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SpeakerNet News 11/26/2004
The Award-Winning Resource for the Speaking, Training and Consulting
Communities
Editors: Rebecca Morgan & Ken Braly (editor@SpeakerNetNews.com)
See "About SpeakerNet News" at the end for information on how to submit tips
and use this newsletter. Remember, your "dues" for this free ezine are
submitting two tips a quarter. Send your best tips to
editor@SpeakerNetNews.com (put "SNN" in the subject line).
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SNN teleseminar tape blowout sale! Many $25 tapes now $12! Limited
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Next Teleseminar
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Dec. 8, Wed. -- "Beyond the Speech: How to Dramatically Increase Your
Clients' Results and Your Income" with Bill Bachrach, CSP
You want to make a long-lasting difference in your audience member's lives.
You know having a system to help them implement your ideas would make sense,
but you don't know where to start. Besides, you love performing, not writing
and follow up. So what to do? Bill faced this same dilemma and knew he
wanted to make a bigger difference in his audience's lives beyond a one-hour
or one-day program. He'll share his decisions along the way and how you can
take your content and create an ongoing system. Bill's business generates
well over $3 million annually thanks to these strategies that could help you
move to a higher level, too.
Details at the end of this issue. Go to http://www.speakernetnews.com to
register or order the CD.
______________
"I love receiving the SNN teleseminar subscription CDs because I'm getting
smarter through the 'drip' method. I don't have time for an all-day seminar
but I always have an hour in the car. I put the CDs in my purse when they
arrive and listen as I drive around town. I tried listening to the
teleseminars live but I have children and it was a bad time for all
concerned. However, the CDs are a great thing. Have you thought about
pitching the CD subscription as a tool for life-balance? I can get the
information when it isn't family time." --Michelle Nichols
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Miscellaneous Tips
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Digital recording tip -- Mark Henson (mark@sparkspace.com)
Want an inexpensive way to audio record *all* of your speeches, workshops,
etc.? I use a Sony digital voice recorder and the best off-the-shelf
lavaliere mic from Radio Shack. The recorder has a USB port so I can
download a speech very quickly to my hard drive for editing or duplication.
You can buy a digital voice recorder just about anywhere (Target, Best Buy,
Radio Shack). Just plug in your mic, start the recorder, and drop it in your
pocket. It is so small and light, you don't even know that it's there
(neither does anybody else)! It even picks up audience laughter, etc. Play
with the settings on the recorder and you can get some pretty decent
quality. You can get a good mic and recorder for under $150. Worth the
price, even if all you do with it is critique yourself.
______________
Out-of-state taxes on speakers' fees -- Jo Ridgway (RidgwayJo@aol.com)
I have been an enrolled agent/tax practitioner specializing in multi-state
tax returns since 1983. The situation Troy Evans described last week is not
new and has been the law of most states. Speakers and other professionals
are required to file returns in each state where money is earned if they
exceed the filing requirements for non-resident status of the state. Despite
what the law is, most do not comply because they don't know the law and most
do not get caught.
Unless there is a 1099 or W-2 issued, the state is not typically aware of
the lost taxes. Some, however, are finding ways to target and track
professions where traveling around the country is how they make their money.
And with the states hurting for income, I would expect many to use more
creative ways to follow the money, such as reviewing schedules on Web sites.
Very busy traveling speakers could end up with 43 state returns to file if
they did it according to the law. (Seven states don't have income taxes.)
The good news is that you will not be paying double tax. States have credits
for taxes paid another state. Usually this is claimed on the resident tax
return, but not always. It depends on the reciprocal agreement between the
two states. Unfortunately it is not always an equal credit, due to the
varying tax rates in the different states.
______________
Color business card resource -- Della Menechella (della@dellamenechella.com)
If you are looking to buy color business cards at a very inexpensive price,
go to GangRunDirect.com (http://www.gangrundirect.com). The price is the
best I've seen (and I've done a lot of research) and the quality and
turnaround time is great. They also do postcards and brochures at very
reasonable prices.
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Humor resource -- Lamar Morgan (lamar@mchsi.com)
MuseumOfHumor.com (http://www.museumofhumor.com) is a goldmine of fine
funnies, especially for people who are called upon to give presentations --
live or online. The site divides humor into categories: quotes, anecdotes,
definitions, one-liners, etc., and offers hundreds of links to each kind. A
large list of links to offbeat news items offers additional amusing material
that applies to a wide variety of subjects.
MuseumOfHumor.com also has indispensable writing tools such as rhyme
generators, simile generators, cliche lists, phrase finders, "Today in
History," Guinness World Records, and new-word generators. And if you have
to use statistics in a presentation, check out "Calculated Humor" in the
Exhibits section of the museum. It provides tools for making statistics less
boring and more entertaining. (Just to see the Penguin-o-matic Convertor is
worth the visit. It converts weights and distances into numbers of
penguins.)
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Terra Server for aerial maps -- David Zach (dave@davidzach.com)
OK, this is a long shot (no pun intended) for speaker interest but this site
will give you aerial maps of just about anywhere in the USA. Show your
audience a bird's-eye view of the meeting place, show them how everything
looks gray from space, or just have fun and see what your home looks like
from an angle you've never seen before. Considering that outer space is
probably closer to you than your next speech location, this is fun way to
give a different perspective on location, location, location.
http://www.terraserver.microsoft.com/default.aspx
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Room environment tips -- Tom Justin (tjustin@mindspring.com)
AV check: If you don't have the AV minimum requirements in your contract,
then ask the meeting planner what they will have -- wireless or corded mic.
If it's a corded mic and you like to move around, ask if it has a long
enough cord. If not, it's easy to change. If you're first up either in the
program or after a break, do your own sound check. I always find out in
advance who the venue's AV person is and call them a day before the event.
The room: While you may know how many people will be in attendance, the
setup of the room will often dictate a speaker's style. I like to move
around and even go out into the audience. If it's a hotel and the attendees
will be at tables, that might change. What's the stage set-up? If the
lectern is flanked by tables on either side, I know I'm stuck there. Maybe
it can be changed. Lighting? I recently spoke in a hotel where the lighting
full up looked like it had been lowered to watch a video. I asked the hotel
the day before and they assured me it was well lit, which must have been the
condition of the person who approved it.
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When to ignore complaints -- Mike Podolinsky (mike@michaelpodolinsky.com)
Since 1982 we have been giving away Tootsie Rolls, other sweets, small toys,
key chains, pins, etc., in our adult classes. We've had 1 complaint letter,
6 negative comments in our evaluations and thousands of comments and letters
of appreciation. Should we have stopped for the handful who do not like it?
Too many times, I believe, we play to the lowest common denominator. We
worry about the one person we offend without looking at the hundreds or
thousands who appreciate what we do. Definitely listen and read evaluations
and critiques, but ultimately, you decide if it's right or not.
______________
Book design resources compilation -- Karen Cortell Reisman
(karen@speakforyourself.com)
Go to the Compilations section at http://www.speakernetnews.com to read the
responses to my question about recommendations for graphic artists to lay
out a self-published book, cartoonists, and book cover designers.
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Technology Tips
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Add audio to your Web site with AudioAcrobat -- Susan Levin
(susan@speakerservices.com)
AudioAcrobat is a simple tool to use for adding audio to your Web site and
or emails. It's very reasonable and you can record via the telephone or your
computer up to 60 minutes per audio and as many audios as you choose
throughout the month, and it creates the HTML code for you. I have used it
for a short recording on my home page. It creates MP3s, you can record
teleclasses, do radio shows and/or interview folks, and then piece it
together into one audio and more. Try it out for a week for only $1. See
http://www.audioacrobat.com for more info and samples.
______________
Using your Verizon cell phone internationally -- Dan Poynter
(DanPoynter@ParaPublishing.com)
Verizon Wireless customers can use their all-digital handsets to make and
receive calls in selected other countries. There is no need for a tri-mode
or GSM phone. For international dialing eligibility, roaming in Bermuda,
Canada, Dominican Republic, Israel, Mexico, South Korea and Venezuela see
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobileoptions/
internationalsvcs/cdmaroaming.jsp
and contact Verizon Customer Service at 800/922-0204. This is what their Web
site says. I just signed up but have not tested the system yet.
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Travel Tips
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Don't leave home without your AAA card -- Linda Evans Shepherd
(Lswrites@aol.com)
My clients always meet me at the airport. But even so, I'm never without my
AAA card. Once, the car I was in broke down in Volcano, Hawaii. AAA came to
our rescue and towed the car to a garage in Hilo -- all through my card
membership. Another time, my hostess' battery went dead in Brevard, NC,
three hours from our destination. I was able to use my card to get a tow
service to recharge the battery and we were back on the road within the
hour.
______________
Frequent flyer updates -- Sharon Adcock (SKIADCOCK@aol.com)
* USAirways: Up to 20,000 miles towards elite status. USAirways is offering
up to 20,000 bonus miles that count towards elite status for booking tickets
on its Web site. The offer requires tickets to be purchased and flown
between 11/16/04 and 2/16/05. Registration is required
(http://www.usairways.com/dividendmiles/6855.htm).
* Northwest raises mileage award prices dramatically. Northwest has
announced changes to elite qualification
(http://www.nwa.com/features/wpupdate) for 2005 and changes to its award
charts (http://www.nwa.com/features/awdchgs) as well. Business class flights
from the U.S. are going up 20,000-30,000 miles. First class to Europe from
40,000-60,000 miles. These changes are huge devaluations of the Worldperks
programs. Mileage upgrade prices are going up, too.
The upshot is that Northwest has maintained, more or less, its elite
qualification rules and benefits though it hasn't improved them. They've
gutted their award redemption. Since Northwest award availability wasn't
great to begin with, these changes are definitely not going to benefit those
who utilize Northwest as their primary carrier and they might want to
evaluate other airlines.
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Requests for Info / Advice
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Flash format converter? -- George Walther (George@GeorgeWalther.com)
I have a request for a conversion to the Flash format for my videos. A
cursory search on the Internet comes up with the usual suspects -- homemade
programs that convert file formats back and forth -- and I'm hesitant to
download any without a recommendation from other speakers. Can you suggest a
conversion utility that really works? I'll post a compilation of responses
to SNN.
______________
Tips books sold to corporate sponsors? -- Barbara Thompson
(Barbara@wlscenter.com)
I am interested in knowing anyone's experience writing tips books which you
have sold to corporate sponsors to give to their clients. How many pages and
what size was your tips book, in what quantities did you sell them to the
corporate sponsor, and how much did you charge the sponsor per book? I will
share the responses in a compilation for SpeakerNet News.
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Topic of the Month (TOTM)
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Our TOTM is: When you've *attended* (not led) teleseminars, what stood out
operationally (not the content) before, during or after the session -- from
the best ones and worst ones? Please specify if your comments apply to the
best or worst!
Please send your brief response (75-100 words) directly to
editor@SpeakerNetNews.com. Please put "Topic of the Month" or "TOTM" in the
subject line.
______________
-- Resli Costabell (Resli@Costabell.com)
In the best, the leader clarifies guidelines (e.g., turn off call waiting)
in an email before the teleseminars. The leader only spends seminar time on
a rule if there's a problem.
The worst are teleseminars led by two people in different locations, who
only communicate with one another with all of us listening! Much better if
you're in the same room and can write notes to each other if required.
Worst practically, but best for sheer amusement value: a teleseminar leader
put us all on mute, then seemed crestfallen when she thought she was getting
zero response throughout the class!
-- Meggin McIntosh (meggin@meggin.com)
Best:
Before: When there are handouts, I love getting a link ahead of time that is
easy to use.
During: When the teleclass leader keeps things moving and doesn't let one or
two members of the audience dominate. I also like situations like the one
SNN uses where Rebecca can mute everyone, because when this option isn't
available, sometimes people forget to mute themselves and it's very
distracting.
After: When the follow-up is exactly what was promised -- e.g., an email
that includes additional information or answers to questions, etc.
Worst: Someone had the bridge line number, called in and totally whacked on
the call. It was an adult but it sounded like a preteen making a crank call,
in terms of what they were doing. We all had to hang up and the leader sent
us by email another number to call, and we continued.
-- Ann Ulrich (ann@AnnUlrich.com)
Worst: When the teleseminar host greets everyone who calls in on time, only
to announce they'll wait for others to join the call, at times filling 10-15
minutes with meaningless babble. Why reward those who call in late?
(Inevitably this leaves the guest presenter rushing at the end of the call
to fit everything in, in the limited amount of time left.)
Worst: The practice some Internet marketers are using in mis-representing
availability/demand for-fee teleseminars is tacky: When the initial sales
pitch indicates "only 50 seats have been reserved for this call" and then a
follow-up pitch warns "hurry -- only 3 spots left." Then you join this
for-fee teleseminar and hear them announce, "Wow! We had over 700 people
sign up!" Our pitches need to be accurate and honest. Sure, pressure and
limited availability sell, but this practice makes me question what else
isn't to be trusted about what this company says and does.
-- Helen Wilkie (hwilkie@mhwcom.com)
At the risk of seeming as if I am "sucking up to the teacher," your SNN
teleseminars are the best. The pre-session instructions are clear, the
interviews are balanced and the chit-chat before the session is just right.
There are some hosts whose teleseminars I no longer attend, because they are
so busy getting in their own two cents' worth that they don't give their
guest experts a chance to be heard. That's the worst sin in my eyes.
-- Victoria Maxwell (victoriamaxwell@telus.net)
When participating in teleseminars, the ones I got the most out of were when
the facilitator created a strong sense of the people present. That includes
-- when seminars were small enough -- having everyone introduce themselves,
what they do and why they're taking the seminar. It allowed networking to
happen and a comfort to emerge quickly. Encouraging each of us to say our
names when we made comments or asked questions continued the sense of
familiarity and enhanced networking possibilities.
-- Marlene Chism (marlenechism@mchsi.com)
The worst teleseminar I attended was because of the wasted time at the
beginning of the call. The leader took over thirty minutes, making sure she
had everyone's name and email address with the correct spelling. From my
perspective, it seemed that her top priority was in making sure she had a
marketing database for herself rather than giving the information she
promised to give. Needless to say, I never attended another seminar hosted
by her.
-- Doug Rice (doug@douglasrice.com)
Best
Before: I thought the phone call to remind me ahead of time was very useful.
I have forgotten about them on occasion and I couldn't forget this one.
Email reminders are fine, but when I got that phone call, it really stuck in
my memory. Also, clearly stating how the call works including participation.
During: I like the two-person interview format with questions and answers,
as opposed to a lecture by one person. I think an additional person or two
is fine for specific thoughts as long as it's primarily informational, not
promotional or testimonial only. If questions are taken, then having them
sent in ahead of time via email works far better than trying to take them
live.
After: Follow up with answers to questions that there wasn't time for, that
are content-based with limited sales information. The opportunity to ask a
follow-up question of the speaker and get a personal reply.
Worst:
Before: Having a computer voice come on prior to start and say "14 people
online now" and then have the speaker come on and say that there were 221
people online, without any explanation of the dramatic difference. Also,
allowing everyone to say something when they join the call. Really sounds
horrible. Not telling everyone clearly that there was a handout on the topic
or telling them after the seminar is over. Similarly, finding out that
listening time could have been avoided if you had just read the handout.
During: Testimonials that don't add to content, having too many
participants, no content/all promotion.
After: No follow-up on issues that were raised but not resolved. Too much
follow up with pesky email promotions.
During: could be best but could be worst -- having a handout that can be
filled in by the listener as the call goes along so they finish with a
written document that allows them to refer back to the main part of the
call. But this could be a disaster if it isn't followed, isn't finished, or
for callers that aren't sitting at a desk, i.e., driving. One time it worked
well, one time it was a waste of time and really left me feeling that it was
a poor quality experience.
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Promotions / Advertising
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______________
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SpeakerNet News Teleseminar Info
=================================================================
Dec. 8, Wed. -- "Beyond the Speech: How to Dramatically Increase Your
Clients' Results and Your Income" with Bill Bachrach, CSP
You know in your heart that a one-hour -- or even a one-day -- presentation
rarely creates long-term change. Yet you don't know how to create a system
(which could include books, tapes, DVDs, software, workbook, coaching) that
will truly help people make lasting changes -- and compensate you well. Bill
faced this same dilemma and knew he wanted to make a bigger difference in
his audiences' lives beyond a one-hour or one-day program. He'll share his
decisions along the way and how you can take your content and create an
ongoing system. Bill's business generates well over $3 million annually
thanks to these strategies that could help you move to a higher level, too.
Warning: this program is for professionals who really care about making a
difference in others' lives -- or as Bill puts it "this is for people who
give a crap that someone does something with their content!"
You will learn:
* What kind of content lends itself to an ongoing system
* What questions to ask yourself to determine what kind of system will work
for your material
* How to sell a systems-approach before or after a one-time presentation
* The pros an cons of having a system to implement
* How other staff can support the users to get results
* How having a system expands your revenue and personal satisfaction -- and
determining if is it worth the trouble
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern; 6:00 Central; 5:00 Mountain; 4:00 Pacific
Duration: 1 hr.
Cost: $25 (Visa, MasterCard or AmEx)
Examples of tapes available at http://www.speakernetnews.com:
* "How to Get on Oprah and Other Talk Shows" with Laurie Fried, former
Director of Marketing & Promotion "Oprah Winfrey Show" & Harpo
* "That's Original!: Create Clever, Proprietary Titles and Content" with Sam
Horn
* "How to Earn $100,000 for Your First Non-Fiction Book" with Susan Page
* "Getting Big Fee Speaking Engagements from Sponsors" with Vickie Sullivan
* "How to Promote Your Business with Booklets" with Paulette Ensign
* "How To Get Booked and Make Money Forever" with Larry Winget, CSP, CPAE
* "Getting Syndicated for Fame and Profit" with Barbara Feldman
* "How to Get On Radio Talk Shows All Across America" with Joe Sabah
* "How to Write and Market Profitable Special Reports" with Joan Stewart
Get each new teleseminar CDs for a mere $15 each through our CD subscription
service! We've created an easy way to benefit from the knowledge of our
teleseminar experts: the SNN CD Subscription Service. A number of readers
want to attend our teleseminars, but because of other commitments, they
can't make it. Now it's easy for you to get the information you need to keep
on the cutting edge of your business, through the SNN CD Subscription
Service. Go to http://www.speakernetnews.com/tsem/tsemsubscribe.html for
full details.
------ Details at http://www.speakernetnews.com ------
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About the Editors
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Rebecca L. Morgan, CSP, CMC (Rebecca@RebeccaMorgan.com)
- partnering with companies to develop and implement creative strategic
workforce effectiveness solutions
- board member, National Speakers Association
- author of "TurboTime: Maximizing Your Results Through Technology,"
- "Life's Lessons: Insights and Information for a Richer Life,"
- "Calming Upset Customers," and
- "Professional Selling: Practical Secrets for Successful Sales"
- "Inspiring Others to Win" (contributing author)
- "Best Practices in Customer Service" (contributing author).
- Also gives presentations on communication skills - featured in/on "60
Minutes, The Oprah Winfrey Show, National Public Radio, "USA Today," "Home
Office Computing," "Presentations Magazine," and "Sales & Marketing
Management"
- Distributor for Crisp Publications, and Inscape Publishing
- http://www.rebeccamorgan.com
Ken Braly (ken@kenb.com)
- Speaker and consultant on information and technology
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About SpeakerNet News
=================================================================
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