SPEAKER SERVICES NEWSLETTER, November 2002 http://speakerservices.com *** Important Note for Subscribers *** If you receive our e-mails at a web-based address like Hotmail or Yahoo, PLEASE put our reply address (susan@speakerservices.com) in your "address book." If not, future issues could be accidentally filtered by Hotmail or Yahoo, in their efforts to block unsolicited commercial e-mail. As you know, our e-mail list is 100% opt in-only, but unfortunately some e-mail services will not deliver them unless our reply address is included in your address book. We apologize for any inconvenience, and appreciate your help. To unsubscribe: susan@speakerservices.com Remove in subject line Get Listed in the Directory: http://speakerservices.com/adv_pkt.html Content: 1. New & Renewing Speakers 2. A Note from the Publisher, Susan Levin 3. Promotions/Advertising 4. Tips and Advice 5. Articles: 1. Stories & Anecdotes, Jack Barnard 2. Top 7 Ways to Select a Book Topic That Sells , Judy Cullins ***************************************** New Speakers for November '02 Entire List of Speakers http://speakerservices.com/categories/allspeak.html Dave Hutchinson: http://speakerservices.com/free/hutchinson_d.html Interactive media executive demystifies new technologies Judd Matsunaga: http://speakerservices.com/free/matsunaga_j.html Asset protection and Medi-Cal planning for long-term care. Wanda Marie: http://speakerservices.com/free/wanda_m.html "Sacred Self-Marriage" frees women to discover more fulfilling love relationships Greg Mooers: http://speakerservices.com/free/mooers_g.html Engineer/monk reveals the core virtues that propel businesses and employees. Turn conflicts into powerful alliances by revealing core commitments CarolAnn Peterson: http://speakerservices.com/fee/peterson_c.html Domestic violence expert captures audiences with expertise and compassion. Al Secunda: http://speakerservices.com/free/secunda_A.html Personal and business consultant reveals "The 15-Second Principle"-- groundbreaking system that makes any goal attainable. Arthur Smith, Ph.D.: http://speakerservices.com/fee/smith_a.html Mind-body medicine scholar and cancer survivor explores the power of thought to heal Kathryn Tull: http://speakerservices.com/fee/tull_k.html Survivor of long-term domestic violence lights compelling, educational path from recognition to triumph of self-empowerment. Milton Wolpin: http://speakerservices.com/free/wolpin.html Psychotherapist teaches people how to handle life's difficult situations capably--and improve their relationships. North Wood: http://speakerservices.com/fee/wood_n.html Laws of personal change, techniques for reaching goals, creativity, talent, and live classical music. ************************************ A NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER, SUSAN LEVIN In the November Newsletter I've included a passage on Storytelling from Jack Barnard's Book We Get our Cue from You: The Communion Approach to Public Speaking, Presentation and Performance, available only through Speaker Services. As you know the key to retention is interaction and involving the audience. Telling a story is one of the many ways that you can endear yourself to the audience and let them know about your expertise as well as a way to inspire them. If you feel that you could use some help with storytelling and designing interactive talks and seminars be sure to check out my upcoming seminar Designing & Developing Interactive Talks/Seminars on November 6 in Marina del Rey, CA http://speakerservices.com/services/la.html As an international marketing consultant for speakers I encourage my clients to create products to sell at their talks/workshops. Often times people say I am not a writer and I say anyone can self publish and create information to sell. Judy Cullin's, article the Top 7 Ways to Select a Book Topic That Sells will surely inspire you. She reminds us that a book/workbook is an extension of our talks. We already have the information to create it! We are accepting reservations for the Video Demo Showcase in Los Angeles February 8, 2003. It is a 3 camera shoot with a live audience and a terrific value and includes an hour of coaching on content and production for under $1,000. Sign up by December 1 and receive a $100 discount. On October 12 we shot 20 videos and we had speakers from S and N California and as far away as Vancouver, BC. Take a look at http://speakerservices.com/videoprod.html for further information and streaming video samples and call me to sign up. If you are just starting out as a speaker and want to practice your talk in front of a live audience and receive valuable feedback you will want to participate in the next Speaker's Showcase, December 7. Our workshop schedule is always posted at http://speakerservices.com/services/la.html. Join us. Please enjoy the following success stories from our speakers. Bravo! Susan Levin Speaker Services _________________________________ Get Listed in the Directory: Deadline for listing 15th of each month for the following month http://speakerservices.com/adv_pkt.html Speaker Services since '92 supports professional people in growing their business through speaking. _________________________________ SPEAKER SERVICES SUCCESS STORIES Jeff Korn: http://speakerservices.com/free/korn_j.html After joining the speaker services I was immediately contacted by numerous groups ranging from service clubs to professional networking groups to corporate businesses. As the author of "How to be Incredibly Good with Names," it's fantastic to have an outlet to showcase my fun, interactive seminar. It feels so good to help people - remember. Thanks so much to Susan Levin for all her help in my present and future success. _______________ Keith Ivey: http://speakerservices.com/free/ivey_k.html Just a note to tell you how much I value my participation in your web site. I receive at least one invitation per month to speak to various organizations. While my schedule doesn't allow me to accept all of them, the invitations I do accept always turn out to be such pleasures! My topic - "The Awesome Power of Self-Promotion" - always hits home. There is nothing like having someone come up after a presentation and say that something I said has changed their lives and that they will never the same again. I can live on that (and a little bread and water) for months. _______________ Kathryn Tull: http://speakerservices.com/fee/tull_k.html On September 27th I was the keynote speaker and workshop presenter at the First Annual Conference on Domestic Violence for the Family Advocacy Program of the Unites States Army in Stuttgart, Germany. I'd like to share with you the moving message I received from commander, Provost Marshall, Major Hans F. Hunt. " I would like to express my appreciation to you for taking the time out of your schedule to brief our Military Police Soldiers. This training has greatly educated our Law Enforcement personnel and has provided valuable information to them in reaction to domestic violence cases. Your instruction was extremely well organized and the presentation was truly inspirational to our young MPs who work on the road on a daily basis. Your shared experiences truly heightened the awareness of domestic violence and how to deal with domestic violence situations. Your suggestions for improvements will be implemented in our organization as we approach these incidents when they occur. We will be mindful to approach each incident with the training that we have received and with a heart of understanding. Your willingness to share your experiences and time was truly moving and greatly appreciated. Your devotion to teach and educate is a great credit to you and a benefit to the U.S. Army Military Police Corps. On behalf of the 6th Area Support Group Provost Marshall Office, I again thank you for your visit to our community and the valuable impact that you made on our Military Police Soldiers." Hans F. Hunt, Major, Military Police, Provost Marshal , United States Army Military Police , 6thArea Support Group Publisher's note: Bravo Kathryn-we are so proud of your accomplisments. ************************************************* ******************** PROMOTIONS/ADVERTISING Cartoon Resource provides affordable cartoons on all niche speaker/author topics. Stock and custom cartoons are available. Review thousands of outstanding cartoons on their searchable cartoon web site: www.cartoonresource.com. Clients include: Dr. Tina DuPree, Rita Risser, Larry Winget, Edna Junkins and scores of other successful speakers and authors. Contact: Andrew Grossman, Director: andrew@cartoonresource.com. 757-220-3076/757-220-3079 fax __________________________ Find speaking engagements today! Searchable, online database of organizations actively seeking speakers. Great for emerging speakers and others looking to expand their business. http://www/simplyspeaking.com/ssn __________________________ "People appreciate our newsletter," says John Alston, CSP, CPAE. "They say it's of value to them. It adds to our professionalism. It's more of an investment than an expense. It generates good will and bookings." Hire Jeff Rubin to get similar results from your newsletter. Great sample packet. Jeff Rubin, 877/588-1212; jeff@put-it-in-writing.com. http://www.put-it-in-writing.com ************************************************* ******************** TIPS and ADVICE Create Your Own Tape or CD! Have you heard that you can make great money from back of the room sales? Greg Mooers (gmgm@gte.net) Here are some tips: 1. Get a friend to interview you and record the conversation - sell it as a product that promotes your business. 2. Create labels for j-sleeves for your cassette using Microsoft Publisher 3. Do you need lots of blank cassettes or labels? Rock bottom prices -- call Winn Cassette Sales 972-606-2100 4. Get 10 times as many labels for the same price as your local office supply at www.data-labels.com 5. Buy a high speed cassette copier off ebay for under $300 I can coach you through the process or do the work for you: call 310-230-9949 I'll interview you, edit and burn a few CD's for you at a reasonable cost... and I can help connect you with other resources ************************************************* ******************** STORIES AND ANECDOTES by Jack Barnard "Once upon a time the prince met the princess. But she was having a bad hair day, and he was interested in her brother, so they both lived somewhat happily ever after, but not with each other." "Stories are not just meant to make us smile. Our lives depend on them." Chinua Achebe, Nigerian novelist Gathered around the warm fires, listening to the Wise Ones, hearing the history through the Storyteller was the way of our ancestors. It was an honor to be the Storyteller, as the Storyteller spoke the truth of the moment, sharing the wisdom and knowledge that guided the people and protected the children. "We come back to the WORD as the starting point of all Creation." Ernest Holmes, The Science of Mind Our culture has storytelling roots. Everything we do well contains a story. Our movies and TV programs tell stories. we sell with a story, we relate to each with stories. Our speeches and talks follow the pathways of good stories. All the great teachers Ñ Jesus included Ñ were great storytellers. Storytelling is an art. "The truths of how to live in harmony were kept alive by wise Storytellers." James Sams and Twylah Nitsch , Other Council Fires Were Here Before Ours ABOUT STORYTELLING 1. The ability to exchange experiences is at the heart of genuine storytelling 2. Forever, we have relied on stories to make sense of our lives 3. Stories are the building blocks of knowledge. 4. Stories are the playground for language 5. Stories offer a deeper understanding of our origins 6. Stories teach us how to be human. 7. Stories help us know who we are in new and unforeseen ways. 8. Stories organize the things that happen to us. 9. Stories offer a deeply meaningful and intimate legacy 10. Stories create community 11. Stories help us to see through the eyes of other people 12. Stories show us the consequences of our actions 13. Stories educate our desires 14. Stories help us dwell in place 15. Stories liberate us into a realm of timelessness. 16. Stories help us dwell in time 17. Stories contradict our extreme isolation 18. Stories help us deal with suffering, loss, and death 19. Stories acknowledge the wonder and mystery of Creation We love stories and we learn through the telling of them. Sprinkle your message with stories, anecdotes (analogies and examples) that bring out the flavor of your theme. Stories, anecdotes, jokes and illustrations take the audience by the hand and help them understand what youÕre saying. Stories deliver the salient points of wisdom. You can tell us the point youÕre trying to make, and we may understand it, but we get the meaning through stories. WeÕre a storytelling culture. The stories that affect us the most are personal stories, experiences that moved us. Regardless of the kind of story, bring us into it. Great storytellers suspend our realities and make us think itÕs happening right now. Checklist of Essential Story Items: All the great stories contain the following ingredients: 1. OPENER. Transport us to another time and place with your very first sentence. Or introduce us to someone, or to some meaningful experience. Example: "My mother wears a manÕs toupee." Or "They closed the school on my 6th birthday." "During the week, she was just a secretary." 2. SENSES AHOY. Use colorful, crunchy, juicy, smelly, happy, scary, exciting words. Words which make us see, hear, smell, taste, touch and feel. Go for economy. These descriptive words should convey a MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF THOUGHT IN A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF WORDS. To find them we must ask the following questions: a. What did the people and places look like in the story? (tall, short, fat, skinny, crooked, green, yellow, white) b. What were the sounds? (ocean, wind, dogs) How did the people talk? (fast-talking, lisp, slow drawl) c. What smells? (lilac, perfume, bakery shop) d. What textures? (Hands like leather, smooth as a baby butt) e. How did the people feel? (angry, afraid, confused, happy, sad) 3. MAGIC MOMENTS. Really great stories have Magic Moments. A magic moment happens when the storyteller stops telling the story from the narratorÕs point of view and becomes one of the characters (by using that characterÕs voice and body movements). This is when the storyteller transforms from telling the story in 3rd person style and we are suddenly in the story (1st person.) (As I said in the very beginning, being a speaker and a performer are all the same thing to me. If you want to pop to the top, see yourself as a performer Ñ not just a speaker.) 4.* CHALLENGE IS COMING. Not every story has this, but itÕs nice when they do. This is also called the build up. What in the story makes you feel that trouble is coming? Example: "Ronald was always so careful driving to work." (We know RonaldÕs about to get into trouble.) 5.* CHALLENGE/ PAIN. The crisis or peak moment. Moment of truth. Often called the "Once Moment" because the word "once" will always let you know if you have a peak moment. Example: "Once Ronald decided to try a new way to work, all hell broke loose." Trouble isnÕt necessarily a bad thing. Trouble just means that the world we know is turned upside- down. Trouble in a story can mean we just got a big inheritance and this is not a bad thing at all. 6.* CHALLENGE OVERCOME. How did the main character get out of the troublesome situation? What resource or intrinsic human value did our hero have to tap into? Example: "Ronald finally made it to work that day Ñ but he didnÕt get much done." 7. CLOSER. Close your story with a powerful sentence. This is a great place for the moral, or for what the main character Ñ and consequently the audience Ñ learned from the story. Example: "Ronald knew he would never drive again Ñ not without seat belts." Some of this material courtesy of Karen Golden * Steps 4-6 are optional. Some inspirational stories arenÕt built around crisis, but the best of them are. Conflict and resolution have been the soul centers of storytelling since we learned to communication. Go to any movie. You can graph out the conflict and resolution, and in far too many of them, you can time it. The speakerÕs task is to make the difficult easy for the audience to understand. Stories help to do this. They can take dry facts, statements and statistics and make them infinitely more memorable to an audience. The best speakers are all great storytellers. Helpful hints: Keep a record of your stories, anecdotes, jokes and great quotes. Put them in a folder, journal, or computer file, so when you need them, theyÕre easily accessible. Practice your stories. Tell them to a friend, try them out in different ways. Eliminate superfluous parts and irrelevant details. Jack Barnard is a writer, speaker, performer and group leader. His technique emphasizes the specialness of the individual, focusing on the permission to bring forth one's unique expression and style. He is the author of We Get our Cue from You: The Communion Approach to Public Speaking, Presentation and Performance. His Storytelling Audio Tape, books and more are available through Speaker Services. http://speakerservices.com/products/index.html. Jack can be reached at 310-993-8762. ______________________________ TOP 7 WAYS TO SELECT A BOOK TOPIC THAT SELLS By Judy Cullins Authors need to write their book according to their target audiences' needs and wants. You can sell many more copies when you address these seven ways to select a topic that sells. 1. Write what you are passionate about. Write what will still interest you in the next two years. Your book is an extension of you, your talks, and your profession. If you don't love your topic, you won't be successful. One big mistake authors make is to put attention on writing another book before their first one has been promoted. 2. Write down five topics you are passionate about. Ask your inner author which one should you pay attention to first. After choosing, gather and organize everything you already know and want to know about that topic. If you need, research it. Read other authors' books in your field, check out related web sites, and subscribe to newsletters. You become the expert as you write. 3. Write a book your audience needs or wants. People want how to's and skills. Three special reports on memory and a Speedreading manual I wrote have sold over 45,000 in the past 15 years. Business books sell well. People need writing, reading, speaking, computing, communication, math, sales, marketing and Internet skills. Nonfiction how to's sell best. When your nonfiction books sells well, you can finance your novel. 4. Research your target market. Who is your preferred audience? Who will read and buy your book? Who will pay the $10-$25 price tag? How many possible buyers are there? How does your book stack up to your competition? What is your unique selling proposition? What benefits does your book bring its readers? How many in your audience? According to Dan Poynter, author of Writing Nonfiction, an audience of 200,000 to 700,000 is best. Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul sold three million copies more in one year than the original Chicken Soup sold in three years. 5. Compare your book with other reputable, good sellers. What way is your book like theirs? What way is your book unique from others? How? How is your book better? If you think your book is the only one of its kind, it may be, but it will much more difficult to sell. Check out where your book fits by visiting your local bookstore. Ask the bookseller to help you. 6. Survey your market. Brainstorm with and ask for feedback from friends and associates. Let them vote on the best of ten titles and subtitles, chapter titles, back cover information. While some get their title instantly and know it's the right one, many of us need help. When you use the synergy of more brainpower, you receive so many more ideas. Don't be attached to your choices. Feedback helps build a better book. 7. Create a winning vision for your book. Know that your book will be published. Specifically name the outcomes you will see, hear and feel. Place this winning vision in color on a card. Put it near your workstation. (Using today's date including the year) Now that my book (title and subtitle) is finished and is a huge seller: I see (peoples orders on my website) I hear (applause from multiple audiences affirming it) I feel (exhilarated, confident and pleased it's such a hit) Now that you have a winning topic, your book will flow, be organized, and attract your preferred audience. Judy Cullins: The Book Coach, Judy@bookcoaching.com, 619/466/0622 *********************************************** PROMOTIONS/ADVERTISING RATES: Get your message out to speakers 4,000 plus and meeting planners in this fast growing newsletter. $50 a month, 25-50 words of text and a link to your website,or 6 months for $275 paid in advance. Terms: Deadline is one week before the end of each month Payment must be received in advance To get started: 1- Email your advertising copy to susan@speakerservices.com 2- Provide payment by credit card-specify length of time ************************ Previous issues are available at http://www.speakerservices.com/nl/index.html 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. ************************ Book Speakers: http://speakerservices.com. Get Listed in the Directory: http://speakerservices.com/adv_pkt.html Workshops: http://speakerservices.com/services/la.html Video Production Services: http://speakerservices.com/videoprod.html Speaker Audio Tapes/Books http://speakerservices.com/products/index.html ************************ Speaker Services Susan Levin 4023 Meier Street LA, CA 90066 310-822-4922 FAX: 310-822-9025 Toll free- 877-773-2800 e-mail: susan@speakerservices.com website: http://speakerservices.com