Are You the Best Thing Since Sliced Bread?

Sometimes I hear people who book speakers talking about how speakers approach them. The speakers ask “do you have a couple of minutes?” and then proceed to keep them on the line for a half hour telling them how great and unique they are.

So what’s the problem here?

Bureaus, meeting planners and decision makers have likely heard it this before. You can tell them how great you are, but chances are very, very good that they are not going to take your word for it. You are going to sound like every other speaker who has gobbled up their time.

And, there are MORE new speakers breaking into the market than ever before. So that means people have much less patience for the Gabby McGabberson’s of the world.

So how do you break through and get noticed?

The #1 way to get discovered by a bureau or a decision maker is to be great on the platform and have clients tell them about you.

And when you find yourself starting in to your “I’m the best thing since sliced bread” spiel. Stop! Ask yourself the question “what’s the one thing I want to learn from this phone call?” Perhaps you ask whether or not they ever book your topic. If they say “tell me more” then you have an opening. If not, respect their time and hop off the call when you get your answer.

The ideal situation?

A client or bureau has heard about you from several different sources before you ever pick up the phone to call them. Around the 3rd time, they are going to think “I keep hearing about this speaker, maybe I need to check them out”.

When they are seeking you out, that’s when you are in the perfect position.

See you soon Wealthy Speakers!

PS: Want to know more about working with bureaus? Check out Chapter 6 in The Wealthy Speaker. Here’s the link if you don’t have your copy yet. http://speakerlauncher.com/tools.html

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://speakerlauncher.com/tools.html