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July 20th update:

Let's Get Out There

Greetings from the NSA Convention in Orlando, Florida. First thing I learned here: humidity matters. I have come to appreciate the "dry heat" of Arizona.

I'm hearing one question over and over again: How do I "get out there?" Folks assume that if they "just get in front of the right people," they are golden. The good news: there are so many opportunities to distribute your brilliance. The interesting news: these opportunities have created a lot of white noise. Getting in front of people is not the challenge; getting them to pay attention to you is the real first step. The more crowded the market, the harder it is to get that attention.

Throwing spaghetti at the wall no longer works. We have to go an inch wide and a mile deep, not a mile wide and an inch deep. We have to get strategic about what we know, not just tell it. How to create that kind of publicity? Check out the next Extreme Mini Makeover call on Tuesday, July 27th and leave with a blueprint on what to do next.

July 15th update:

IRS and Sponsorships

Just as the dust settles with health care reform and pharma regs, the IRS comes in with a heads up to associations: your sponsorship dollars may be taxable as unrelated business income. OK, the tax people didn't say that directly, but look at what they are doing at colleges and universities: looking into corporate sponsorship relationships. The IRS is also expanding the use of questionnaires to check out income sources of all non-profits. Industry insiders are alarmed enough about these developments to warn associations now that they could be next.

Folks, this could be a big deal. More associations are using sponsors to pay their speakers. What happens to that money if it comes with a huge hassle factor?.

July 13th update:

What's Going On In Speaking Markets?

Gearing up for the NSA Convention in Orlando this week. Know that I'm going to be asked a lot of questions about the market. Two words: cautious optimism. Yes, things are rebounding but look beneath the surface and some cracks are still there. Example: yes, association meetings are back and some groups are posting record-breaking attendance. However, industry insiders point to meetings consolidating and pent-up demand from our year-long dry spell in the association market. And this doesn't help: the sugar daddy of the meetings industry -- the corporate market -- remains flat. Until that spending increases, be prepared for a roller coaster ride.

July 8th update:

Are You Prepared to Be Pitched?

Talked to a seasoned speaker about catching up at the NSA (National Speakers Association) Convention next week in Orlando. He explained the reason for not coming in two words: pitch-fest. And, unfortunately, he's not the first one who has given this reason for not attending.

Here's the ugly truth: the market's down and some speakers are eating their young by using the convention to pitch their coaching, retreats, and mentoring services to the newbies. Some are good, some are not, and some thing they have a magic wand.

The new folks don't know what's about to hit them. Many will mistake prominence in NSA for the assumption that this service / retreat / program will provide everything they need. Many newbies want to join the "in crowd" and think their secret password to the party is working with one of these cool kids.

My advice to anyone new on the scene: ignore the hype and the reputation at NSA. Focus on one thing: track record in providing what you need. The key question to ask: what specifically have you done to help someone in my situation? And listen carefully to the answer. Ifyou need a brand, don't work with someone who helped a famous speaker get publicity. Branding and publicity are two different things.

As for me: doing something I've never done before -- let's call it the "un-pitch." I'm coming in on Friday instead of Saturday (trust me, you don't want to know why) and decided to give away five 30-minute "rent my brain" sessions. For free. Yep, I'm giving my brain away. The response was amazing. We were overwhelmed with requests and the five slots were gone in under 10 minutes. It never ceases to amaze me what happens when you give fully. I can't wait to see what happens on Saturday! See you in Orlando!

 

 

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  Updated 07/20/10
   
   

 

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