Greetings, Since 1992 Speaker Services offers training and marketing for professional folks and authors to grow their business and income through speaking. Every six months or so I offer a complimentary teleclass on the business of speaking and invite our master presentation coach Jack Barnard to join in on the call. This Wednesday, May 3, 4-5pm PST we will be discussing the business of speaking and answering your questions. It's a great way to get to know us -sign up at: http://speakerservices.com/teleclasses. I will send you a confirmation and the phone number when you register.

Do you need a professional Video Demo? It is a known fact that speakers who have a video do get many bookings. We have several openings for the June 11, 3 camera Video Demo Showcase. Check out the streaming video samples at: http://www.speakerservices.com/videoprod.html How would you like to spend five days with Jack Barnard and myself at the Speakers' Bootcamp Intensive? This is a once a year happening in Los Angeles on July 14-18. We have room for 10 more students who have a desire to position themselves as a credible experts and jump to the next level-even if you are a beginner. Save $300 by giving your deposit by May 15. Learn more http://www.speakerservices.com/services/la.html#camp

Are you aware that media exposure is a critical element to your success? Save the dates for the second annual MediaSpeak Symposium: www.speakerservices.com/mediaspeak, Thursday-Saturday- October 5, 6 & 7. Learn how to get and use publicity. Supercharge your book, product, business, service or cause when you talk to the media. Day 1: READY- Gather all the elements of your presentation in one succinct package, sharpen the point. Day 2: SET- Receive meaningful media coaching, learn tricks, tactics & techniques. Day 3: PITCH live to the media- present yourself like there is no tomorrow.

Partial list of media include: Radio: Shrink Rap- KCSN. Peter Tilden & Ashely-KZLA, Help Your Self -KRLA, Beyond Words- KCLU, Inner Vision with Dr. Nita Vallens-KPFK, Hispanic Business Radio-KLSX & KWKW, Enlightening Relationships-Karma Air, The Aware Show-KPFK, National Lampoon Networks, Midlife Miracles- Healthy Life Net, Coping With Caregiving-wsRadio, Entrepreneur Magazine Home Business Show-wsRadio, NPR National News Magazine. TV: The Wright Place, AMC, TV Guide Channel, The Gregory Mantell Show. Print: Los Angeles Sentinel, Entrepreneur Magazine, Costco Connection. Check out the program www.speakerservices.com/mediaspeak

I have never experienced such an information packed weekend delivered by such knowledgeable and kind people. I felt inspired and supported to go to the next level with my business. It was well worth the time and money! - Meredyth Hunt, Certified Hand Analyst

Within one week of attending the Symposium, I had E Entertainment TV camera crew video taping me for a show. Next week I shoot "Voices of Tomorrow" TV show discussing Teenage Obesity and soon I will be on an NPR radio show. Invest in yourself and get YOUR word out. - Elaine Wilkes, N.C., M.A. Author of You Are What You BUY To Eat; Change Your Eating, Change Your Life!

You might be the best speaker in the world-but if you don't know how to behave on the speakers' circuit, you won't end up with a lot of bookings says Fern Reiss in the article that I have included this month on How to Be a Sought After Speaker. She offers wonderful tips and advice.

As always I am delighted to talk with you and to assist you in your speaking practice. Please feel free to call me 310-822-4922 and I almost always answer the phone.

Susan Levin
Speaker Services

Introducing May '06 Speakers & Authors
View all speakers: http://speakerservices.com

Click on the links to see the complete speaker listings and contact information

David Brownstein, S. California
Certified business and life coach shares simple but powerful leadership tools he's used to catapult Hollywood executives to the top of the industry.
Business, Leadership, Work/Life Balance
http://www.speakerservices.com/speakers/detail/231

Jessica Duquette, S. California
Master organizer known as "The Diva of Letting Go" shows how to turn clutter, chaos and overwhelm into creativity, order and energy.
Clearing Clutter, Lifestyles, Organizing, Time Management
http://www.speakerservices.com/speakers/detail/189

Marja Lee Freeman, Burke, VA; East Coast and International
Motivational speaker reveals the five strategic keys to career empowerment and the secrets for making a success of any chosen career.
Career, Empowerment, Personal Development
http://www.speakerservices.com/speakers/detail/229

Robert Quintana, S. California
Experienced social worker shares proven methods for handling rebellious teens and how to spot depression, drug abuse or gang activity.
Available in English or Spanish
Parenting and Children, Socio-Political, Teens
http://www.speakerservices.com/speakers/detail/232

Pat Sendejas, S. California, Nationwide
Daily news columnist for "Today Magazine" and Interior & Environmental Designer of 25 years, Feng Shui expert, wellness home consultant and author teaches how to optimize health & wealth.
Environmental, Feng Shui, Interior Design
http://www.speakerservices.com/speakers/detail/6

North Wood, S. California, Nationwide
Laws of personal change, techniques for reaching goals, creativity, talent, and live classical music.
Creativity, Entertainment, Motivational, Personal Development
http://www.speakerservices.com/speakers/detail/75 _________________________________________

Tips and Advice
Send tips to: tips@speakerservices.com

Turn your speeches into books and products you can sell
- Donna Beech, info@words2sell.com

Discover the fastest, most efficient way to turn your speeches into books and products you can sell. Award-winning editorial and ghostwriting services for books, articles, web content and more. FREE consultation. 866.547.7508 (US toll free), info@words2sell.com, http://www.words2sell.com.
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Release the book you have inside, get it done and get it sold - even if you've never been published. Sound like something you might be interested in? Discover the inside secrets of the publishing business, how agents and editors think, what makes them buy a book or story, and how to pitch your idea like a pro.

Los Angeles workshop, Sunday, June 4, Teleclass series Monday, 5, 12 & 19 see http://speakerservices.com//services/la.html taught by Jean-Noel Bassior. Produced by Speaker Services.
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National PTA Speaking Lead
National PTA only offers speaking opportunities at our annual conventions. As you know, this year our convention will be held in Phoenix, AZ, June 24-26, 2006 at the Phoenix Civic Plaza. Each year, more than 2,000 PTA leaders, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, United States Virgin Islands, and the European and Pacific Congresses in the Department of Defense Schools attend the event.

State PTAs may offer speaking opportunities as well. Please feel free to request information on speaking at state conventions by contacting each state PTA directly. Contact information appears on our website http://www.pta.org/archive_article_details_1121362307671.html

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Would you like to inspire, motivate and captivate an audience at professional meetings and sales presentations?
For the first time ever...you have a unique opportunity to learn how to be a top notch speaker from the Pros!

The San Diego Chapter of the National Speakers Association is holding it's first annual School of Public Speaking. This event is for anyone who wants to speak better in their life's. Aspiring speakers, Toastmasters, Sales Professionals, Meeting Planners, Business Owners, Students, etc.

You will learn how to: Create and develop a powerful presentation - Use the skills of professional speakers to outmaneuver and out perform the competition. - Motivate your audience to action. Details at http://nsasd.org/events/school.htm

Joan Stewart, Publicity Hound
jstewart@PublicityHound.com

If you're struggling to come up with a story idea, or your pitches keep bombing, and you live in the U.S., this tip is for you.

National Public Radio has a new feature called "This I Believe," a national project that invites you to write about your core beliefs. The personal statements from listeners air each Monday on "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered."

Is this great publicity or what?

By inviting Americans from all walks of life to participate, series producers Dan Gediman and Jay Allison hope to create a picture of the American spirit in all its rich complexity.

"This I Believe" is based on a 1950s radio program of the same name, hosted by acclaimed journalist Edward R. Murrow. In spite of the fear of atomic warfare, increasing consumerism and loss of spiritual values, the essayists on Murrow's series expressed tremendous hope.

Each day, millions of Americans gathered by their radios to hear compelling essays from the likes of Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Robinson, Helen Keller and Harry Truman as well as corporate leaders, cab drivers, scientists and secretaries--anyone able to distill into a few minutes the guiding principles by which they lived. Their words brought comfort and inspiration to a country worried about the Cold War, McCarthyism and racial division.

Allison and Gediman say their goal is not to persuade Americans to agree on the same beliefs. Rather, they hope to encourage people to begin the much more difficult task of developing respect for beliefs different from their own.

"We hear a country moving toward more equality among the races and between genders," says Gediman. "We hear parents writing essays that are letters to their newborn children expressing the hopes and dreams they have for them. And we hear the stories of faith that guide people in their daily experiences."

Thanks to Publicity Hound Leslie Paladino of Kregel Publications in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for alerting us to this great publicity op. You can learn more about the program or submit your essay at http://www.npr.org/thisibelieve/agree.html _________________

Article: Be a Sought-After Speaker
by Fern Reiss, CEO, PublishingGame.com/Expertizing.com

You might be the best speaker in the world-but if you don't know how to behave on the speakers' circuit, you won't end up with a lot of bookings. Agencies and organizations far prefer to work with and book professional speakers who know how to conduct themselves. Whether you're just breaking in to a speaking career, or you've been speaking professionally for years, consider the following suggestions to catapult your speaking career to the next level:

Be flexible. If the organization wants a 90-minute keynote instead of your usual hour, accommodate them. If they've asked you to stay around for the drinks and schmoozing, be available. If they want a book signing, give it to them. The more agreeably you behave, the better your clients will like you-and if you're working with a speakers' bureau, the more they'll appreciate you, too. You shouldn't allow a client to talk you out of money or perks that are part of your standard package, but if they've particularly requested something that you can easily accommodate, be flexible. It'll pay off well in the long run.

Help publicize your clients. It's not your job to publicize events for which you've been booked-but if the opportunity presents itself, and if it's for an occasion or event that's open to the public, boy oh boy will your clients appreciate it! So include the details of their conference or workshop on your website. Highlight it in your email newsletter. Mention it in any interactions with the press. Not only will your clients sincerely appreciate it, but you'll find that it increases your prestige, too.

Toss in some freebies. Most organizations will greatly appreciate any freebies that you can include. So hand out a special report, or a customized notebook, or free copies of your book. (I've used this as a selling point for my $10,000 speaking fees-I'll toss in 500 'free' books, each valued at $20, which means that they're getting me for free.) Many organizations that can't justify a high speaking fee can afford it more easily if they have the opportunity to sell (or include in their conference price) 500 of your books. And if you've self-published, this won't cost you more than $1000.

Are you still trying to use cold calling to secure bookings? If you are, you understand it is a tough way to make a living! With the birth of caller ID and voice-mail, chances are you have found it is pretty tough to connect on the phone. The percentage of call-backs from voice-mail messages from an unknown party is low and can be discouraging. However, with a small shift in the initial contact, you can enjoy more effective results.

Follow the rules. Ask the conference or event organizer what is, and isn't, permissible. Can you collect business cards? (Some organizations prefer that you don't.) Is it ok if you mention other speaking gigs or products? (Many conference organizers consider that a no no.) Would they mind if you mention your gig in your promotional materials and on your website? (When you speak to corporate clients, they'd often prefer not to be included on your list of clients.) Just ask before you act, and then follow their directions.

Follow up. If you've promised your audience something-a missing bit of information, a contact email, a resource-don't forget to follow up. And remember that a follow-up to your audience is a great idea anyway-who knows which of them may be responsible for your next speaking opportunity.

Say thanks. Always, always thank the people who brought you in-the conference organizers, the person who introduced you, anybody who was particularly helpful in facilitating your engagement. A little professionalism in this business goes a long way, and too few speakers remember this. While you're at it, remember to say thanks to your agency and, if you were able to collect their email addresses, your audience members as well.

By following these simple guidelines, you'll find that you get more speaking engagements-and better feedback from everyone involved. So get out there and make this your best speaking year ever!

Fern Reiss is CEO of PublishingGame.com, offering books, workshops, and of course talks on how to get a literary agent and promote a book. She is also CEO of Expertizing.com, teaching people how to get more media attention for themselves and their business; in the past six months, she's been quoted in over 100 publications from the NY Times to Wall Street Week. Sign up at http://www.PublishingGame.com/signup.htm for her complimentary monthly email newsletter on how to get more media attention for yourself and your business.