Tayo Solagbade's Publis Speaking IDEAS Page (PSIP)2012-05-18T05:40:40ZTayo K. SolagbadeCopyright 2012, Tayo K. SolagbadeSPHPBLOGConverse Without Short Changing Yourself One morning in April, I visited a Centre for Entrepreneurship Development on appointment. The centre director told me a request had come in from the decision maker of an organization he had links with.
They wanted a speaker to come in and deliver a talk on Self-Employment, to members of the "Youth".
Then he went on to say this (I'm trying to use his exact words):
"I told him I had someone I could ask to come over and do it. Then he asked me how much he would need to pay. I told him not to pay more than N10, 000 (Ten Thousand Naira).
Now, if you agree to go and give the talk, I'll arrange to have my center’s Identity Card made for you, in addition to a T-Shirt branded with our name and logo. You will wear them on that day - that's two weeks from today. Saturday to be specific.
So, what do you say?"
All this while, I'd listened to him with growing intrigue. It was either that this man was totally naive. Or he was a cunningly exploitative human being.
Neither attribute appealed to me.
One thing that irked me the most however, was that he kept saying he told me the above, because he believed in being TRANSPARENT!
I mean, what was that supposed to do? Inspire my confidence that I was in his "transparent safe hands"?
Anyway, here's what I said to him:
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]]>http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry120514-1912412012-05-15T00:00:00Z2012-05-15T00:00:00ZHe Refused To Let Me Pay! I'd arrived an hour early, with the intention of printing it (and my forms), from one of the businees centres on the premises.
Unfortunately, it was a Thursday, and due to the mandatory weekly cleaning exercise, all shops had to stay closed until 10a.m.
Then news came that the Rector was being held up by a Presidential Visitation Panel team.
So, I took the opportunity to go down to a business centre block about 50 meters from the lecture hall, to do my printing.
I walked into a little cubicle occupied by a man (the owner) and a young lady, and announced that I needed to printout some pages from my flash drive.
Taking the device from me, he inserted it into the USB adaptor that was connected to his desktop PC at the back. After a few seconds, nothing happened. The computer had not detected the drive.
He took it out, and re-inserted it to other ports on the adaptor. But it still did not work. So, he stretched his hand to the back of the PC, removed the adaptor plug, and then struggled to insert my flash drive directly into the USB port at the back.
In order to do that, he'd had to move the PC forward, to reach behind it.
That was when I noticed - as I had suspected from the start - that the PC had two USB ports in front.
The following conversation ensued:
]]>http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry120507-1906222012-05-08T00:00:00Z2012-05-08T00:00:00ZPlease Do THIS, Before You Go On The Platform!
In this issue, I explain how taking the pains to investigate and analyze the audience you will be speaking to, can give you valuable insight into what you NEED to say to them.
Image: Picture of Barrister Monday Onyekachi Ubani speaking at the Ojota Mass Rally in January 2012View larger image here
On Thursday 3rd May 2012, I'll be speaking to over 300 entrepreneurs in training, at a Centre for Entrepreneurship Development here in Lagos.
The formal email invitation from the Center�s director reached me about a week ago - after approval by the management.
In my acceptance email, I had attached a copy of my Pre-Event Audience Analysis questionnaire(Contact me for a FREE PDF copy). But due to her busy schedule, she had been unable to download, fill and email the MS Excel document back to me.
I was however determined to get answers to my questions, so as to gain useful insight into the nature of the audience I would be addressing.
As luck would have it, I had cause to visit a medical establishment in the vicinity of the centre last Friday. On my way back, I decided to stop over.
As I expected, it turned out to be a most useful experience.
When I arrived, the director was out. Her secretary called her up on phone. I explained what I needed, adding that any other competent person familiar with the annual lecture series would do. She promptly referred me to her deputy.
About one hour later, I had used my Blackberry to record a detailed interview session with the deputy, in which he provided extremely informative answers to my key questions.
Psst: I actually planned to take notes by hand. Then it occurred to me that my Blackberry had powerful capabilites I could take advantage of. So, I decided to use the video recorder. Details of my conversation with the deputy provided below, were obtained by transcribing his responses from the video. You might want to check that feature out on your smartphone, in case you need it in future. Look for the voice recorder too :-)
Back to my story. I was especially impressed with the answer the deputy gave to ONE very important question I asked him. That response convinced me that the center�s management really desires to produce authentic entrepreneurs, who can hold their own in the real world of Nigeria.
I feel so strongly about the answer he gave, that I have chosen to share excerpts from it, with you, below:
My Question: What is the purpose of this annual guest lecture series? What does the centre want to achieve by inviting keynote speakers every year, to speak with your prospective graduates?
His Answer:
===Starts===
"The program started 3 years ago...and once a year we hold it for students of the college who have participated in the various enterprises in their departments which were organized by the centre.
After finishing their projects, they get to come to the entrepreneurial lecture to listen to the guest speaker. We draw out guest speakers from different backgrounds. It could be business, entrepreneurship, ICT etc,
The aim is to make the students understand how the entrepreneur started business. What were the challenges s/he faced then? How did s/he overcame those challenges? (We're) trying to demystify the issue of "I'm a superman" in the Nigerian environment. So that the student will understand that "I can relate with this person...He did feel those pains and problems in the Nigerian society and he overcame...and I can do the same..." ===Ends===
Final Words
I got many other useful responses from that young, serious minded deputy to the center�s director. Consequently, when I left, I felt like I had been part of the centre for at least a year!
But you know the best part? By the time I ended my session, the deputy himself had became greatly enthused. The questions I had asked, had made it obvious that I really wanted to prepare a message that would benefit the attendees in the real world they were about to enter.
That made him realize that I really CARED.
As a result, before I left, he insisted on taking me to see various devices developed by the center�s participants e.g. a home made inverter and an improvised rechargeable lamp. He also showed me the newly completed building meant to serve as a business incubation centre, for use by selected graduates of the entrepreneurship program.
I was impressed, and departed with an even firmer resolve to prepare a message that would resonate with both the centre's management, and the students.
Since making that visit, more specific ideas have come to me, about what to include in my speech. My entire thought process, is now guided by the knowledge of the expectations of the organisers, and their students.
If I had NOT conducted that "audience analysis research", I would NEVER have gained the depth of insight I now have, into their needs. As a result, I have dramatically increased my chances of meeting their expressed expectations 3 days from now, when I go on the platform.
My message to you therefore is this: Before you prepare a speech, try doing a little research into your intended audience's background. It will help you better customize your message FOR THEM, and they'll REMEMBER you for it.
Don't Miss Next week's Issue!
I'll be sharing details of how the guest lecture went in next week's issue. Maybe I'll even put up an MP3 excerpt of the full speech as a FREE download. So, don�t miss it.
Mobile: 234-803-302-1263 http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com Self-Development/Performance Enhancement Specialist TayoSolagbade- works as a Multipreneur, helping individuals/businesses develop and implement strategies to achieve their goals, faster and more profitably.
Depending on his availability, Tayo accepts invitations to deliver customisable talks and keynote speeches on:
a. Self-Development, Workplace Performance Improvement, Spontaneous Coaching, b. Using Natural Aquariums To Educate Students c. Making Your Website WORK For You d. Automating MS Excel To Boost Productivity e. Cost-Saving Farm Biz Ideas, Going From Salary To Self-Employment, Entrepreneuring etc) for an affordable fee.
Visit http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com to learn how you can invite Tayo, to speak at your next meeting or event. ==================]]>http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry120430-1657052012-04-30T00:00:00Z2012-04-30T00:00:00ZMotivate An Idiot, And You Get A Motivated Idiot! (Jim Rohn)There Are Times When Motivational Speaking WILL NOT WORK!
I'm probably treading on dangerous ground with this topic. Once again I'm challenging the notion of traditional Motivational Speaking - at least as it is done here in my social environment, in Nigeria. When I saw a quote credited to the legendary (Late) Jim Rohn, I decided to re-visit the subject just one more time(I've written in 2003, and 2010 on this theme), for the sake of those who may not have gained the needed insight.
[Important Note: I realise that due to different areas of specialties experts-who-speak have, this topic may not be applicable to all speakers. Having said that, there may be one or two useful ideas you can take away - if not for you, it could be for someone you know.]
Just before I continue, let me make a few things clear.
This write-up is NOT meant to discredit anyone who engages in Motivational Speaking. It is also NOT my intention to suggest that Motivational Speaking does NOT add value to those who are exposed to it.
Indeed, I am a huge fan of many motivational speakers of repute - Zig Ziglar being a good example. And judging by the content of his newsletters sent out by Tom Ziglar, his son, Zig CONTINUES to add tangible value to the lives of many, through his work.
Mr. Rohn's quote was posted on the Official Facebook page maintained in his honour. It read thus:
"Motivation alone is not enough. If you have an idiot and you motivate him, now you have a motivated idiot." -- Jim Rohn
That's quite self-explanatory, isn't it? But, In Case It's NOT...I'll offer this quick take-away:
The way to ensure you do not end up with motivated idiots in your audience at the end of your talk, is to come prepared as a Speaker-Educator, instead of just being a speaker. If you're wondering what "Speaker-Educator" means, I suggest you read one of the two articles I referred to above, titled "Need Motivation? Please Don't Call Me!"
You Really CANNOT motivate a person!
There's a saying that goes something like this:
"Motivation is like taking a shower. It does not last. This is why you need it everyday."
I argue that it depends on HOW a person gets his/her motivation. It is my experience based opinion, that the key to making motivation last (possibly for the rest of a person's life), is to help the person you wish to motivate, DISCOVER what motivates him/her. Once you achieve that, s/he will probably never need your help again to STAY motivated for the rest of his/her life.
I am able to say the above, based on what I achieved while coaching people of different ages - including persons older than me. This is the TRUTH many people need to appreciate. You simply CANNOT motivate a person! The best you can do, is to facilitate the process involved in making that person discover his/her source of motivation.
What You Can Do To Make Your Talk IDIOT Proof
The speaker must provide education that will enable his audience achieve a deeper understanding of the following:
1. Dealing With Adversity: In his wonderful book titled "Science of Getting Rich", Donald Wattles wrote that one of the most difficult things for human beings to do is "To think wealth when in the midst of the appearance of poverty...or to think health when surrounded by the appearance of illness." He goes on to say, doing so "requires power". But he adds, that whoever acquires that power will become "a master mind"..."He can conquer fate, and can have whatever s/he wants."
If that sounds impossible, don't be fooled. It is NOT. And I speak from experience in applying those principles successfully, to the repeated surprise of MANY people out here. When I achieved these things, some cynics said I was "lucky". Others said it was a coincidence.
I asked them: Why not lets see YOU start getting lucky, and having the same kinds of coincidences following YOU around? But, to do that, they would have to take the kinds of risks I have taken - potentially exposing themselves to embarrassment. Since they do NOT like that, they never take up the challenge. Figures, as the Americans would say.
Now, let me tell you how a person can acquire that power described by Wattles. It becomes possible, when that person finds something s/he wants so badly, that s/he will be prepared to think wealth in the midst of the appearances of poverty, for as long as necessary.
2. Research Your Audience: This is where the use of an instrument I have yet to see any speakers use out here, comes in. I call it a Pre-Speaking Event Audience Analysis Questionnaire. No matter how small you think a speaking outing is, I urge you to dedicate reasonable time and effort, to get as much information as possible, about the people who are going to be listening to you on the day you speak.
Your ability to use examples and references that they can relate to, will help you quickly connect with any audience. For instance, using the stories about achievements by local heroes known to your audience, to illustrate a point you want to make, is likely to resonate strongly with them, and make them retain MORE from your talk.
I learnt from studying Burt Dubin's writing, that there is value in using a questionnaire to get information about your audience demographics. Examples include Age range, gender(% male/female), employment, education, Nationality, Ethnicity, Religion, Disability - or other areas where equality issues may arise, Family circumstance, including marital status and children etc.
Over the years, especially after discovering how effectively doing this "research" enabled me prepare for my talks, I have developed a custom MS Excel spreadsheet I always ask the meeting planner to fill in for me, ahead of the event. I call it the "Pre-Event Speech Preparation: Audience Analysis Questionnaire".
To get a FREE copy of the PDF version of this very useful document, send me an email me via tayo [at] tksola.com, with "Audience Analysis Questionnaire" in the subject line.
3. Provide "How To" Information/Education: Whatever most people hear during a motivational talk, gets filtered through their subconscious, based on how they have come to think about themselves, and their abilities. Right after the event, they could feel charged up and rearing to go. One day later, when they have returned to the "reality" of their own situations back at home, the hidden doubts/fears begin to creep back into their minds.
Providing real world relevant information and education in your talks, can help your talk attendees stay motivated. Doing this will involve helping your individual audience members find answers to the questions of WHY?...and HOW?
Why does s/he have to find a purpose? And how will s/he go about it? Telling them they can BE ANYTHING THEY WANT TO BE, without adding the WHY and HOW rarely helps. Most people are not born self-directed. They often need help finding their bearings in life. Our WILL POWER is crucial to our ability to achieve any goal as human beings. Once a motivational speaker succeeds in helping audience members discover their purpose, their will power awakens. His/her talks are likely to become idiot-proof as a result, because attendees will often do something TANGIBLE with what he tells them!
4. Be REAL: I believe that as a speaker, letting people see that you also had a time in your life, when you were just like them - vulnerable, scared, and discouraged, is important. Admit to them that you had to struggle, in spite of the unpleasantness, to find the courage to climb back up, every time you fell down, until you finally arrived at the top they now see you at.
A person who has NEVER been down, before having to fight his way back to reckoning will find it hard to share that experience with an audience. It won't feel real - for them. This is the part that cannot be faked. Does not matter how good your platform skills are.
Motivational Speakers Who DO NOT Act As Speaker-Educators, Are Likely To Produce "Motivated Idiots"
The problem I have seen over the years here in Nigeria, is that many motivational speakers seem "blind" to the need to make their talks "idiot proof". They STOP short of providing the REAL WORLD RELEVANT EDUCATION needed by their individual audience members.
From studying some of them, I have gotten the distinct impression that their only claim to fame, is a "connection" with some "god father of motivational speaking" (for lack of a better term, to describe the latter), who makes things happen for them. Their resumes (if they offer any) often contain very little "specifics" about what they've done and where they've been.
And that probably explains why their speaking events tend to be filled with a lot of fluff. No offense, but I need to say it the way it is here. People's lives depend on this. Many people attend these events hoping to find useful value they can take away. It benefits no one, if I choose to make politically correct statements on this kind of subject.
People who attend their talks (which are often laced with religious affirmations), go home and return to the same lives of SLOTH and indifference, they lived BEFORE attending the talk. Nothing they are told by this kind of speaker, CHALLENGES or IMPACTS them enough to make conscious decisions towards achieving their desired goals. They also do not see, that they have to take RESPONSIBILITY, for making the change they want HAPPEN.
So they leave the venue thinking all the nice affirmations told to them by the motivational speaker, will do the magic and make their lives into the fairy tale they want it to be. Of course it never happens. But they rationalise that it's because the "enemy" is working against them etc.
Like I said, they NEVER see that THEY are their own biggest obstacles or enemies. Very often, as I said above, this happens because the speaker fails (for whatever reasons) to EDUCATE them, to THINK more objectively about themselves. Such speakers fail to make PRODUCTIVE use of the power that being on the platform confers on them.
In stark contrast, Motivational Speaker-Educators like Zig Ziglar, have influenced the lives of thousands of people, who today attribute personal successes they've achieved, at least in part, to their exposure to Zig's messages.
So How Does A Motivational Speaker Differ From a Speaker-Educator?
In one of my earlier write-ups, I wrote about "...the crux of the difference between a speaker-Educator and a Motivational Speaker".
I explained that a Speaker-Educator typically aims to link the vision/desire aroused in his individual audience member, with the realities that will face the person when s/he begins to try accomplishing that chosen vision or goal in the real world s/he lives in. Then the Speaker-Educator offers practical, experience based wisdom for dealing with those realities.
To illustrate, I pointed out how difficult it can be, to persevere as an entrepreneur, in a society you know you're not likely to be given any contract until you bribe the man in charge, or use some connections? THAT, for instance, is a reality that faces some people in their societies.
A Speaker-Educator would share true-life experiences with his audience, on how to successfully deal with such challenges. Simply telling them "You can be what you want to be" but failing to give them information and education to make it happen, can effectively deny them success.
How Do We Measure Success or "Idiot-Proofness" of a Motivational Talk?
A speaker's effectiveness with respect to the above, in my considered opinion, will be reflected in the written comments made by attendees after the talk. Many who have been so impacted will state specific actions they intend to take, based on what the speaker said in his/her talk.
“The Ten Ways on Self-Development inspire me to the marrow and henceforth are going to be (the) guiding ideologies, principles and work concepts in my life” – Oduye Olumuyiwa (attendee at Tayo Solagbade's talk titled "Ten Ways You Can Use Self-Development To Create The Future You Want")
That's at the first level. The follow through of those attendees in the long term, is what will really indicate the true IMPACT the speaker made. The achievements that such individuals go on to record subsequently, in relation to their stated goals, can also be a good pointer. How many times have we read or heard a successful person say s/he decided to embark on an endeavour after hearing so and so expert speak at an event.
And quite often, most people simply go out and pursue their goals, with the inspiration driven by what they heard from the speaker. Very rarely do you hear that they sought out the speaker, who then linked them up, and made them protégés or stuff like that. These people simply discovered their purpose from listening to the speaker, and then took action to achieve that purpose, over time.
Now THAT, is the kind of impact I believe an authentic speaker should have!
=========Starts========= "From:"Obadiaru, Osawemwenze" <email address deleted > To:"Tayo Solagbade" <email address deleted > Subject: Greetings from Benin!!!! Uncle (Tayo), Greetings to you from your boy. How are you doing?...All is well here in Benin and everybody is really been bugged again by this ISO audit thing. All the same you have set a standard, that nobody will dare to go below. I really miss you sir, your words of encouragement, your pressures, your drive, your humor and every thing about you. But in consolation, I try so hard to follow your footsteps, which I have been doing little by little, and I am sometimes amazed at the things I do. ...I look up to you, and really desire to someday dedicate a major success in my life to you, for the little while I spent with you has been a turning point in my life. I will always be grateful to you.Keep the flag flying sir. Regards Osas =========Endss=========
FINAL WORDS
As a Motivational Speaker-Educator, your talks will help your audience members find purpose, and meaning. Those individuals will often become self-motivated for the long term as a result.
Some who succeed that way, will remember to credit YOU for helping them make the transition. You will inevitably build a reputation as a speaker who makes people find success in life, over time.
Isn't that what every speaker - and meeting planner - wants?
Mobile: 234-803-302-1263 http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com Self-Development/Performance Enhancement Specialist TayoSolagbade- works as a Multipreneur, helping individuals/businesses develop and implement strategies to achieve their goals, faster and more profitably.
Depending on his availability, Tayo accepts invitations to deliver customisable talks and keynote speeches on:
a. Self-Development, Workplace Performance Improvement, Spontaneous Coaching, b. Using Natural Aquariums To Educate Students c. Making Your Website WORK For You d. Automating MS Excel To Boost Productivity e. Cost-Saving Farm Biz Ideas, Going From Salary To Self-Employment, Entrepreneuring etc) for an affordable fee.
Visit http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com to learn how you can invite Tayo, to speak at your next meeting or event. ==================]]>http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry120423-1746422012-04-23T00:00:00Z2012-04-23T00:00:00ZThe Public Speaker As An EntrepreneurWhat Does It Mean To Be An Entrepreneur?
Drawing from what I have learnt by reading, with insight I gained from being an entrepreneur since 2002, I would describe an Entrepreneur as follows:
"An independent minded, and unconventional thinker, who draws on his passion for an area of interest, to creates products or services that others want or need, while earning a living in the process. Very often, s/he will be prepared to risk everything s/he owns - and persist in spite of daunting obstacles and setbacks - to achieve his/her purpose."
Fran Tarkenton (in his book titled "What Losing Taught ME About Winning") pointed out today's seeming proliferation of what he called the "self-proclaimed entrepreneurs". He gave examples of "the guy selling fake gold watches" on the street corner, or the "CEO of a multinational corporation" which startups transforms divisions in the company into new companies.
Fran explained that he did not consider such persons to be entrepreneurs. Instead he describes the small-business entrepreneur as his "favourite sort of person".
To use his words..."I generally find them to be quiet heroes. fighting to do something they enjoy, while providing for themselves and their families, and creating wealth for their communities."
I actually find Fran's description quite apt...more apt than mine.
The most seasoned public speaking experts, and mentors/coaches of speakers, variously confirm the need for a speaker to develop many of the attributes outlined above. The speaking business demands that the speaker be constantly entrepreneurial, if s/he is to record reproducible success.
Let's be a little specific:
1. Creativity/Innovation: Some people may not readily see how this relates to speaking as an expert. However, when you consider the fact that MANY others could potentially offer your kind of speaking service, the need to create and innovate, so as to compete more effectively, becomes apparent.
The objective is to do things in a way that sets you apart from the crowd of speakers out there. This should show through in your marketing, branding, and even in the way you negotiate.
One example: I find Burt Dubin to be one public speaking professional, who truly understands what it means to be an "Entrepreneurial Public Speaking Professional". As a speaker, he developed a variety of ingenious strategies for getting paid MORE than most of his peers for the same amount of work.
He achieved this by being entrepreneurial in his thinking e.g. Offering to facilitate an extra event (break out session for a few hours) at no extra charge, got clients to pay his fees without asking for a reduction or discount. The clients were pleased, and he got to keep his fees intact.
2. Passion: Your speaking topic or theme should always be one that you are passionate about. Something that excites you in the pit of your stomach. Most entrepreneurs that succeed do so in businesses based on their passion. This enabled them keep going even during hard times, until they achieved their desired breakthrough.
As a speaker, it goes without saying that winning speaking invitations may not happen instantly or as often as you want, especially when you're just starting. It can be discouraging to go through weeks of months without a gig.
And sometimes, while you're badly looking for a paid gig, an invitation to do a NO FEE or FREE gig could come in...to your possible dismay. However, if this latter situation occurs, your passion for your subject should be able to save you (to paraphrase a famous psychologist).
Human beings enjoy doing what they are passionate about - even when they do not get paid to do it. In other words, an entrepreneurial mindset based on passion for what you do, will see you through the darkest hours.
3. Tenacity: The ability to persevere - to keep trying even when nothing seems to be working - is another quality entrepreneurs are noted for.
As an expert-who-speaks, persistence is key to your long term success. So many things can go wrong as you pursue your goals as public speaking professional.
You therefore need to understand that you MUST refuse to give up. Or as some say, you have to "Keep On Keeping On"...I call it "KOKO". It's a rule that all students of success know. Every entrepreneur of repute will assure you that YOUR persistence will ultimately determine how far you get in ANY pursuit you embark upon.
So, no matter how many event planners or decision makers say NO...or hang up on you...or slam the door in your face...or refuse to respond to your emails...or return your phone calls...you MUST never stop trying.
While you persist, keep thinking up newer and better ways of trying to get through to meeting planners and other decision makers. Eventually, you WILL succeed.
4. Risk-Taking Proclivity: According to James R. Cook, "Entrepreneurs pioneer ventures where risk is high". Risk of failure is what he refers to in that phrase.
Failure can be embarrassing. Some experts are afraid of venturing into the speaking business because they are scared of failing at it. Yet, as I have explained many times in my writing, the benefits of adopting public speaking far outweigh any negatives that may accompany doing it - including the temporary failures.
Yes, failure - as most entrepreneurs know - is always temporary. It's just a snapshot of where you are at a particular point in your pursuit of success. As a speaker, you are likely to experience failure in different forms. For instance, you may not do such a good job delivering your talk or speech. or you could fail to win new speaking opportunities, and have to go through a lean patch or dry spell. But as mentioned above, if you persist, success is inevitable
It is the fear of the above happening that makes some experts unwilling to embark on public speaking - the RISK of embarrassment is too great for them.
There are other kinds of risks I believe a speaker may need to take in order to succeed. Consider these 2 examples:
a. Change of Specialty: What if you decide to specialise in an area that no one else - in your profession - has ever focussed on?
b. Publicity Stunt: Some entrepreneurs and businesses have been known to attempt publicity stunts that blew up in their faces. However, others have also gotten brilliant media exposure through the creative use of publicity stunts. The specifics will vary. What is essential is to explore the potential avenues you can use to get noticed by people who fit your target audience profile.
Final Words
Last Friday was celebrated around as World Entrepreneurship Day (WED).
In case you do not know about it, the World Entrepreneurship Day (WED) is celebrated on the second Friday of every April. Last year, it was celebrated on 15th April 2011. This year's was on 12th April 2012.
According to the creators of this movement, the purpose is to celebrate for 24 hours, once a year, those entrepreneurial heroes that are the backbone of our global economy. See http://www.worldentrepreneurship.org for details.
In this issue of my Public Speaking IDEAS Newsletter, I have discussed the often overlooked FACT, that every expert-who-speaks needs to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, if s/he is to succeed in the speaking business.
Many public speakers fail to make this important transition in their thinking. They do not understand that they are in the BUSINESS of Public Speaking. It does not matter what your area of specialisation is. As long as you wish to operate as an expert-who-speaks, it is imperative that you ALWAYS think of it as a business.
When you do this successfully, you will become - like Burt Dubin - an "Entrepreneurial Public Speaking Professional"...and the results you get will give you a competitive edge over others who do what you do.
Mobile: 234-803-302-1263 http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com Self-Development/Performance Enhancement Specialist TayoSolagbade- works as a Multipreneur, helping individuals/businesses develop and implement strategies to achieve their goals, faster and more profitably.
Depending on his availability, Tayo accepts invitations to deliver customisable talks and keynote speeches on:
a. Self-Development, Workplace Performance Improvement, Spontaneous Coaching, b. Using Natural Aquariums To Educate Students c. Making Your Website WORK For You d. Automating MS Excel To Boost Productivity e. Cost-Saving Farm Biz Ideas, Going From Salary To Self-Employment, Entrepreneuring etc) for an affordable fee.
Visit http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com to learn how you can invite Tayo, to speak at your next meeting or event. ==================]]>http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry120416-1627412012-04-16T00:00:00Z2012-04-16T00:00:00ZExpert Speaker: You CAN Make Money Without SpeakingIMPORTANT NOTE: Be sure to read this issue to the end, to discover special offers you can take advantage of.
In the course of helping business owners develop what I call a Public Speaking for Business Marketing (PSBM) System, I have found a seemingly insurmountable fear of public speaking, to be the number one obstacle holding many competent experts back.
Do you also feel "uncomfortable" about speaking in public as an expert? If YES, then you'll find some useful ideas below.
Some Experts May Never Get Used To Public Speaking
As an expert-who-speaks, you can give a ONE hour talk, and get paid more money than some people earn in a week or even a month. Do you know, that you already have 99.5% of ALL the knowledge you need to do that INSIDE OF YOU right now?
That means you can actually get started TODAY, putting all that expert knowledge of yours together in a "marketable form" to appeal to your potential customers or clients. It's exciting just thinking about it, isn't it? Of course it is.
And THAT is exactly why it can sometimes be baffling to see competent experts who shy away from doing it!
The truth is that some experts simply do not (maybe CANNOT?) enjoy speaking in public. Instead, they silently dread the few times they have to do it, as a necessary evil to be endured.
Even when all the useful How-To information is provided for their use, these experts would still prefer to NOT speak in public. It can be so bad, that some would experience paralysing stage fright if asked to speak to an audience comprising ONLY friends and relatives!
If truth be told, the experts mentioned above cannot be blamed for being they way they are. We cannot all be alike. Some people are not as extroverted (or willing to act it) as others.
You Can Do LESS Public Speaking & Still Earn GOOD Income Sharing Your Expertise
Having said the above, all is not lost for those who face the above mentioned challenge. There is another way. There always is. And I will discuss a few options open to such experts as we proceed.
I should mention however, that even if you LOVE public speaking, the ideas I share below, can earn you ADDITIONAL income above what you get paid for speaking. They are strategies used by smart expert speakers all over the world, to get paid more, often without having to do MORE.
In other words, these strategies help experts generate PASSIVE INCOME. They make money even when they are not working. And that's by selling something they create (often at low cost) over and over again, at high profit margins.
What You Need: Branded Content Based On Your Expert Knowledge
Picture yourself spending a few hours every week, carrying out a number of tasks to create useful information - at almost zero cost. This has to be stuff that your target audience will gladly BUY from you without your having to do any public speaking - at least not in person.
Imagine being able to REPEATEDLY sell the stuff you create to MORE and MORE people, regardless of geographical location?
Wouldn't that be a good way to earn some great additional income? Well, thousands of very SMART experts-who-speak have been doing just that for years. And you have probably been one of their buyers!
Think about it. People like Brian Tracy, Zig Ziglar, Burt Dubin, Anthony Robbins, and Robert Kiyosaki started out by achieving success in their different vocations. They then leveraged their experience based wisdom, to impress themselves on our collective consciousness as experts of outstanding merit. As a result, when we have events (for those of us who can afford it) we look to invite them as keynote speakers etc.
Specific Strategies Used By Experts-Who-Speak, To Make Money, Without Speaking
What follows is NOT an exhaustive listing. It's just to get you thinking. A few targetted Google searches will turn up more..
A Webinar is a very popular online equivalent of a seminar. Most people who use the Internet today most likely have already attended a webinar. It enables people from different geographical locations to attend the same learning event at the same time - using their computers.
For business owners, it's a VERY cost-effective way to gain credibility in the minds of large numbers of potential customers - without having to meet face to face.
Many webinars are held FREE, and used to generate sales leads, which can then be "mined" for profit, at the end of the event or later on.
Teleconferencing is not widely used in my part of the world (yet), but is quite common in Europe and America.
Same applies to Telephone Mentoring - which someone like Burt Dubin, uses on a one-on-one basis, for coaching those who sign up for mentoring in his Speaking Success System.
2. Home Study Resources: CD/DVD Learning Programs, Manuals/Handbooks
Again, these are not new to most people. Most adults today will have used at least one of these kinds of resources, for learning purposes.
What I am challenging you to do NOW, in this write up, is to start THINKING of creating your very own branded versions, based on your own expert-knowledge.
======A REAL LIFE Example of a Home Study Resource For Experts-Who-Speak=====
Burt Dubin's Flagship Album
This is the product to own if you can own only one. Why? Because in it you discover principles of platform mastership available to you nowhere else at any price.
You hear performance strategies you can emulate. You shorten your learning curve. You see ways to engage and delight audiences with both content and stories . . . plus you experience a bit of fun.
With its Money back if not delighted Guarantee hardly any are returned. Click HERE to find out why... ==================
3. Membership Website Programs
Using items 1 and 2 above, it is possible to create a paid membership website, with different membership levels. People can sign up (for a fee) to access your coaching or consulting expertise.
Once again, there is a chance you have purchased a similar program in the past. Now, is the time for you to think on creating something similar.
The American Writers and Artists Inc (AWAI) - http://www.awaionline.com - offer a variety of learning resources to help people with interest in writing for a living. Most of the stuff they offer do not require you to meet with them in person. Yet, the value they offer is considerable.
Visit http://www.awaionline.com and explore their sites to see examples of how they operate. You can adapt ideas from there, to achieve your purpose.
B. Burt Dubin - a mentor of speakers for over 2 decades - has been doing LESS speaking and earning A LOT more income using the strategies described above.
You can make money using one or more of the above mentioned strategies. However, I propose you eliminate or minimise trial and error involved in getting it right. Consider, VERY SERIOUSLY, the possibility of having a seasoned expert who has done it ALL before, to guide you.
What if you found someone who knows what works and what does not...A "mentor" to help you put it all together? Does this appeal to you?
There is ONE person I know, who can help you succeed in doing this. He has been doing it - and helping others do it - for over 20 years. His name is Burt Dubin - and he is the creator of the renowned Speaking Success System, that some of the highest paid speakers in the world have studied.
Public Speaking is a great way for an expert to get marketing exposure and earn income at the same time. You get to kill 2 birds with one stone. As a Real Estate Expert, Fashion Designer, Hotel CEO, Events Planning Specialist, Financial Expert or whatever your area of expert interest is, this can benefit you a lot.
You CAN get more people to KNOW about your service or product, when you speak to them on your subject - and get PAID for doing so!
That is the perspective from which I'm trying to get across to experts, using this Public Speaking Ideas newsletter. It's not just about speaking for a fee as an expert or professional.
Instead, it's also about using Public Speaking to market your business, more cost-effectively to a pre-qualified target audience to boost your customer acquisition rates.
Why do one, when you can do both, and earn greater rewards?
Click HERE to view a one page PDF that introduces my ONE HOUR NO FEE TALK in more detail. Email me via tayo [at] tksola [dot] com, to invite me to deliver the above talk to at your next meeting or event. ========
Mobile: 234-803-302-1263 http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com Self-Development/Performance Enhancement Specialist – TayoSolagbade- works as a Multipreneur, helping individuals/businesses develop and implement strategies to achieve their goals, faster and more profitably.
Depending on his availability, Tayo accepts invitations to deliver customisable talks and keynote speeches on:
a. Self-Development, Workplace Performance Improvement, Spontaneous Coaching™, b. Using Natural Aquariums To Educate Students c. Making Your Website WORK For You d. Automating MS Excel To Boost Productivity e. Cost-Saving Farm Biz Ideas, Going From Salary To Self-Employment, Entrepreneuring etc) for an affordable fee.
Visit http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com to learn how you can invite Tayo, to speak at your next meeting or event. ==================]]>http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry120409-1140562012-04-09T00:00:00Z2012-04-09T00:00:00ZGetting Paid: How Much Is Enough?However, if you are like most experts, there is also the not-so-little matter of getting paid for speaking. How much should you ask for? How much will be enough compensation for your time, effort and shared expertise as a speaker?
Many speakers often have to tackle these questions in the course of marketing their services, and especially when negotiating with meeting or event planning decision makers. You will need to arrive at a reliable way to quantify the value you offer in monetary terms.
The question of getting paid for an "intangible" is however not unique to the speaking business. Virtually all service providers face the same challenge. Different people adopt different approaches.
In this issue, I offer a few ideas you can use:
1. What Do Others Get Paid?
This is an obvious one. Some speakers are already established and more or less set their own rates, with many clients tending to accept them. Find out what rates are paid to speakers at different levels. Doing this will enable you get a feel for what the current status is, and could help you decide what will be okay for you, at a particular point in your development.
2. What Benefits Can You Deliver To The Client?
It's important to know what delivering your service to a client will do for him/her. As an expert, it is assumed that you will be reasonably confident about results you can produce for your clients, given the right conditions. As long as your methodology for providing your speaking service enables you to deliver the desired outcome for your client, setting your fees based on monetary benefits of the outcome you deliver will not be wrong or inappropriate, in my opinion.
3. What Can The Client Afford To Pay?
Clients come in different shapes and sizes. And you will may have to be a bit flexible with your rates, to serve those with limited budgets. Of course you could aim to win high profile clients who always operate budgets large enough to accommodate "expenses" like those relating to your services. If however you cannot avoid working with smaller clients, what you consider enough payment will have to be tempered by what they can offer you. No matter how convinced a smaller client is about your services, it is unlikely s/he will be willing to risk bankruptcy, to hire you. Learn to identify when you've reached that point, and quickly settle for a compromise fee.
4 How Do You Want To Get Paid?
In light of the realities of item 3 above, I would suggest that you explore getting paid the difference in your fees by way of some barter exchange i.e. in kind. Maybe they can give you products or services you want, of equivalent monetary value. That way, you really do not lose anything. Burt Dubin shares many anecdotes of amazing "in kind" payments he got, in exchange for making concessions on aspects of his payment. For instance he got to spend weekends in prestigious hotels and locations with his family.
In certain cases, he let 2 separate companies split the payment of his fees between themselves while he delivered the same program for their members, since they were in the same city. That way, he did not have to LOWER his fees - something that helps your integrity as a professional. You do not want people thinking your fees are arbitrary!
Visit www.speakingsuccess.com to read some of his entertaining articles that describe those interesting events.
5. Who Else Can Pay You, To Serve The Client?
And sometimes you can get someone else to pay for you to speak to your client's team members. For instance, if you develop a flagship program that targets a group of people that a financially capable body has interests in reaching out to, you could approach them to sponsor it. We've seen this happen a bit. Celebrities also do it - they sell their ideas to large companies that sponsor it, as part of a CSR strategy etc. More often than not, when you do this, there is a good chance you'll get paid something close to "enough", if not more!
How Much Will Be Enough For YOU?
Over the past 10 years, in the course of providing a variety of services to clients in different industries, I have come to develop a feel for what is right for me. Initially, I used the standard computation of day rates and hourly rates, based on estimates of monthly overheads etc. However, I later found this to be limiting, in the sense that at a point, I found I could ask for much more than my markup on the overhead costs, and GET IT!
So, instead I began to utilise what I called Value Pricing. Without letting the client catch on, I would use a series of questions to establish how badly s/he needed the solution I was offering. Some of those questions often enabled me get a fix on how much the client was losing or spending, because a solution had not been found. I would then propose a fee based on that insight gained. Many times I got what I wanted - or something close.
More frequently however, I have simply followed my instincts from studying the client's body language alone. This has yielded interesting results a lot of times. If you learn to observe people closely, especially when they are INTERESTED in your services, you can gain insight that can make your negotiation sessions will yield more profitable outcomes for you.
For me, "enough" is when I look back and "feel" that what I got paid, along with the feedback from the audience/client, were in line with my expectations. And my expectations are generally MUCH higher than the average person's. This is not bad, since the effort I apply towards delivering solutions to clients, is also often well above what the average person puts it. But I also stay abreast of what obtains in the industry and use it to guide myself whenever I negotiate with clients.
What Do You Do, If You're Offered LESS Than (What You Think Is) Enough?
For me, when this happens i.e. when I get offered less than what I consider enough remuneration to speak to an audience, I settle for a backup plan of offering to give a NO FEE talk or something like it. Basically, this means that I offer to speak without requesting any payment. If I think it appropriate, I would ask to do "back room sales" while giving such a talk. Otherwise, I would go there and ensure I give a showing that will make attendees remember me for a long time. In essence I use such outings as brand awareness creation opportunities.
Some people balk at giving away their stuff for free. As a speaker, I think you need to get used to the idea of letting prospective clients sample your expert knowledge. You simply have to be willing to do that, if you want a chance to be considered seriously by those who matter.
You lose nothing by speaking for NO FEE. Indeed 25 year veteran mentor of speakers - Burt Dubin - recommends seizing as many opportunities as possible, to speak - EVEN IF YOU DO NOT GET PAID.
In my experience, you need as much "air time" on the platform as possible. This will help you hone your craft, and also boost your name/brand recognition at close to zero cost. Eventually, you will achieve a level of proficiency that will make decision makers naturally not expect to have you speak without parting with good money. You will have paid your dues. And you will tend to get paid what you consider "enough" a lot more often, by then :-)
Mobile: 234-803-302-1263 http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com Self-Development/Performance Enhancement Specialist – TayoSolagbade- works as a Multipreneur, helping individuals/businesses develop and implement strategies to achieve their goals, faster and more profitably.
Depending on his availability, Tayo accepts invitations to deliver customisable talks and keynote speeches on:
a. Self-Development, Workplace Performance Improvement, Spontaneous Coaching™, b. Using Natural Aquariums To Educate Students c. Making Your Website WORK For You d. Automating MS Excel To Boost Productivity e. Cost-Saving Farm Biz Ideas, Going From Salary To Self-Employment, Entrepreneuring etc) for an affordable fee.
Visit http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com to learn how you can invite Tayo, to speak at your next meeting or event. ==================]]>http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry120402-1820112012-04-02T00:00:00Z2012-04-02T00:00:00ZFake It Till You Make It! "A doctor without clients, is still a doctor." - Jennifer Fader
Jim Donovan in his best-selling e-book (titled "This Is Your Life, Not A Dress Rehearsal") - click to download FREE PDF - that I bought from www.asamanthinketh.com in 2001, described a technique called "Fake It Till You Make It" - FITYMI. He explained it by saying that without mis-representing him/herself, the person who seeks success must act as if (and BELIEVE) s/he has already become the successful person s/he wants to be.
You would speak in the present continuous tense about the value you intend to deliver. For instance you would say "I Help People Solve Their Business Financing Problems" and NOT "I Hope To Help People Solve Their Business Financing Problems".
Your apparent self-belief is what will convince persons sincerely interested in having THAT kind of problem solved to engage you.
Faking It Till You Make It - As An Expert Who Speaks
Work hard to create an image for yourself that reflects where you want to be/how you want to be perceived. Your website, business card, and other marketing "instruments" must pass the same message. It does NOT matter if you do not even have a single client yet.
I am going to repeat that: It WILL NOT MATTER if you do not even have a single client yet.
There is NOTHING dishonest about this. I'm not asking you go out and tell lies about yourself.
What I AM saying however, is that if for instance you are just starting out, or you're trying to recover from a setback, that is NO reason for you to act small. As an expert who speaks, you will have to market your services. To increase your chances of getting hired, you will need to "speak - and act - successful", (even if you're just starting), whenever you interact with potential clients.
I have seen people with impressive paper resumes, who failed miserably in making a positive impact in relating with others. Most lacked the self-confidence to engage others effectively - an essential skill in communication. Many times a lot of silent signals you give out betray the fact that you are not sure of yourself. And that can make those you relate with not to think of you, as highly as they should.
In marketing, THAT is not a good way to present yourself.
Regardless of who you have to speak to, or where, it is imperative that you convey the impression that you are sure of yourself. A competent expert with money in the bank and an equally competent one without it, will be difficult to tell apart, if they are to be judged solely on their delivery.
And sometimes, that's all some decision makers will look for. It could be in the way you speak on phone; how you handle questions they ask you, or how you react to unexpected occurrences.
There Is Nothing Wrong With Being Humble - Just Don't Overdo It!
It is not a crime to be a startup. Indeed you may find yourself starting up more than once in a lifetime, if you have to change careers or business lines. There is also nothing wrong with being humble. However, there is a danger in over doing it, to the point of acting subservient or appearing "weak".
The fact that you're NEW or relatively INEXPERIENCED does not mean that you have to act small. If you do that, you'll hurt yourself.
Yesterday's new kid on the block (as they say in America), can be today's King of the ring. You owe yourself a duty, to give your best showing EVERYTIME you have the opportunity to stand before an audience.
And if you have to share the platform with veteran speakers, acknowledge them for their achievements, and show them the respect due. But NEVER leave anyone in doubt, by your performance, that you merited the opportunity to be on that platform with them. Don't let yourself be intimidated by other people's success.
REMEMBER THIS: No one is going to feel comfortable extending a speaking invitation, to a guy who does not exude confidence in himself. To earn the right to speak to others as an expert, you have to ACT the part. When people observe you, they must get the distinct impression that you are sure of yourself. It helps THEM to be re-assured that they are not making a mistake by choosing YOU!
I personally believe EVEN when you lack the perfect "clothing" to suit the occasion (say, due to lean finances), your manner - the way you carry yourself - should still communicate clearly to any one watching, that you are "successful".
A lot of this comes under NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION. The stuff you do on and off the stage will be closely monitored by others. But parts of it have to do with what you say and how you say it. An apologetic "manner" will not cut it.
"FITYMI" Can Help You Better Market Your Speaking Service
Getting past gatekeepers as a first step requires you to become proficient at doing the above. Depending on how an organisation is setup for instance, looking unsure of yourself, when walking towards the receptionist or even the security operative could get you turned away at the entrance!
To win speaking gigs, you need to market your services. Even if you do a lot of it remotely, using the Internet, there will likely come a time when you will need to interact with some decision maker(s), for a final decision to be reached.
I have shared many anecdotes with friends and associates about many instances when I talked my way through two or three levels of "gate keepers" till I got to speak with the top person. This happened in companies where others had told me I would only be asked to drop a letter and wait to be contacted.
But I refused to accept that. You see, I had learnt from many repeated rejections in the marketing of my web marketing systems/spreadsheet automation services, that the way I carried myself (and communicated) often determined how those I approached responded to me.
I had discovered (and I've shared this in previous articles) that by doing all my thinking about what to say - and how - before going in, I could often make enough of an impression on the person speaking with me, to make him/her decide to let me see the MD/CEO. And whenever I got access to speak with the decision maker, I always ensured I gave it everything I had.
For instance, on one occasion, the lady CEO of a Fashion Design outfit had started by saying "I'm really busy, so can you tell me in 5 minutes what you can do for me?"
We ended up speaking for over an hour! And she was the one asking questions about how much it would cost to hire me, showing me her website, and asking how I could help make the improvements I had said were possible.
It is instructive to note here, that she NEVER asked (not even ONCE) to see a single website I had developed a similar web marketing system for. She simply took my word for it!
Final Words
Like I said earlier, it is not a crime to be new, or a startup. As a new speaker looking to get hired therefore, you have no reason to go around feeling guilty or inadequate. And even if you are not a new speaker. Even if you have been around, but not so successful. Even if you are a "struggling" speaker, still trying to break into the big leagues (as Burt Dubin would say), the same rule applies:
As long as you're sure you have the COMPETENCE to deliver the required value as an expert speaker, BOLDY go out, and announce what you can do to those who matter. Never doubt yourself - because it WILL show through, and others will doubt you in return. Speak and act like you are already successful at what you say you do (or can do), and others you approach will be more inclined to believe you. Fail to do this, and ALL the paper credentials in the world are unlikely to save you!
LASTLY: There is relevant wisdom in the following quotes...
“Success tends not to go to the person who is error-free, because he also tends to be risk averse. Rather, it goes to the person who recognizes that life is pretty much a percentage business. It isn’t making mistakes that’s critical; it’s correcting them and getting on with the principal tasks.” – Donald Rumsfeld, U.S Public Official and Business Executive
“To succeed, one must keep one’s eyes focused on one’s destination, not where one has stumbled” – Nigerian proverb on billboard along 3rd mainland bridge, Lagos.
'If Columbus had turned back, no one would have blamed him. Of course, no one would have remembered him either.' – Anon.
Mobile: 234-803-302-1263 http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com Self-Development/Performance Enhancement Specialist – TayoSolagbade- works as a Multipreneur, helping individuals/businesses develop and implement strategies to achieve their goals, faster and more profitably.
Depending on his availability, Tayo accepts invitations to deliver customisable talks and keynote speeches on:
a. Self-Development, Workplace Performance Improvement, Spontaneous Coaching™, b. Using Natural Aquariums To Educate Students c. Making Your Website WORK For You d. Automating MS Excel To Boost Productivity e. Cost-Saving Farm Biz Ideas, Going From Salary To Self-Employment, Entrepreneuring etc) for an affordable fee.
Visit http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com to learn how you can invite Tayo, to speak at your next meeting or event. ==================]]>http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry120326-1611142012-03-26T00:00:00Z2012-03-26T00:00:00ZBe Impossible To Ignore!In his New York Times Bestseller titled "Startup Entrepreneur", James R. Cook summed up the lessons he learned about PERSISTING in his marketing, until he made a sale, by stating that Marketing is "like throwing mud at a barn wall. After a while, some of it begins to stick."
In my "25 Avoidable Mistakes No One Will Warn You About In Starting Your Own Business" e-book, I explained that Mr. Cook's excellent book really helped me through many tough periods in my startup life. That book IS so loaded with real world relevant WISDOM, that I chose to call it "The Missing Chapters in Napoleon Hill's Think & Grow Rich".
Those two books offer ideas and strategies that transcend geographical and cultural boundaries in their usefulness. That was why I found them to be great resources to draw upon, at almost every stage of my journey as a startup. If you want to be able to actualise your potential in ANY area of business endeavour, I urge you to get copies of both books.
But back to the business of speaking. In my honest opinion, going by the experiences I have had, marketing yourself as a speaker requires tremendous self-belief and persistence.
Today, the above truth becomes even more relevant than ever, since so many people now offer speaking services of some sort. More and more self-employed persons, business owners and company executives now take public speaking as a serious avenue to gain increased marketing exposure to their target audiences.
The implication is that today, it is much more difficult to get noticed as a speaker.
What You Can Do - 3 Specific Actions
You have to step up your game. You need to make it impossible to be missed. Everything you do, must be thought out with the primary objective of setting yourself apart from the crowd.
Remember the reference to throwing mud at a barn wall?
Good. I propose you form the habit of visualising that process in your mind every day, as a reminder that you need to persist.
Specifically, I suggest you do the following, as a minimum:
1. Be Unique: Your elevator speech must communicate your unique essence to anyone who reads or hears it. It must strike them as either new or different or both. Like Jason Leister wrote in one of his newsletters, don't take the lazy way out in answering the question "So, what do you do?". In case you don't understand what I mean here, do NOT answer THAT question by saying, "I'm a Leadership Speaker" or worse "I'm a motivational speaker." The latter, in particular, are a dime a dozen now, and it's so hard to tell one apart from the other.
2. Be Creative: No need to re-invent the wheel. Many new products and services that took the world by storm came into being because someone creatively tweaked pre-existing versions of them, till they offered NEW appeal to the customer. You should make your speaking service offerings the same way. Think of how you can offer the same thing others do, with a twist that's catchy, even as it promises better value. Follow through if/when you are hired, by ensuring the client is satisfied that you did give them something worthwhile.
3. Be Everywhere: Once you've got the hang of 1 and 2 above, the next step will be to replicate and propagate your stuff through as many channels as possible. Doing this consistently will eventually lead to an increased awareness of you and your speaking service/resources, by people likely to find them beneficial.
With the amazing power that intelligent use of PC and Internet technology can put at your disposal today, this seemingly Herculean task can become VERY easy to repeatedly accomplish.
I make the above assertion with every sense of responsibility. It is what I am successfully doing - and have been doing since 2006. You are reading one of many instruments I use to get myself to "be everywhere". I have had relatives based as far as the UK, call me up and tell me a friend asked them if they were related to me, after stumbling on some of my work on the Internet for example.
Some Ideas You Can Use
Get a speaker website built, with matching domain name. Start publishing a newsletter and articles. Create a video series to be distributed on DVDs (and of course via You tube). Deliberately send paper versions of your short write-ups to specific decision makers every now and then.
Note that I said PAPER versions above. Very few people do it anymore. Everybody is so hypnotised into doing virtually everything online. Brian Tracy recently said this much in a broadcast email he sent out. There's a BIG opening waiting to be explored by those who can think outside the box.
If you do it(i.e. send your stuff on paper to the right people), you WILL stand out. And your marketing impact will increase.
Explore other technology tools for opportunities to get noticed that they might offer. Always think of using them with a unique twist. Just think up every possible way to leverage technology to make yourself more visible to those you want to reach.
Final Words
Burt Dubin once wrote, that many people who do not make it big in their speaking careers, fail mainly because they allowed SLOTH and INDIFFERENCE to overtake them. They failed to diligently put in the work required, to get the results they sought. They failed to persist in DOING what was required, to enable them breakthrough.
When you consider that Burt has mentored experts, who today have become Certified Speaking Professionals (CSPs) with NSA; some are past presidents of International Speaking Federations; and others amongst the highest paid speakers in the world, then one MUST take what he says seriously.
In other words (and to paraphrase Edison), there is plenty of perspiring to be done, if you want to succeed in the speaking business.
You must commit to doing all the above, without entertaining ANY doubts in your mind about whether or not you will succeed.
It is imperative that you CONVINCE yourself from the beginning, that you WILL succeed. Without this conviction, you are unlikely to last long.
I feel a need to emphasise this point: The key to succeeding in making yourself impossible to ignore (by potential clients), is persistence and self-belief.
Constantly remind yourself of the analogy of throwing mud at a barn wall. Soon, you'll get used to going at it for long periods until something breaks loose, and comes you way.
And it WILL happen - so long as you do NOT give up.
Mobile: 234-803-302-1263 http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com Self-Development/Performance Enhancement Specialist – TayoSolagbade- works as a Multipreneur, helping individuals/businesses develop and implement strategies to achieve their goals, faster and more profitably.
Depending on his availability, Tayo accepts invitations to deliver customisable talks and keynote speeches on:
a. Self-Development, Workplace Performance Improvement, Spontaneous Coaching™, b. Using Natural Aquariums To Educate Students c. Making Your Website WORK For You d. Automating MS Excel To Boost Productivity e. Cost-Saving Farm Biz Ideas, Going From Salary To Self-Employment, Entrepreneuring etc) for an affordable fee.
Visit http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com to learn how you can invite Tayo, to speak at your next meeting or event. ==================]]>http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry120319-1553322012-03-19T00:00:00Z2012-03-19T00:00:00ZAre You A “Choker” Or A “Big Match Player”? In The Real World, Things Can Go Wrong - Sometimes Badly Too!
Even after we have done everything we think possible, to prepare ourselves for a speaking outing, one or more unexpected negative developments can still occur. And it could upset us so much, that when we get on stage, the speech we have rehearsed well before the D-day, might not come out as desired.
Possible Occurrences That Could Make You “Upset” – Before You Give A Speech
1. BEFORE you have to go on stage: Some years ago, I had to deliver a talk about 1 hour after I had engaged in a verbal (and near physical) exchange with my wife. It was so bad, that I left home late, and only managed to stop fuming minutes before I was called out to speak.
Still another possibility: You get some bad news via a phone call or SMS about a business deal, that's fallen through. Let's say you had been so sure you would win the bid. Imagine how deflated you would feel.
Now what if this news got to you, say 30 minutes before you had to step on the podium to deliver a speech titled “Nothing Is Impossible” to a group of startup entrepreneurs. How convincing do you think your delivery would be?
Depending on your temperament, it can be quite difficult to avoid letting your bad mood spill over to your interactions with other people. Think about the times you have been upset by someone at home. Were there instances when it happened just as you were on your way out of the house? If yes, how well were you able to handle yourself in relating with others, when you got to work, or whatever your destination was?
2. When You Are Already On Stage &/or Speaking: Imagine that just as you are about to start (or while you are) speaking, someone shouts an embarrassing comment or insult at you from the audience e.g. a heckler. If s/he hits a nerve or sore spot you have, your reaction could be anger, resentment. This could show through in your speech. That would NOT be good - for you, or your audience.
A Story That Illustrates One Way To Give A Speech When You Are “Upset”
Imagine having to give a speech just after UNEXPECTEDLY losing an election (for public office or otherwise). This situation actually played out in a movie I watched recently. A young US congressman had maintained an intimidating lead in the opinion polls, over an older candidate widely regarded by the public as no match.
But just 24 hours to the election day, a photo published on the front page of a national daily showing the young congressman carrying out a very naughty prank on colleagues when he was in college, caused uproar. There was no time for his team to react. He got roundly defeated in the elections by the other guy, even in his own state.
Once the results were in, he excused himself, and retired to the men's room to rehearse his speech. He had previously prepared a speech to cater for (what was then) the unlikely possibility of his losing the elections. Faced with the reality that he had indeed lost the elections, he walked round the men’s' speaking out the words to himself.
When he finally got on stage, he delivered the speech as is, but later added stuff NOT on the script. He told the audience, for instance, how some of what he had said in his speech, about his personal philosophy was not really true. It had been added to the speech on the advice of experts and consultants.
He went on to say a lot more, which amounted to “Standing Psychologically Naked Before The Audience” – to paraphrase “Burt Dubin” – creator of the Speaking Success System™. The audience loved it, and the media raved about his speech, saying it was likely to make voters back him in larger numbers in the next elections. Three years later, he ran again – and won.
What the congressman in the movie did was simple. He used the setback of losing the election, as a psychological stepping stone to launch him into the future he desired. By refusing to let his loss UPSET him, and instead creatively adapting his prepared speech to “re-sell” himself to the voting public, he succeeded in making them overlook his college prank, and won them over towards his future campaign.
You can do the same: I would be the last person to say this will always be easy to do. But if one is to merit being called a “Professional”, it becomes imperative that s/he be prepared to act like one. You will do this, by developing the competence to effectively manage your moods, so as to ensure you deliver satisfactory performances, whenever you have to speak before an audience.
Before Speaking, Put AWAY Whatever Upsets You In “Little Boxes”
This is the method I use. It has repeatedly enabled me bring my feelings under enough control, to ensure I have a good outing. One could infer that the congressman described above, probably applied a variant of this approach for his purposes.
In using it, I force myself to APPLY what I once read, about putting ANY worries one has, into separate little boxes in different corners of one’s mind.
Doing so helps you free the larger part of your mind, from the potential distractions that dwelling on the upsetting experience could cause. But you don't stop there. Later on, when at the right place and time, you can re-open any of your worry boxes, and reflect on ways to eliminate their contents, without the conflicting psychological pressure of thinking about giving a coherent speech!
Believe me; this worry/mood management technique has worked for me, for many years now. And it has enabled me go out during many dark periods of adversity, to deliver outstanding presentations to individual and group audiences.
Many of the clients I won during those periods would NEVER believe me, if I told them the psychological circumstances under which I won them over back then.
Summary
My message, in essence, is that in order to increase your chances of succeeding, when you speak to others, you really need to develop the capacity to manage your moods, under ANY circumstances.
Even when you are upset, train yourself NOT to show it. You will be amazed at the level of deliberate self-control and mastery that you can achieve.
The ability to do this, will equip you to deliver compelling performances more often, regardless of your personal circumstances.
One positive implication of being able to function in this manner is that clients and/or audiences will come to perceive you as someone who can be DEPENDED upon to DELIVER when it matters. When they need a speaker at short notice, for instance, YOU will naturally come to mind ahead of other possible candidates!
Final Words: Will You Be A “Choker” Or A “Big Match Player”?
In the real world, things may no always happen to plan. Sometimes they will go badly wrong. When that happens, you ability to stay firmly in control of yourself, will determine how you end up performing as a speaker.
In sports, people who are able to deliver under pressure are usually referred to as "BIG MATCH" players. Those who always seem to cave in as they get closer to high pressure, psychologically tasking game situations in Golf, for instance, are called "Chokers".
So, which do you want to be PERCEIVED AS, in the mind of your clients, and/or audience members?
A BIG MATCH player or a "Choker"?
The preferable choice is obvious. But to be able to manifest the attributes that will get you thought of in that manner, you MUST work on yourself, and develop the CAPACITY to absorb the shock from events or experiences that could upset you.
You can start from today - right in your home, with the kids, your spouse and relatives. Maybe the annoying brother, sister or mother-in-law? Or that difficult colleague or business partner at work etc.
Promise yourself that you will NEVER let anything they do upset you, to the point that you actually transfer it to another social environment you have to be in later on. Learn to leave it behind in a little worry box, in one small corner of your mind.
Keep doing it for long enough, and you WILL become able to speak IMPACT-FULLY, to ANY audience, even when someone just (tried to?) upset you.
Self-Development/Performance Enhancement Specialist – TayoSolagbade- works as a Multipreneur, helping individuals/businesses develop and implement strategies to achieve their goals, faster and more profitably.
Depending on his availability, Tayo accepts invitations to deliver customisable talks and keynote speeches on:
a. Self-Development, Workplace Performance Improvement, Spontaneous Coaching™, b. Using Natural Aquariums To Educate Students c. Making Your Website WORK For You d. Automating MS Excel To Boost Productivity e. Cost-Saving Farm Biz Ideas, Going From Salary To Self-Employment, Entrepreneuring etc) for an affordable fee.
Visit http://www.tksola.com to learn how you can invite Tayo, to speak at your next meeting or event. ==================]]>http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry120312-1643282012-03-12T00:00:00Z2012-03-12T00:00:00Z
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