Tag Archives: entrepreneur

Keep Your Speaking Engagements Organized (And Don’t Miss an Opportunity)

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Photo courtesy Estee Janssens, Unsplash

Good news! You’ve lined up ten speaking engagements over the next few months.

You did the hard work – researching speaking opportunities, submitting a solid proposal, connecting with meeting organizers and finally securing the gig. You’re primed to increase your visibility, connect with hundreds or thousands of people and perhaps, sell a few books.

Now, it’s time to kick back and relax, right?

Not so fast.

If speaking is not your full-time profession, managing your speaking schedule in addition to running your business or career, can get overwhelming rather quickly.

Here are a few tips to keep you streamline the process and stay organized:

Create a form on your website

Set up a Google document or contact form directly on your website to manage incoming speaking requests. Include questions about details for the speaking engagement and event such as:

  • Name of organization
  • Contact person
  • Date and location of the event
  • Length and format of presentation
  • Fee or budget for the speaking engagement

Having this form in place will reduce time emailing or calling the meeting organizers to get the information. With all the requests in one place (as opposed to sifting through emails) you can review them at once and respond accordingly.

Create a calendar just for your speaking engagements

Mark the dates of each speaking event on the calendar so you can see everything in one place. Additionally, map out any planning meetings with the event organizers, deadlines to submit slides or materials, promotional or marketing campaigns and most importantly when you will write and rehearse each talk.

Create a file for each event

Create a paper or digital folder with important details for each event including: date, location, on-site contact person, time of the talk, transportation and travel details. This will save you time and energy in the days before a speaking engagement, so you can focus on the content of the presentation.

Plan your follow-up strategy

There are always details to take care of once the talk is over. Have a system set up for invoicing and collecting payments for any speaking fees or travel reimbursements. Also, plan to follow up with the audience by sending a survey or email to thank the audience for attending and share any resources you may have mentioned during your talk.

Creating these systems may take some time in the beginning. However, once they are in place you’ll be able to accept requests and manage speaking engagements more efficiently. That way you direct your attention where it really matters – creating and delivering a powerful talk that makes an impact.

 Ready to ramp-up your speaking strategy? Book your complimentary 30-minute strategy session.

4 Steps to Planning a “Must Attend” Event

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photo provided by rawpixel-com, Unsplash

If you’re like many entrepreneurs, hosting an event is probably on your calendar this year. If not, it should be!

What better way to establish yourself as a thought leader while gathering a room (online or in-person) full of prospects and giving them a taste of your magic?

Events offer a number of opportunities to promote a new offering, get publicity for a book or simply make new connections.

Here’s a step by step guide to get you started:

Select the Topic

Got an idea for a program you’d like to host? Great. Before you start planning the logistics, your first step is to do some research with your target audience. Events require time and money, so it’s important to gauge the interest and need for the topic before booking a venue. Asking a few clients for their feedback on the idea or post a question to your community on Facebook or Twitter will help determine the interest and also give you insight into the questions or hot topics you should address during the event.

The Format

Now that you have the topic narrowed down, your next step is to determine the best format to deliver the content. Virtual webinar? Small group workshop? Large scale conference?

The content and subject matter often dictates the format. For an introduction or overview of a topic, a virtual webinar may be the best fit. If your topic is more in-depth and requires more training, an in-person workshop works best.

Choose a Date

Selecting the date seems simple, but is often the most difficult part of the process. There are a few things to consider when picking a date including the prime day and time for your target market. For example, hosting an event for corporate executives in the evening is ideal, since they may not be able to leave work during the day.

Also, beware of any holidays that may coincide with the dates as that will impact attendance.

Finally, remember to leave enough time to market the event. It takes anywhere from two weeks to six months to market an event properly. Make sure you have enough lead-time to promote the event so you can fill those seats!.

Select a Venue

If you’re hosting a virtual event, you still need to pick a “venue.” Think about where will you host the event online: Facebook or Zoom or will use an teleconference service like Free Conference Call or Instant Teleseminar?

For in-person events, the size and format of your event will determine which venue you select. For smaller events, you can rent a space at locations ranging from the public library to a local cafe to a yoga studio. If you’re looking for a more professional setting, a co-working space or conference room could provide the perfect location.

Now that you’ve got the basics nailed down, it’s time to promote the event!

Host an event in 2018? Let us show you the way! Begin by scheduling a complimentary 30-minute consultation.

What Improv Taught Me About Business

“With improv, it’s a combination of listening and not trying to be funny.” – Kristen Wiig

I discovered how true that statement is when I took my first improv class recently. Improv has always been on my bucket list, but fear held me back. The inner critic was saying “you’re not funny, you don’t have any acting experience, you’re going to make a fool of yourself.”

The Power of “Yes, And”

Twitter’s CEO, Dick Costolo, credits his improv training with his ability to think big and make courageous choices.

What could be more important in business or in life?

I’ve been fascinated with improv for a long time, so I signed up for an intro class. I walked in with sweaty palms and walked out with tools that will serve me in every aspect of life including:

  • Listen – Improv is unscripted, so your next move depends on your scene partner’s action. If you try to plan your next line, the scene loses its natural flow. By being fully present and listening, your next move becomes natural and it eliminates the fear.
  • Trust – Improv teaches you to think on your feet. But there are moments your mind will be blank. Instead of panicking and thinking that you won’t know what to say or do, trust that the answer will come. It always does.
  • Let go of fear – This may be the hardest lesson to learn because fear is such a powerful force. In improv (and in life) you’re going to make mistakes. You’re going to have critics, but you have to go for it anyway. In order to move forward you have to let go and get over the fear. After all, that’s where the reward is.
  • Yes, And – Improv encourages you to say “yes, and…” in order to build a conversation or scene. The second you say “no,” the action stops. Where are you saying “No” or “Yes, but…”? Now, imagine what would happen if you shifted those answers to “Yes, and…”

Ready to give improv a try? Check out the Rock Your Story workshop and learn how improv can help you on stage and in life.