Speaker Services Susan Levin 4023 Meier Street, LA, CA 90066 310-822-4922 * Toll free- 877-773-2800 e-mail: susan@speakerservices.com website: http://speakerservices.com Issue #1-November 1998 CONTENTS New Speakers Fear of Speaking What Will You Speak About? Types of Speeches Checkpoints: Select Your Subject Meeting Planners: How to Choose a Professional Speaker Introducing your Speaker Books & Events Welcome to the first monthly e-mail newsletter for speakers and meeting planners. Speakerservices.com is a one-stop shopper for meeting planners to assist them in finding quality speakers for their programs. For speakers it is a marketing tool to connect them with audiences. NEW SPEAKERS We've added eleven new speakers to our Online Directory this month. They are: Karen Abrams, memory expert, motivational speakers, CJ Altshule, Cynthia Kersey and Lew Raphael, communication expert, Dena Crowder, life and career coaches, Diana Divine, internet/business speaker, Camilla Andrews, dream speaker. Janice Baylis, humor/legal issues, Kenny Kahn, dance demystified speaker, Aline Tatom and investment expert, Cornelia Spring. We are all experts in our field and have lots of information to pass along. Speaking should be part of everyone's marketing plan especially if you are interested in growing your business, attracting clients and selling your products and services. There are thousands of organizations, civic groups and businesses who are looking for quality speakers for their meeting needs. Speaking to a group of 10-100 people is a great platform for visibility. FEAR OF SPEAKING Now I understand that the number one fear in the world is the fear of speaking. As Jerry Seinfeld said "The number one fear on the planet is public speaking, which means, if there was a funeral, most people would rather be in the casket than give the eulogy." Can you relate? When I was asked to give my first speaking engagement seven years ago I hired a speech and presentation coach and I was well prepared. Join a local Toastmasters Group: http://www.ni.net/toastmasters.org, call The National Speakers Association and find out where there is a local chapter near you, http://www.nsaspeaker.org. Meeting Planners International the largest association of meeting planners has local chapters, http://www.mpi.web.org. If you are in the Los Angeles area we offer classes on presentation skills on an ongoing basis. Also I can recommend several great speech coaches. E-Mail me at susan@speakerservices.com. Here's some suggestions for using your expertise WHAT WILL YOU SPEAK ABOUT? Speak about what you know. Anyone can learn to speak with some practice just like anyone can learn to play the piano. If you have a desire to speak, have a vision, purpose, passion and compassion and come from the heart you can't lose. Remember to tell your own story, speak from the heart and become a passionate expert on your topic. As Emerson said, "What you thunder so loud they'll want to hear." * A psychotherapist talks about eating disorders. * A massage therapist talks about the power of touch. * An attorney talks about trademarks, copyright and contracts. * A speech coach talks about powerful presentation skills. * A financial coach talks about how to be rich on any income, even if you're in debt. * A marketing consultant talks about how to make money in international business. * A career consultant talks about how to land your dream job. * A business consultant talks about how to develop and write winning business plans. * A coffeehouse owner talks about how to open a coffeehouse. * A high school teacher talks about the crisis in the American education system. * An editor for a women's magazine talks on women in the work force. * An entrepreneur speaks on marketing in the future and how to build a business. * A doctor talks of the future of American health care in business. * An athlete talks about how to play better tennis. * A racing car driver talks about on the spirit of winning. * A nutritionist talks about eating to win. * A film producer talks about film budgeting and financing. * A computer person talks about the information super highway. * A retired business person talks on success after sixty. * An ethno-art historian talks about her travels, using slides. * A builder talks about how to buy foreclosures. >From Market Yourself as A Speaker Resource and Study Guide by Susan Levin, $24, http://speakerservices.com TYPES OF SPEECHES The type you will give will depend primarily on the result you want from your audience. There are four basic kinds of speeches and presentations. Informative Is your goal to inform your audience about your area of expertise, your product or your service, your organization's activities? Are you sharing facts, figures, research, other data that may be useful to your audience? Entertaining/ Ceremonial Is your mission to make everybody laugh or feel good about being at the function you're addressing? Are you on stage to introduce a speaker, present or accept an award, or serve in another ceremonial capacity? Inspirational / Motivational Is your real objective to rally your "audience" to exceed their previous efforts, participate fully or succeed in a mission? Inspire your team, association, volunteers or an individual to try harder? Score more points? Raise more funds? Exercise? Persuasive Are your efforts mostly aimed at persuading your "audience," prospect, Board of Directors or boss to "buy" from you? Vote for your point of view or candidate? Follow your plan or approve your project? Grant a raise or promotion? Enroll in your club or benefits its program? Follow the new policy and procedures? While persuasion is the underlying goal of most business and civic presentations, most people resent obvious "commercials" in any form. Good speakers and presenters often mask their persuasive message in the guise of an "informative" talk. They share information without overtly trying to "sell" anything. A good example is a financial planner who discusses retirement options without recommending specific products. Probably, your aim combines a few of these modalities. >From Unforgettable Speeches and Sales Presentations by Anne B. Freedman, Order from amazon.com CHECKPOINTS: SELECT YOUR SUBJECT As you prepare your speeches, check off each point listed below Analysis of audience * Considered what they already know? * Considered audience's attitude toward your speech subject? * Figured out their attitude toward you as the speaker? * Identified their occupations? * Got an idea of their economic status? * Found out their general educational level? * Estimated their cultural status? * Will there be all men? All women? Mixed audience? * General age of most of your listeners? * Number of people you'll be speaking to? Analysis of the occasion * What's the purpose of the meeting? * Where will the meeting be held? * Found out what facilities will be there for you? * When will you give your talk? * Found out what else is on the program? * What's after your speech? Analysis of yourself as the speaker * Do you have enough knowledge about the subject of your talk? * Do you have enough time to prepare? * Are you really interested in the speech subject? * Will the audience accept you as a knowledgeable speaker? >From How To Speak Like A Pro by Leon Fletcher, Order from amazon.com *************************** MEETING PLANNERS How to Choose a Professional Speaker * Finding the most appropriate speaker for your program can be made easier by following some simple guidelines: *Preview the speaker. If that's not possible ask others for referrals or obtain video or oral cassettes. *Ask for the names of recent sponsoring organizations and call them with specific questions. * Obtain biographical information and photo from the speaker. * Ask the speaker for his or her printed introduction. *Let the speaker know your theme and send promotional material or the meeting that includes approximate attendance, audience mix (age, salespeople or management, male and female, etc.). *Be sure terms of the honorarium and expenses are clearly agreed upon in writing. * Send written confirmation for the agreed date. * Request a list of any audio visual or other items the speaker may need for a more effective presentation. * Most speakers prefer to handle their own airport-to-meeting-site transportation. However, it is advisable to check with the speaker concerning preferred transportation schedule. * Plan your schedule so that there is a minimum risk of running late on either side of the speaker's time. Reducing the speaker's time can considerably dilute a well-planned presentation. Introducing Your Speaker * A good introduction will set the stage for a positive atmosphere for the relationship between the speaker and your audience. It creates interest by informing the audience of what to expect and by encouraging them to listen. Credentials are given at this time. It will also make the speaker feel welcomed and relaxed. * Always contact the speaker prior to the event to discuss the introduction. Most speakers prefer to bring a prepared statement. You may wish to ask a few questions to elicit any additional appropriate information. * If you prepare the introduction, check it with the speaker prior to using it. * You want to make sure that the introduction is accurate, that it presents the speaker in the way he or she wants to be presented, and that it doesn't duplicate any information that the speaker will use in their presentation. * Be brief. A one minute introduction is adequate for almost every talk. * Give the speaker's name at the beginning and the end of the introduction (be sure you are pronouncing it correctly and are using his or her correct title, if any. * Mention the title or topic of the speech, even if it's printed on the program. * You might add how long the talk will be and whether questions will be taken at the end of the program. >From Who's Who in Professional Speaking, NSA, LA Chapter 1995, http://www.glansa.org BOOKS AND EVENTS Essential Business Tatics for the Net by Larry Chase. Chase reveals the insider's secrets and tips garnered to exploit the Net for all its worth. To order, http://larrychase.com. Chase also publishes online the Web Digest, http://wdfm.com. I ordered the book and it is full of great information to market your web business. 1001 Ways to Market Your Books (fifth edition) for authors and publishers by John Kremer is now available. http://www.bookmarket.com or call 800-796-6130. How To Build Your Speaking and Writing Empire with Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield, creators of the Chicken Soup books, will be held in Anaheim, California, November 7 & 8. For information call (800) 433-2314. I attended last March and it was a fabulous weekend. ********************** To contribute information to this newsletter send via e-mail to: susan@speakerservices.com. Letters and comments are happily accepted. To remove yourself from this newsletter send an e-mail message to susan@speakerservices.com with remove in subject. Susan Levin, publisher ************************ If you are a meeting planner looking for speakers for free or fee or entertainers check out our Internet Edition of Speaker Services: http://speakerservices.com. Speakers and entertainers take a look at our introductory photo-listing rates for the Internet Edition. Presentation skills and marketing workshops offered in the Los Angeles area. Customized trainings available.