The Speaker As Part Of The Meetings Industry

While I have participated in several live "TweetChats", I have never before been the main guest.  This week (Tuesday, September 3, 2013) I am jumping in to share my thoughts as the featured guest on #NSAChat at 12:00 (noon) Central Time.  #NSAChat is a weekly Twitter Chat for those in the business of speaking, and hosted by my friend and fellow National Speakers Association member Eliz Greene.

The topic this week is "The Speaker as Part of the Meeting Industry".  Since creating the Conference Catalyst program I have come to view the role of the speaker at any event as greater than their time on stage.  Speakers set the tone for conferences, trade shows, conventions, seminars and other gatherings.  They are in a unique position to partner with meeting planners to help create a better conference attendee experience.

Those who present at meetings can be a valuable resource before, during and after the event.  The best ones work with the planners at all stages to help have a positive impact on the conference.

Speakers should also be involved with industry organizations (not just when they are speaking).  I am a big believer that those who speak to membership associations should also belong their own industry group(s).  The National Speakers Association (NSA) is one, but there is also Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), etc...  

In my involvement with my local MPI Chapter I have donated programs to their silent auction at the annual banquet, and I am now writing a monthly column for their e-newsletter.

There are many changes that are happening in the way meetings are being run and the expectations of how speakers engage the audience are always being discussed in industry forums.  Interactive presentations are becoming more popular, and planners are looking for unique programs that challenge their attendees.  Any speaker that wants to remain relevant should actively follow industry trends.

Other vendors in the Meeting Industry are very active in supporting the causes of the industry, and often attend (and sponsor) events and conferences..  Hotels, transportation companies, florists, outside meeting planning firms, printers, audio visual suppliers, meeting facilities, etc... are visible in the industry, but not as many speakers are present at the table.  

Please join us on the #NSAChat if you have opinions or thoughts on the topic.  Added bonus -- TweetChat.com seems to be back online....which makes participation in a chat much easier.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections.  http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

www.ConferenceCatalyst.com

3 Tips To Becoming A Professional Speaker

The phone has rung three times this week with inquiries from people who want to get paid to speak. "I want to be a speaker" or "How can I get paid to speak?" seems to be popping up in many conversations (with me, but also several of my peers are reporting a rising curiosity about the speaking business).

Recently I viewed an online video of a professional speaker teaching an eager audience how to get paid for their talks.  He had a packed room of attendees that all were interested in discovering their own path to professional speaking.  They asked a lot of questions and hung on his every word.  He is not the only person teaching classes on "How To Make Money Speaking".  But can one learn this complicated business from a course or does the journey need to have more customization?  I have found it often involves a lot of lessons from the School of Hard Knocks!

Over the years I've had conversations with many people who inquired about how to grow and cultivate a speaking career, but lately there is an increased desire for people to be paid for sharing their stories, thoughts, ideas and advice.   I am currently coaching two people who are entering the business and developing their own path toward being a paid professional speaker (and one of those who inquired this week is seeking a formal mentor... not just wanting to "pick my brain").

If someone has a desire to be a professional speaker (or to follow any dream) I think they should go for it.  While not everyone will find success, one has to try for their goals if they are serious about wanting to achieve them.  A speaking career does not from the sky, as it takes a lot of attention and intention.

The speaking business is not unique, but it is quirky.  Too often people assume they understand how it works because they have been at many conferences and watched "speakers".  However, things are not always the same on the inside as they appear on the outside.  How we define "speaker" also makes a difference, but most see anyone on stage in the same category (not true).  

Professional Speakers, Public Speaker, Industry Speakers, Celebrity Speakers, Content Speakers, Entertaining Speakers (Humorists), Workshop Speakers, Keynote Speakers, etc.... are all different in what they bring to an audience (and different people define each category differently).  The celebrities get paid very high fees to speak, and these amounts can be HUGE.  But the money is not the whole business.  There is a motivation behind why any speaker is selected, and that goes much deeper than the size of a fee.

Most conferences cannot afford the celebrities, but many still pay for those who present.  Some only pay for keynotes, and use free speakers for breakout sessions.  Others not pay any of the speakers they use.  The amount that is paid matches the value that the organizer expects to receive from that speaker, and what they desire them to bring to the event (celebrities are often seen as a draw to increase attendance, and thus they are paid for that value).

Bill Clinton has received over $700,000 for a single speech (earning over $13 million in speaking fees in 2011), and regularly gets over $250,000 for an appearance.  Wow, that is a big number... but how much do others get?  (The answer is: a lot less!!! If you were not the leader of the free world you should not expect to compete at those levels).

The realities of a speaking career are different for every speaker.  Celebrity speakers command big dollars, while others speak for free to promote their business, sell their products, etc...  Some of those who are speaking for no money are better speakers than some of the celebs.  There is no consistency, as each person's topic and skill levels vary -- and each event has different needs, expectations and budgets. 

The amount one is paid is not only about the content they deliver.  There is a weird mix of factors that are hard to define and cannot be quantified.  A speaker should never be viewed as a commodity item that is plugged into a conference agenda (and the best Meeting Planners invest a lot of time and effort in vetting the right speakers to set the tone for their events).  The speakers help weave the culture of a conference, and thus their contributions are important to the overall success of the event.

"Skill" is a subjective thing to define, but those who build outstanding speaking careers (with or without fame) are AWESOME at connecting with their audiences.  (Bill Clinton is an amazing speaker who captivates crowds of 100 or 50,000 with how he touches people individually with his words.... that, coupled with his fame, is why he is the highest earning speaking in the world).  If you want to be a speaker, make sure you understand that your involvement with the meeting is more than the hour you spend on stage!

Three Things To Do If You Want To Be Paid To Speak

1.  Learn the business.  This does not mean make assumptions by observing speakers.  Invest your time and money in understanding the different models of how people earn money as speakers (there are several).  Learn what it means to be a professional speaker and develop friendships with other speakers.  Do not stalk the celebrity speakers, with the hopes of being "discovered" (this rarely happens), as the celebrity business plan for speaking is different from yours (their phone rings because of their name, yours does not).

Find people who are at your level or a few steps above your experience.  Learn from them, but also help them achieve success. Create a mastermind group and make real friendships with those who are working in the business.  The best way to do this is to get involved with the National Speakers Association.  While you may not qualify for membership right away, understand what it takes to join and make that your first goal.  Attend local and national NSA events with the purpose of building relationships and learning about the business of speaking.  Do not expect any gigs to come from your involvement, but know that the knowledge and connections will come in very handy down the road.

Study what other speakers do to promote themselves.  Do not copy their work, but get inspiration from their success.  If you do not have speaker friends, then invest in paying a coach or mentor.  Avoid the ones who talk about fame and big money (unless you are already famous or know how to get famous), and respect that they are professionals who should be compensated for their knowledge.  Asking to "pick their brain" is the same as calling and saying "Can I have free consulting?".

There is a lot written about the business of speaking, some of it is even good.  Make the topic a priority and learn all you can.  If not you will repeat the same mistakes that others have made for decades and get frustrated that you are not finding the level of success you desire.

2.   Go speak.  Talking about speaking, and studying others, is not the same as getting real experience.  Look for local clubs and other organizations where you can deliver your talks.  Do not worry about getting paid.... if you are good, that will follow.  Too many "experts" think they should command high fees before they have crafted their personal style and stage presence.  Speaking is more than facts and statistics.  The power that a great speaker has comes from the way he or she tells the stories that support their content.  Content alone is not king.  If audiences only wanted content they could log read a White Paper on the internet.  People who listen to speakers crave a mix of valuable information and the speakers ability to captivate their soul.

I have read that it takes over 300 "professional level speeches" to reach Malcolm Gladwell's "10,000 Hours Theory" experience level as a speaker.  A "professional level" speech can be many things, but my definition is that you were invited to speak for a keynote or breakout session (does not matter if you were paid or not) to a crowd of more than 25 people.  This event is not internal for the company where you work, and you did not organize the event yourself (and is not at your Toastmasters Club).  Once you have given 300 talks at this level, you will know for sure if you are good or not.  People are often polite and say "nice speech" to those who are not that great, but if you have delivered 300 talks (and are good at it) you will find business coming to you.

3.  Be awesome.  You cannot fake being a good speaker.  Audiences know the difference between someone who is experienced and invested time to prepare their presentation.  You should never present without planning your speech and practicing for hours.  The amount of time you rehearse will depend on your level of skill and the material you are presenting, but I never go on stage without preparation.  

People can sense a speaker who is "winging it", relying on personality and charm, or hiding behind graphs, charts, stats, and quotes.  Too many people who take the stage assume they are "just fine" in their ability to speak - and that leaves audiences coming up short in their experience.  Being asked to give a speech is an honor, and should never be taken lightly.  The presentation is about the audience (not the speaker) and he or she should be dedicated to having an impact on those who are listening.  It is called "Giving A Speech", and thus you should always remember that your talk is a "gift" to the audience.

When I advise people to be "AWESOME" I get funny looks, as we do not live in a society that encourages people to work hard to improve themselves to the point of unequaled excellence.  But that is what you should try to do in this long journey.  I have seen speakers begin their talk by saying that they are not a very good speaker, but just a person there to share (they hope being self deprecating will endear them to the crowd).  That message tells the audience that they have not committed to this talk, nor do they care about if they are any good (as the talk is about the speaker, not the audience).  If you are not as good as you can be, then make it a priority to improve, but do not tell the audience you suck.  Never cheat the crowd out of your potential.  

The best speakers I know are always looking at video of their presentations and seeking ways to improve after each talk.  They hire speech coaches and ask for feedback from those qualified to give an evaluation that will candidly share ideas to help them reach a higher level.  You should not be the same person the platform at your 15th presentation as you will be at your 300th.  If you are, then you are not making improvement a priority.  Strive to become AWESOME and you will be better right from the start.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

****If you are seeking a mentor to help you learn about the speaking business, I may have some slots available (I can only work with a few people at any given time) or I can refer you to some amazing coaches that understand the business and will challenge you to excel.  Contact me thom (at) thomsinger.com for more information.

Cool Things My Friends Do: Hayley Foster - The Short Talk Expert

Each Friday on this blog I enjoy highlighting some of the cool things my friends do in their personal and professional lives.

My friend Hayley Foster is known as "The Short Talk Expert". She has been speaking, training and consulting for over 30 years, and now trains speakers (both professional speakers and others) in how to properly craft shorter format presentations.  She has been working with the TEDx speakers and program organizers since the early days, as she was one of the organizers of the first TEDxNASA in November 2009 (which was one of the first ever TEDx Events).

Hayley has a particular expertise in the art of the TED Style Talk. Her unique background together with her TEDx experience resulted in the creation of a proprietary process for crafting original, passionate core messages with a wide variety of presenters, from teen novices to world-renowned experts. Hayley has been the designated Speaker Coach for all six TEDxNASA events, as well as having worked with speakers for many other presentations. She has coached over 250 TEDx speakers to date (including over 100 professional speakers).

This week Hayley is releasing a new mini-book (Minibuk) called "Don't Tank Your TED Talk: 12 Mistakes Professional Speakers Make".  The book is written for the experienced speaker who may mistakenly think their TED presentation is just a shorter version of their regular "shtick".  However, that can be a big mistake, as a TED Talk is more than an 18 minute (or shorter) presentation, and a speaker trying to get all their material into that format can easily flop.

Her book is ready for sneak preview premier at the 2013 National Speakers Association Annual Conference (which kicks off TODAY). If you are attending, you can find Hayley and talk to her about her new book (she might even have a copy or two with her!).  Or you can send her an email minibuk1@shorttalkexpert.com  for more information.

The book will soon be available for purchase on her website at http://www.shorttalkexpert.com/minibuk1 on August 1, 2013.

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

Networking at the AASCIF Conference

I am very excited to be the opening keynote speaker and "The Conference Catalyst" for the AASCIF 2013 Conference. This event will be a lot of fun, and the three-day line up of of speakers and activities looks amazing!

I am hoping that everyone in attendance will find this year's event spectacular and that they maximize the ROI for their trip to Austin, Texas. 

The key to success at any conference is in the connections that are made with people, thus the networking matters.  How you engage with people is not something for the parties, but all throughout the conference. Fortunately the conference organizers have done a great job of building in the proper amount of breaks, downtime, and experiential events in conjunction with the learning. 

But event the best event networking takes a commitment from the participants.Here are my tips for maximizing the conference:

Ten Tips For Networking At A Multi-Day Conference 

1. Have a plan. Know in advance whom you want to meet (directly or the type of people), and which speakers you want to hear. Do not leave your schedule to chance or you may miss out on things that are your true priority.  Set up appointments in advance if you know people will be present with whom you want to connect.

2. Bring plenty of business cards. In today’s digital world some argue against the importance of business cards. But having a card is not for you, it is for the other person. Some people forget names quickly and asking for a card helps them recall you later. Telling someone “Google Me” is making them work to keep in touch. Additionally we don’t all use the same technologies, so using BUMP (or another digital tool) assumes we all adopt the same technologies. Not carrying business cards can be selfish, and selfish is so last year!

3. Focus on meeting the other attendees, not just the "Stars". While meeting the speakers and industry gurus is cool, you are one of the many who may come up to them and shove a card in their hands. Instead, place your focus on meeting other people in attendance at the event. Find your peers and make them your "stars", as they are the ones you will grow up with in the business.

4. Talk to the people sitting next to you. This should go without saying, but very often people get side-tracked and do not make the effort. When you walk into a session, take the time before the presentation begins to say hello to the people seated around you. I call this the "power of hello". Once you have said something as simple as "hello", it will be easier to talk with them later in the conference when see them again.

5. Ask questions of people you meet. Never lead with your "elevator pitch". People are more interested in themselves than they are in you, so ask them questions to help them get to talking first. There is plenty of time to tell them about your business.

6. Put your technology away. Do not run to your iPhone, Droid, Blackberry, tablet, or laptop at every break. When you are working on electronics you send the message that you are unapproachable because you are busy. Utilize the time on breaks to converse with others. Look around and smile rather than texting like crazy. The hallway conversations are legendary for providing the best value of all at conferences. Do not miss out because you are tweeting!

7. Do not automatically send a LinkedIn or Facebook request. Too often people immediately send social networking link requests to people they just met. However, different people have different policies about whom they link with. If they believe in only connecting with those whom they have established relationships, you make it awkward if you send them a link too early (which they then ignore). Best is to ask people if they would welcome such a link at this time. Be respectful of the fact that they might use social networking differently than you do. Immediately following them on Twitter is okay, as Twitter does not require a mutual connection acceptance.

8. Introduce others. When you meet cool people, be the conduit that connects them with others who might be beneficial to them. This includes others at the conference, as well as people you might know back home. If you ask the right types of questions, you will easily spot connections that can help others. Don't ever worry about "what's in it for me", but instead just be the person who helps others at every turn. You will, over time, develop the reputation as one who assists others .... and then you will find more people will help you, too.

9. Be true to yourself. If you are a bit more on the introverted side of things, be honest that a whole three days of socializing will drain your energy. Take some time for yourself to recharge. Do not skip out on major parts of the events, but find the time you need to get focused. 

If you are more outgoing, do not overdo it. Sometimes the late nights and free drinks can seem fun at the time, but can also leave you wiped out the next day. Enjoy yourself, but realize that few of us can stay out until 3 AM and be wide-eyed for the 7:30 breakfast.

10. Follow up. If you meet interesting people and you never follow up, it makes no difference. Own the follow-up after you meet people and send them an email (or better yet, a handwritten note) telling them how much you enjoyed talking with them, and plan for future discussions. Creating ongoing and meaningful connections with others in the industry will bring you more success.

11. Do more than others expect from you. Bring more to a new relationship than the other person expects and they will always remember you as someone who is a giver. As you get to know people make it a priority to understand what they need to succeed. Sometimes you or someone in your network is they key to the other person achieving their goals. Find ways to help. Those who give always get more down the line.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections.  http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

www.ConferenceCatalyst.com

National Speakers Association Convention - I Would Not Miss It

Often people wonder why I am active in the National Speakers Association.  I have had several speakers tell me they would not invest their time and money in this organization because they only go to events that have potential clients present.  Since other speakers do not hire them, they cannot see a reason to spend four days at this annual event (or be part of their local chapter).  I can't see a reason to miss it the annual event (or local meetings).  I block the dates in my calendar a year in advance.

Do I get business from being an NSA member?  Nope, not directly.... but I doubt I would be in business if I had not joined NSA five years ago.  The business of professional speaking looks one way from the outside, but is very different once you are in the trenches.  Having regular exposure to others who are walking the same path is like having a "Fast Pass" to get on the good rides at Disneyland.  Plus, many of my friends and I have created referral relationships where we introduce each other to potential clients, so indirectly I have had bottom line impact.

For me, the NSA Annual Convention is a "must attend" event.  Over the past few years I have made friendships with other speakers who have become my peers, advisers and my cheerleaders.  While NSA prides itself on being very "welcoming" to all who are at their events, I am not fully sure that it is any different from other organizations.  There are the same issues with cliques that exist at all conferences, but once you find your own warm nest of friends, there is no replacement for being surrounded by people who get the quirky nature of this industry.

My oldest daughter is also active in the annual Youth Program.  For decades NSA has had a youth leadership conference connected to their annual gathering. It exposes the 100 plus teens to some of the best speakers in the world who share their messages to educate and inspire the children of the speakers in attendance.  The bonus to this is that she has grown to understand what I do for a living.

If you are a speaker and have never attended an NSA Convention.... this summer in Philadelphia will be a great time to come experience what so many others know about the power of NSA.  

7 tips to get the most from attending the NSA Convention

1.  Come to learn.  There are so many great speakers who will cover countless topics that will have an impact on your business.  Platform skills, marketing, travel tips, etc.... and the added bonus of the "hallway conversations" with others.  The nuggets of valuable information will be plentiful.

2.  Meet new people.  Do not sit with your local chapter friends.  NSA has attendees from all over the world, and the interesting speakers who you will meet will open your eyes to many different ways to grow your business.  If you can make one or two new friends each year who you keep in contact with all year, you will over time build up an amazing list of speaker buddies.

3.  Do not stalk the celebrities.  There are some uber-successful speakers who are part of NSA.  Some are there speaking, others are in the audience.  The mistake many new speakers make is they hope to find a mentor who will discover them.  While this does happen, it is rare.  You are best served by making friends with people at or about your same level, and then growing up in the business together.

4.  Vote with your feet.  If you are in a breakout session that is not meeting your needs, stand up and go to another session.  Not every breakout session is going to be fantastic or live up to your expectations.  Do not waste your time, move on and find a session that is best suited to your needs.

5.  Visit the Learning Lounge.  Last year NSA introduced an alternative program that ran concurrently to the breakout sessions.  In the Learning Lounge there are always several small group discussions or TED Style talks happening at once.  Some of these were lead by industry legends and only five or six people were present.  Many did not want to miss a breakout so they sat in a room with hundreds while others received customized education from amazing experts.

6.  Attend the Foundation Dinner and the Cigar PEG.  Both of these events benefit the NSA Foundation, but also give you a chance to share more experiences with others at the conference.  Last year's convention chair, Patrick Henry, is in charge of the Foundation Dinner.  Get ready for it to be very fun!

7.  Belly up to the bar.  You do not need to be a drinker to spend a little time in the hotel bar late at night.  It is in this causal social setting where I have met some of the people who have helped me the most in my career.  There is more to a conference that the formal agenda.... it is often the informal times that bring the biggest value. 

If you read this, and plan to be at the NSA Conference, reach out to me and introduce yourself.  I look forward to meeting you.  

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

Great Presentation by Bill Clinton

While randomly clicking through the channels, I stumbled upon a C-SPAN rebroadcast of a speech by President Bill Clinton.  He addressed the students at Georgetown on April 30, 2013.  This was the first of four lectures that Clinton will deliver over the next several years at his alma mater.

The lectures examine the framework for a lifetime spent championing an idea espoused by his Georgetown professor Carroll Quigley: that America is the greatest nation in history because our people have always believed in two things – that tomorrow can be better than today and that every one of us has a personal, moral responsibility to make it so.

I tuned in late, but was blown away by his message and the stories he told.  Politics aside (this has nothing to do with being on the right or left), he is an amazing speaker, and a true elder statesman.  

As one who studies the art and science of speaking, I understand that Bill Clinton knows what it takes to connect his message to the heart and soul of an audience.  He is aware that it is not just about the content.  He is a master in the way he communicates with words, eyes, tone, body, and intention.  All who speak to audiences should watch and learn.

Near the end he spoke powerful words that everyone needs to hear:  "We have just one remaining bigotry in America -- we don't want to be around anyone who disagrees with us".  His point that people have no tolerances for those who do not share their same points of view is epic.  Wow. He is right.

Here is the link to the whole presentation.

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

(photo from Georgetown.edu - I hope they do not mind my using it here!)

"I Prefer Boring and Inexperienced Speakers at Conferences" - Said No Event Attendee Ever!

The argument between content and style continues....

A friend recently attended an event where the keynote speaker was awful.  She said something to the meeting organizer who replied "yes, but he is so smart, it does not matter.... look at the content he shared.  We were all lucky to be here".  My friend disagreed and was told she did not understand the modern conference.... that everyone knows that "content is king".  YIKES.

I am not saying content does not matter.  YES, we must have valuable information at conferences --- but that is not the whole story.  If the goal is to share content we can just email a white paper and save the attendees a lot of time, money and travel hassles.  A live event is an experience, and the little things can have a big impact.  The speakers (keynotes and breakouts) set the tone for the whole event.

Speaking is a skill.  To call someone a "speaker" means they understand how to educate, inspire and motivate an audience.   I know that "motivation" has become a bad word,.... but think about the opposite of "motivation" (de-motivating, sluggish, sucks the energy out of the room).... and nobody wants those words assigned to their conference.

Being a "speaker" is not only about having words come out of your mouth... or everyone qualifies as a speaker.  It can take over 300 presentations to match Malcolm Gladwell's "10,000 Hour Theory " from the book Outliers..... experience and long-term commitment impacts skill.

Just because someone is smart, or has done something cool --- it does NOT mean they belong on stage.  It is not too much to expect both content and speaking skills (and experience).

What do you think?  What was special about the best presentations you have seen at a conference?

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Speaker Mastermind Meet Up

It is not a secret that I credit part of my success as a professional speaker to my involvement with the National Speakers  Association.  It is not that the association itself does anything that directly brings me business, but I have had the opportunity to meet so many talented professionals at all levels of experience, that I have become a better speaker, a better business owner, and a better person from what my peers consistently teach me.

In addition to my participation in the national association, I am involved with the Austin Chapter of NSA, and I am on the board of a "virtual chapter" within NSA called "NSA XY" (we are not officially recognized as a chapter, but we operate in a similar manner).  The XY group is made up of speakers born in 1964 or later (and while some like to say it is a group of "younger speakers", the oldest in our group are quickly approaching 50-years-old - so it is NOT about age!).

Recently the NSA XY hosted a "Meet Up".  These informal day-long gatherings have been held from time to time around  the country for several years (with the majority of them being held in Chicago).  The purpose of a Meet Up is to bring together speakers to share best practices, engage in discussions about the business, and brainstorm ideas to help each other expand business.  It is also about friendships.  Speaking can be a lonely profession, as no two speakers I know have identical business models.  We work alone, travel alone, and often only see the industry from our own lonely vantage point.  For those of us who have forged connections with other speakers, we see the network as a powerful tool to stay informed and a way to push forward to the cutting edge.

Having never before attended a Meet Up, I was not sure what to expect.  Some of my peers (mainly non-NSA speakers) question what I can gain from spending time with other speakers?  Since many in attendance were already friends, would it be too social?  Was there any way to measure success?  

WOW is the only word I have to describe the experience.  I not only got to learn from my peers, but the group helped me clarify an idea for a new program that closely aligns with my experience and my passion.  Alone I had spent weeks trying to shake out the specifics for a new topic, and together we came up with the idea in twenty minutes.  This is the power of being open to coaching, but also it was a powerful exercise in how people can accomplish more together than alone.

No matter what your industry, I encourage you to get involved in an association of your peers.  Too many people sneer at their competition, but my experience show that those who share your path can be the best asset in your future success.

There were 12 speakers involved in this day-long mastermind session.  I encourage anyone who reads this blog post to click on each of the names below.... as it will expose you to some incredible people who are doing great things.  If you are looking to hire a speaker, anyone of them would be a wise choice.... as they are more than "experts", they are speakers who are dedicated to their craft.  

Craig Price

Mike Dilbeck

Jessica Pettitt

Thom Singer
Michele Payn-Knoper
Eliz Green
Patty Hendrickson
Phil Gerbyshak
Ben Neiburger
Chip Lutz
Sarah Beth Aubrey
Gerry O'Brion

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Speakers: The Stories You Tell Take The Audience On A Journey

While in New Orleans to be the keynote speakers for a business conference, I had the opportunity to join some of the folks from the meeting at the New Orleans School of Cooking.  The private class was set up as one of the activity choices for those in attendance, and it was a GREAT experience.  While I do not always go on these outings at conventions, this one seemed especially appealing.

The woman who taught the class, Harriet Robins, was a local woman who grew up cooking in the New Orleans styles of Cajun and Creole.  She was also half Irish, and the mix not only lead to good food, but she was a delightful instructor who ensured that everyone had a great time in her class.  She was not just a cook, or a cooking teacher... she was a delightful presenter who genuinely cared about her audience.

The demonstration included the How-To's on how to prepare Shrimp Creole, Corn & Crab Bisque, Pralines, and Bananas Foster.  Yet beyond the food, it was how she drew the audience in with her personal and professional stories that made the impact.  It was not just a list of ingredients in a recipe, her class was a shared adventure between teacher and students because of the tales she told.

Much is discussed in the "Meetings Industry" when it comes to educational presentations about "CONTENT, CONTENT, CONTENT". Too many keep yelling that "Content is King"..... But the unforgettable speakers who have a lasting impact also have a style when they speak that draws in the audience.  They also tell stories.  Harriet could have simply taught us how to prepare the food (AKA: content), but instead she took us on a culinary journey through the history of her life and the life of her local ancestors as she taught about all that went into each dish (style and content together make a presentation.  One or the other alone is not enough).

Never let anyone tell you a real experience (at a cooking class, business conference, or anywhere in life) is only about content, as I see lots of people dump important data, but few will I write about on this blog and sing their praises.  Harriet deserves to be highlighted, as she gave 100% to this class over a 2 hour period.  It was a "WOW".

The next time you deliver a presentation.... ask yourself if you are going all the way to share from the heart, and that you are going farther than the content alone in your delivery.  Touch the soul of the audience beyond the data you intend to teach.  Tell the stories that will make people believe and they will do more than learn -- they will be inspired!!!

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Motivation Is NOT A Bad Thing

Over the past few weeks I have seen several people slam the idea of "Motivation" when it comes to speakers.  I realize that a few weak cheer-leading tactics in the business world, disguised as motivation, is what has people sometimes feeling "icky" about the concept.  However, motivation is a good thing... when defined correctly!

Content vs. motivation is a silly argument, as there are few examples of speeches that are pure motivation.  Without content there is nothing there at all.  A speech is not the best way to convey high level content, as it would be better to email a White Paper. Speeches rely on the interpretation of each individual audience member.  All speakers should be motivational speakers, as without a call to action a speech quickly becomes a book report, brag, or data dump.  

Admittedly, some content sucks, but that is a discussion for a different blog post. 

Motivational speakers get a bad wrap (thanks Chris Farley!). In advance of an event people claim they care most about the "content" at conferences, which cause organizers to seek smart people who have done cool things.  But that does not always connect with ability to relate their stories to an audience.

The rub is that when sitting in the audience people do want style, experience and motivation from the keynote speakers and breakout leaders (coupled with their high level content).  Content alone can get dull very fast.  The opposite of motivation is not a good thing for the success of a conference.  

What is the opposite of motivation? -  De-motivating? Stifling? Sucks the energy out of the room?  None of these are what conference organizers want in their marketing materials.

(My mantra is "Just because someone is smart, or has done something cool.... it does NOT mean they belong on stage".)

Yet it is not too much to ask for those who make presentations to provide both useful and interesting content coupled with the ability to connect to an audience.  You can - and should - have both content and style in all presentations.  When people learn to improve their speaking skills it is an investment in their future audiences.

When people disrespect the idea of "motivation" they often can have a self agenda going on in the background.  They can be the ones who want to prove they are the smartest person in the room or they are misunderstanding what it is to provide motivation to people.  The "smartest" focus takes the spotlight and puts it on the stage, instead of on the audience.  The real stars of a conference are the participants.  When an audience member is motivated, it is something they know in their core.  It is individual. Not, as some claim, a false group feeling of fluff.  Saying that undermines the legitimate feelings of the people in the chairs, and demotes them to sheep.

I agree that there are speakers who play on the emotions of people and manipulate... but these are few and far between, and their tactics should not make the rest of the us sit through talks by those who are not invested in the audience.  A blah speech is an opportunity lost for everyone.

If we are really planning events that are about the people who attend, we need to put motivation side by side with content.  To allow speakers to suck the energy out of the room is a crime.  Not good.

What do you think.  This topic often can stir emotions, and I welcome those with differing ideas to let me know your two cents.

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

Brainstorming / Mastermind Discussions In The Dark

The Austin Chapter of the National Speakers Association held a special meeting to help members mastermind ideas, brainstorm solutions, and renew focus for the new year.

The event was hosted by chapter president Patti DeNucci and limited to a small group size.  The program was facilitated by Teri Hill who organized the whole evening.  Each participant visited three tables during the night, and then the group came back together to share best practices before adjourning.  Each table had a different discussion topic and individuals were assigned a rotation so that there would be a variety of professionals with whom to chat.

What made this event different was it was held in total darkness.  Nearly three hours of sharing and challenging each other to reach higher levels all by the light of a few candles and the illumination of iPhones.  Think high level round-table discussion by a campfire!

The darkened house was not on purpose.  As the groups sat down at their first tables for a 30 minute deep-dive conversation the electricity went out in Patti's neighborhood.  While some might cancel the event or take a break to see how long it would take Austin Energy to remedy the situation, NSA members are more resilient.  We know that we always must be prepared for anything that can go wrong during an event, and the motto "The Show Must Go On" is not limited to Broadway.

The atmosphere of sitting in darkness made the evening a unique experience.  With all that is being written in the meetings industry about "Alternative Conference Formats" and the studies on how human beings learn and retain information in a variety of environments, this turned out to be a great experience for all in attendance.  Certainly not a night anyone will forget anytime soon.

Sure, being surrounded by talented professional speakers and a few open bottles of wine guaranteed a good event from the start.  But the blackout added a new dimension to a successful business gathering.

Thanks to everyone who participated, I was inspired to take actions already that will help my business advance.  Once again NSA provides something that I do not believe that professional speakers could ever experience alone.  Who says great power failures can only happen at the Super Bowl?

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

Cool Things My Friends Do: Holly Duckworth Conducts A Conference Presentation Via Skype

Each Friday on this blog I enjoy highlighting some of the cool things my friends do in their work and personal lives. 

This week I got to be part of something cool.  An experiment of sorts in the meetings industry.

My friend (and fellow National Speakers Association member) Holly Duckworth presented a large training session / workshop to a convention audience from 1300 miles away via Skype... while I live-facilitated the room in Austin, Texas.

Holly was asked to speak on "Getting Association Volunteers More Engaged" at the 13th annual Southwest Showcase (hosted by TSAE, MPI-Texas Hill Country Chapter, and IAEE-Central Texas Chapter), but was already committed to be speaking in Detroit on the same day.

Being a risk taker and one who likes to push herself beyond her comfort zone, Holly suggested that she lead her breakout session at the conference via Skype.  Those planning the conference were very open to unique presentation ideas, and were willing to experiment with the still new concept of a virtual presentation.

Since I was going to be the opening keynote speaker for the event, Holly asked if I would be on hand "in-person" to help facilitate the session.  I would also be "on-deck" to become the Plan-B Presenter should the technology connections fail (fortunately I have knowledge on this topic!!!).  I am all about pushing the envelope of "traditional conference experiences" when working with clients, and I was excited to be included in this trial effort.

Everything went well, and Holly did a great job of leading the session via Skype.  One attendee shared with me that she took three pages of notes, and enjoyed the way Holly and I bantered back and forth as if we were old pros at doing this type of "live and online" presentations.  Another found the concept to be a perfect fit for his own association that has an 80 year-old "expert" who could no longer travel to events.

While this was certainly not the first event to ever "Skype-In" a speaker, it is still relatively uncommon for conferences, trade shows, conventions and other gatherings to take a chance on something that is different (and that runs the risk of having a technology glitch).  Holly, the host committee, and I all learned a few "best-practices" from this experience that will make it even better the next time any of us undertake a virtual show.

I appreciate it when conferences try things that are out of the ordinary. I think all speakers should be open to "playing" with the event organizer to revamp the old ways and further impact the "Conference Attendee Experience".

Congrats to Holly for doing something new (and KUDOS to the event organizers for supporting the concept!!!).  I appreciate the opportunity to have been part of this session.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections. http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

What I Enjoy About Being A Professional Speaker and Trainer -- EVERYTHING!

In the past several weeks I have been asked the same question by three different people:  "what do you hate about being a speaker?"

The question seemed to center around the parts being a professional speaker and trainer that some may not enjoy - such as travel hassles, going through TSA security, uncertainty of work, parties a ton of strangers, unfamiliar hotels, demanding clients, etc....

It was interesting to me that I could not think of a single thing I hate about being a speaker.  I love all of it.  Seriously, it still thrills me that I can earn a living doing something I enjoy.

Yes, a long line at an airport or a flight snafu is not a joy, but I know it is part of the whole experience and I plan for delays and take it all in stride.  Being away from my wife and kids is not ideal, but when I am not on the road I have more free time than I did when I worked in a corporate job, so there are decent trade offs.

There is nothing in my role that I hate, or even strongly dislike.  I am honored to be part of the meetings and speaking industries and still get excited with each new client and every new project.  I have delivered 56 presentations in 2012 (from small local talks to major international conferences) and I have not had a single experience that would make me question my career choice.

That being said, not every talk goes just how I would want it, and not everyday is filled with birds chirping in sunny skies.  Yet, I smile knowing that this is my job, and I like to believe that the audiences I serve can tell that I am thrilled to be with them each and every time.

I love being a speaker and trainer.

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

Spirit of NSA Day 2012

As a member of the National Speakers Association and a supporter of the meetings and speaking industries, I wanted to share that November 14th is "Spirit of NSA Day".  The purpose of the day is to honor NSA founder Cavett Robert.  Mr. Robert was famous for believing there is enough business for everyone, and that speakers should help and support each other, rather than always compete.  He believed that we could "build a bigger pie" so that everyone could have a piece.

In a world where many people are self-focused, the most successful speakers that I know are always willing to invest time to assist other speakers who are looking to learn more about how to grow in the business.  I am always surprised when I meet a speaker who is not supportive or open to sharing best practices, as my exposure to the business through NSA has always been one of giving.

As an active board member for both the Austin Chapter and the NSA XY Group I believe I would not have a successful business without my connections in NSA (XY, Austin, and the whole of NSA).  The people with whom I have met and now call my friends have been both an inspiration and my teachers.  Together my closest friends in the organization push each other to achieve more.  Without this web of support it would be a very lonely business.

To all those who are speakers (NSA members and non-members).... I wish you a very happy "Spirit of NSA Day".

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

From the NSA Website:

SPIRIT OF NSA DAY

November 14 has been designated a national day of advocacy for the National Speakers Association
To honor NSA Founder Cavett Robert, CSP, CPAE, and continue NSA’s legacy of sharing and giving, November 14, 2012 will be our 6th Annual Spirit of NSA Day, a national day of advocacy encouraging NSA members to support one another. Every November 14 serves as a reminder to NSA members to:

• Focus on giving back
• Provide genuine support to speaking colleagues
• Take time to connect, help, mentor or refer business to other members without any expectation of reciprocation

Many members already follow Cavett’s role model. However, imagine the strength of spirit and growth of our profession if all of our members focus on unconditionally giving of themselves to our community on this day. The NSA community is known for the concept of removing competition by building a bigger market for all speakers. The strength of NSA is in the education we provide and the strong community we have built. As a member, you are asked to support the Spirit of NSA by introducing colleagues to clients, referring business or mentoring emerging speakers.

Help the legacy continue and build a bigger NSA pie by participating in Spirit of NSA Day on November 14, 2012!

How you can participate in Spirit of NSA Day:

• Provide peer to peer encouragement
• Introduce a colleague to a potential client
• Refer business to a colleague
• Mentor an emerging speaker

My Experience Speaking In Macua, China

I had the honor to be a speaker and "The Conference Catalyst" at the 2012 Dell India IT Executive Summit in Macau, China.  This annual event gathers together India's top CIO's for three days of education and networking.

The conference was fantastic for all in attendance.  The high-level learning included keynote addresses from Dell executives, industry analysts, and international CIO's from companies and governments.  The evening social events were all great fun: a banquet at the Macau Tower, a city tour, and a high energy party which was full of interactive entertainment.

Before the trip I had spent time researching how my message of "Connecting With People in a Social Media Crazy World" could resonate with an audience of executives from India. While I speak regularly to audiences in the US that have international attendees, it was important to me that I understood the Indian business culture. I discovered that we spend a lot of time focusing on differences in our world cultures, but in the end we are more alike than we are different. Subtle variances exist, but having long-term and meaningful business relationships matters everywhere. Belonging to a communities of people is important to everyone.

Actively participating in the summit for three days reminded me that IT executives face a career of constant change.  More than most professionals, the tools for CIO's and their teams are changing almost daily.  New hardware and software options are constantly being released, and employees are demanding the latest and greatest options. When change happens this fast we most need the human-to-human relationships side of business more than ever before. While Dell began as a provider of computers, it is now a leading edge enterprise solutions company. There commitment to helping their customers succeed was evident in all aspects of how they organized the conference -- and they placed a huge emphasis on people!

This event was my 56th presentation of 2012 (including conference keynotes, breakout sessions, and internal corporate training classes).  I have had the pleasure this year to speak at a variety of conferences, trade shows, conventions, seminars, sales meeting, and other internal and external events for companies and associations.  While all have been wonderful, going to China to speak for this gathering of Indian business executives was one of the highlights of my professional speaking career (while I have spoken internationally several times, this was the farthest I had ever traveled).

I had never been to Macau.  The event was held at the Venetian Hotel and Casino, which is the largest hotel in Asia and the largest casino in the world.  It is over three times larger than the Venetian in Las Vegas.  Macau was a Portuguese colony from 1840 (although was a Portuguese trading post from the 1500s) until 1999 when it was returned to China.  Macau, along with Hong Kong, remains a "Special Administrative Region" (SAR) within the People's Republic of China.  This gives it economic freedom from the communist system... and along with much of China, the place is booming!

I look forward to working with more international clients in the future.

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

***Here is a link to a write up about the Dell India event on the InformationWeek - India website:  (http://www.informationweek.in/blogs/editorsblog/12-11-12/Relationships_matter_but_meet_at_least_once.aspx)

It All Began At A Toastmasters Meeting in 1992

In 1992 I joined Balcones Toastmasters.  I had been encouraged to join a Toastmasters Club to fine tune my speaking skills, as it was suggested that the ability to communicate was necessary for future career advancement.  I never dreamed that this would be the first step in a journey toward a career as a professional speaker.

Several years later I moved my membership to the West Austin II Toastmasters Club (which was closer to my home).  In 2002 I was a semi-finalist and runner up in the Region Three speech contest, placing me in the top 18 Toastmasters that year (out of 20,000 that entered around the world).

As my skills as a speaker advanced, I have usually kept my membership in Toastmasters active, although my travel schedule does no allow me to participate regularly.  I have remained a member because I know that one must never lose sight of those that helped them achieve their goals.  In Texas there is an expression "Dance with the one that brung ya".... and too many seasoned speakers forget that they had to start somewhere (and many began in Toastmasters).

This week the Balcones Toastmasters group is hosting an "Old Timers Meeting" where they are inviting back former members to revisit the club.  They have asked three people to give special talks.  In addition to me there will be speeches by legendary story teller Hollis Baker and former mayor of Austin Ron Mullen.

My presentation will be about my journey from a 25-year-old kid who liked to talk, to a professional speaker (who still likes to talk).  It has been a lot of work, but also full of fun, establishing a career as a speaker.  There is more to the business than most people would ever imagine.  In addition to Toastmasters I am an active member of the National Speakers Association (I currently serve on the board of the Austin Chapter and the NSA XY group) and I have had the pleasure to speak in nearly half the states in the US, and several other countries.  Without Toastmasters I am not sure that I would have ever had this opportunity.

I am looking forward to delivering the keynote for the "Old Timers" event, and hope that the current members of the club will find some value in my story.  But aren't I too young to be and "old-timer"?

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

UPDATE:

The Balcones Toastmasters meeting to commemorate the members of yesterday was a big success.  It was an honor to share the program with Hollis Baker and Ron Mullen.

Many alumni of the group returned to spend the morning sharing stories and remembering those who has passed away over the years.  Hollis had joined the club in the 1970s, Ron in the 1980s, and I was there in the 1990s, yet the positive experiences were often the same!  

Most who shared stories credited their participation in Toastmasters as a direct reason for their success in personal and professional endeavors.  

10 Tips for Being the Master of Ceremonies

A friend and fellow speaker called me recently and asked my advice about being a Master of Ceremonies.  She will be doing this for a major awards luncheon, and while she is an experienced presenter, she had not taken on this role in the past.  As someone who cares deeply about serving her audiences, she did not want to "wing-it", and thus was collecting best practices and ideas.

Being an Emcee (or is it MC?) is different from being a speaker.  I have served as the MC for several events, and find that it involves a different set of skills from giving a speech, but at the same time a good Master of Ceremonies needs similar traits to a speaker.  In many ways the MC role can be more difficult.

When I think of how an MC can make a difference in the success of an event I am reminded of the Academy Awards.  Over my life I have seen a variety of celebrities host the Oscars, but nobody (in my opinion) holds a candle to Billy Crystal.  Mr Crystal sets the tone for the event on the years they are wise enough to ask him to serve as the host.  Other years we are left thinking "I wish Billy Crystal was the MC".

My "Conference Catalyst" program is often morphed into an MC style role at multi-day events.  This means that I am juggling educational / motivational material with the important tasks of introducing the speakers and keeping the whole schedule running on time.  When you have to balance between both roles (speaker and MC), it can be a juggling act....and I mean juggling knives or fire.  There is a lot to do as the MC, and a slip up can cause the vibe of the meeting to hit the floor.

If you are going to be the Master of Ceremonies for an event, here are ten tips that will help you contribute to the success and help give your audience a good experience:

1.  Prepare for an opening.  If you just come out and start the introductions there is now show.  The Olympics do not just start with some folks running races or lifting weights.  They have a choreographed opening ceremonies.  You need the same thing.  Crafting a pertinent story that draws in your audience before you get into the mundane (but necessary) tasks of thanking the sponsors and honoring guests is a great way to launch.

2.  Remember that you are not the star of the show.  When you deliver a speech, there is a part of the role that requires you to take center stage, but as MC it is not your time in the spotlight.  You are there to keep things moving and to make sure the others on the program (or the award winners) are celebrated.

3.  Your personality sets the tone for the event.  While #2 holds true (you are not the star), you still set the pace.  If you are buttoned up and serious, you can be sure the whole show will be stiff.  If you are all over the map without purpose, .... there will be no focus.  Find a happy medium, while putting out a high-energy vibe.

4.  If you are not a professional comedian, do not tell jokes.  A big mistake is made when people think a joke is the key to putting an audience at ease.  Nothing is worse at an event than seeing an amateur bomb a canned punch line.  Humor is important, but do not force it. Be yourself, and avoid the one liners!

5.  When giving the microphone to others, make sure they have a time frame for their remarks.  An award winner who rambles on and on will bury your momentum.  If you cannot brief the other speakers in advance, work in some instructions about how much time they have.  When appropriate do not walk far from the lectern.  If you are standing close, they will keep their remarks brief.  If you walk away they will talk forever.

6.  Have transitions between speakers or award winners.  A great way to transition is to give a short recap or compliment of what was said by the person before, and then set up the next presentation.  Have stories prepared in advance about those you will be introducing (if possible) so that you have something to add each time you speak.

7.  Be prepared.  If someone does not show up, or if a waiter drops a tray... be prepared for how you will handle the confusion, etc...  Live events often have things that can be a distraction.  The key to being a good MC is to keep control of the meeting no matter what happens.

8.  Shorten the script.  If the meeting organizer gives you a script that is horrible, make changes. Your job as MC is to ensure the event is not boring.  If the program flops you will be blamed for the poor reviews, not the person back at the home office who wrote the words.  Thus you must be involved in creating a tight script that has a good tempo or be able to make changes as you are on stage.

9.  Stay positive.  Even if something goes wrong or someone is out of line, the MC must stay up-beat.  If you get nasty about anything the audience will resent you for it.

10.  Have a prepared close.  Just like the opening ceremonies, you need to tie it together with a closing story or a call to action.  Recap the highlights of the evening, and challenge the audience in some way (even if it is to come back next year!).  If you have no closing ceremony then there is little to remember.

Have A Great Day.

thom singer