I have to be sure that when I speak I respect that point and get them TONS of information very quickly - but not too much that they suffer from "brain lock".

    Also, on that point, if you're given 20 minutes, wrap up in 18 minutes. If you're given 30 minutes, wrap up in 25 to 30 minutes. NEVER, NEVER, EVER go over your time. That is wrong on several fronts. But number one, it says to the people in the room that what you have to say is more important to you than their time. Practice your presentation to get it timed out very accurately - allowing for eventual tangents. Also, as you become more familar with your presentation and public speaking in general, you will get to where you can cut your presentation at several points.

    Finally, be sure to practice EVERY time you speak. I don't care if you've given the presentation 10 times, 100 times, or even 1,000 times. Practice before giving it live. I heard Zig Ziglar speaking last week. He told Dr. James Dobson that the practices for several hours before giving a presentation EACH time he has to speak. He said it is the height of arrogance to get up to speak before a group without practicing ahead of time. I'd never thought about it, but he's correct. I should never become so comfortable with a presentation that I don't give tonight's group the same respect that I gave the group last week.

    Sorry for the long rant, but once I started to write, it all just flowed. Hopefully, someone can get something of value from this.

    James Dunn
    Signature

    James Dunn
    Athens, GA
    http://wpmu.org/author/jamesdunn

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534183].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author SMS
    Nice one Chris...

    Your thread just confirms Baal's experience.

    Thanks for the head's up, mate
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534283].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Riz
      Originally Posted by SMS View Post

      Nice one Chris...

      Your thread just confirms Baal's experience.

      Thanks for the head's up, mate
      Thanks for the tip Chris.

      Yes, SMS - the seminar i held was the best thing i've ever done.
      The difference between what i done and what Chris suggests is that i focused my presentation on email marketing and marketed it via direct mail and calling the owners - also only concentrated on the Restaurant niche.

      I will definately be implementing the idea Chris has suggested.

      -----------IDEA-----------

      There seems to be many people here who would love to do this but are afraid of public speaking. I had never done something like this before and it certainly was not a polished performance but iy got results.

      I'm from the uk - it might be an idea for those interested to have a whole day meetup to share ideas but more importantly each person can prepare a 15 minute presentation and the rest of us can act like business owners.

      Anyone interested? /

      personally i think it could be a great learning and networking event. Should be limited tho to 10 to 15 people.

      Baal

      Ps: I will be conducting my next seminar in the near future and will be recording it. I will mke the recording available for Free for anyone interested. But do remember i'm a beginner at this presentation stuff.
      Signature
      NEWBIES - Stuck on Technical Issues?

      Ask me For a FREE copy of my upcoming course that will eliminate all your technical gremlins....:
      SEND ME A PRIVATE MESSAGE NOW!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[540817].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Bruce NewMedia
    Chris this is a very good plan.

    I've used variations on this for years (almost 20 years).

    Only I've not promoted Internet marketing tools as you suggest. This is a strong source of leads if done right, for almost any marketing practice.

    Just some suggestions, you want to target smaller associations that are local and don't have long lead times for their conferences. The bigger they are, the more association meetings are scheduled FAR in advance. (a year or more)

    The largest assoc's will expect you have speaking experience and usually want to see a video that shows them what you do and how it's received. Andrew Cavanagh is right that it may not be too easy to pull off for a newby.

    If you want to accelerate this technique put together a small PR kit about your consulting work or seminar and use it to follow up with meeting planners.

    Finally, I would add that some associations are 'dying' for free speakers, but many get lots of free speakers and for the best meetings you will have to compete at least to some extent.

    I actually got good enough at this over the years to GET PAID for the assoc talk and scoop up clients as well.
    _____
    Bruce
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534285].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ron Killian
    Some outstanding info in this thread, thanks for starting it chris!

    I agree with many others though, some of us are not public speakers.. lol
    Signature
    PLR Affiliate Program Has Launched! Easily Promote Over 5,000 PLR and MRR Products.

    Largest Selection of PLR Articles on the Planet! PLR Ebooks, PLR Video, PLR Websites and more with Private Label Rights
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534316].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author jimbo3891
      How many of us were IM'ers 1 year ago, 5 years ago, 10 years ago. When I started IM, I started at ground zero - probably just like everyone here.

      To get good at public speaking, you've got to DO IT!!!! Practice!!!! Whenever I prepare a new presentation, I give that presentation in front of a video camera - it's more critical than anyone you'll have in the room because you've got to watch yourself and hear yourself. Also, I make sure there's at least one or two people in the room taking notes as well. "Man, I didn't pick my nose did I?" Let's watch the tape. OMG, I really did - I can't believe that.

      In fact, we taped every presentation I ever made. Today, we would turn that into a marketable product. Then, we did it so that I could study what I was doing to get better the next time. I'm from the South (USA), so my language was a bit "country" when I started. We used the video (and some harsh criticism), to help me rid myself of the lazy Southern tongue. For example, instead of saying fifty-three, I was bad to say fidy-three; instead of hundred, I would say hunnerd. I don't say those things anymore - and a host of other "Southernisms" that I've used in the past.

      I'm now working some with a local radio station. The hardest thing I'm finding here is recording weather, news, and sponsorship spots that sound natural - not scripted. In order to do that, I've got to remove some of the polish that I've developed over the years. I can't return to the "lazy" speech, but I can't sound too polished. The objective of the station is to sound "conversational" rather than scripted. In the end thought, I think this will even help my public speaking.

      Hope all this makes sense.
      Signature

      James Dunn
      Athens, GA
      http://wpmu.org/author/jamesdunn

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534354].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        For anyone who is nervous about standing in front of a group and talking, know this...

        It's natural. If you care about your audience, you'll feel the butterflies before presentation #1,000 the same as #10. The day you feel nothing before you speak is the day you should stop. And, as James pointed out, the rush when you do it right is fantastic.

        You don't practice to get rid of the butterflies, you practice to teach them to fly in formation...
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534409].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
          Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

          For anyone who is nervous about standing in front of a group and talking, know this... The day you feel nothing before you speak is the day you should stop. And, as James pointed out, the rush when you do it right is fantastic.

          You don't practice to get rid of the butterflies, you practice to teach them to fly in formation...
          John:

          I just want to say...I'm really getting to love your deep insights. Keep them coming brother ! These deeper truths (believe it or not) make all the difference !

          Cheers,

          Chris Negro
          Signature

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[535264].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author jimbo3891
          Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

          For anyone who is nervous about standing in front of a group and talking, know this...

          It's natural. If you care about your audience, you'll feel the butterflies before presentation #1,000 the same as #10. The day you feel nothing before you speak is the day you should stop. And, as James pointed out, the rush when you do it right is fantastic.

          You don't practice to get rid of the butterflies, you practice to teach them to fly in formation...
          Funny thing is, you don't even have to do it RIGHT to feel the rush. Doing it right though does provide an even greater feeling of euphoria. Man, I need to do some public speaking. Have voice - will travel. <BIG GRIN>
          Signature

          James Dunn
          Athens, GA
          http://wpmu.org/author/jamesdunn

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[535756].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
            Originally Posted by jimbo3891 View Post

            Funny thing is, you don't even have to do it RIGHT to feel the rush. Doing it right though does provide an even greater feeling of euphoria. Man, I need to do some public speaking. Have voice - will travel. <BIG GRIN>
            You know whats funny here Jim....I think there was a Warrior or two that said they would love to pay a public speaker to do this for them. You may have just found a full time job

            Chris Negro
            Signature

            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[535767].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author tpw
    I did a speaking engagement in Sept 08, and I took a $500 check for doing it. But I did not have the backend stuff set up right at the time, so although I picked up a few hundred in extra business, I did not make the bank you are suggesting.

    I can see the potential, but I should be better prepared next time.
    Signature
    Bill Platt, Oklahoma USA, PlattPublishing.com
    Publish Coloring Books for Profit (WSOTD 7-30-2015)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534416].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ronr
      Definately look into Toastmasters.

      Great, supportiive enviroment to become a good speaker.

      You will get so good and confident that you will look forward
      to speaking in public.

      Ron
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534446].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
        Originally Posted by ronr View Post

        You will get so good and confident that you will look forward
        to speaking in public.
        Ron
        Very true Ron...it can eventually become an addiction.

        Chris Negro
        Signature

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[535269].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Buildingfutures
    I cannot agree with Jimbo more.

    You MUST talk in public if you ever want to hold a truly captive audience. That includes webinars, teleseminars, etc. You have to know how to talk to a group of people all at once.

    But to be a public speaker, what I found, is that those butterflies right before you go on stage, you need to harness that for energy!

    I was a theater kid in high school, and believe me, no matter how many times you've been on stage in front of people before, you will always, ALWAYS get those butterflies in your stomach before a show.

    Its anticipation. People see it as stage fright, but I see it as anxiousness.

    Its that simple. At least for me. I'm always anxious to get in front of an audience and let them know what they came to see.

    If any of you have trouble with public speaking, please do not hesitate to contact me!

    Heres another little secret I love to play on.

    In most instances, you can't see past the first few rows of people from the stage due to the lighting on you. In other instances, you can't see anyone at all!

    Its like you're talking to a blank void, but one that will respond back to you and what you say.

    Here's another tip for my friends wanting to learn a little more about captivating an audience. Bodily movement.

    Late at night turn on the christian channel and watch the evangelists. They move a lot, with thier hands, heads, bodys, and legs. They use bodily actions as exclamation points.

    I know most of you are against this, but watch a few Hitler speeches. As much as I hate to say it, he knew how to captivate his audience, and he had them more riled up and excited when they left than when they came to the speech.

    Orating is a mixture of many, many things. And everyone has their own 'slight of hand' we'll call it. Everyone has their own techniques to get by.
    Signature

    Simple Mission Statement "Under the Radar and Over the Top!"
    Sean's Guide To The Forum
    Thoughts of a 22 Year Old Marketer

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534472].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Piggybacking on what Buildingfutures wrote...

      You can forget about a big crowd by picking out a few friendly faces in different places, and looking at them when you talk. If you shift your eyes from a face down left to one in the middle to one somewhere else, eventually everyone in the audience will think you were talking directly to them.

      And if you want to see someone work a crowd, spend a few hours watching pro wrestling. Not the matches, the "promos" when the various performers come to the ring and rile up the fans with what they're going to do, what they think of their next opponent, and so on. At this level, these guys can play a crowd like an orchestra director leads a symphony.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534638].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Blase
        I am noticing a lot of comments about the fear of public speaking.

        For some reason it's not a problem for me, at one time
        I was even the president of a local Toastmasters chapter.

        I've done seminars all over the country, in front of
        as few as 8 people and to groups as large as 650 people.

        I would have to say if you can do it right it's one of the best
        business building tactics there is.

        But I have to share this story...

        About six years ago I was doing a one day seminar for
        a cemetery monument association.

        I had the perfect opening line for them

        "It's a statistical fact that most most people fear public
        speaking than they fear death, so I am sure most of you
        are glade I am giving this seminar today and you're not"
        Signature
        "Nothing Happens Until Something Is Sold"
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[539610].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author geyser
        whoa I never thought that giving speech can give you loads of benefits, you made me think about it
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[539651].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
          Originally Posted by geyser View Post

          whoa I never thought that giving speech can give you loads of benefits, you made me think about it
          geyser, you might want to take the affiliate redirect out of your sig...

          Read the rules if you plan to stick around.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[539891].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author philleep
        good idea. public speaking helps
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[567319].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author tremayne
      Originally Posted by Buildingfutures View Post

      Here's another tip for my friends wanting to learn a little more about captivating an audience. Bodily movement.

      Late at night turn on the christian channel and watch the evangelists. They move a lot, with thier hands, heads, bodys, and legs. They use bodily actions as exclamation points.

      Orating is a mixture of many, many things. And everyone has their own 'slight of hand' we'll call it. Everyone has their own techniques to get by.
      I agree wholeheartedly. I didn't know it at the time but when I gave my second-ever public talk (in Toronto) there were two agents at the back of the room. They told my sponsor: "He'd never make it in the U.S.; he stands behind the podium all the time."

      Since that day I have never had a podium on the stage and I am all over the place - from the far left to the far right of the stage so I can pick people on both sides of the room to deliver content to, in the audience to kibitz or to ask a question of a specific person; I am never still. At some point, I go to the back of the room to ask a question of someone. The reason is that this makes everyone else turn around in their seats. This act gives relief for cramped-bum syndrome so that the audience can pay attention to me and not to their aching nether regions.

      The information you provide is one thing, an important one - but if you cannot also entertain an audience they will not go home and tell neighbors or friends how much they enjoyed themselves...and that cuts down on repeat bookings.

      Have *fun* with it!

      Sydney
      Signature

      CEO
      Wealthy Investor Limited
      http://wealthyinvestorweekly.com

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534784].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author jimbo3891
        Originally Posted by tremayne View Post

        I agree wholeheartedly. I didn't know it at the time but when I gave my second-ever public talk (in Toronto) there were two agents at the back of the room. They told my sponsor: "He'd never make it in the U.S.; he stands behind the podium all the time."

        Since that day I have never had a podium on the stage and I am all over the place - from the far left to the far right of the stage so I can pick people on both sides of the room to deliver content to, in the audience to kibitz or to ask a question of a specific person; I am never still. At some point, I go to the back of the room to ask a question of someone. The reason is that this makes everyone else turn around in their seats. This act gives relief for cramped-bum syndrome so that the audience can pay attention to me and not to their aching nether regions.

        The information you provide is one thing, an important one - but if you cannot also entertain an audience they will not go home and tell neighbors or friends how much they enjoyed themselves...and that cuts down on repeat bookings.

        Have *fun* with it!

        Sydney
        Good points to note here. Don't just stand up there and speak. Be animated. Televangelists are a good example (most are, but some are not). But even then, monitor your movements to make sure they're not distracting.

        I used to run the video camera system in our church. When video taping our pastor, I could tell you which way he was going to walk better than 80% of the time. Rare did he go to the other side of the pulpit. Why? Because he found a place that was comfortable and that was his destination when he moved. Nothing really wrong with that - just an interesting observation. He's been a pastor over 30 years and he still has to do these tricks to be able to speak in front of 1,200 people plus.

        Regardless, study good speakers. See how they behave on stage. Study their actions, their facial expressions, their voice inflections. You can learn a lot from guys like Tony Robbins, Bryan Tracy, even Zig Ziglar. You can learn some good things and some bad things. Bottom line, if it detracts from your message, don't do it. If it supports your message, do it - and do it well.

        Also, humor is fine - just make sure it can be weaved into your discussion. Don't tell a joke just to tell a joke. What if your group doesn't find it funny - then what. If you can weave it into your presentation, even if they don't find it funny, it then doesn't appear as a feeble attempt at humor, but an integral part of your presentation. Also make sure any humor is acceptable in any company - even if they're not present. We used to say, only use it if you could tell your grandmother.

        James Dunn
        Signature

        James Dunn
        Athens, GA
        http://wpmu.org/author/jamesdunn

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[535798].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
          Originally Posted by jimbo3891 View Post

          Good points to note here. Don't just stand up there and speak. Be animated. Televangelists are a good example (most are, but some are not). But even then, monitor your movements to make sure they're not distracting.

          I used to run the video camera system in our church. When video taping our pastor, I could tell you which way he was going to walk better than 80% of the time. Rare did he go to the other side of the pulpit. Why? Because he found a place that was comfortable and that was his destination when he moved. Nothing really wrong with that - just an interesting observation. He's been a pastor over 30 years and he still has to do these tricks to be able to speak in front of 1,200 people plus.

          Regardless, study good speakers. See how they behave on stage. Study their actions, their facial expressions, their voice inflections. You can learn a lot from guys like Tony Robbins, Bryan Tracy, even Zig Ziglar. You can learn some good things and some bad things. Bottom line, if it detracts from your message, don't do it. If it supports your message, do it - and do it well.

          Also, humor is fine - just make sure it can be weaved into your discussion. Don't tell a joke just to tell a joke. What if your group doesn't find it funny - then what. If you can weave it into your presentation, even if they don't find it funny, it then doesn't appear as a feeble attempt at humor, but an integral part of your presentation. Also make sure any humor is acceptable in any company - even if they're not present. We used to say, only use it if you could tell your grandmother.

          James Dunn

          Again...BRILLIANT post James ! You should seriously come out with a product...as there will be a demand for it for sure.

          Chris Negro
          Signature

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[535981].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
            If you're good at internet marketing you can also do a hotseat.

            In advance arrange to have a small business owner in the audience get a live critique and tips from you in the talk.

            Then all you need to do is go through his website and his marketing, ask him questions about how his business works and what he wants from his business and right there in front of the audience (who will all know him) tell him about a whole pile of strategies you'd usually implement to help him get more sales and profits out of his business and help him get what he wants out of his business.

            This kind of thing demonstrates you know your stuff and helps break the speaker/audience barrier that often exists when you're speaking.

            It also tends to create a lot of excitement.

            If I was going to do longer workshops I would just share 6-10 basic marketing principles at the start then do this with as many people as I could fit into the workshop session.

            After the first session or two like this I might repeat the major principles then get some of the workshop participants to give their ideas based on what they'd learned too.

            That helps them take ownership of the ideas by applying them in practice.

            Kindest regards,
            Andrew Cavanagh
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[536095].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
              Originally Posted by AndrewCavanagh View Post

              If you're good at internet marketing you can also do a hotseat.

              In advance arrange to have a small business owner in the audience get a live critique and tips from you in the talk.

              Then all you need to do is go through his website and his marketing, ask him questions about how his business works and what he wants from his business and right there in front of the audience (who will all know him) tell him about a whole pile of strategies you'd usually implement to help him get more sales and profits out of his business and help him get what he wants out of his business.

              This kind of thing demonstrates you know your stuff and helps break the speaker/audience barrier that often exists when you're speaking.

              It also tends to create a lot of excitement.
              Kindest regards,
              Andrew Cavanagh

              Nice little twist to the whole speech giveaway. Nice job Andrew !

              Chris Negro
              Signature

              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[537572].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author jimbo3891
                Just a few comments about public speaking while we on this.

                I think someone mentioned about evangelists and preachers. Last night I had the pleasure of interviewing Josh McDowell, then having dinner with him, and finally attending the Evangelism conference that he was speaking at. We got there almost two hours before he was scheduled to speak, so I went on into the program that was in progress. Dr. Fred Luter, a pastor from New Orleans, was speaking at that point. Dr. Luter was in a suit and tie, spoke 80% or better behind the podium, but spoke with such power and fervor that he had the entire crowd of over 2,000 hanging on every word. No props, no flash in his clothing, nothing special except his special speaking style.

                Then Josh came up to speak. When I interviewed him, I didn't realize he was already dressed for the presentation because he didn't appear to be - but he was. Josh wore white khaki type pants, a red shirt, a Tommy Hilfigger faded blue jean jacket, and several other "odd" acoutriments. I say "odd" because a 70 year old man usually would not dress as he did - especially to speak before a crowd of over 2,000 pastors and church leaders. But, then there's Josh.

                When he got up to speak, he spent over 80% of his time AWAY from the podium. He used Power Point type slides very effectively - probably less than 15% of his presentation. He turned several times and spoke to the choir seated behind him, he spoke directly to several people on the floor level in front of him, once he was going to come off the platform and walk into the crowd, but realized that the balcony would not be able to see him if he did, so he retracted. He walked over once, leaned against the piano and spoke for a while. He did everything that you could do on the platform but sit at the top of the steps to speak for a while (which I've done when speaking in church environments - I will not speak from a pulpit because I'm not a pastor - not that there's anything wrong with it, I just don't feel that I'm even a lay pastor, so I will not take the pulpit).

                There were two very distinct speaking styles demonstrated last night. The interesting observation that several of us made on the trip home was that Dr. Luter gets your attention just because of his style and fervor. In fact, he could teach heresy and people will listen and even cheer. Josh's style is more "in your face with statistics and facts". He's got to teach the truth because he doesn't use the "fervor" style to get you. Were they both effective? Absoluetly!! Because they were both using their style to its maximum effectiveness.

                Study good speakers. Study bad speakers. Note what they all do so you can learn what to do - and what not to do. I'm on hundreds of email lists and study the email and marketing that I receive. Some is good, some is bad. Some is even terrible. But I try to learn from everything. When I look at speakers or marketing, I'm trying to figure out how I would improve on it or not make the same mistakes.

                James Dunn
                Signature

                James Dunn
                Athens, GA
                http://wpmu.org/author/jamesdunn

                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[548230].message }}
                • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
                  Originally Posted by jimbo3891 View Post

                  There were two very distinct speaking styles demonstrated last night. The interesting observation that several of us made on the trip home was that Dr. Luter gets your attention just because of his style and fervor. In fact, he could teach heresy and people will listen and even cheer. Josh's style is more "in your face with statistics and facts". He's got to teach the truth because he doesn't use the "fervor" style to get you. Were they both effective? Absoluetly!! Because they were both using their style to its maximum effectiveness.

                  Study good speakers. Study bad speakers. Note what they all do so you can learn what to do - and what not to do. I'm on hundreds of email lists and study the email and marketing that I receive. Some is good, some is bad. Some is even terrible. But I try to learn from everything. When I look at speakers or marketing, I'm trying to figure out how I would improve on it or not make the same mistakes.

                  James Dunn
                  Good point James as I'm reminded when I used to play baseball in Little League, High School and in College. When I was young I used to immitate famous hitters stances in order to be as good as them. Then when I was in High School my coach came over to me and said why is your stance like that and I told him I wanted to hit like Andre Dawson so my batting stance is like his.

                  He told me Chris....you need TO FIGURE OUT WHAT STYLE IS YOU....that fits you. Because you are a uniquely different type of person. So what works for Andrew Dawson may not be the best fit for you. And in all honesty, this deals with your identify and your God Given personality type......PUBLIC SPEAKING IS NO DIFFERENT.

                  In fact, I would vouch to even go a little further with Marketers. If you noticed certain offline marketers on this forum have a different stytle (e.g. Vegas Vince, David Preston, myself, Cavanauh and John McCabe, OReilly). We all have different styles the way we market -- but they are uniquely healthy because we have figured out our "own style" and "indentity". Its the marketers (or in this case public speakers) that haven't figured out their indentity (and be comfortable with it) that miss the boat in my opinion.

                  Sincerely yours,

                  Chris Negro
                  Signature

                  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[548967].message }}
                  • Profile picture of the author jimbo3891
                    Originally Posted by chrisnegro View Post

                    Good point James as I'm reminded when I used to play baseball in Little League, High School and in College. When I was young I used to immitate famous hitters stances in order to be as good as them. Then when I was in High School my coach came over to me and said why is your stance like that and I told him I wanted to hit like Andre Dawson so my batting stance is like his.

                    He told me Chris....you need TO FIGURE OUT WHAT STYLE IS YOU....that fits you. Because you are a uniquely different type of person. So what works for Andrew Dawson may not be the best fit for you. And in all honesty, this deals with your identify and your God Given personality type......PUBLIC SPEAKING IS NO DIFFERENT.

                    In fact, I would vouch to even go a little further with Marketers. If you noticed certain offline marketers on this forum have a different stytle (e.g. Vegas Vince, David Preston, myself, Cavanauh and John McCabe, OReilly). We all have different styles the way we market -- but they are uniquely healthy because we have figured out our "own style" and "indentity". Its the marketers (or in this case public speakers) that haven't figured out their indentity (and be comfortable with it) that miss the boat in my opinion.

                    Sincerely yours,

                    Chris Negro
                    I can't tell you how many times I've seen a presentation that I liked and wanted to copy. I would either ask permission to video the presentation or I would view the presentation in person as many times as reasonably possible.

                    Then, I would "build" the presentation based upon their presentation. I would learn their entire presentation word by word until I could give it just like they did. Then, I put my own spin on it, personalized it for my style, my personality, and my clients. Soon I was giving their presentation, but it was now my presentation. I even had some of those people come see me give their/my presentation and they were pleased that I was able to duplicate/adapt their presentation.

                    This came in handy one time because I was supposed to have someone come in as a guest speaker. I knew his seminar because I had studied it as outlined above. He got sick - really sick - and I had to give my presentation. I made his apologies for not being able to be there, made my presentation, and the people left having gotten what they came for in the first place.

                    On that note, if you ever plan a guest speaker, you may want to have a contingency plan - either you or a speaker you can call on at a moment's notice. You can never tell what will happen. Otherwise, you'll end up paying for a meeting room (and meals if you plan to provide them) and get no value for it.

                    James Dunn
                    Signature

                    James Dunn
                    Athens, GA
                    http://wpmu.org/author/jamesdunn

                    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[550507].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author majidmaskat
    that is a great idea...but us internet marketers have developed a problem of having to talk to a client face to face over the years. You really need to have guts to approach people in the streets. A fantastic idea though
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534483].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Buildingfutures
      Originally Posted by majidmaskat View Post

      that is a great idea...but us internet marketers have developed a problem of having to talk to a client face to face over the years. You really need to have guts to approach people in the streets. A fantastic idea though
      Its not approaching people in the streets, but in a environment where they are gathered specifically to listen TO YOU.

      Business clubs, toastmasters, meetings, wherever they need and want a public speaker, its for you to get yourself out there and promote your message.

      And with this technique, you're not really talking to anyone personally, at least not until they come to you to talk more about what you speeched about.
      Signature

      Simple Mission Statement "Under the Radar and Over the Top!"
      Sean's Guide To The Forum
      Thoughts of a 22 Year Old Marketer

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534491].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author tpw
        Originally Posted by majidmaskat View Post

        ahh i see now!!!, i had that idea, but i was going to go in any bar at night and make a speech, so it was basically like general marketing? I have a technique of an offline method. If you print leaflets and post them, on busstops and through peopl'e mail boxes will that be effective????
        People have gathered together here today to help others find more money in their daily business activities. Good ideas were brought together, combined with some excellent followup to help us to find our way to success more easily.

        If there is any person who thinks that we should not discuss these things in this forum, speak up now or forever hold your peace...

        Majidmaskat broke the silence with a yelp.

        The old ladies in the audience were shocked. The young guys in the back row giggled. And the joyful bride left the stage in tears.

        Good job ole chap.

        There is some awesome advice here for people who are willing to accept the good things that have been given.
        Signature
        Bill Platt, Oklahoma USA, PlattPublishing.com
        Publish Coloring Books for Profit (WSOTD 7-30-2015)
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534941].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author kf
          Great spin on this Chris.

          A couple of things come to mind about public speaking.

          If you are 'paid' to speak, you will be more desirable as a speaker. It also gives you the opportunity to do some contra. Most associations have some sort of newsletter or website for members. Trade your speaking fee for print advertisement - or sponsorship of an upcoming event. It's a great selling point for the organization if you have a foot in the door but are competing with other speakers.

          I used to put my notes on the back of old business cards. They're just the right size to keep in the palm of my hand and I could leave the stage and still have notes with me. They also fit easily into a pocket, so you can have your hands free.

          Public speaking to associations has long-term effects for your business. You will see business and referrals two years down the road from the time you gave a specific talk. If the first few don't go as well as you'd hoped, this is a great thing to keep in the back of your mind. The more talks you give, the more you network in your community at a professional level, the more your efforts will snowball.

          And of course the time-honoured public speaking classic advice in case you're nervous: Imagine all your audience naked.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[535016].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author dave stahly
        Chris,

        this is a great idea. I personally do not enjoy speaking in front of a group of people, but I bet if I looked hard enough i could find someone I could pay a few dollars to and they could do the talking for me. Kind of like a partnership, they do the talking and I do the technical work and of course reap the rewards.

        dave
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[535250].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
          Originally Posted by dave stahly View Post

          Chris,

          this is a great idea. I personally do not enjoy speaking in front of a group of people, but I bet if I looked hard enough i could find someone I could pay a few dollars to and they could do the talking for me. Kind of like a partnership, they do the talking and I do the technical work and of course reap the rewards.

          dave
          For those of you WHO HATE public speaking....listen to the wisdom of what David sais here. Props to you David !

          Chris Negro
          Signature

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[535510].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Bayo
        Originally Posted by majidmaskat View Post

        ahh i see now!!!, i had that idea, but i was going to go in any bar at night and make a speech, so it was basically like general marketing? I have a technique of an offline method. If you print leaflets and post them, on busstops and through peopl'e mail boxes will that be effective????
        Are you serious? No, really?

        Selling services to offline businesses is proper business. Why would you want to 'spam' bbus stops and people's mail boxes?

        I'm thinking this is a response in a lighter mood...or else something is badly wrong!

        If you're just getting started you need to read up on the material that's out there on selling to offline local businesses. Search here in the forum and you will find many to get you going in any direction you choose.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[537034].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
          Andrew, thanks for bringing this up. It very succinctly lays out the difference between a seminar and a workshop.

          When I listen to a seminar, I expect to watch a presentation. When I go to a workshop, I expect to get involved.

          To my mind, involved is better.

          Originally Posted by AndrewCavanagh View Post

          If you're good at internet marketing you can also do a hotseat.

          In advance arrange to have a small business owner in the audience get a live critique and tips from you in the talk.

          Then all you need to do is go through his website and his marketing, ask him questions about how his business works and what he wants from his business and right there in front of the audience (who will all know him) tell him about a whole pile of strategies you'd usually implement to help him get more sales and profits out of his business and help him get what he wants out of his business.

          This kind of thing demonstrates you know your stuff and helps break the speaker/audience barrier that often exists when you're speaking.

          It also tends to create a lot of excitement.

          If I was going to do longer workshops I would just share 6-10 basic marketing principles at the start then do this with as many people as I could fit into the workshop session.

          After the first session or two like this I might repeat the major principles then get some of the workshop participants to give their ideas based on what they'd learned too.

          That helps them take ownership of the ideas by applying them in practice.

          Kindest regards,
          Andrew Cavanagh
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[537068].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ron Killian
    I don't know about any one else, but I'm seeing a ton of great public speaking advice here. Great thread!
    Signature
    PLR Affiliate Program Has Launched! Easily Promote Over 5,000 PLR and MRR Products.

    Largest Selection of PLR Articles on the Planet! PLR Ebooks, PLR Video, PLR Websites and more with Private Label Rights
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534700].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author tremayne
    Some excellent advice from others in this post.

    When I started - it was with a paid talk that brought in a little over $90,000 including back-of-the-room sales and I had zero experience other than in Jaycees. I was *so* nervous! I hired a coach and rehearsed a long and scripted talk for three weeks. Memory was helped by slides for the many times I left the script.

    As I left the coach's home for the last time I said: "I'm going to be scared out of my wits and I'll not be able to speak." Her answer has helped me through 1,000+ talks. She said: "No you won't be; the human body is not capable of being scared for more than two minutes."

    Until I was about 35 I had been embarrassed to open my mouth in front of two acquaintances at the same time in a coffee shop, so I did not entirely believe her comment - but it turned out to be completely true in my case, and it is one I have never forgotten.

    Now, I look forward to speaking. Yes, I know my subject as an expert and there is never a question or an experience that stumps me. The advice others have given to practice is very true.

    Over the years, I kept pushing the envelope and testing myself. One of the problems with talks, even those for which you have notes on a single 3x5 card, is that after a while you run the danger of getting stale and your talks start to lack enthusiasm, an essential quality if you want your audience to stay awake.

    With a busy career, I didn't have time to repeatedly work out new content so eventually I started speaking with no notes and not even any idea of what I would speak about. I would pick a dozen or so people in the audience and ask: "If there were just one thing you would like to hear about tonight, what would it be?"

    Of course, the first person usually stutters and stumbles and then mumbles: "I don't know." So I get the room laughing when I say in a teasing voice: "I'll be back to you!"

    It is so easy I can give three talks a day, and have.

    Can you do this straight out of the box? Of course not; it takes years - but my point is you can get there if you just keep doing it.

    As a terrified beginner, just take one thing from this post: Terror lasts no more than two minutes. My trick for getting through that initial two minutes was simply to find a way to introduce myself or my topic in a way that would make the audience laugh. By the time you have done that, you may actually be having fun!

    Sydney
    Signature

    CEO
    Wealthy Investor Limited
    http://wealthyinvestorweekly.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534717].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author jimbo3891
      Originally Posted by tremayne View Post

      Some excellent advice from others in this post.

      When I started - it was with a paid talk that brought in a little over $90,000 including back-of-the-room sales and I had zero experience other than in Jaycees. I was *so* nervous! I hired a coach and rehearsed a long and scripted talk for three weeks. Memory was helped by slides for the many times I left the script.

      As I left the coach's home for the last time I said: "I'm going to be scared out of my wits and I'll not be able to speak." Her answer has helped me through 1,000+ talks. She said: "No you won't be; the human body is not capable of being scared for more than two minutes."

      Until I was about 35 I had been embarrassed to open my mouth in front of two acquaintances at the same time in a coffee shop, so I did not entirely believe her comment - but it turned out to be completely true in my case, and it is one I have never forgotten.

      Now, I look forward to speaking. Yes, I know my subject as an expert and there is never a question or an experience that stumps me. The advice others have given to practice is very true.

      Over the years, I kept pushing the envelope and testing myself. One of the problems with talks, even those for which you have notes on a single 3x5 card, is that after a while you run the danger of getting stale and your talks start to lack enthusiasm, an essential quality if you want your audience to stay awake.

      With a busy career, I didn't have time to repeatedly work out new content so eventually I started speaking with no notes and not even any idea of what I would speak about. I would pick a dozen or so people in the audience and ask: "If there were just one thing you would like to hear about tonight, what would it be?"

      Of course, the first person usually stutters and stumbles and then mumbles: "I don't know." So I get the room laughing when I say in a teasing voice: "I'll be back to you!"

      It is so easy I can give three talks a day, and have.

      Can you do this straight out of the box? Of course not; it takes years - but my point is you can get there if you just keep doing it.

      As a terrified beginner, just take one thing from this post: Terror lasts no more than two minutes. My trick for getting through that initial two minutes was simply to find a way to introduce myself or my topic in a way that would make the audience laugh. By the time you have done that, you may actually be having fun!

      Sydney
      Now I understand why I was always taught to memorize the first two minutes of your presentation. Once you get through that, the rest is gravy. No one ever gave me the "basis" for it - just do it. That makes so much sense now. And yes, usually once I got through the first couple of minutes, the good adrenaline was flowing and I was "ON". That's why a little fear is really good, it gets that adrenaline pumping early - not to the flight level, but definitely to the perky level. I know that I've been dead on my feet tired from programming all day long - sometimes even from a long night the evening before - and walk into a room to make a presentation and be 100% wired and on top of the world at the end. Man what a great feeling. I miss it since I'm not actively speaking right now.
      Signature

      James Dunn
      Athens, GA
      http://wpmu.org/author/jamesdunn

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[535746].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author AndyCamden
    Great idea. I will pass this on to my students and I will also start implementing it! Thanks for the value bro!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534797].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author prosperwithdnb
    Do you have a sample outline you talk about and can you explain what the Google ad words and other Google analytics's has to do with talking about list building for the clients. If you have a sample power point presentation or outline what you talk about in your hour speech that would be great, and where do you go to talk to these people, what places hold these events.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534822].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Buildingfutures
      Originally Posted by prosperwithdnb View Post

      Do you have a sample outline you talk about and can you explain what the Google ad words and other Google analytics's has to do with talking about list building for the clients. If you have a sample power point presentation or outline what you talk about in your hour speech that would be great, and where do you go to talk to these people, what places hold these events.
      The point behind him sharing this is to get you to create your own. If you've been in a company with powerpoint presentations before, you'll know how to make them.

      As for google adwords and analytics along with building a list, it comes hand in hand with each other.

      Adwords for PPC, getting traffic to the site.

      Analytics to show the owners where the traffic is coming from.

      List building, because that is the point of using ppc to their business site.

      You can take your time and talk about other subjects to be used in list building, I have several in my head that could easily be done by any business owner looking to increase online opt-ins.

      As for an hour long presentation, you may not always have an hour, you may have less or more! You'll just need to practice your own presentation, and learn to draw it out or shorten it up.


      ANOTHER TIP FOR YOU STRIVING PUBLIC SPEAKERS!!


      Be sure to look more at the audience than at your notes! In fact, the less notes you have, the more you have memorized, the better! These people don't want to feel like you're talking to the podium in front of you, they want to be talked to.

      And, here's a trick I used to use in theater. GET OFF THE STAGE!!

      If you can, get a wireless mic for your presentation. Walk through the crowd and look and talk to the people there! Ask questions of your audience, and let them say their answers on your mic!

      This gives them a feeling of being a part of something a little bigger than themselves, and most people absolutely love being in the limelight, if even for just a few seconds.

      Interaction with your crowd is an absolute must!
      Signature

      Simple Mission Statement "Under the Radar and Over the Top!"
      Sean's Guide To The Forum
      Thoughts of a 22 Year Old Marketer

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534897].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author jimbo3891
        Originally Posted by Buildingfutures View Post

        The point behind him sharing this is to get you to create your own. If you've been in a company with powerpoint presentations before, you'll know how to make them.

        As for google adwords and analytics along with building a list, it comes hand in hand with each other.

        Adwords for PPC, getting traffic to the site.

        Analytics to show the owners where the traffic is coming from.

        List building, because that is the point of using ppc to their business site.

        You can take your time and talk about other subjects to be used in list building, I have several in my head that could easily be done by any business owner looking to increase online opt-ins.

        As for an hour long presentation, you may not always have an hour, you may have less or more! You'll just need to practice your own presentation, and learn to draw it out or shorten it up.


        ANOTHER TIP FOR YOU STRIVING PUBLIC SPEAKERS!!


        Be sure to look more at the audience than at your notes! In fact, the less notes you have, the more you have memorized, the better! These people don't want to feel like you're talking to the podium in front of you, they want to be talked to.

        And, here's a trick I used to use in theater. GET OFF THE STAGE!!

        If you can, get a wireless mic for your presentation. Walk through the crowd and look and talk to the people there! Ask questions of your audience, and let them say their answers on your mic!

        This gives them a feeling of being a part of something a little bigger than themselves, and most people absolutely love being in the limelight, if even for just a few seconds.

        Interaction with your crowd is an absolute must!
        I guess I'm a really weird speaker. Put me behind a podium and I can barely speak. Remove the podium and "someone just pulled my string". Like Buildingfutures, I don't speak behind a podium - I usually walking all out in the crowd. I like the room to be less crowded so that I can walk around and talk to everyone in the room. I also usually lked the room set up one of a few different ways so that it could facilitate my "traveling" presentation. Classroom style is the worst for my style of presentation.

        As for notes, I never used them. I gave 2 hour seminars without a single note in my hands (makes me wonder why I need notes to teach a 40 minute Sunday morning Bible study now - it's a shame, but I was more prepared for my 2 hour seminar than I am for my 6th grade kids' class). Regardless, I had given my presentation so many times that I could give it without notes - even the first time I was giving it to a group.

        Likewise, don't make the amateur mistake of using PowerPoint as your presentation. PowerPoint (or any props) should not be your presentation. They should complement your presentation, but they should not BE the presentation. I've seen too many "pros" give a presentation by just reading the PowerPoint slides. Dang, I could have read those things myself and saved the time and trouble of attending. Make sure that you "carry" the presentation and the slides are used to keep key points in front of the audience.

        While I'm talking about PP (I know, no one asked), just because PP has a feature, doesn't mean you have to use it. Yes, there are 25+ types of slide transitions. They're not there to use all of them in the same presentation. Pick two, three, maybe four good ones and use them in your presentation. Also, plan which ones you will use where. For example, I would use one type (say upper right peel down) each time I changed a major point in my outline (A, B, C etc.). Then, I would use the blinds maybe for each sub point in the outline (1, 2, 3 etc.). Finally, I would dissolve for all the points in the lowest level of the outline. What, no outline??? Then create one - BEFORE you build your presentation.

        Final point on PP for this post. When using PP, chose a color scheme and stick with it throughout your presentation. Just because PP and your computer have 65k+ colors, doesn't mean you have to use them all. Also, make sure you use the proper color combinations. Get a color wheel and learn about contrasting and complimentary colors. I can't tell you how many presentations I've sat through where the speaker used a blue background with fuschia words. Why bother to even put that information up on the screen? Those are complimentary colors on the same side of the color wheel and should never be used where contrasting colors should be used instead.

        I just hope that all of this that I've been putting out today is helpful to someone. I know that it helped me in years past. I've made some good money developing presentations for people in the past - not sure now why I got out of that. I've also made some good money as a "speaker for hire" - because the "expert" thing is definitely true. I would split business with those that wanted me to speak at their seminars. Both of us won. If you do have someone else do your seminars though, make sure that they are "selling" you with everything that they do and say. If they're not sellng you, then they are helping you.

        Good luck Warriors.
        Signature

        James Dunn
        Athens, GA
        http://wpmu.org/author/jamesdunn

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[535528].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
          Originally Posted by jimbo3891 View Post

          I guess I'm a really weird speaker. Put me behind a podium and I can barely speak. Remove the podium and "someone just pulled my string". .
          Classic quote Jimbo...nice !

          Rock and roll,

          Chris Negro
          Signature

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[535732].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author markwinder
    Thanks Chris... sometimes you just need to be hit over the head MULTIPLE times with an idea or concept before you realize "hey - that's a good idea! I should do that!" Just fits really well with an idea I'm working on with a colleague of mine for a company that builds and optimizes traffic.

    Very cool! Thanks!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[534936].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jimbo3891
    I just responded to a few PM's and after I replied to the last one, I had a funny thought. All this talk about public speaking and I keep saying how I have no problem with it - let me reveal my most fearsome topic. Don't laugh.

    I've spoken for groups as small as seven people. The largest group I ever spoke for was 1,500 in the room - and they were school teachers. The only thing worse would be a group of engineers. None of these presented that paralyzing fear that so many people have.

    Guess what my biggest fear is?????

    Ding, Ding, Ding. Time's up.

    Sitting across the table from one or two people and having to present something to them. I can carry on a conversation with them for hours, but the minute I have to switch into presentation/sales mode, I have every bit of fear that most people have of speaking in public. I got better at it through the years (when I had the BFO as it applied to speaking to individuals), but it never got to be an easy thing.

    I know that sounds weird, but I figured no one in the group was going to challenge me. If they did, I could deflect it as I outlined earlier (to specific for a group conversation, beyond the scope of general group interest, etc.). But in a one-on-one or two-on-one situation, you can't deflect it. You have to meet that situation head on. "But what if I don't know the answer?" "But what if they know more than me?" "But?" "But?".......

    I had to learn that none of these buts mattered. I was ahead of most of the people that I was speaking to one-on-one so I was the expert whether they realized it or not. Besides, if they were so doggone smart, why were they talking to me anyway - they probably didn't need me, so we should just button up the conversation pretty quickly and send them on their way so I can get back to surfing the net. It didn't make my fear go away, but it definitely gave me a different outlook on things.
    Signature

    James Dunn
    Athens, GA
    http://wpmu.org/author/jamesdunn

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[535697].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author tpw
      Originally Posted by jimbo3891 View Post

      Sitting across the table from one or two people and having to present something to them. I can carry on a conversation with them for hours, but the minute I have to switch into presentation/sales mode, I have every bit of fear that most people have of speaking in public. I got better at it through the years (when I had the BFO as it applied to speaking to individuals), but it never got to be an easy thing.
      The thing is that going into sales mode should not be this difficult. The mistake many people make in the sales process is believing in their minds that it is an adversarial challenge. But your sales prospects are not your enemy, and you are not taking advantage of them.

      If you are offering a good product or service, the truth is that you are doing them a favor by introducing them to your product or service. Your product or service is going to help them to solve a problem, so therefore, you cannot be their enemy. ;-)


      My particular crutch in public speaking is in normal conversation. I am no good in a room full of strangers, unless they are there to learn something that I am teaching. When my role changes from "guy in the room" to "someone who is desired to teach something", then my confidence jumps and you cannot shut me up.

      Every presentation I have ever done has always ran long. The moderator always has to stop me in mid-thought.

      My last time giving a presentation was something I feared up until after my first two minutes on stage. I had ten pages of notes, to which I referred twice in the first two minutes, and then I was off and running unscripted for two-and-a-half hours.

      I find great joy in public speaking, when the audience wants to hear what I have to say.

      Please keep up this great thread. I am finding it very educational and useful.
      Signature
      Bill Platt, Oklahoma USA, PlattPublishing.com
      Publish Coloring Books for Profit (WSOTD 7-30-2015)
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[537992].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author markwinder
        Originally Posted by tpw View Post

        The thing is that going into sales mode should not be this difficult. The mistake many people make in the sales process is believing in their minds that it is an adversarial challenge. But your sales prospects are not your enemy, and you are not taking advantage of them.

        If you are offering a good product or service, the truth is that you are doing them a favor by introducing them to your product or service. Your product or service is going to help them to solve a problem, so therefore, you cannot be their enemy. ;-)
        I'm sorry to drop a slight tangent here - but I do think it's pertinent to the thread.

        I've been in sales for 18 years, and despite the fact that, that little piece of information could have some of your reeling in your chairs and running for the exits (lol), I'm not that guy.

        I work with clients to get them to understand that the sales process isn't about manipulation and coercion (two popular labels for "sales!). Rather, it's about education, and helping your customers solve a problem or issue as tpw suggests above. It's about creating a win-win situation.

        Think of it this way - if you have a problem and there's a product out there that can solve it. And someone helps you choose that product, and it provides value by performing as advertised, don't you want to thank that person? Of course you do! Using empathy to put yourself in the customer's shoes is invaluable.

        Finally - in 18 years of doing this (yup - 18 - I started young!), I've never seen an adversarial situation of my own creation. Once in a very blue-moon a customer will come along and consider the process a challenge / competition. And in those cases, I just either pass over the business, or politely explain to them that I'm here to help them solve a problem - not compete. 99 times out of 100, they get it.

        So all that said - maybe you should change your perspective from "selling mode" to "helping mode". After all , EVERYONE wants help - and nobody wants to be sold.

        Hope that helps!

        - Mark.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[538089].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
          Originally Posted by markwinder View Post

          maybe you should change your perspective from "selling mode" to "helping mode". After all , EVERYONE wants help - and nobody wants to be sold.

          Very true. Great salesmanship doesn't feel like you're being sold (because you're not).

          And we all hate the crappy salesmen who try to hard sell us something before we have any idea whether we want or need it.

          Yet many people come into this niche and before you know it they're trying to hard sell business owners their services.

          And business owners have seen just about every dodgy sales tactic you can imagine.

          If you just take the time to get to know a business owner and his business and try to find ways to genuinely help him you'll make the whole process a delight for everyone involved from start to finish.

          Kindest regards,
          Andrew Cavanagh
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[538858].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author jimbo3891
            Originally Posted by AndrewCavanagh View Post

            Very true. Great salesmanship doesn't feel like you're being sold (because you're not).

            And we all hate the crappy salesmen who try to hard sell us something before we have any idea whether we want or need it.

            Yet many people come into this niche and before you know it they're trying to hard sell business owners their services.

            And business owners have seen just about every dodgy sales tactic you can imagine.

            If you just take the time to get to know a business owner and his business and try to find ways to genuinely help him you'll make the whole process a delight for everyone involved from start to finish.

            Kindest regards,
            Andrew Cavanagh
            Exactly Andrew. That "getting to know them part" is what will set you apart from every other sales person that they come in contact with. Like you said, you'll be selling them and they will not even realize it - not because you're using some tactic to manipulate them, but because you are getting to know them and their business so well that they feel you understand every detail about the things they face on a daily basis.

            The TV show "Flashpoint" was on earlier this evening. It's basically about an SRU unit in case you aren't familiar with the show. But, the chief strategy that the negotiator uses when negotiating with a hostage taker is to understand that person's position, empathize with them, and literally "saddle up alongside" them until they feel that the negotiator actually understands them. That's a powerful tactic in negotiating.

            In dealing with business owners, it can be equally as powerful. However, many "sales people" abuse the power of this strategy and only worry about what they can get out of the business owner/customer. When you really get down to it, that's probably what we should be thinking about - who is the focus of what we're doing. If the business owner is not in that focus, then he is on the losing end of the process. We must always keep the customer at the forefront.

            James Dunn
            Signature

            James Dunn
            Athens, GA
            http://wpmu.org/author/jamesdunn

            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[538889].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author Biz Guru
              Hey guys, Chris has shown you a way to make $100-$250K a year for TALKING ... and people are complaining about being shy? Suck it up and don't worry about it. If you have the MIC then YOU have the power. They are spending their time and/or money to see or better to Hear your info. So if you know what you are saying then no sweat.

              The truth is when we do these things they all get hopped up on the info but still won't be able too or will be too lazy to do it. Therefore they will ask YOU to do it in the end. Basically all you are doing is a live infomercial.

              Plus since it is "internet or computer stuff" they expect you to be a bit geeky, shy or awkward anyways ... they aren't expecting Mr. Pinstripes and Aligator shoes to talk about spambots.

              The other thing is you can partner with one of your friends who is a better speaker and work it as a team. He/She is the smooth polished one and you have all the big words like Google Algorithms and such.

              I pull in just over $250K a year doing this stuff and am still nervous (had rooms of 700) but you just wing it or like someone said on here make your butterflies fly in formation. People take pics with me and stuff afterwords and fight to buy me dinner. I just laugh on the inside because I know how nervous I was for half the event.

              Go knock it out.

              Cheers


              p.s. you can do very well with a group of 10-15 people as well.
              Signature
              Cheers To Your Success,
              Kevin
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[539005].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author Kevin AKA Hubcap
                Originally Posted by Biz Guru View Post

                Hey guys, Chris has shown you a way to make $100-$250K a year for TALKING ... and people are complaining about being shy? Suck it up and don't worry about it. If you have the MIC then YOU have the power. They are spending their time and/or money to see or better to Hear your info. So if you know what you are saying then no sweat.

                The truth is when we do these things they all get hopped up on the info but still won't be able too or will be too lazy to do it. Therefore they will ask YOU to do it in the end. Basically all you are doing is a live infomercial.

                Plus since it is "internet or computer stuff" they expect you to be a bit geeky, shy or awkward anyways ... they aren't expecting Mr. Pinstripes and Aligator shoes to talk about spambots.

                The other thing is you can partner with one of your friends who is a better speaker and work it as a team. He/She is the smooth polished one and you have all the big words like Google Algorithms and such.

                I pull in just over $250K a year doing this stuff and am still nervous (had rooms of 700) but you just wing it or like someone said on here make your butterflies fly in formation. People take pics with me and stuff afterwords and fight to buy me dinner. I just laugh on the inside because I know how nervous I was for half the event.

                Go knock it out.

                Cheers


                p.s. you can do very well with a group of 10-15 people as well.
                Agreed.

                The only way to get better at something is to do it.
                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[540997].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author jimbo3891
        Originally Posted by tpw View Post

        The thing is that going into sales mode should not be this difficult. The mistake many people make in the sales process is believing in their minds that it is an adversarial challenge. But your sales prospects are not your enemy, and you are not taking advantage of them.

        If you are offering a good product or service, the truth is that you are doing them a favor by introducing them to your product or service. Your product or service is going to help them to solve a problem, so therefore, you cannot be their enemy. ;-)


        My particular crutch in public speaking is in normal conversation. I am no good in a room full of strangers, unless they are there to learn something that I am teaching. When my role changes from "guy in the room" to "someone who is desired to teach something", then my confidence jumps and you cannot shut me up.

        Every presentation I have ever done has always ran long. The moderator always has to stop me in mid-thought.

        My last time giving a presentation was something I feared up until after my first two minutes on stage. I had ten pages of notes, to which I referred twice in the first two minutes, and then I was off and running unscripted for two-and-a-half hours.

        I find great joy in public speaking, when the audience wants to hear what I have to say.

        Please keep up this great thread. I am finding it very educational and useful.
        When I sat across the table, it was definitely "sales" mode. The top producers that taught me were teaching that our only objective was to sell - anything else and we weren't doing our job. That's why I got out of that group as soon as I saw an exit. I never liked that type of business - I wanted to help the client solve a problem, but most people in that business are just there for the sale.

        But, at the end of the day, it's still sales. We're selling them on the idea that we are the best solution to their problem. We've got to sell them on the idea that they have a problem in the first place. Then, we've got to sell them on the idea that we are worth the price we're charging to solve the problem. All of that is sales. We can massage our ego in any way we see fit, but it's still sales. I don't necessarily like that it's sales, but that's the facts, mam. But, we don't have to be "salesey" when we do it. We must be consultants - locating the areas for improvement and recommending the solutions for those areas.

        James Dunn
        Signature

        James Dunn
        Athens, GA
        http://wpmu.org/author/jamesdunn

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[538871].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
          Originally Posted by jimbo3891 View Post

          When I sat across the table, it was definitely "sales" mode. The top producers that taught me were teaching that our only objective was to sell - anything else and we weren't doing our job. That's why I got out of that group as soon as I saw an exit. I never liked that type of business - I wanted to help the client solve a problem, but most people in that business are just there for the sale.

          But, at the end of the day, it's still sales. We're selling them on the idea that we are the best solution to their problem. We've got to sell them on the idea that they have a problem in the first place. Then, we've got to sell them on the idea that we are worth the price we're charging to solve the problem. All of that is sales. We can massage our ego in any way we see fit, but it's still sales. I don't necessarily like that it's sales, but that's the facts, mam. But, we don't have to be "salesey" when we do it. We must be consultants - locating the areas for improvement and recommending the solutions for those areas.

          Actually there are quite a few assumptions you've made in this statement while not entirely wrong are not correct either and they do point towards a faulty mindset that kills a lot of people who are starting out talking to business owners.

          First you have to understand that the point of talking to business owners is to build a long term relationship where you help them make real sales and profits and get what they want out of their business.

          And in return they hire you OVER AND OVER FOR PROJECT AFTER PROJECT.

          Most people so focused on trying to flog a preconceived service to business owners completely miss this and they're making this whole process much harder than it needs to be.


          "We're selling them on the idea that we are the best solution to their problem."

          No...that's really not true.

          If you take the time to get to know a business and the business owner....what he wants...and you create a customized solution for that business owner...

          You are now providing the ONLY solution to his problem.

          You've eliminated the concept of competition by providing a unique solution and taking the time to build rapport and trust.

          From there there is no real comparison...you're the guy with the solution period.

          So there's no need to sell yourself as the best solution.

          If you're smart you'll see that the process of information gathering, rapport building and creating customized solutions more or less replaces the traditional sales process and is far more effective anyway.

          And it's a whole lot more pleasant for everyone involved.



          "Then, we've got to sell them on the idea that we are worth the price we're charging to solve the problem."

          Yes you do have to establish the value of your solution but if you're smart that will be a process where you get your client to give you the figures he'd expect from your customized solution.

          So all he's doing is comparing what he's going to pay you with what he expects to get back.

          It is an advanced method used by top notch sales people...no doubt.

          But it's also a method used by business people to work out if any venture is financially viable.

          So again we're breaking the selling mould by using methods business owners are familiar with.

          And we're acting as consultants and advisors more than anything else.



          It is sales but I think the problem with most people is they have no idea what good salesmanship is so they revert to the crappy hard sell.

          For that reason it's more useful to think of what you're doing as being an advisor, information gatherer, friend and consultant.

          (That is what great sales people do...but great sales people are very rare.)

          Kindest regards,
          Andrew Cavanagh
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[539059].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author jimbo3891
            Originally Posted by AndrewCavanagh View Post

            Actually there are quite a few assumptions you've made in this statement while not entirely wrong are not correct either and they do point towards a faulty mindset that kills a lot of people who are starting out talking to business owners.

            First you have to understand that the point of talking to business owners is to build a long term relationship where you help them make real sales and profits and get what they want out of their business.

            And in return they hire you OVER AND OVER FOR PROJECT AFTER PROJECT.

            Most people so focused on trying to flog a preconceived service to business owners completely miss this and they're making this whole process much harder than it needs to be.


            "We're selling them on the idea that we are the best solution to their problem."

            No...that's really not true.

            If you take the time to get to know a business and the business owner....what he wants...and you create a customized solution for that business owner...

            You are now providing the ONLY solution to his problem.

            You've eliminated the concept of competition by providing a unique solution and taking the time to build rapport and trust.

            From there there is no real comparison...you're the guy with the solution period.

            So there's no need to sell yourself as the best solution.

            If you're smart you'll see that the process of information gathering, rapport building and creating customized solutions more or less replaces the traditional sales process and is far more effective anyway.

            And it's a whole lot more pleasant for everyone involved.



            "Then, we've got to sell them on the idea that we are worth the price we're charging to solve the problem."

            Yes you do have to establish the value of your solution but if you're smart that will be a process where you get your client to give you the figures he'd expect from your customized solution.

            So all he's doing is comparing what he's going to pay you with what he expects to get back.

            It is an advanced method used by top notch sales people...no doubt.

            But it's also a method used by business people to work out if any venture is financially viable.

            So again we're breaking the selling mould by using methods business owners are familiar with.

            And we're acting as consultants and advisors more than anything else.



            It is sales but I think the problem with most people is they have no idea what good salesmanship is so they revert to the crappy hard sell.

            For that reason it's more useful to think of what you're doing as being an advisor, information gatherer, friend and consultant.

            (That is what great sales people do...but great sales people are very rare.)

            Kindest regards,
            Andrew Cavanagh
            Hey Andrew, I do not disagree with any of your comments here. In fact, the "problems" you see with some of my comments are the reasons that I got out of that group. Regardless of all the sales "hype" that they taught about being a consultant, getting to know the client, etc. the bottom line of what they taught in their "training" was not, to help the client see the problems they have and what we could do to help them - but basically, "I've got this pen and here's why you need it." The info gathering stage was designed to build rapport and make the client feel like you were designing something unique for them. But the solution was the same solution you presented to the last 50 people you spoke with - just with a few things added in or left out to "customize" it for them. BULL. We were still being taught/pushed to sell the same high commission products wrapped with some other "stuff" to make it look custom. Like I said, it wasn't my style, so I got out of it.

            I really like the idea of not making yourself the BEST solution - but the ONLY solution. That will require a slightly different mindset for me, so I'll have to figure out the best way to pull that off. But I definitely like that. As you said, it removes you from the herd and puts you in a position of thinking "What competition? There is none."

            "We're worth the price we're charging" - this comes from being in a sales position with a product that I couldn't affect the price of. We were always taught that you had to weave the story so that it justified the price that was on the product. "Create" the value - once again BULL - I always felt I should be able to demonstrate the value, but many times the value wasn't just demonstrable. In fact, with some of the products, the value just wasn't there - it just happened to be what they were pushing us to sell.

            In the end, what are we selling (and I still hate to use that term, but bear with me)? We're selling ourselves. Not really our talent, not really our knowledge, not even our web sites - we're selling ourselves. People will do business with people that they're comfortable with. Sometimes they'll do business with people that they're not comfortable with because they see value in that person and will overlook the uncomfortableness, but usually the relationship is always strained. If you can get in there, get to know the business owner, get to know their business (all on a deeper level than just the surface stuff), get to know their competition, and get to know their customers in many cases, you can be the best, eh ONLY (get it right James) solution for them and they will see it.

            James Dunn
            Signature

            James Dunn
            Athens, GA
            http://wpmu.org/author/jamesdunn

            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[539430].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author BrianTubbs
              Hey everyone,

              I love this thread!

              As a pastor and former high school teacher (and someone active in the community), public speaking comes easily to me, except for this one thing...

              CREDIBILITY

              As a pastor, I can speak with confidence, because I know that I'm more knowledgeable about the Bible and Christianity than 99% of my audience. I have that confidence, and therefore credibility is not a problem.

              With teaching, same thing. I taught history, and knew that I was 99% more knowledgeable about history than all my students. Hence, no problem.

              But when it comes to Internet and Internet marketing stuff, I still see myself as a "newbie" - as one who is learning. I have no track record of making lots of money on the Internet (I've made $300 a month in writing -- over $400 one month, but that's it - nothing huge). I've got a list of only 90 some people. Nothing to write home about.

              Bottom line...when it comes to IM, I feel like a PRETENDER.

              As a teacher and pastor, I'm not a pretender. I'm the real deal. As an Internet marketer, I'm a pretender.

              And this is why I feel like I can't take this approach - speaking to local groups, associations, etc. - even though I want to.

              I want to be genuine. The real deal.

              And, yet, I feel like I have to gain success in IM, before I can speak about it or write about it, etc. And thus I'm stuck in a vicious Catch-22 cycle.
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[583546].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
                Brian, you don't necessarily have to know more than your audience. You simply have to know what you are talking about.

                When you were speaking from the pulpit, the odds are there were a few people in your congregation who could probably take you in a game of "Bible Jeopardy," right?

                Yet you didn't feel like a fraud.

                You may be relatively new, but the key word is relatively.

                You have built a list. You have sold a product/service by marketing online. You've walked the walk.

                One of the sports teams I grew up following, and still do, is the Minnesota Twins baseball team. Their manager spent most of his career in the minor leagues. The time he did spend in the majors was undistinguished - he was a journeyman player at best.

                Yet he was a strong contender last year for the "Manager of the Year" award because he got the most out of his team. Including the 2-time batting champ and a former league MVP. Does the fact that he coaches players that can play better than he did make him a fraud?

                Man, with just a modicum of knowledge coupled with the ability to teach and inspire, the sky's the limit...

                Originally Posted by BrianTubbs View Post

                Hey everyone,

                I love this thread!

                As a pastor and former high school teacher (and someone active in the community), public speaking comes easily to me, except for this one thing...

                CREDIBILITY

                As a pastor, I can speak with confidence, because I know that I'm more knowledgeable about the Bible and Christianity than 99% of my audience. I have that confidence, and therefore credibility is not a problem.

                With teaching, same thing. I taught history, and knew that I was 99% more knowledgeable about history than all my students. Hence, no problem.

                But when it comes to Internet and Internet marketing stuff, I still see myself as a "newbie" - as one who is learning. I have no track record of making lots of money on the Internet (I've made $300 a month in writing -- over $400 one month, but that's it - nothing huge). I've got a list of only 90 some people. Nothing to write home about.

                Bottom line...when it comes to IM, I feel like a PRETENDER.

                As a teacher and pastor, I'm not a pretender. I'm the real deal. As an Internet marketer, I'm a pretender.

                And this is why I feel like I can't take this approach - speaking to local groups, associations, etc. - even though I want to.

                I want to be genuine. The real deal.

                And, yet, I feel like I have to gain success in IM, before I can speak about it or write about it, etc. And thus I'm stuck in a vicious Catch-22 cycle.
                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[583573].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author tremayne
                Originally Posted by BrianTubbs View Post

                Hey everyone,


                But when it comes to Internet and Internet marketing stuff, I still see myself as a "newbie" - as one who is learning. I have no track record of making lots of money on the Internet (I've made $300 a month in writing -- over $400 one month, but that's it - nothing huge). I've got a list of only 90 some people. Nothing to write home about.

                Bottom line...when it comes to IM, I feel like a PRETENDER.

                And this is why I feel like I can't take this approach - speaking to local groups, associations, etc. - even though I want to.

                I want to be genuine. The real deal.

                And, yet, I feel like I have to gain success in IM, before I can speak about it or write about it, etc. And thus I'm stuck in a vicious Catch-22 cycle.


                Brian:

                Let me see if I can give you a quick shot of confidence.

                You see, you *are* the real deal. Unlike most of your prospective audience, you are a *newbie*, a real deal newbie. Most in your audience have never tried their hand at IM; *you* have. You have tried your hand at it instead of sitting back like a scaredy-cat.

                Most have never even found out what it's like to be an Internet marketer; you have. You know what it's like to be overwhelmed, to feel out of your depth, to be paralyzed with confusion over the mass of information when you think you need to know *everything*.

                Then, in the midst of the confusion you realize all you need to know is enough to get the next piece of the puzzle done...and then the next...and after that the next. You have learned what it means to be focused.

                You have discovered the satisfaction gained from doing something for the first time. You are an *expert* at being a newbie! Make the most of it and help others to benefit from your limitless experience!

                If you can help just one person you have helped change a life. Isn't that what it's all about?

                Celebrate being a newbie. All that proves is that you recognize the opportunity and you have made a start.

                Sydney
                (Just another newbie)
                Signature

                CEO
                Wealthy Investor Limited
                http://wealthyinvestorweekly.com

                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[583769].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author millionareteam
    Thanks for your strategy...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[535762].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
    Ok...this thread is taking on a trajectory of the secrets of public speaking... good info guys...keep them coming !

    Nice job Jimbo -- I like the insight of memorizing the first 2 minutes of your speech -- never heard of that !

    Chris Negro
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[535763].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author jimbo3891
      Originally Posted by chrisnegro View Post

      Ok...this thread is taking on a trajectory of the secrets of public speaking... good info guys...keep them coming !

      Nice job Jimbo -- I like the insight of memorizing the first 2 minutes of your speech -- never heard of that !

      Chris Negro
      Hey Chrisnegro.

      I didn't intend to post this much today, but this thread was so easy to comment on because of my past experience. I didn't really intend to take the thread off in a tangent, but I hope it is helpful to anyone that is intending on taking your offered approach to marketing to offline businesses. It's funny, these threads on marketing to offline businesses are where I can offer the most information because I did that for over ten years when I worked in the financial services arena. I was responsible for the marketing of the firm and that's where I started my public speaking experience. The "hired speaker" stuff came when people from out of town firms came in town to see what we were doing that was building our firm like we were. They saw our seminars, then wanted us to help them put seminars together for them as well. Some of the guys are still using stuff that I put together for them and being pretty successful with it. If I can pass that along to some of the Warriors here, then I will have returned something to the forum that has helped me so much over the past few months.
      Signature

      James Dunn
      Athens, GA
      http://wpmu.org/author/jamesdunn

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[535823].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author gcjmarkets
    Chris great info and I apologize if I am repeating what someone already said but in regards to finding associations you can find as many as you can handle on your local meetup.com site. There are meetup groups that target just about every niche you can imagine and it is free to join. For example in Nashville there is a online marketing group for small business owners and they have a different speaker covering a different topic each month. You can also expect around 20-30 people to show up

    Thanks
    Gary
    Signature

    Customized One on One Offline Marketing Business Training! Only 10 Spots available Learn More At Local Marketing Agents | Free Online Reputation Analysis Template Visit Rep Medic

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[536133].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
      Originally Posted by gcjmarkets View Post

      Chris great info and I apologize if I am repeating what someone already said but in regards to finding associations you can find as many as you can handle on your local meetup.com site. There are meetup groups that target just about every niche you can imagine and it is free to join. For example in Nashville there is a online marketing group for small business owners and they have a different speaker covering a different topic each month. You can also expect around 20-30 people to show up

      Thanks
      Gary
      Thanks for the Tip Gary !

      Chris Negro
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[536798].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author petereff
    Originally Posted by chrisnegro View Post

    Here is another insider strategy that can make you 100k THIS YEAR EASILY....

    CONDUCT SPEECHES TO ASSOCIATIONS FOR FREE (they are dying for free speakers by the way)

    Specifically, speak on the topic of list building, google analytics, good adsense and Google Adwords. The reason why you only want to cover 3 or 4 topics in your speach is that don't want to spell on the nitty gritty details on how each is done. And by the way...my associations only allow you an hour for your speach.

    Conventiently.....after the speach you have a work shop a week later on List Building (down the street from your speech you gave to the association)...Charge a $50 fee for 3.5 hour session and limit it to 50 people exclusively.

    Then (at the workshop) you teach them the power of list building, giving them examples ect.....and conveniently say at the end of the workshop say the following:

    "I've just empowered you to do list building on your own....congratulations...you don't need me.
    However....if you want .....as I know most of you are busy I can just take that job off your hands so you can concentrate on your business. We charge $1500 and $150 a month". However, due to the time demands of my current schedule and the time to tailor strategy for your business, I can only take 15 business owners from this group.

    Ok...do the math

    First speech - free (2 hours total of time speaking and networking afterwords)

    Worshop - 50 business owners at $50 per person = $2500 - $200 for hotel conference room (net $2300)

    Backend Sales from Worshop - 15 business owners x $1500 = $22,500

    Residual Monthly Income $150 x 15 = $2,250 REOCCURING MONTLY INCOME

    Total Income
    $2300 + $22,500 = $24,800 plus $2,250 (reoccuring monthly)...all by giving away a free speech. And hey...this is not even including the consulting gigs from the original free speech.

    Some of you guys could sell this strategy on Ebay and market it by saying this: make over $250,00O a year and $5000 monthly giving away free marketing speaches.

    Lock and Load -- make it happen !


    Chris Negro
    What a clear explanation of something that so many of us could do easily. I've been thinking about something like this for a while, but you have crystallized the whole idea for me.

    More people could do it if they weren't so bothered about speaking in public. Because so many of us have a real issue with speaking in public, I have put together a site with a collection of helpful, inspirational and practical information that can help you to overcome your fears. Some public speaking courses are to be avoided but what you have here is first class material. Take a look around and pick out the bits that mean something to you and your situation.

    On my site you will discover lots of useful articles written by experts in their field as well as masses of information and practical advice you can put into practice to get your public speaking sorted out right now.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[537111].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Writers R Us
    Thanks for sharing Chris. I tried this for a direct marketing business before the net was born and it worked wonders. With the convenience provided by the web, people may have forgotten about the magic of personally reaching out to your audience to lead them to your business message. Thanks for reminding us of this magnificent method.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[537120].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author bobsstuff
    Thanks Chris,
    The other day I was evaluating my personal assets and listing things I have enjoyed and been good at over the years.

    One was talking to groups about my interest of the moment. I joined Toastmasters to become a more effective speaker.

    Now 15 years and more have passed and your post has me thinking that this would be a good way to make money and get back to doing something I enjoyed in the past.
    Signature
    Bob Hale
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[538626].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
      Originally Posted by bobsstuff View Post

      Thanks Chris,
      The other day I was evaluating my
      Your welcome Bob.....I was debating whether to share this strategy or do a WSO with it....and I just thought hey...I'll just give to the Warriors and give one of my top 2 strategies.

      Chris Negro
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[538810].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author willN
    I like this approach. Speech has always been a strong suit og mine
    Signature

    Newbies, you will want to check this out! I made it for you free of charge to help you get started here in the WF.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[539010].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author oneempowered
    This really isn't a new strategy at all... it has been talked about a lot in the other Cash Cow threads.

    It's also a primary strategy that David Preston teaches and one of the advanced strategies that Andrew Cavanagh teaches. (Both give a ton of great tips for effectively using this technique). You can get detailed outlines and transcripts for seminars like this if you know where to look (hint- try the WSO section of this forum).

    Though it's not new, it is one of the most POWERFUL ways to position yourself as an expert and gain INSTANT credibility. The only thing that is more powerful is writing a compelling book on the subject.

    Public speaking is a skill that can be learned and also one that should be honed. Toast Masters is a great resource for speakers of every skill level. Having taught seminars on dozens of topics and facilitated several "Train the Trainer" seminars, I still get tremendous value from Toast Masters.

    "Selling from the stage" is a different skill entirely. If you provide valuable information, you'll get plenty of clients, but if you really want to maximize the response, invest a little time to learn some techniques for selling from the stage. It's not a "hard sell" at all, but more like establishing value and helping them to visualize themselves benefiting from the techniques you are teaching.

    Before you present a seminar, you really should have talked to and worked with a few businesses.

    The best tip I can think of is to use plenty of examples (case studies) from a variety of businesses in your presentation. At least some of these examples should be clients that you have helped but some can be case studies of clients that other consultants have helped. You can find plenty of examples of how these marketing principles have helped businesses from Jay Abraham, Richard Johnson, Dan Kennedy, Jay Conrad Levinson and others. Just don't pass the examples off as your own.

    oneEmpowered
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[539141].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dave777
    Quick tip to definitely add and blend into any offline strategy, especially public speaking! Spend a little time with hello my name is Scott and you'll understand How you can duplicate his success story in your own stomping grounds, all by simply wearing a nametag...
    HELLO, my name is Scott!
    http://www.hellomynameisscott.com/default.aspx?SiteArea=mediaroom
    http://hellomynameisscott.blogspot.com/

    Dave
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[539270].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author profitgenie
    Sounds good, anyone have any samples of what their saying to these associations

    PG
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[539339].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ivancho
    This is a great idea, that I have never thing about it. Thanks for sharing man.

    I am going to try it out somedays...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[539625].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author RobertAxelsen
    Looks great, thx!

    I have no fear for public speaking myself either, so might be benefitial
    Signature
    Want YOUR OWN website or blog?

    Let's Create Your Website Together...

    Live event (with free mindmap) shows you how to easily create your own website.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[539631].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
      Originally Posted by RobertAxelsen View Post

      Looks great, thx!

      I have no fear for public speaking myself either, so might be benefitial
      No problem Robert ... the key is now is to prepare your speech and start contacting and sending direct mail letters to associations. In fact, you can start outsourcing these miscelleaous details (i.e. sending direct mail letters, follow-up phone call to associations, send presentation out lines [or video samples of your past speeches] ).

      In fact...eventually YOU WILL NEED to outsources these details. Eventually who ever you outsource this too will become your promoter if you approach it right (but without the high price tag professional promoters charge.

      Hope this helps,

      Chris Negro
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[540905].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author tremayne
        Originally Posted by chrisnegro View Post

        In fact, you can start outsourcing these miscelleaous details (i.e. sending direct mail letters, follow-up phone call to associations, send presentation out lines [or video samples of your past speeches] ).

        In fact...eventually YOU WILL NEED to outsources these details. Eventually who ever you outsource this too will become your promoter if you approach it right (but without the high price tag professional promoters charge.

        Chris Negro
        Chris:

        Where do you find qualified people to outsource to? And ("...if you approach it right...") what's the right and wrong way to approach it?

        Sydney
        Signature

        CEO
        Wealthy Investor Limited
        http://wealthyinvestorweekly.com

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[540936].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
          Originally Posted by tremayne View Post

          Chris:

          Where do you find qualified people to outsource to? And ("...if you approach it right...") what's the right and wrong way to approach it?

          Sydney
          Simply put...YOU TRAIN THEM. I would advice a younger and ambitious person who is competant and halfway intelligent. Females (by nature) are more soothing to talk to when they are following up with the letters you send to the association . Specifically, the person you outsource this to will follow up with a phone call to see if they are in need of your speaker services.

          In terms of the right way or wrong way, just make sure you keep her busy and that she is trained EXACTLY on what you do, the specific ways to present things and setting up your itinerary. Outside of common sense, there is really no secret to it. Training the person to present things correctly and coming across professional is the key.

          Just make sure your person (who you train) is skilled in presenting information to Association Chair is in charge of recruiting/evaluating the speakers to present. Typically, they will want an outline or the actual presentation (or a video sample) of your past presentations.

          The more bigger the association the more they will review your credentials, critque your presentation and require you to jump through so more hoops. They just want to make sure your legit and that your the real deal. Think about it...THEIR REPUTATION is on the line for their association. Just imagine if some fly by night person was speaking to thousands of people and was some hack?

          Chris Negro
          Signature

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[540965].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author tremayne
            Originally Posted by chrisnegro View Post

            Simply put...YOU TRAIN THEM. I would advice a younger and ambitious person who is competant and halfway intelligent. Females (by nature) are more soothing to talk to when they are following up with the letters you send to the association . Specifically, the person you outsource this to will follow up with a phone call to see if they are in need of your speaker services.

            Chris Negro
            Thank you Chris!

            Sydney
            Signature

            CEO
            Wealthy Investor Limited
            http://wealthyinvestorweekly.com

            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[541286].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
              Originally Posted by tremayne View Post

              Thank you Chris!

              Sydney
              No problem Sydney...IN FACT...we would love to hear more about your public speaking experiences. I've been to a toast masters before...but never really have THROWN myself into this organization but do plan to down sometime down the road.

              Although I'm pretty confident speaking in from large masses of people, I've very much hungry to perfect the art of public speaking.

              Sincerely,

              Chris Negro
              Signature

              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[541542].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author tremayne
                Originally Posted by chrisnegro View Post

                No problem Sydney...IN FACT...we would love to hear more about your public speaking experiences. I've been to a toast masters before...but never really have THROWN myself into this organization but do plan to down sometime down the road.

                Although I'm pretty confident speaking in from large masses of people, I've very much hungry to perfect the art of public speaking.

                Sincerely,

                Chris Negro
                Hi Chris:

                This is some way off the original topic but I will be happy to reply later. I'm in a bit of a rush now, though, and then will spend some time in church. If my video editor does not need me later today I will be happy to tell you some things about my speaking experiences if you think they might help others.

                Sydney
                Signature

                CEO
                Wealthy Investor Limited
                http://wealthyinvestorweekly.com

                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[542579].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author WealthBluePrint
    awesome strategy, keep it up
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[540967].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Scott Moody
    Chris,

    You can still make a WSO for this, just go into a lot of detail, examples and VIDEO!!!


    I can relate to your comments on association's reviewing their speakers more. About 15 years ago, an association that I was in had 3 fly-by-nighters making presentations in a row. It almost killed the association.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[540975].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
      Originally Posted by rsmoody View Post

      Chris,

      You can still make a WSO for this, just go into a lot of detail, examples and VIDEO!!!


      I can relate to your comments on association's reviewing their speakers more. About 15 years ago, an association that I was in had 3 fly-by-nighters making presentations in a row. It almost killed the association.
      Yes...your truely professional associations (which usually are typically big in size and well funded) have enough resources to "thoroughly" review the speaker candidates -- to the point where they will review their experiences and educational background.

      P.S. Word to the wise...don't fudge your education/experiences ---THEY WILL REVIEW YOU !

      Chris Negro
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[541080].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
    Can anybody share any nuggest of wisdom or insights from what they learned from Toast Masters. Some of you guys like John McCabe, Tremayne and Jimbo have shared statistics, insights that I haven't heard (but make sense). I've just gone up there and made my speech without some of the little insights you have shared.

    Chris Negro
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[542460].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author jimbo3891
      Originally Posted by chrisnegro View Post

      Can anybody share any nuggest of wisdom or insights from what they learned from Toast Masters. Some of you guys like John McCabe, Tremayne and Jimbo have shared statistics, insights that I haven't heard (but make sense). I've just gone up there and made my speech without some of the little insights you have shared.

      Chris Negro
      Hey Chris.

      Thanks for the "vote of confidence" - at least that's what it appears to be. I've never been in Toastmasters. The person that coached me on speaking was though and that's where I gained my knowledge from. He always encouraged me to join, but I was too busy "making a living" to join. Besides, I had a less than positive experience with Jaycees and therefore thought Toastmasters was the same. I don't drink (for a multitude of reasons) and the Jaycees chapter I was invited to join seemed to be just a drinking club. From knowing my "coach" well (he drank every chance possible) and the name "Toast"masters, I just always assumed that it was just another drinking club. I'm probably wrong, but I just never really checked into it.

      James
      Signature

      James Dunn
      Athens, GA
      http://wpmu.org/author/jamesdunn

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[542814].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author GeorgeO7
    This is awesome, and timely, thank you for sharing!

    Where to find someone to talk to? Try your local Chamber of Commerce!

    Local small businesses absolutely need what we have to offer and are hungry for the information we have. I've been working on a few projects for my local Chamber the past few weeks and was invited to do a seminar about marketing online.

    Our Chamber has a great facility, 52 inch LCD in a room that will seat 48. They also will place an ad in their weekly e-mail for a very small fee and blast it off to their membership, in my case... that represents 470 local businesses.

    George
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[542787].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author jimbo3891
      Originally Posted by GeorgeO7 View Post

      This is awesome, and timely, thank you for sharing!

      Where to find someone to talk to? Try your local Chamber of Commerce!

      Local small businesses absolutely need what we have to offer and are hungry for the information we have. I've been working on a few projects for my local Chamber the past few weeks and was invited to do a seminar about marketing online.

      Our Chamber has a great facility, 52 inch LCD in a room that will seat 48. They also will place an ad in their weekly e-mail for a very small fee and blast it off to their membership, in my case... that represents 470 local businesses.

      George
      If you can get by the problem that I had with them - Jaycees is an excellent place to speak as well. I think most chapters do a lot of good things and they're the younger business owners - they kick you out of Jaycees when you reach a certain age - so they're probably a little more tech savvy. That could work to your advantage.

      The Chamber is an excellent resource as George states. Most chambers are really "thirsty" for good speakers with something that is applicable to their members.

      Also, local smaller colleges usually host/sponsor events aimed at business owners. They're trying to make sure local businesses are interested in the college for both support of the college and hiring the graduates of the college. You might be able to approach someone at the local college to co-host and event sponsored by the college.

      This is a little harder because you need to be a little more specific about who you invite from the list, but check into any local arts groups - ex, the local symphony, local theater groups, etc. Their benefactors list is a gold mine in some cities because business people usually support the arts. That's not true everywhere, but in some places it is very true.

      BTW, I just got home from church and noticed that our church has a position open for a part time web designer. I'm not interested in a J.O.B., but I'm considering approaching them about outsourcing the web site work to my "company" and my "team" rather than hire another church staff. I'm sure we could do everything that they need more efficiently, more timely, and probably even more professionally than they guy that they used to employ full time. I know this doesn't fit the "thread" here, but it is an area to consider marketing your talents - churches and church groups. All total, I think our church maintains about seven web sites, plus the one for the Christian school, and the two that we have at the Christian radio station. Oh, and we're not the biggest church in town.

      Good luck.

      James Dunn
      Signature

      James Dunn
      Athens, GA
      http://wpmu.org/author/jamesdunn

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[542830].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author tremayne
    Hi Chris:

    ***In reply to your request for speaking experiences***

    I am virtually certain that not a single Warrior is shyer than I was. It has taken a lifetime of accepting personal challenges to overcome that.

    If I were with two acquaintances, I would keep my mouth shut; I could speak just in front of one other person. Blame that on my strange childhood, perhaps, or because when I went to school in England three lifetimes ago when kids sat and listened to teachers; there were no opportunities to do the speaking.

    American and Canadian kids today have fantastic opportunities in that regard.

    I hope what I have to say helps those too shy to stand in front of a group to speak.

    In business, I was forced into a couple of embarrassing situations in a J.O.B in which I had to speak to small groups. My mind froze, my face turned bright red, I mumbled a few words that were totally inadequate simply because I could not think.

    I was in my 30s when I was asked to join a Jaycee chapter. I refused. I am not a joiner. Then I learned they had a public speaking course so after the third request to join I agreed. I took the course twice and then taught it.

    Teaching is the best initial experience possible, I believe, so if you can get into a group, take their course and then teach it I think you will be a step or two ahead.

    I am still horribly shy but I have now learned to mask it. I have overcome it completely on stage. In my mind, I am not giving a talk, I am giving a *show*. I have two jobs: to inform and to entertain. It is the entertainer on stage, not me. I believe people retain more if they are entertained. My current book is an example of that [shameless plug!].

    When I go on stage it is consciously as if I don another skin; I am a performer, not a speaker. Every movement, every inflection is the actor, not the speaker. This is an important point so does that make sense? I don't have to be shy or afraid; it's not me on stage.

    I spoke earlier in this thread about my first two public appearances and why I then abandoned a podium. I move around a lot, in part because my back stiffens up and hurts badly if I don't - but the audience doesn't know that!

    Movement, on stage and in the audience, allows me to interact in a more personal way with the audience.

    Someone earlier mentioned that spotlights blind you so you don't see the audience. Presumably, that makes the speaker feel more comfortable. I could not disagree more, at least in my case. I want to see faces. Watching the reaction of enthusiastic faces (or smiling faces if I crack a joke) gives me feedback and allows me to perform - note that word - better.

    In my early days, when I was driving to the hotel or wherever the 'performance' was to be, I would shout in the car to the full extent of my lungs (with the windows closed and when no one was outside on the street, of course; I wanted to get to my destination, not to a psychiatric hospital). I needed to manufacture inner excitement to cover the jitters; I wanted to *bound* onto the stage with energy.

    That first impression, when a speaker is at his or her most nervous, is so important. It is said that people make up their minds about others - their wealth, education, intelligence, likeability - within the first seven seconds.

    I have a new talk (you need to change delivery every so often or you get stale and lose audience interest) I am itching to give in the U.S. or Canada but it is difficult to arrange from Panama, the Spanish-speaking nation in which I now live.

    The new entrance takes advantage of that snapshot opinion plus it gets me through those first uncomfortable couple of minutes. I enter the room or from stage right or stage left wearing an old light brown raincoat made 'dirty' with paint and badly patched with duct tape buttoned tight to my neck, old blue jeans, scruffy running shoes, a shapeless brown hat covering straggly gray shoulder-length hair, knitted scarf, a pair of kitted cotton gardening gloves with a finger poking through a hole, and carrying a bottle in a brown paper bag.

    I avoid seeing the audience, more difficult if I walk between the rows. Preferably I can enter from the side of the stage with my back to the audience. I stagger just a little, not overdoing it, and take a swig from the bottle.

    A 'security guard' has tried to prevent me from getting on stage but is told by the person doing the introduction to be careful; you can't know what drunks will do. (All this is scripted for the helpers.)

    After a minute, I turn with bleary eyes and notice the audience for the first time. At the front of the stage now, I pick a spot right in the midst of the audience and stare - for a full 10 seconds without moving. Those in the middle of the audience start to get restless, uncomfortable. Then: "'Ere, wot you lot lookin' at then?"

    I notice the introducer and ask: "Wot's all this then?"

    He tells me it's an investment presentation and before he can say more I break out into a fit of laughter. "Investmints? I could tell yer all abaut investments! He he he!" and I wobble to steps set up center stage leading to the audience.

    I sit heavily on the top step, gently, ever so gently, set the bottle in its bag down beside me, pull off the gloves and the long woolen scarf, then carefully move the bottle farther away from me as if it were made of eggshells. All the time, I am chuckling to myself. "Investmints? I could tell yer all abaut investments!"

    Then I stand, turn my back to the audience, and walk toward the back of the stage, stripping off clothes as I go. The wig is attached inside the shapeless brown hat. It is thrown to one side first, then the coat is ripped off and tossed to the ground. It and the blue jeans are held together with Velcro so there are no delays. Then the shoes, size 13 to fit over normal shoes, are kicked off, all before I reach the back of the stage.

    Introducer and 'security guard' pick up the clothes and move the podium away as I turn to the audience, whip the paper bag off the bottle and take a swig of water.

    "First impressions!" I tell the audience, and my presentation starts. It is about accepted wrong beliefs people have about investing and their ability to do it successfully.

    I am past any nervousness I might have had and one by one for the next 45 minutes I *prove* that the beliefs most people have are incorrect.

    I had come onto the stage as a person least likely to be taken seriously with respect to investment advice but seven seconds after the clothes come off (don't worry, my real clothes are underneath!) the audience realizes that first impressions are often incorrect.

    (I start with the belief many have about not being able to save. Anyone who comes to an investment presentation likely has the ability to save - and without pain - they just don't necessarily know it yet. I show them how to save without changing their lifestyle at all. You'll get a clue how that's done from my signature block.)

    So what's happened here and why have I gone to such lengths to tell you this story in detail?

    A number of things have happened.

    1. I have long since overcome any nervousness I might have had;
    2. I have come on as a different character, a person who is neither shy nor nervous;
    3. I have had fun doing it;
    4. I have the audience's undivided attention;
    5. I have set up my opening point from which the entire talk will grow;
    6. Within the first few seconds of changing to 'me', I have the audience in the palm of my hand.

    So remember this from the trainer for my first paid performance: "It is physically impossible for stage fright to last more than two minutes."

    I also found that I needed to toss out everything I ever learned from Jaycee or Toastmaster training. That's how their competitions are won but it is definitely *not* how to captivate an audience. You have to get an audience to:
    1. Like you;
    2. Respect what you have to say; and
    3. Want to learn more
    if you hope to make back of the room sales.

    The invaluable thing about Toastmasters and Jaycees training is that it gets you off your bum to speak before groups of people. That is the first step. After that, it's a question of practice, as many have said before in this thread.

    But I would add to that: adjusting your method of presentation until you find what is right for your personality and audience.

    None of this is done overnight (like reading this encyclopedic post!). It comes one step at a time, each new step being a personal challenge, pushing the envelope one crinkle at a time. You cannot do it all at once.

    When you finish (if that time ever comes for any of us!), you will be able to step out on that stage confidently, radiating energy, speak for whatever length is required without notes or slides of any kind and answer questions of even the most obscure kind about your topic.

    But if you are not sure of an answer, never fudge one. Get caught out doing that and your credibility is shot. Just be honest, say you don't know, and that you will find the answer and get back to the person quickly. Then do it.

    And that last sentence is probably the best advice I can give you: Just do it! If I can do it anybody can do it.

    I hope this has helped and not bored.

    Sydney

    PS: If anyone wants to earn money by arranging talks for me, I will be delighted to get your PM.
    Signature

    CEO
    Wealthy Investor Limited
    http://wealthyinvestorweekly.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[543474].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Chris, I'm not even going to try to surpass tremayne's magnum opus here. I will share a couple of short anecdotes and then comment on a couple of things he wrote...

      Those who know my story know it took me several tries to get through college and earn my degree. When I went back for the final time, I definitely had stage fright. So I took a 'refresher' course in math, just to grease the mental gears again.

      In a ten-week course, I went into week seven with perfect scores on homework, weekly quizzes and the midterm. The grad student teaching the course made a big deal when I finally dropped a sign and missed a point.

      My punishment? Teaching the course lesson for the day while he went to a meeting with his adviser. I had to give up my comfy seat at the end of the back row and get in front of 79 other students.

      I had a ball. I also found a part-time job conducting problem-solving sessions at $10/hr per student, usually in groups of 4-6. Averaging $50/hr for what most tutors made $10/hr and the minimum wage was $3.25 was pretty good.

      Actually, I look at that as my first consulting gig.

      tremayne is absolutely correct about entertaining your audience. It's often said that when you get someone to laugh, it resets their attention span.

      I once gave a program for a Lions club dinner. My instructions were to make it light and keep it to 20 minutes or so. The budget for a speaker was only $50. I said it sounded like fun, and accepted (I would have settled for gas money and the free meal).

      For my talk, I wove together "stories" from growing up, which I'd gleaned from several joke books . I took those old jokes, created characters and wove it together into an entertaining talk (judging from the standing O). The club president later told me it was the most entertaining program they'd had in years.

      I'm another speaker that thrives on feedback. For me, that's the hardest part about doing podcasts and videos - no audience to play off.

      He's also correct about taking Toastmasters training too literally. For example, you will be taught to stand behind the podium and stay there.

      One last story...

      I was the emcee for a TM regional speech contest. The format is very rigid. To be fair to each speaker, you announce their name and home club - that's it. You repeat the info after they finish. Then you stand there and stare at the audience while the judges fill out their ballots.

      After the last speaker spoke, and the judges turned in their ballots, the only thing to do was stand there until the results were tallied. I could see people yawning and cracking their necks after a long time.

      I broke the rules.

      I looked out at the audience and said, "All afternoon, I've had to look at you, and you've had to look at me. From where I'm standing, I sure got the best end of that deal..."

      Big laugh, and people perked up.

      I'll end this little trip down memory lane with two things.

      > Don't be afraid to break the rules.

      > Know the rules cold so you know why you are breaking them.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[543582].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author kevinw1
        Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

        He's also correct about taking Toastmasters training too literally. For example, you will be taught to stand behind the podium and stay there.
        That may have been so in the past, but not now - TM teaches you to move around, use the lectern (the thing some people stand behind and put their notes on - the podium is a small stage that you stand on) but not be glued to it, come out in front and walk around among the audience, etc. In fact one speech from a member in our club a few years ago involved her belly-dancing!

        Speech contests are a whole different ballgame from regular meetings, and I don't enjoy the uber-formality myself though I've competed, judged and chaired them. Some people enjoy the different challenge and the competition, though.

        Kevin
        VP Education, Sunshine Speakers Toastmasters, Powell River BC
        Sunshine Speakers Toastmasters, Powell River, BC, Canada
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[608141].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
          Originally Posted by kevinw1 View Post

          That may have been so in the past, but not now - TM teaches you to move around, use the lectern (the thing some people stand behind and put their notes on - the podium is a small stage that you stand on) but not be glued to it, come out in front and walk around among the audience, etc. In fact one speech from a member in our club a few years ago involved her belly-dancing!

          Speech contests are a whole different ballgame from regular meetings, and I don't enjoy the uber-formality myself though I've competed, judged and chaired them. Some people enjoy the different challenge and the competition, though.

          Kevin
          VP Education, Sunshine Speakers Toastmasters, Powell River BC
          Sunshine Speakers Toastmasters, Powell River, BC, Canada
          Kevin, you made me smile. Your correction about the use of 'lectern' vs. 'podium' reminded me of a friend who helped me a lot when I was a member. He was one of the best grammarians we had, but he was a stickler for things like never leaving the lectern and standing whenever you had something to say. He's gone to his reward, but you made him reappear in my mind for a moment.

          Thanks...
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[608315].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author tremayne
          Originally Posted by kevinw1 View Post

          - TM teaches you to move around, use the lectern (the thing some people stand behind and put their notes on - the podium is a small stage that you stand on) but not be glued to it, come out in front and walk around among the audience, etc. In fact one speech from a member in our club a few years ago involved her belly-dancing!
          Kevin
          VP Education, Sunshine Speakers Toastmasters, Powell River BC
          Sunshine Speakers Toastmasters, Powell River, BC, Canada
          That's great news, Kevin. Makes the speaker far less stilted and far less intimidating. It allows the audience and the speaker to have more fun and show greater enthusiasm. Personally, I will forego the belly-dancing!

          Sydney
          Signature

          CEO
          Wealthy Investor Limited
          http://wealthyinvestorweekly.com

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[608497].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
      Originally Posted by tremayne View Post

      Hi Chris:

      ***In reply to your request for speaking experiences***

      I am virtually certain that not a single Warrior is shyer than I was. It has taken a lifetime of accepting personal challenges to overcome that.

      If I were with two acquaintances, I would keep my mouth shut; I could speak just in front of one other person. Blame that on my strange childhood, perhaps, or because when I went to school in England three lifetimes ago when kids sat and listened to teachers; there were no opportunities to do the speaking.

      American and Canadian kids today have fantastic opportunities in that regard.

      I hope what I have to say helps those too shy to stand in front of a group to speak.

      In business, I was forced into a couple of embarrassing situations in a J.O.B in which I had to speak to small groups. My mind froze, my face turned bright red, I mumbled a few words that were totally inadequate simply because I could not think.

      I was in my 30s when I was asked to join a Jaycee chapter. I refused. I am not a joiner. Then I learned they had a public speaking course so after the third request to join I agreed. I took the course twice and then taught it.

      Teaching is the best initial experience possible, I believe, so if you can get into a group, take their course and then teach it I think you will be a step or two ahead.

      I am still horribly shy but I have now learned to mask it. I have overcome it completely on stage. In my mind, I am not giving a talk, I am giving a *show*. I have two jobs: to inform and to entertain. It is the entertainer on stage, not me. I believe people retain more if they are entertained. My current book is an example of that [shameless plug!].

      When I go on stage it is consciously as if I don another skin; I am a performer, not a speaker. Every movement, every inflection is the actor, not the speaker. This is an important point so does that make sense? I don't have to be shy or afraid; it's not me on stage.

      I spoke earlier in this thread about my first two public appearances and why I then abandoned a podium. I move around a lot, in part because my back stiffens up and hurts badly if I don't - but the audience doesn't know that!

      Movement, on stage and in the audience, allows me to interact in a more personal way with the audience.

      Someone earlier mentioned that spotlights blind you so you don't see the audience. Presumably, that makes the speaker feel more comfortable. I could not disagree more, at least in my case. I want to see faces. Watching the reaction of enthusiastic faces (or smiling faces if I crack a joke) gives me feedback and allows me to perform - note that word - better.

      In my early days, when I was driving to the hotel or wherever the 'performance' was to be, I would shout in the car to the full extent of my lungs (with the windows closed and when no one was outside on the street, of course; I wanted to get to my destination, not to a psychiatric hospital). I needed to manufacture inner excitement to cover the jitters; I wanted to *bound* onto the stage with energy.

      That first impression, when a speaker is at his or her most nervous, is so important. It is said that people make up their minds about others - their wealth, education, intelligence, likeability - within the first seven seconds.

      I have a new talk (you need to change delivery every so often or you get stale and lose audience interest) I am itching to give in the U.S. or Canada but it is difficult to arrange from Panama, the Spanish-speaking nation in which I now live.

      The new entrance takes advantage of that snapshot opinion plus it gets me through those first uncomfortable couple of minutes. I enter the room or from stage right or stage left wearing an old light brown raincoat made 'dirty' with paint and badly patched with duct tape buttoned tight to my neck, old blue jeans, scruffy running shoes, a shapeless brown hat covering straggly gray shoulder-length hair, knitted scarf, a pair of kitted cotton gardening gloves with a finger poking through a hole, and carrying a bottle in a brown paper bag.

      I avoid seeing the audience, more difficult if I walk between the rows. Preferably I can enter from the side of the stage with my back to the audience. I stagger just a little, not overdoing it, and take a swig from the bottle.

      A 'security guard' has tried to prevent me from getting on stage but is told by the person doing the introduction to be careful; you can't know what drunks will do. (All this is scripted for the helpers.)

      After a minute, I turn with bleary eyes and notice the audience for the first time. At the front of the stage now, I pick a spot right in the midst of the audience and stare - for a full 10 seconds without moving. Those in the middle of the audience start to get restless, uncomfortable. Then: "'Ere, wot you lot lookin' at then?"

      I notice the introducer and ask: "Wot's all this then?"

      He tells me it's an investment presentation and before he can say more I break out into a fit of laughter. "Investmints? I could tell yer all abaut investments! He he he!" and I wobble to steps set up center stage leading to the audience.

      I sit heavily on the top step, gently, ever so gently, set the bottle in its bag down beside me, pull off the gloves and the long woolen scarf, then carefully move the bottle farther away from me as if it were made of eggshells. All the time, I am chuckling to myself. "Investmints? I could tell yer all abaut investments!"

      Then I stand, turn my back to the audience, and walk toward the back of the stage, stripping off clothes as I go. The wig is attached inside the shapeless brown hat. It is thrown to one side first, then the coat is ripped off and tossed to the ground. It and the blue jeans are held together with Velcro so there are no delays. Then the shoes, size 13 to fit over normal shoes, are kicked off, all before I reach the back of the stage.

      Introducer and 'security guard' pick up the clothes and move the podium away as I turn to the audience, whip the paper bag off the bottle and take a swig of water.

      "First impressions!" I tell the audience, and my presentation starts. It is about accepted wrong beliefs people have about investing and their ability to do it successfully.

      I am past any nervousness I might have had and one by one for the next 45 minutes I *prove* that the beliefs most people have are incorrect.

      I had come onto the stage as a person least likely to be taken seriously with respect to investment advice but seven seconds after the clothes come off (don't worry, my real clothes are underneath!) the audience realizes that first impressions are often incorrect.

      (I start with the belief many have about not being able to save. Anyone who comes to an investment presentation likely has the ability to save - and without pain - they just don't necessarily know it yet. I show them how to save without changing their lifestyle at all. You'll get a clue how that's done from my signature block.)

      So what's happened here and why have I gone to such lengths to tell you this story in detail?

      A number of things have happened.

      1. I have long since overcome any nervousness I might have had;
      2. I have come on as a different character, a person who is neither shy nor nervous;
      3. I have had fun doing it;
      4. I have the audience's undivided attention;
      5. I have set up my opening point from which the entire talk will grow;
      6. Within the first few seconds of changing to 'me', I have the audience in the palm of my hand.

      So remember this from the trainer for my first paid performance: "It is physically impossible for stage fright to last more than two minutes."

      I also found that I needed to toss out everything I ever learned from Jaycee or Toastmaster training. That's how their competitions are won but it is definitely *not* how to captivate an audience. You have to get an audience to:
      1. Like you;
      2. Respect what you have to say; and
      3. Want to learn more
      if you hope to make back of the room sales.

      The invaluable thing about Toastmasters and Jaycees training is that it gets you off your bum to speak before groups of people. That is the first step. After that, it's a question of practice, as many have said before in this thread.

      But I would add to that: adjusting your method of presentation until you find what is right for your personality and audience.

      None of this is done overnight (like reading this encyclopedic post!). It comes one step at a time, each new step being a personal challenge, pushing the envelope one crinkle at a time. You cannot do it all at once.

      When you finish (if that time ever comes for any of us!), you will be able to step out on that stage confidently, radiating energy, speak for whatever length is required without notes or slides of any kind and answer questions of even the most obscure kind about your topic.

      But if you are not sure of an answer, never fudge one. Get caught out doing that and your credibility is shot. Just be honest, say you don't know, and that you will find the answer and get back to the person quickly. Then do it.

      And that last sentence is probably the best advice I can give you: Just do it! If I can do it anybody can do it.

      I hope this has helped and not bored.

      Sydney

      PS: If anyone wants to earn money by arranging talks for me, I will be delighted to get your PM.

      Sydney:

      Many thanks for sharing your priceless stories. Out of couriosity, where did you learn where to captivate your audience -- if it wasn't from the regid format/teaching of Toast Masters?

      P.S. In my church...I've seen some INCREDIBLE speakers that had similiar introductions to yours...and WOW....what an attention getter for sure. I actually love those type of introductions...although have NEVER done one of them personally.

      Cheers,

      Chris Negro
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[544217].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author tremayne
        Originally Posted by chrisnegro View Post

        Out of couriosity, where did you learn where to captivate your audience -- if it wasn't from the regid format/teaching of Toast Masters?

        Chris Negro
        Just practice, observation, trying to think as I believe the audience might think, looking to be different from anyone else they might have heard, and what feels comfortable for me. I don't know anyone who teaches this stuff. If I had to give it a name, maybe I'd call it "information theater"!

        PS: Depending where you live, get me a sponsor and I'll gladly demonstrate for you. Why? I need a demo tape so I can do a tour across North America with my latest book, Lunch with Gaffer: Wealth Secrets Revealed, and I can't make one in Panama.

        Sydney
        Signature

        CEO
        Wealthy Investor Limited
        http://wealthyinvestorweekly.com

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[544334].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author jimbo3891
      Originally Posted by tremayne View Post

      Hi Chris:

      ***In reply to your request for speaking experiences***

      I am virtually certain that not a single Warrior is shyer than I was. It has taken a lifetime of accepting personal challenges to overcome that.

      If I were with two acquaintances, I would keep my mouth shut; I could speak just in front of one other person. Blame that on my strange childhood, perhaps, or because when I went to school in England three lifetimes ago when kids sat and listened to teachers; there were no opportunities to do the speaking.

      American and Canadian kids today have fantastic opportunities in that regard.

      I hope what I have to say helps those too shy to stand in front of a group to speak.

      In business, I was forced into a couple of embarrassing situations in a J.O.B in which I had to speak to small groups. My mind froze, my face turned bright red, I mumbled a few words that were totally inadequate simply because I could not think.

      I was in my 30s when I was asked to join a Jaycee chapter. I refused. I am not a joiner. Then I learned they had a public speaking course so after the third request to join I agreed. I took the course twice and then taught it.

      Teaching is the best initial experience possible, I believe, so if you can get into a group, take their course and then teach it I think you will be a step or two ahead.

      I am still horribly shy but I have now learned to mask it. I have overcome it completely on stage. In my mind, I am not giving a talk, I am giving a *show*. I have two jobs: to inform and to entertain. It is the entertainer on stage, not me. I believe people retain more if they are entertained. My current book is an example of that [shameless plug!].

      When I go on stage it is consciously as if I don another skin; I am a performer, not a speaker. Every movement, every inflection is the actor, not the speaker. This is an important point so does that make sense? I don't have to be shy or afraid; it's not me on stage.

      I spoke earlier in this thread about my first two public appearances and why I then abandoned a podium. I move around a lot, in part because my back stiffens up and hurts badly if I don't - but the audience doesn't know that!

      Movement, on stage and in the audience, allows me to interact in a more personal way with the audience.

      Someone earlier mentioned that spotlights blind you so you don't see the audience. Presumably, that makes the speaker feel more comfortable. I could not disagree more, at least in my case. I want to see faces. Watching the reaction of enthusiastic faces (or smiling faces if I crack a joke) gives me feedback and allows me to perform - note that word - better.

      In my early days, when I was driving to the hotel or wherever the 'performance' was to be, I would shout in the car to the full extent of my lungs (with the windows closed and when no one was outside on the street, of course; I wanted to get to my destination, not to a psychiatric hospital). I needed to manufacture inner excitement to cover the jitters; I wanted to *bound* onto the stage with energy.

      That first impression, when a speaker is at his or her most nervous, is so important. It is said that people make up their minds about others - their wealth, education, intelligence, likeability - within the first seven seconds.

      I have a new talk (you need to change delivery every so often or you get stale and lose audience interest) I am itching to give in the U.S. or Canada but it is difficult to arrange from Panama, the Spanish-speaking nation in which I now live.

      The new entrance takes advantage of that snapshot opinion plus it gets me through those first uncomfortable couple of minutes. I enter the room or from stage right or stage left wearing an old light brown raincoat made 'dirty' with paint and badly patched with duct tape buttoned tight to my neck, old blue jeans, scruffy running shoes, a shapeless brown hat covering straggly gray shoulder-length hair, knitted scarf, a pair of kitted cotton gardening gloves with a finger poking through a hole, and carrying a bottle in a brown paper bag.

      I avoid seeing the audience, more difficult if I walk between the rows. Preferably I can enter from the side of the stage with my back to the audience. I stagger just a little, not overdoing it, and take a swig from the bottle.

      A 'security guard' has tried to prevent me from getting on stage but is told by the person doing the introduction to be careful; you can't know what drunks will do. (All this is scripted for the helpers.)

      After a minute, I turn with bleary eyes and notice the audience for the first time. At the front of the stage now, I pick a spot right in the midst of the audience and stare - for a full 10 seconds without moving. Those in the middle of the audience start to get restless, uncomfortable. Then: "'Ere, wot you lot lookin' at then?"

      I notice the introducer and ask: "Wot's all this then?"

      He tells me it's an investment presentation and before he can say more I break out into a fit of laughter. "Investmints? I could tell yer all abaut investments! He he he!" and I wobble to steps set up center stage leading to the audience.

      I sit heavily on the top step, gently, ever so gently, set the bottle in its bag down beside me, pull off the gloves and the long woolen scarf, then carefully move the bottle farther away from me as if it were made of eggshells. All the time, I am chuckling to myself. "Investmints? I could tell yer all abaut investments!"

      Then I stand, turn my back to the audience, and walk toward the back of the stage, stripping off clothes as I go. The wig is attached inside the shapeless brown hat. It is thrown to one side first, then the coat is ripped off and tossed to the ground. It and the blue jeans are held together with Velcro so there are no delays. Then the shoes, size 13 to fit over normal shoes, are kicked off, all before I reach the back of the stage.

      Introducer and 'security guard' pick up the clothes and move the podium away as I turn to the audience, whip the paper bag off the bottle and take a swig of water.

      "First impressions!" I tell the audience, and my presentation starts. It is about accepted wrong beliefs people have about investing and their ability to do it successfully.

      I am past any nervousness I might have had and one by one for the next 45 minutes I *prove* that the beliefs most people have are incorrect.

      I had come onto the stage as a person least likely to be taken seriously with respect to investment advice but seven seconds after the clothes come off (don't worry, my real clothes are underneath!) the audience realizes that first impressions are often incorrect.

      (I start with the belief many have about not being able to save. Anyone who comes to an investment presentation likely has the ability to save - and without pain - they just don't necessarily know it yet. I show them how to save without changing their lifestyle at all. You'll get a clue how that's done from my signature block.)

      So what's happened here and why have I gone to such lengths to tell you this story in detail?

      A number of things have happened.

      1. I have long since overcome any nervousness I might have had;
      2. I have come on as a different character, a person who is neither shy nor nervous;
      3. I have had fun doing it;
      4. I have the audience's undivided attention;
      5. I have set up my opening point from which the entire talk will grow;
      6. Within the first few seconds of changing to 'me', I have the audience in the palm of my hand.

      So remember this from the trainer for my first paid performance: "It is physically impossible for stage fright to last more than two minutes."

      I also found that I needed to toss out everything I ever learned from Jaycee or Toastmaster training. That's how their competitions are won but it is definitely *not* how to captivate an audience. You have to get an audience to:
      1. Like you;
      2. Respect what you have to say; and
      3. Want to learn more
      if you hope to make back of the room sales.

      The invaluable thing about Toastmasters and Jaycees training is that it gets you off your bum to speak before groups of people. That is the first step. After that, it's a question of practice, as many have said before in this thread.

      But I would add to that: adjusting your method of presentation until you find what is right for your personality and audience.

      None of this is done overnight (like reading this encyclopedic post!). It comes one step at a time, each new step being a personal challenge, pushing the envelope one crinkle at a time. You cannot do it all at once.

      When you finish (if that time ever comes for any of us!), you will be able to step out on that stage confidently, radiating energy, speak for whatever length is required without notes or slides of any kind and answer questions of even the most obscure kind about your topic.

      But if you are not sure of an answer, never fudge one. Get caught out doing that and your credibility is shot. Just be honest, say you don't know, and that you will find the answer and get back to the person quickly. Then do it.

      And that last sentence is probably the best advice I can give you: Just do it! If I can do it anybody can do it.

      I hope this has helped and not bored.

      Sydney

      PS: If anyone wants to earn money by arranging talks for me, I will be delighted to get your PM.
      GENIUS!! SHEER GENIUS!!!

      Sydney, I wish I had know you or seen this skit when I was in that business. We opened every workshop/seminar with some type of skit or sometimes a funny anecdote (sometimes translated joke) that we could jump off of into the presentation. Nothing was ever done in the opening that didn't dovetail directly into the subject of the evening. I never told a joke just to get a laugh - it was to get a laugh and then use it to work the presentation. But once again, this skit is pure genius.

      We used to do a skit with gift bags filled with money showing someone putting money in the bank, going back and getting it after a year and showing how much they made. Then "Uncle Sam" came by to get his take, and Inflation came buy to get his take (both small bags from inside the bag that the bank gave back - with the dollar amounts written on the bag in big, bold letters), and then the investor showing his bag which now contained LESS money than he originally started with a year earlier. It was funny (mainly because of the characters), it was educational, and it set to tone for the remainder of the evening.

      But, back to your "opener", you could use this one for a workshop on the business web sites. "First Impressions" - When I first came out dressed like I was, how many of you wanted to get me out of here as quickly as possible? If you couldn't get me out of here, how many of you would have just wanted to leave? If your web site isn't making a good first impression on your visitors, you will never get an opportunity to tell them about your business. Let's talk about some ways we can do that this evening.

      Like you, I'm not a big fan of the blinding lights of the theater - been there, done that, don't really like it. I like to see the attendees. I feed off of their reactions. That helps me build my fervor for the presentation.

      Teaching, yep, that's one of the best methods to get your confidence up. About eight years ago, the children's ministry pastor at our church approached my wife and I about teaching the 6th grade boys and girls Sunday morning Bible study class. I had never taught 6th graders - always adult stuff. My wife told me that teaching these 6th graders would make me better regardless of what group I stood in front of. Boy was she right. I felt challenged every week because at 6th grade they're not afraid to ask the challenging questions - and you better be well prepared to answer them - or have that answer that "I'll get back to you." If you tell them that, you better have it next week because they're definitely going to remember and ask about it. Since then, I've seen my level of preparedness increase whenever I have to speak.

      James Dunn
      Signature

      James Dunn
      Athens, GA
      http://wpmu.org/author/jamesdunn

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[544515].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author tremayne
        [quote=jimbo3891;544515]GENIUS!! SHEER GENIUS!!!

        Hi James:

        Thank you for your kind words. But I think its important not to consider this 'genius'. I wrote what I did to help the beginners amonst us. In telling the story I wanted to suggest how easy it is after you get over the jitters - and this is a way to get over the jitters.

        Originally Posted by jimbo3891 View Post

        But, back to your "opener", you could use this one for a workshop on the business web sites. "First Impressions" - When I first came out dressed like I was, how many of you wanted to get me out of here as quickly as possible? If you couldn't get me out of here, how many of you would have just wanted to leave? If your web site isn't making a good first impression on your visitors, you will never get an opportunity to tell them about your business. Let's talk about some ways we can do that this evening.

        James Dunn
        Very true, and I think it could be adapted to almost any business.

        Let me give you a warning, though. Be prepared to buy another suitcase, pay for extra weight on flights and endure strange looks from Customs people!

        Sydney
        Signature

        CEO
        Wealthy Investor Limited
        http://wealthyinvestorweekly.com

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[547123].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author jimbo3891
          [QUOTE=tremayne;547123]
          Originally Posted by jimbo3891 View Post

          GENIUS!! SHEER GENIUS!!!

          Hi James:

          Thank you for your kind words. But I think its important not to consider this 'genius'. I wrote what I did to help the beginners amonst us. In telling the story I wanted to suggest how easy it is after you get over the jitters - and this is a way to get over the jitters.



          Very true, and I think it could be adapted to almost any business.

          Let me give you a warning, though. Be prepared to buy another suitcase, pay for extra weight on flights and endure strange looks from Customs people!

          Sydney
          Hey Sydney.

          I'm a big movie buff and that's a quote from a movie - can't remember which one though. I just remember the character saying that. I felt the quote summed up my thoughts on your skit.

          Like I said, we used skits very effectively for years. They worked so well, we quit using them. Go ahead everyone - laugh. All successful people in sales (for certain, it's probably true in all areas of business) find something that works, use it for a while, then it works so well they quit using it. Why? I think that we get it working well, business starts growing and we forget that which made it grow. Then we stop doing it, things slow down, and we wonder why. I can't tell you how many times in my 13 years in the investment business someone would come back to a seminar a few years later and say something to the effect of "You all used to do this skit that was so funny and made me think so hard. Whatever happened to that?" It was like a slap up side the head. IT WORKED SO WELL WE QUIT DOING IT!!!!!

          This probably has something to do also with trying to find fresh content so that those that come back a second time don't feel like "I've seen this movie before." Who knows.

          James Dunn
          Signature

          James Dunn
          Athens, GA
          http://wpmu.org/author/jamesdunn

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[548209].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
        Originally Posted by jimbo3891 View Post

        Teaching, yep, that's one of the best methods to get your confidence up. About eight years ago, the children's ministry pastor at our church approached my wife and I about teaching the 6th grade boys and girls Sunday morning Bible study class. I had never taught 6th graders - always adult stuff. My wife told me that teaching these 6th graders would make me better regardless of what group I stood in front of. Boy was she right. I felt challenged every week because at 6th grade they're not afraid to ask the challenging questions - and you better be well prepared to answer them - or have that answer that "I'll get back to you." If you tell them that, you better have it next week because they're definitely going to remember and ask about it. Since then, I've seen my level of preparedness increase whenever I have to speak.

        James Dunn
        You know whats funny about this James is that is exactly what I did when I lived in Scottsdale, AZ. I ended up teaching the gradeschool kids (whose parents were single mothers and fathers) while their parents went to the main service. Its amazing when you get in front of people are starting teaching people what you know.

        THE PROBLEM IS THOUGH...most people don't think they have THE ABILITY or knowledge that other people value. In fact, I've notice that is a very common behavioral pattern of most people --- THEY JUST DON'T THINK THEY HAVE THE knowledge of what other people want.

        So warriors, start teaching -- even if you don't think you have the knowledge to teach on something -- just teach on anything. Maybe you guys need to start volunteering at your local church -- or even volunteer at your local Toast Masters group.

        Cheers,

        Chris Nego
        Signature

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[547843].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author prosperwithdnb
    Nice post will start working on it.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[544451].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author prairiedog
    Start small and grow from there.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[544591].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author carltonzone
    [DELETED]
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[544678].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
      Originally Posted by carltonzone View Post

      That is an excellent idea that I have been considering for months. Now that I have read it here, I think the good Lord is trying to tell me something! You are spot-on. You could probably write a guide on this and sell it.
      Blessing to you Carlton -- go for it brother. There is alot of "meat" to this idea. Just picture the funnel of business that can come your way.

      Cheers,

      Chris Negro
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[545842].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author prosperwithdnb
    Do you have a sample power point presentation you use or do you just talk what ever you are thinking at that time.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[550693].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author jimbo3891
      Originally Posted by prosperwithdnb View Post

      Do you have a sample power point presentation you use or do you just talk what ever you are thinking at that time.
      To whom is this addressed?

      If it's me, all my experience that I speak of is from a business in a different market - financial services, teaching business owners to run their businesses more efficiently, etc. I'm a newbie in this niche taking my past experiences and applying them to this niche.

      James Dunn
      Signature

      James Dunn
      Athens, GA
      http://wpmu.org/author/jamesdunn

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[551278].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Extremeprofits-1
    Chris,
    That is a brilliant idea!! As a former Pastor and Public Speaker , you've started the creative juices flowing.
    To answer the question RE: Associations; one only needs to contact the main public venues which hold major conferences and special events; these places will usually email you a copy of their itinerary for the coming months.
    Also, keep an eye out for MLMers having their meetings. Contact the advertiser (he or she will usually be a key leader) and approach them on the concept. Ooooh Baby Mlmers will crawl through a mile of broken glass to get one lead; imagine the feeding frenzy you'd have on your hands if a whole raft of MLMers found out about your concepts!!!!!

    I guess the jist of this answer is: think outside the box and get those juices flowing.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[550747].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
      Originally Posted by Extremeprofits-1 View Post

      Chris,
      That is a brilliant idea!! As a former Pastor and Public Speaker , you've started the creative juices flowing.
      To answer the question RE: Associations; one only needs to contact the main public venues which hold major conferences and special events; these places will usually email you a copy of their itinerary for the coming months.
      Also, keep an eye out for MLMers having their meetings. Contact the advertiser (he or she will usually be a key leader) and approach them on the concept. Ooooh Baby Mlmers will crawl through a mile of broken glass to get one lead; imagine the feeding frenzy you'd have on your hands if a whole raft of MLMers found out about your concepts!!!!!

      I guess the jist of this answer is: think outside the box and get those juices flowing.
      Your welcome brother...take this idea, make some money and change the world for the better. Lord knows we need good people making a difference instead of ....well you know ...what we see most people doing.

      Success to you,

      Chris Negro
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[553338].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Royce24
    hey thanks for the info really appreciate now i can implement some of these great ideas to help me with my marketing efforts as well and maybe get me more leads
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[551294].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
      Originally Posted by Royce24 View Post

      hey thanks for the info really appreciate now i can implement some of these great ideas to help me with my marketing efforts as well and maybe get me more leads
      Yes...its an incredible lead generator actually. A wonderful way to get droves and droves of new clients !

      Success to you,

      Chris Negro
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[551881].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author BabyBlueEyes
    This is wonderful idea..and I love public speaking.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[551298].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Habbit
    Thanks for starting this thread ..very helpful indeed
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[551319].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author DJ123
    WOW! I will definitely join our local toastmaster group.
    Signature
    ---<<**More Info on how to win roulette blog**>>---
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[553402].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
      Originally Posted by DJ123 View Post

      WOW! I will definitely join our local toastmaster group.

      DJ:


      Joining Toast Masters is a definate good start. You might also want to speak at your local chamber of commerce group. I'm speaking on April 8th at mine. They want me to speak on how to set up a good marketing plan.

      Hope this helps and encourages you !

      Chris Negro
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[555243].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        Originally Posted by chrisnegro View Post


        DJ:


        Joining Toast Masters is a definate good start. You might also want to speak at your local chamber of commerce group. I'm speaking on April 8th at mine. They want me to speak on how to set up a good marketing plan.

        Hope this helps and encourages you !

        Chris Negro
        If you want a low-stress, low pressure way to hone your skills, see if you can be the lunch or dinner speaker of your local service clubs (Lions, Kiwanis, etc.). These folks are always looking for speakers, and they're only looking for ~20 minutes of material. Keep it light, and no sales pitch - pure entertainment with a little education thrown in.

        One way to do this is to simply tell stories - they don't even have to be yours. For example, if you were talking about viral marketing, you could point to David Preston's 'Cash Cow' thread. How it took on a life of its own, garnering 3,000+ replies and 150,000+ views. How it eventually had to be removed from the server because it was slowing things down. Don't be afraid to give credit or attribution to stories you share. You actually build credibility by acknowledging your sources.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[556201].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
          Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

          If you want a low-stress, low pressure way to hone your skills, see if you can be the lunch or dinner speaker of your local service clubs (Lions, Kiwanis, etc.). These folks are always looking for speakers, and they're only looking for ~20 minutes of material. Keep it light, and no sales pitch - pure entertainment with a little education thrown in.

          One way to do this is to simply tell stories - they don't even have to be yours. For example, if you were talking about viral marketing, you could point to David Preston's 'Cash Cow' thread. How it took on a life of its own, garnering 3,000+ replies and 150,000+ views. How it eventually had to be removed from the server because it was slowing things down. Don't be afraid to give credit or attribution to stories you share. You actually build credibility by acknowledging your sources.
          Hey John:

          Actually telling stories is A WONDERFUL WAY to make a powerful presentation. Its provides entertainment value plus gets your mind off of the seriousness of the content you are presentation (win-win for sure).

          Success to you,

          Chris Negro
          Signature

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[558836].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author WealthBluePrint
    i'd do it if i knew much about list building lol
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[556647].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author C.T.
    Chris,

    This is an awesome thread, thank you for starting it!

    I have been publicly speaking to crowds of 100+ for 16 years and I completely agree with what was said. Telling stories is a "WONDERFUL WAY" to make a powerful presentation. And there is no doubt in my mind that the illustration (story telling) is the most effective weapon in the public speakers arsenal, especially if it's used right.

    Proper use of illustrations can enrich your talk or presentation, touch the lives of people, and make your subject memorable. Good, effective illustrations have the ability to stir up emotions and reach the conscience and the heart of your audience.

    But if illustrations are improperly used, your talk or speech may fall flat or you may fail to drive home the point the way you intend. If that happens, the focus of you audience will quickly shift to something more interesting.

    Here are some things I do personally to create illustrations that always leaves my audience like drooling zombies waiting for my next command...

    Start With Similes and Metaphors
    Similes are very simple to use and they usually start with the word "like" or "as." Similes give you the ability to compare two things that are very different and highlight what those different things have in common.

    Example: "As clean as a whistle" or "they fought like cats and dogs"

    Metaphors highlight how two different things are similar as well, but metaphors use more force.

    Example: "It's raining cats and dogs" or "Rolling in dough"

    Use Examples
    Examples can tend to get out of hand, so use them carefully! Examples should be used to support points or ideas that are important and good enough to be remembered and not just a story.

    Not all examples have to be something that actually happened nor do they have to be something that happened to you. But whenever possible, they should reflect an actual situation or your attitude on the subject.

    Whatever you do, make sure it's understood
    No matter what you decide to use for your illustration or example you should always have a clear goal or objective in mind. Ask yourself, what is the point of my illustration? What point do I want my audience to get from my illustration? Does my illustration stand on its own or do I have to explain how it applies to the subject we're discussing?

    If coming up with your own illustration isn't really your thing then....

    Steal one from somebody else!
    Regularly reading good fiction books, watching television or listening to someone else speak or relay an example/illustration are all good ways to build your illustration arsenal. The best illustrations/examples have been used countless times by countless numbers of people for centuries. Why? Because they're memorable and effective! So steal away...

    Use everyday life as your inspiration
    Whether at work or just out and about running errands, pay a little more than the usually attention to things and situations around you and you'll be absolutely amazed at the amount of illustrations, examples, stories and anecdotes you will have filed away to use later.

    If used effectively, an illustration can completely unravel the most complicated subject and allow you to command the attention of any audience like a five-star general...

    Great ideas, tips and experiences everybody, keep em' coming!

    -C.T.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[566884].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author hotlinkz
    Chris,

    Thanks for kicking this thread off!

    It's like a mini, unannounced WSO. I was able to glean a lot of information regarding the Cash Cow method.

    What type results are you getting from workshop presentations?

    Best regards,

    Calvin
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[568380].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author dps
    Banned
    [DELETED]
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[568567].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author jimbo3891
      Right on, Right on, Right on.

      There's a fine line between being too smooth and polished and sounding too much like their buddy. Unless you're in the financial services industry (where sounding very smooth and polished is almost a pre-requisite), you still need to sound somewhat smooth and polished and a little better than their buddy. If you don't sound a little smoother than their buddy, they'll be thinking that they can get their buddy (or worse - their teenager) to do what you're talking about. Even though this isn't Wall Street, we are still professionals in our field. We don't need to wear suits when we make these presentations, but we do need to dress nicely. We don't have to sound like we just stepped out of the IT room, but we do need to demonstrate out talents in a manner that appeals to our audience.

      My Dad used to say, "Too much of even a good thing is a bad thing". We shouldn't be too polished, too smooth, too anything - but we do need to be polished, smooth, and convincing. Like I said, it's a delicate balance.

      James
      Signature

      James Dunn
      Athens, GA
      http://wpmu.org/author/jamesdunn

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[569122].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Riz
    Golf Clubs usually have a high number of business clientele.

    It might be an idea to JV with a Golf Club - they promote the seminar to their members and keep the ticket price - u get to present and sell ure services on the backend.

    What does everyone think of jv'ing with golf Clubs?

    Baal
    Signature
    NEWBIES - Stuck on Technical Issues?

    Ask me For a FREE copy of my upcoming course that will eliminate all your technical gremlins....:
    SEND ME A PRIVATE MESSAGE NOW!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[569434].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author bobmcalister
    as a golfer , I can tell you that the idea may be worth exploring as a dinner meeting or something since we have had several speakers in the past. but the audience is a bunch of golfers , so keep that in mind....liquor flows pretty freely at these evening meetings


    btw...skydivedad has a wonderful set of ppt slides to use if you need some for your speeches...and , no , I am not an affilaite . I have used them tho adn they are nice.

    later guys ..thanks fo ranother great thread !
    Signature

    free facebook ad trials . proof before payment

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[571191].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ideasuniversity
    This is amazing I am doing one in two weeks time. And I have not seen your post before i plan my seminar. Though mine is basically for my friends who had been asking questions on what I do.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[583580].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author chrisnegro
    Hey Guys...just got back from a trip from the Philippines...awesome little vacation and an amazing culture. Will catch up on some of the responses as times permits.

    Warmest regards,

    Chris Negro
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[673694].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author AlexKaplo
    Wow, I definitely love how this marketing funnel makes you profiting on the backend on a offline type deal.

    I'll be keeping this one in mind, thanks a lot for sharing it!

    Alex Kaplo
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[673706].message }}

Trending Topics