I've been known to get so excited over a new viable idea or from reading something that I can't believe an author actually dared to put down on paper, that I drive everyone around me crazy talking about it.

I had a mild case this afternoon when reading Speaker Vernon Cresswell's article on "10 Ways to Save and Make More Money in Business: For Keynote Speakers." It was so much better than the usual junk that I coughed up my coffee and killed my keyboard. I was just hoping that during the "saving money tips" he wasn't going to start yack'n about creating your own website or some other such non-sense. Good news! He did not disappoint. Vernon from South Africa takes us on a journey Texas style. (Must be the wide open BIG spaces we share).

First of all, Vernon appeals to the generation just ahead of mine (which appeals to me! Who actually liked the 80's?) with his use of Paul Simon lyrics as a literary device to give meaning and cohesion to his thoughts. I'm no literary critic; but I think Vernon has done a great job with this article. Here are just a few of the suggestions he brings forth for our consideration:

Slip Out the Back, Jack (Simple ways to save money)

• Know your target market. Who are your “ideal” customers?


• Get double duty out of any contact with your customers.


• Reward your customers. Set up a reward program. (Ginger note: Isn't this cheating?)


• Get involved in your community.

Make a new plan, Stan (Business Planning Basics)

• Beef up your business plan. If you don’t have a business plan, make writing one a priority. Your business plan is more than just a way to interest investors.
  (Ginger note: umm..yeah..it is the document you refer to when you wonder what in the hell you are doing and why you decided to do it in the first place.)


• Get testimonials from your satisfied clients. But don’t stop there.
  (Ginger note: Now this is exciting. I wonder what he will reveal)


• Speak up. Again, keeping in mind who your ultimate ideal customers are and what their most pressing problems are, write an article, offer a free seminar, or offer to be a speaker at local chamber of commerce or other organization or community meetings.
  (Ginger note: I love this! Asking speakers to speak up! You would think it would be a no brainer..but speakers are surprisingly self conscious and slow to start yapping at times..)

Just hop on the bus, Gus (Expand your business potential)

Create joint ventures. Even if your primary business is a brick and mortar one, you can still create a joint venture that will help you save money by sharing the costs for advertising.
(Ginger note: Is he really saying this out loud? I thought I just had to make and sell product? ..geeezz ;) This is the secret to many a successful speaker's larger business venture. Shhhh..don't say i told you. This idea is actually much larger than it is presented here..but you get the idea.)

Just drop off the key, Lee (Provide the key solutions)

Let your customers know you know what their problems are. It’s sad but true that your customers don’t care how good your products or services are. They only want to know two things: do you understand what their problems are; and can you solve them. Give your customers the “key” to their problems, and you’ll have evangelistic customers who come back again and again.
(Ginger note: A conclusion that keynote speaker Garrison Wynn has also come to during his research on what the top 1% do differently. Vernon should call Garrison and collaborate. Great ideas! )

Vernon goes into detail with great ideas such as:

Get testimonials from your satisfied clients. But don’t stop there. What about creating your own television commercial that you can run in your store? (With a video camera and a little ingenuity, you could even create your own infomercial that shows customers how to use or get the most out of your products or services. If you’ve got a Website, put an audio testimonial on there. (And don’t forget to include pictures). Keynote Speaker: 10 Ways to Save and Make More Money in Business Self Health Loops

Here is a direct link to Vernon's site http://www.vernoncresswell.co.za/ . By the way folks, This is a GREAT example of a well designed and branded site! Look at the way his designer blended his love of animals and use of them in his materials (also the outback speaker idea) with a professional image. They managed to pull it off without making him look like "hokey animal speaker dude." Vernon..I hope you paid them well because they did a great job. Also notice how Vernon's picture blends well with his background. He looks honest, approachable and sincere without being boxed in with a square photo and some horrible background. Too bad they couldn't have photoshoped Vernon into riding the elephant..(just kidding..over the top).

This article is definitely aimed at speakers who already have a a substantial career but it should be a good read for anybody interested in public speaking.