What’s the Cost of Distraction?

After pulling myself up out of a quagmire of family drama that went on for about a year, I can look back and realize how incredibly distracted I had been.

As grateful as I am for my family, I was 100% lost in the problems of others and my profit and loss statement reflected it.

It began with my stepdaughter and 1-year old grandson moving in with us (which I must say was a blessing). And continued when we moved my brother with cerebral palsy to our town. Then throw in a healthy dose of aging parents (80 and 82) with a history of cancer, heart attacks and broken bones, plus two home renovations, and you’ve got a recipe for some major distraction.

My coach can tell immediately whether or not I am focused on business or family issues. And he was so relieved to see me come back!

With his help, I pulled myself up and out and saw revenue go up 70%. And it’s not that I wasn’t aware of being stuck in the drama, it’s that I didn’t feel willing or able to make a change sooner.

What are your distractions?

Your children?
Your aging parents?
Loss of a loved one?
Financial issues?
Your health, or someone else’s?

Whatever it might be, the key to moving forward – when you are ready – is the following:

1. ACKNOWLEDGE: The first step to getting out of a state of distraction is to realize that you are there. Look around – is your business down? Are you doing good work or just phoning it in? Are you creating new ideas and products?

2. DECIDE: There are times when you just need to do what you need to do! Maybe your child is sick and needs you. But know that your business cannot go on without you forever. At some point you may have to decide to re-claim your focus and your self.

3. SET A DATE: For me it was an entire year. And it was easy to set a date because my step- daughter and grandson were getting their own place. Woo hoo! The timing was so good that I even renovated my office to signify a fresh start. And at that point, I came shooting out of the gate full steam ahead!

4. ALERT THE TEAM: You’ve probably conditioned your family to depend on you. So let them know that you are not leaving, but you are not going to be at their beck and call anymore. I find it easiest when an issue arises to earmark some time (like Friday afternoons) to focus on my family. Come Monday, and I am right back at work.

5. WATCH THE NUMBERS: To know what’s going on in your business check your P & L. Taking your statement from red to black requires a focused effort on your part. Ask yourself good questions like ‘how will I move my business forward today?’ ‘What products or services haven’t I thought of yet?’ Even writing can help you re-engage in your business.

This past summer I managed to take a tough year and turn it into a profitable one in the span of 6 weeks. I hope that these tips will help you, too, move from distraction to action.

Happy booking!

PS: Want a great way to get re-focused on your clients? Check out the teleclass we did with Brian Palmer called Avoid the 3 Things that Will Stunt your Business (and Annoy Your Clients). It was hot!!! http://www.speakerlauncher.com/teleclass.html

Good News on the Speaking Front

I just got back from speaking at the NSA (National Speakers Association) Northern California Chapter. Several speakers told me that they saw their business improve in the last quarter.

And I’ve been hearing some rumblings to that effect myself.

Are you experiencing a shift?

I asked Joe Calloway what was happening with his business, he said… “The phone started ringing off the hook in the last two weeks and we were able to turn keynotes into bigger projects that were more fun and more profitable. I’m finding that being a resource to help companies advance their strategies, rather than just speaking, is a huge advantage.”

I’d like to know what’s happening with you so if you have some news, please leave a comment at the end of this post. On Saturday, one speaker asked me ‘are you going to talk about a recession strategy’?

Although I can do little about whether or not clients are scheduling events with speakers, I can share with speakers how to position correctly so that when the market does shift, they are ready and waiting to capture the business. (For a step- by-step positioning strategy, read The Wealthy Speaker Chapters 3 & 4).

http://www.speakerlauncher.com/tools.html

And for those who are positioned correctly (as an expert with a clear promise), the following tips may help:

1. Add Value: Rather than negotiating your fee away, find a way to create more value for your client. Add an extra session, follow up with webinars or teleclasses, supply articles or learning materials that they can use post event. Sweeten the deal with books or other products. And as Joe said above ‘be a resource to your clients, rather than a speaker’. Solve problems for them.

2. Be Good: This applies in any economy but mostly now. There is no better strategy than to have kick butt content and presentation style.

3. Sharpen the Saw: And speaking of your content, now is the time to ensure that it’s fresh and cutting edge. If you haven’t updated recently, then be like Nike and just do it!

4. Develop new products and income streams. Why not write that next book or develop a new product? And consider expanding your income streams to include non-speaking profit centers.

My post awhile back called ‘Are you Stuck in Your Business Model’ covered some ideas on this. http://www.speakerlauncher.com/blog/298/are-you- stuck-in-your-business-model/

In this uncertain climate, we need to take action around the things we can control and (try) not to worry about the things we cannot.

All the best,

PS: Don’t miss our next teleclass on Thursday Sept. 24th at 1pm Eastern ‘Avoid the 3 Things that Will Stunt your Business (and Annoy Your Clients)’ with guest expert and bureau owner Brian Palmer. No one tells it like it is more than Brian and you’ll learn exactly what you need to do (and not do) to get booked more. http://www.speakerlauncher.com/teleclass.html

Googling myself, best thing I ever did

About a year ago, I set up a Google Alert system to let me know whenever anyone on the internet mentioned my name or the name of my book, The Wealthy Speaker.

It’s been a great education on how my name is being used, when someone recommends my book, etc. I also keep close tabs on Twitter.

By knowing how people are talking about you, and who is using your blog for content, you are never caught by surprise.

Also, a quick search on Amazon alerted me to the fact that someone had totally ‘dissed’ my book. This person had said that they did not believe that you could make a good living through speaking.

I was immediately able to take action.

I sent out a note to my book fan club on Facebook and told them about the bad review. They all responded quickly and came to my defense thus balancing off (and burying) the negative review.

Of course we can’t control everything that everyone says about us. But what a powerful tool just knowing what is said!

When you are scheduled to deliver a speech and the group advertises it, you should check out what they are saying and ensure that you are being positioned correctly. Clients can often get it wrong.

By setting up some quick alert systems, you have a better shot at continuing to keep a positive image on that crazy thing we call the world wide web.

Happy googling!

PS: I recently added an iPhone MP4 option to my new Wealthy Speaker Seminar LIVE audio. You can listen to the seminar and see the visuals (PPT). Nearly 3 hours of my best stuff available for immediate download. Check it… http://www.speakerlauncher.com/WealthyLive.html