Greetings,

What does Social Networking, Storytelling, One Sheets,  Corporate Sponsorship and Turning your Expertise in Products have in common?   These are a few of the presentations that are being offered at the upcoming 2nd annual Speakers’ Summit and Marketplace in LA, May 3, 4 & 5. Have you looked at the program yet? www.speakerservices.com/speakerssummit07 . Our events are completely interactive and the attendees have the opportunity to have lunch or dinner with the speakers and the exhibitors at no extra cost.  WOW, the Speakers’ Summit was a real eye opener for opportunities of increasing sales and profits through speaking and writing.  The Summit was a bargain and exceeded my expectations.  The three days flew by quickly. I have already applied many of the tips in my business with excellent results. So says Steve Martinez, President of Selling Magic and he is planning on attending the 07 Summit too.  Don’t miss the opportunity as this is a once a year event.

If you are an author you will be interested to read Booksellers: Tips for Building New Business by Janet Switzer -- Publishers Weekly article, 2/5/2007. Switzer is the author of Instant Income and has developed a book signing promotion kit for bookstores.  John Kremer’s Book Marketing Tip of the Week has lots of great information too.  I extracted the best goodies for your review.

Vickie Sullivan weighs in on the trends for sponsorship and how social networks can increase your business.  Jack Barnard shares valuable tips on how storytelling helps cement the point.

For your consideration I have listed Speaker Services upcoming events below for the rest of the year.  What’s new is the BizSpeak and Video Workshop in September.  Briefly it is designed for any professional or author who recognizes the value of having streaming video on their website (and other social networks) as another way to market their services.  The first day master presentation coach Jack Barnard will teach you how to speak what you offer in a three-five minute segment and the next day will shoot you!  For a small additional fee we can stream your video and send it out to 30 different sites i.e.; Your Tube, My Space and of course post it on your site.  I am willing to bet that your business will increase 100 fold when you make the modest investment of $497 for the two days.  You do know that video allows visitors to feel safe and allows them the opportunity to check you out and gives you an advantage over others who do not have video on their website.  You can see a few streaming samples and register for the workshop at http://www.speakerservices.com/videoprod.html#bizspeak .  This is a one camera shoot.

If you need a 3 camera video demo do not hesitate to join us on June 10 for the Video Demo Showcase.  We still have several openings.  See the information and streaming samples at http://speakerservices.com/videoprod.html .  Remember a 3 camera video demo will get you booked for high paying speaking engagements and most event coordinators actually request a demo and want to see you in front of a live audience.  We will coach you ahead of time on content and production and be there for you a thousand percent.  You actually do three-two minute segments and the voice over and intros are done in the studio and we can add  any other video segments you have and graphics as well.  Speaker and Author Kevin McMahon shares,  I'm booking more speaking gigs with less effort as a result of the video demo on my website http://www.gameofsuccess.com .  And, event planners are pre-purchasing 2-3X's more books. In fact, the first booking generates enough $$$ to return my entire investment on the video, pay for the site design and a new laptop for me. 

If you missed the March Speakers’ Bootcamp it is being offered again August 1-5.  Read what our Booties have to say about their experience at the Bootcamp at  http://www.speakerservices.com/services/thegame.html .

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the 3rd MediaSpeak Symposium, October 11-13.  We’ll be teaching you how to pitch to the media and on the third day we will bring in live radio and TV producers and print media folks so you can try out your pitch on them.  I am working on the ‘07 program and it will be posted soon in the meantime take a look at the MediaSpeak ‘06 so you can get a sense of the value of this event. http://www.speakerservices.com/mediaspeak .
 
Please feel free to call me.  I almost always answer the phone.  Yesterday I had a gentleman call to register for the Speakers’ Summit and he was so pleased to talk with me.  He said, “It really makes a big difference to talk to a live person rather then signing up cold.”   I could not agree more and not only that it builds a relationship of trust and it allows me to learn more about you all so I can guide you in the right direction.

Happy Easter and Passover.  Enjoy the holidays.

Susan Levin
Speaker Services
310-822-4922 PST

New & Renewing Speakers & Authors- 4/07

See all speakers: http://www.speakerservices.com

Lisa Brisse & Nora Walsh, S. California
Exercise Physiologists/Fitness Coaches inspire and empower you to make healthy lifestyle choices and reach your health and fitness goals – once and for all!
Health, Wellness, Fitness, Life/Work Balance
http://www.speakerservices.com/speakers/detail/279
 
Bill Carlson, See Video Demo,  Las Vegas
Founder of The Profit Mentors shows how to run a thriving, value-based business that combines integrity, profitability - and fun!
Business Building, Motivational, Team Building
http://www.speakerservices.com/speakers/detail/225

Jeffrey I Condon,  Author, S. California
Attorney/author reveals how to divide your money and property after you are gone -- without dividing your family.
Estate Planning, Inheritance Planning, Senior Issues, Wills/Living Trusts
http://www.speakerservices.com/speakers/detail/275

David Hayes,  See Video Demo, Southeastern United States, Nationwide
Top management consultant shares his “Values-Based System” that addresses critical workplace issues, from customer service, team building and leadership to diversity management and workplace violence.
Customer Service, Diversity, Leadership, Team Building
http://www.speakerservices.com/speakers/detail/208

Rob Jupille, S. California
Financial planner makes finances fun and gives you the tools to achieve your financial dreams.
Finance, Retirement, Wealth Building
http://www.speakerservices.com/speakers/detail/277
 
Garry Oskamp, Inland Empire, S. California
Corporate coach puts you ahead of competitors with customized, strategic solutions for building and managing a successful business.
Business Building, Sales, Strategic Planning
http://www.speakerservices.com/speakers/detail/278

Lisa Shield,  S. California
Certified Life/Relationship Coach shows how to let go of negative love and dating experiences so you can attract your beloved and face life with renewed hope and an open heart.
Inspirational, Personal Development, Relationships, Women's Issues
http://www.speakerservices.com/speakers/detail/276

Speaker Services Calendar

Complimentary Teleclass
Monday, April 2,  10am-11am PST
Q & A About Video Demos with  Jack Barnard and Susan Levin
To register for the teleclass:  http://speakerservices.com/teleclasses/detail/50
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Complimentary Teleclass #3 for the Speakers' Summit
Monday, April 16,  4pm-5pm PST
Solid Gold One-Sheets with Sheryl Roush
Read more and register for the teleclass http://speakerservices.com/teleclasses/detail/77
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Speakers’ Summit & Marketplace
May 3, 4 & 5, ‘07
http://www.speakerservices.com/speakerssummit07
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Video Demo Showcase - 3 camera shoot
June 10 ‘07 or November 4 ‘07
http://speakerservices.com/videoprod.html
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The Game: Speakers’ Bootcamp
August 1-5 ‘07
http://www.speakerservices.com/services/thegame.html
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BizSpeak & Video Workshop- I camera shoot
Sept 15 -16
http://www.speakerservices.com/videoprod.html#bizspeak
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MediaSpeak Symposium
October 11,12, 13, 2007
http://www.speakerservices.com /mediaspeak
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Get Listed in the Directory:
http://speakerservices.com/adv_pkt.html

Tips/Advice/Announcements

Transform yourself and your business relationships using New York Times bestseller, The Four Agreements.

Linda Landon is offering THE FOUR AGREEMENTS AT WORK:

New class and teleclass series begin on April 9 and 10, 2007.
 
In these lively and interactive classes, you will learn how to make these simple principles real in EVERY aspect of your life. Your teacher Linda Landon is a Business and Personal Coach, and Four Agreements Toltec teacher, personally trained by author, don Miguel Ruiz.
 
Teleclasses meet on Mondays from 3:00 – 4:30pm PT pm on April 9, April 23, May 7 and May 21. Cost: $85 per teleclass or $299 for series of four. Classes meet on the Westside on Tuesdays from 7:00 - 9:00pm PT on April 10, April 24, May 8 and May 22. Cost $99 per class or $349 for series of four.
 
Informational handouts and a recording are included with each session. Sign up for the whole series and receive The Four Agreements – Free!
 
To register and for more information: http://www.lindalandon.com/workshop.htm, (310) 202-6722 - info@lindalandon.com
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Use audio and video on your website
Susan Levin, susan@speakerservices.com

As authors and speakers it makes sense to have streaming audio and video on your website.  Audio and video creates a safe and warm space where visitors feel like they can get to know you.   I’ve been using  AudioAcrobat™ for several years and absolutely love it.  It offers unlimited possibilities which allows me to create a myriad of marketing pieces for my website.

AudioAcrobat™ is an audio recording, streaming and hosting service.  All of your audio messages are automatically converted into a html code that can be uploaded to any Website.  I am not a techie and I can manage the back end easily especially with the training that is offered weekly by owner, David Barrett. 

Here are some suggestions on how you can enhance your website by using audio and video:
Speaker/Author Introductions, Teleclasses, Interviews, Customer testimonials, Announcements, Conference calls, Products, News & events, FAQ Entries, Upcoming promotions, E-Zines,  PodCasts, Radio or TV Shows, Training, Video Demos & Trailers, create MP3’s.

You can view a short video clip of Ursula Mentjes that we uploaded to AudioAcrobat™ http://www.audioacrobat.com/playv/WDtTNrBQ

Best of all you can try it out for 30 days for free.  Just go to  http://speakerservices.audioacrobat.com to get started. 
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Use social networks for business — Vickie Sullivan,  info@sullivanspeaker.com

Get ready for Beauty and the Geek, business-style. The new next level for all those networking experts will be social networks. Yep, as the MySpace generation hits the workforce, large organizations are already using technology to link their employees. Watch for a slew of business books on how to make these efforts more efficient and effective. And as we all know, where there are books there are speakers to talk about them. Experts who move in this direction will have first-mover advantage.
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More from Vickie

The lucrative sponsorship market, where spending and changes are up, up, and up some more.

Here are the highlights most important to experts:

• First, let’s look at spending. Spending by North American companies is approaching $15B for 2007, an increase of 11.7 percent. This increase tops the record-breaking increase last year and is part of a big growth trend since 2003. Yes, sports do dominate but spending by associations is up a little over 15% to $466M and cause marketing is up 10.5% to $1.44B.

• The nature of sponsorship is changing, according to anecdotal musings in the industry. Instead of focusing on the relationship between the property (that’s us) and the sponsor, many players are focusing on interacting with the market segment. Example: self-esteem and body image programs for young girls sponsored by Dove Soap as part of their Real Beauty campaign. What that means to experts: more opportunities to dovetail (and get budget access to) larger sports and music tour deals. The key: pitch your expertise towards how it serves the market segment instead of what you can do for the organization.

• Good news for experts in the direct marketing circuit: sponsorship is booming here too, with industry giants such as Amway and Herbalife stepping up sponsorship efforts. The agenda: motivating the distributors, making them feel better about their company. This is a natural leverage point to those experts already in this segment. The key: get the buyers to your event and then pitch to this agenda.

Read more ar http://www.sullivanspeaker.com
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Storytelling helps cement the point — Jack Barnard  jackp.barnard@verizon.net
 
The art of storytelling is a necessary part of successful speaking (whether keynote, seminar, workshop or training). Pertinent stories take information from our heads to our hearts. Powerful stories give us a visual and an emotional set point.
 
People learn more easily if they can visualize your idea. The ability to visualize a concept or idea enables the listener to see what is being said as well as hear it, and the subject matter then comes to life for them.
 
Storytelling has been used for centuries to pass on information. And using stories to illustrate and emphasize points today is still the best way to create picture images that help your audience comprehend and retain your message.
 
Every great speaker is a fabulous storyteller.
 
- Spice up your presentations through storytelling
- Develop three kinds of stories: personal, mythic and cultural
- Choose stories that sell your products and ideas
- Create a "story sandwich" (point-story-point)
- Learn the difference between your "front story" and your "back story"
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Ursula Mentjes  of Potential Quest featured me in her March E-zine
See http://www.potentialquest.com/html/newsletter.html
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Diane DiRista-  info@diresta.com
Request Free gift - mini audio course- 7 Deadly Mistakes Speakers Make and How to Avoid Them for Maximum Success.
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Tips from our friend John Kremer's Book Marketing Tip of the Week
JohnKremer@bookmarket.com

Speaker Success Talk Radio

This Internet radio show and podcast, hosted by Kristie Tamsevicius, features successful speakers and internet marketers who share tips for
marketing your business, becoming a powerful platform speaker, and building buzz as an expert who speaks. For more details about the
show, see http://www.SpeakerSuccessTalkRadio.com
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Cover Stories on iBusinessChannel.com

iBusinessChannel.com, part of the Ribbon Internet Broadcasting Network, is launching a new weekly Internet broadcast called Cover Stories that will feature business books and authors. Host Carrie Walrond will cover news about business books as well as interview business book authors.

To book this new show, contact Jennifer Colter, producer, Cover Stories, Ribbon, 1650 Oakbrook Drive #405, Norcross GA 30093; 678-969-2773; Cell: 404-247-3874. Email: JColter@ontheribbon.com Web: http://www.ontheribbon.com
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Women in Business Magazine

This bimonthly magazine features articles of interest to women in businesses and professions. The January 2007 issue featured an excerpt from Take This Book to Work: How to Ask for and Get Money, Fulfillment, and Advancement by Tory Johnson and Robyn Freedman Spizman.

Send suggested excerpts and/or review copies to Mia Katz, Senior Staff Writer, Women in Business, American Business Women's Association, 9100 Ward Parkway, P O Box 8728, Kansas City MO 64114-0728; 816- 361-6621; Fax: 816-361-4991. Email: mkatz@abwa.org. Web: http://www.abwa.org
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Booksellers: Tips for Building New Business by Janet Switzer -- Publishers Weekly, 2/5/2007

Switzer, author of Instant Income, developed a book signing promotion kit for bookstores, at http://www.instantincomebooksigning.com

Cash flow is crucial for small business owners who must constantly make payroll, launch new products, pay vendors and run costly advertising. Entrepreneurs also often face the same personal economic woes confronting most American consumers—massive credit-card debt, rising mortgage payments, unfunded retirements and an increasingly high cost of living. For millions of entrepreneurs whose bank account is in trouble, Janet Switzer's book Instant Income offers specific strategies for bringing in substantial new cash-flow. Below are seven recommendation from Switzer on how booksellers can improve their businesses. (Switzer also has developed an entire book signing promotion kit for bookstores, at www.instantincomebooksigning.com.)

Market specific categories of books to niche buyers. Create weekend sales or events around specific topics, such as starting a small business, making a career change, improving personal finances, getting healthy, designing a suburban garden or other major categories. Ask authors and local experts to conduct 30-minute workshops on popular topics related to that weekend's theme, e.g., "Eliminating Credit-Card Debt," "Saving for College" or "Funding Your Retirement." Then, market your weekend events to local civic and educational organizations.

Create media events around author book signings. Authors who are media savvy can help you turn their signings into events worthy of media coverage. Ask authors to do local radio talk shows. Suggest they pitch articles to editors at your local newspapers and magazines. Ask authors to market their store appearance to their own database of names and to recruit from colleagues' databases.

Bundle books together—you can encourage bigger purchases by creating and promoting bundles of, say, three nonfiction books on a related topic or by a single author. Explain how each of the three books works together to help the reader realize a lifestyle or career goal. Promote a "Financial Fitness" bundle in March, "Women in Business" bundle in October, "Health and Wellness" bundle in January and so on.

Ask local retailers to help drive book buyers to your store. Print stacks of coupons for retailers and practitioners willing to suggest books to their customers. A health-food store with no book section of its own could easily hand customers your coupon featuring five or six books as examples of the wellness titles you carry. A private tutor could recommend specific titles for students. Leave a blank space for the referring party to write in their recommendations for each customer.

Support your own reading groups and encourage new ones. High schools, churches, corporate offices and other venues often have groups who gather to read and discuss the latest titles. By promoting bonuses or other store benefits to group leaders, you can often secure their recommendation that group members buy the next selection at your store. For instance, Instant Income comes with a "10-Day Turnaround" program designed to be promoted by bookstores to personal finance and small business groups.

Start collecting e-mail addresses and send out exclusive offers. You should immediately put in place a system for collecting e-mail addresses from customers, readers' groups, book signing attendees, special orders, holds and others. To build a list safely, be sure your list management service sends a "confirm opt-in" e-mail once you input the address into your system. Better yet, you can set up a kiosk or countertop space with a monitor and keyboard so customers can opt-in on their own—perhaps receiving some free downloadable PDF file or MP3 file as your gift when they do. Ask for name, e-mail address and category preferences, so you can segment your list. Then send specific promotions for unique book bundles, special events, advance orders and other offers customers will respond to.

Target demographic groups and develop book clubs. Parents of young readers, mystery fans, gourmet cooks, small business owners, gardeners and other groups can be targeted for monthly selections, holiday collections, closeouts and other appealing offers for books. Collecting e-mail addresses and staying in touch is key. To keep track of promotions and insure you're in frequent communication, develop an annual calendar of when you'll promote specific offers to each group.

In addition to writing Instant Income, out in March from McGraw-Hill, Switzer is the author, with Jack Canfield, of The Success Principles. She has also worked on marketing the Chicken Soup for the Soul franchise since 1994.