There
are a number of ups and downs in the speaking business. Rejection, event
planners changing their minds, and economic tightening of belts are all things
that are a reality in today's marketplace.
I have discovered a few roadblocks that prevent countless speakers from
enjoying the success they deserve. One of the largest roadblocks is a person
that you know quite well. If you remove this person from your way, there is no
doubt that your career, income, and passion will increase immeasurably. I even
know where this person lives, and it's on the toughest six inches of real
estate in the world — between your ears!
I have dealt with this person myself (sometimes he comes back more frequently
than asked). I have also helped many of my coaching clients deal with and
remove this person from their path — quickly and with great results. Here ‘s what
those roadblocks look like:
1. The Getting Ready to Get Ready Roadblock. Closely related to "I’m not good
enough," this is a tough one. The primary beginning of most speaker-client relationships
is done via the telephone. In our boot camps, I talk about wrestling with "The
300 lb. Phone." If you can master this tool, your calendar will swell! It’s
amazing how many excuses I come up with when it comes to making follow-up
calls.
“There are tons of other items screaming for attention.” Are you lacking enough
material to do a 45-60 minute talk? Book a 45-60 minute talk. You will come up with
it. Several years ago, I was very comfortable doing 45-60 minute programs. I
received a call one morning from a director of a government agency in town who
had seen a television program that the local NBC affiliate had aired featuring
me. This person needed to book a three-hour program. They also needed it to run
within three weeks! I readily agreed — then freaked out. I didn't have 3 hours
worth of material! I quickly sought advice from several of my mastermind team
members who had done these seminars and delivered the program, garnering rave
reviews and referrals from the event planner.
2. The Not Taking Advantage of the Opportunities in Your Backyard Roadblock.
Notice that I didn't say that there weren't any opportunities in your backyard.
Okay, I guess my friend John Trayser, who lives on top of a mountain in
These groups include civic clubs like Rotary, Optimist, Toastmasters, and many others.
Why spend your time calling prospects and selling them on the need for a
meeting and the need to bring you in for that meeting? Doesn't it make sense to
go to groups who meet on a regular basis and just be on their roster as a
speaker? Much of my marketing efforts in 2010 include doing promotional dates
at civic clubs. Why? They are usually filled with people who are in a position
to refer me to those people who can pay me to speak! Virtually all civic clubs
are trying to bring added value to their members by offering interesting
programs. They are hungry — FEED THEM!
Let's keep in mind that the one thing that will land you more gigs than
anything else is speaking! Are you "Not into doingfree talks?" I talked with a
client of mine recently who did three promo talks over the last six weeks and
has booked $46,505 worth of work directly from those efforts. I'll bet you
haven't found a way to get your living room wall to pay you to practice your
material.
The results of speaking at civic clubs have been so fantastic for so many
people, I have written an e-book about speaking at civic clubs. I put together
a step-by-step manual on how to generate business from day one. And I'm going
to give you this $47 gift free of charge if you just e-mail dave@theshef.com
with "civic clubs" in the subject line.
3. The Don't Sell Products at Your Events and Don't Ask for More Work Roadblock.
It really amazes me at the excuses some speakers give me for why they didn't
even offer something for sale at their events. They range from "They just
weren’t the right crowd," and "I'm not good enough that people will want anything,"
to "They're cheap." Whether or not your audience is cheap, if you don't offer
them anything — you're stupid! You can offer an e-book, printed books, or even
a recording of the program that you are doing for them. Once again, there is a
right way and wrong way to offer resources to an audience.
We don't have the room here to cover details, but if you e-mail me at dave@theshef.com
with your questions, I'll be happy to answer them. If you put together a $20,
$40, or $100 offering for your audiences, you are likely to generate an extra
$300 to $1,000 per date or more. Combine that with speaking at civic clubs and you
have just generated several thousands of dollars per month in revenue! The
reality is that the speaking business is simple — it's just not easy. If you do
the right things in the right way, you will enjoy the right results. If you
really want to explode your speaking business, find someone who is a successful
speaker and learn what he does. Success leaves clues!
Dave "The Shef"
Eliminate Your Self-Imposed Detours to Success
About This Contributor
Dave Sheffield
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