How Speaker's Bureau Agents Select Speakers

Soon I will publish an updated article-slash-instruction manual I wrote a few years ago on working with speakers bureaus for the NSA Houston Chapter. While I was considering the changes in the last five years, I came across an interview with Diane Goodman by Rob Hard, Editor of About.com’s Event Planner section. I was thrilled to see Diane featured in this article.

I have had the pleasure of working with Diane in the last few years and she is one bureau agent who takes great care in selecting the right speaker for her clients. I also respect that she knows a great speaker when she works with one and when a speaker does an outstanding job for her, she is can be that speakers greatest alley. Read Rob’s interview with Diane to gain a bureau’s perspective on selecting a keynote speaker for their client.

Selecting a keynote speaker, emcee or entertainer for a corporate or
organizational event requires careful planning and an understanding of meeting
objectives. That’s why event planners rely on the expertise of a speakers
bureau.

In Part 1, I spoke with Diane Goodman, president of The Goodman Speakers Bureau, Inc., Windsor, CT, about the basic steps of selecting and hiring a professional speaker.
(via Diane Goodman Continues Conversation on Selecting Professional Speakers)

What is Twitter and Why Should Speakers Use it for Marketing?

Many speakers and "normie" non-speakers alike have asked me: What is Twiiter? Why should I Tweet? How do I Tweet? How does Tweeting help to market my speaking business?

Truthfully, event though I thought that I groked the benefits of tweeting and even recently discovered that I am a Twitterholic, I may have more of an addiction to writing about my life in short sentences than I do a true understand of the benefits of using Twitter for marketing purposes. Luckily for you and I, Ron Jones of Search Engine Watch gives us a great primer on what twitter is, how to use it and how it can benefit your speaking business.

"There’s a lot of buzz right now about Twitter, which has emerged as one of the most popular social media tools. This three-part article is for those who are just getting started with Twitter or who simply want to know what it is and how it works. I’ll cover everything you need to know about setting up and using a Twitter account, and share some tools and resources to help you leverage Twitter to market yourself or your company.

What Is Twitter? Twitter is a social media tool that lets users send out short messages (or ’tweets’) that are picked up and read by anyone who decides to follow you. This is also referred to as micro-blogging. I like the idea of keeping your message down to 140 characters, because it forces you to be succinct and to the point. Some have started a Twitter account, sent out a message or two, and then wondered what the big deal is. The big revelation to me came when I found all of the supporting applications and tools that were an adjunct to the Web site. Once you start using some of these tools, the light bulb will go off and you’ll find many uses for Twitter. Here are a few:" Twitter 101, Part 1 - Search Engine Watch (SEW)

WOW! Public speaking skills can boost your sales

I read a blog post this morning from the owner of Bradenton-based Auto Sales, John Greer. John may not be the world’s most successful, funny or awe-inspiring speaker; but, I sure enjoyed what he had to say about developing your speaking skills to help you promote your business and your brand. Public speaking skills can boost your sales Herald tribune.com Sarasota Florida Southwest Florida’s Information Leader

"The fear of public speaking is probably the single most item that holds business people back from succeeding or living up to their potential,’ says John Greer. I feared public speaking so much that the first time I took the public speaking course in college, I took an incomplete."

However John goes on to tell us how he conquered his public speaking fear and what is has done to dramatically increase sales and promote his business. Plus.. I kinda think he’s learned to like it !

"Public speaking is one of the most cost-effective ways to create credibility for you, your company and your products or services. Notably, it is a learned technique that you can master. What is more, training, practice and positive affirmations from your audience go a long way to keep the butterflies in your stomach at bay. My first public speaking experience occurred when I was in my late 20s. It was during the annual convention of the National Association of Home Builders. The scheduled speaker became ill and I was asked to substitute. I nervously scribbled notes onto 3-by-5 cards, jotted down a few key facts and stumbled my way to the stage. The hotel’s ballroom room was filled with unsmiling builders and real estate developers. They seemed at least twice my age and were anxiously waiting for me to tell them how to overcome the construction-lending crunch that hobbled the industry during the late 1960s. My knees buckled a bit and I felt light-headed. But I got through the speech somehow. My audience politely applauded and I was glad that the ordeal was over.

"What happened next radically changed my career. Several people who heard my speech followed me to the coffee kiosk outside the ballroom. They sought appointments with me to discuss their deals. Since that experience, I joined the National Speakers Association, perfected my presentation skills and learned to manage the butterflies wreaking havoc with my stomach. Further, I included public speaking in my marketing plan and even required my sales staff to develop their own presentation competencies." Twenty years after Greer took an "incomplete" on his college public speaking course, he signed up for a Dale Carnegie course and was required to speak in front of 60 people. "Eventually I worked through my public speaking fear," he says. "I won the leather briefcase for the best speech."