KALÖN WOMEN: Smart Women Use Speaking to Grow Their Business

Guest Columnist: Joy Chudacoff

A few weeks ago, I took some time to evaluate where most of my clients come from and the two areas where I consistently receive highly qualified clients are referrals from happy clients and public speaking. It’s essential that you spend your valuable time doing the things that consistently bring you the clients that you love to work with. This week, I’m going to focus on public speaking as I get many questions from Smart Women on this topic.

Speaking to your target market is a wonderful way to reach more people in a short period of time and get your message out about how your product or service can help them. It works well because your target audience can get to know you on a more personal level and get a feel for your style and personality.

You may be reading this and thinking, “I’ve never done any public speaking and I’m not feeling very confident about it.” I understand completely. I started speaking 15 years ago because I had a mentor at the time who insisted this was a great way for me to grow my business. It was not by choice and I tried (unsuccessfully) numerous times to avoid the process. I remember my first speaking engagement. I had purchased a $300 silk suit to wear for the occasion. I was so nervous that I was sweating the entire time. By the end of the presentation, I was soaked! The suit was ruined. I sent it to the dry cleaners but it could not be saved. After that first presentation, little by little, I became a better speaker and more confident in my ability.

If you’ve been thinking that speaking is a tool that could help you grow your business and get your message out, you should take the leap and go for it. Here are some tips and solutions that will help make the process a lot easier:

1. Choose a Topic – Pick a topic where you have expert knowledge. Think about a problem or challenge that you solve for your clients. Create a presentation around this and include 3-5 main points that will be benefit your audience.

2. Use the KISS Principle – Divide your talk into 3 main areas. The beginning is your introduction where you create a desire for the audience to listen to you by sharing your level of expertise. Don’t forget to share your vulnerability as well. People love hearing that you’re not perfect and you’ve made mistakes too! The middle is the 3-5 main points you want to share on your topic. The ending is where you let them know how they can get more information and how they can work with you.

3. Offer a Free Gift – Ask everyone to fill out a form with their name and email address. Put the forms into a basket and have the host pull out some lucky winners for a free gift. For example, it could be a free session with you, a free book or e-book. People love free gifts! Let the audience know that they will hear from you in the future about special offers or new products and services. This is an excellent list building tool. (I see many speakers forgetting this step and it’s one of the most important!)

4. Give Them Something to Buy – If you have a table at the event (many events offer a table to speakers at little or no extra charge) have your products and brochures, with descriptions about your service, available. After you finish speaking, get back to your table as quickly as possible so that people who are interested in asking questions or interacting with you can approach you easily.

5. Follow-Up After the Event – After the event is over, make sure you follow-up with the event host and find out how they felt about your presentation. This is an excellent way to learn what went well and if there are some areas for improvement. Be sure to ask the host for a testimonial about your speaking. This is an invaluable tool to have on your web site media page and marketing materials.

You can start with a small group (5-10 people) and move on to larger audiences along the way. Over the last 15 years, I’ve spoken to groups of people that had an audience of 5 people as well as groups of up to 750 people. The number isn’t what’s important. The key is to inspire a few people who identify with you and want to work with you to help solve their problem or challenge. Speaking has made a tremendous difference in my business. It can make a difference in your business too.

Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.

Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur.

She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs.

If you’re ready take your coaching business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report, FREE MP3 and be the first to hear about my exciting new program for coaches and consultants at www.SmartWomenSmartSolutionsCoaching.com

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The National Networker Publications™ produced by TNNWC Group, LLC
“Empowering Emerging Enterprises”

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KALÖN WOMEN: Smart Women Use Speaking to Grow Their Business

KALÖN WOMEN: Change or Disappear

Guest Columnist: Dickie Sykes

All businesses must keep up with technology and know the impact of global competition, fluctuating business cycles, and shifting demographics to make necessary organizational changes. Businesses like people must understand the new language of communication and learn how to translate their value to customers, stakeholders and partners. To not change and acquire new skills is to have their head in the sand and they will surely disappear. In this new economy, people like businesses, must change, learn new skills, adapt or they will disappear.

People who are rigid and inflexible and opposed to change, people who believe they can’t or won’t learn anything new are the ones having a more difficult time during this recession, as they are not willing to reinvent, reeducate or relocate. Individuals who understand that change is an inevitable part of life and that they must continually reinvent and re-market themselves and remain open and flexible, are the ones who are a lot more successful during economic hardship. They work part-time jobs, volunteer, experiment with new ideas, write articles, and continually market themselves to expand their personal brand and make new connections.

The number one coaching tip I give people is to stop looking back at what they had or didn’t have and live in the power of now. The power they seek and recognition they desire are in the present moment. The power to carve out the life of their desire requires small, consistent changes that overtime, will improve their career opportunities, expand their capabilities and build a strong resume of new skills and talent. People must act like free- entrepreneurs, building a portfolio of skills and accomplishments they can use to negotiate the next job -- whether with a new employer or the same one (White, J. 1999).

In this new interviewing paradigm, knowledge is king and knowledge creates transformative power. Possessing the right information and presenting it in the right way, gives interviewees the power to get any job! To go on any job interview without understanding what you should say and how you should look when you say it, is setting yourself up for a disappointing outcome. In business you must match the medium to the message. You must do the same when interviewing. There are certain things you must say to enhance your image as a strong, effective candidate and because people communicate as much nonverbally as they do verbally, there are several things you can do nonverbally that will enhance your image.

To communicate your leadership potential nonverbally:

• Stand and sit using an erect posture. Avoid slouching as it makes you look tired, sloppy and unprofessional.
• When confronted, stand up straight. Do not cower.
• Nod your head to show that you are listening to someone talk.
• Maintain eye contact and smile at those with whom you are talking.
• Use hand gestures in a relaxed, non mechanical way.
• Do not frown or look confused or angry when listening to someone talk.
• Always be neat, well groomed and wear appropriately fitting clothes, not too tight or big.
• Don’t wear strong cologne or perfume or too much makeup.

Judgment is made within the first 30 seconds of the interview; it may not be fair, but that’s how long it takes the interviewer to size you up. When you walk in the door have a smile on your face, stand tall and look directly in the interviewer’s eyes, hold their gaze and tell them how absolutely enthusiastic you are about the position. Having up-to-date information about the company and interviewer and presenting it with the right technique, gives you the upper hand in the interview process. Managers size up how a candidate will perform in the new role by evaluating how much effort he or she put into preparing for the interview. If you're in charge, you want someone who has taken the time to think about how to help the business. Women have lots of great ideas and power but lack confidence; men are overly confident and don’t adequately prepare. Preparation, research and knowing your target, the interviewer, will give you the right mix of confidence and preparation needed to secure the deal.

White, J. (1999). The wall street journal millennium (A Special Report): Industry & Economics --- The company we'll keep: corporations aren't going to disappear; but they're going to look a lot different. Wall Street Journal (Eastern Edition), p. R, 36:1. Retrieved July 15, 2010, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 47568263).

Dickie Sykes is a former construction executive and CEO of DGS Consulting LLC. She reinvented her career and relocated her business from New York City to Atlanta, Georgia. For more information on DGS Consulting, contact Dickie@dgsconsultingllc.com

Learn how to bring value to your next job interview. DGS Consulting has made it simple. To purchase the company’s how-to products on job interviewing, log on to www.dgsconsultingllc.com or www.Amazon.com. ‘Yes You Can Still Find a Job -The Gold Standard of Job Interviewing’ is a 60-minute CD that accompanies a 42-page PDF textbook.

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Capital, Traffic Building, International Customers and unique SERVICES.
The National Networker Publications™ produced by TNNWC Group, LLC
“Empowering Emerging Enterprises”

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KALÖN WOMEN: Change or Disappear

ESPECIALLY FOR WOMEN: How Does an Advancer Do Her Advancing? An Intriguing Inside Look

Especially for Women with Ann Barczay Sloan

Ann's article is brought to you by The Joy of Connecting

How Does an Advancer Do Her Advancing?
An Intriguing Inside Look

Introducing Pat Burns
Corporate & Entrepreneurial Advancer

ThePatBurns.com

Curiously enough, Pat Burns is now the third stellar woman whom I’ve featured in a TNNW article – all of these being women I originally met at Christine Kloser’s historic N.E.W. Entrepreneurs dinner meetings in Santa Monica, California. Coincidence? Perhaps ─ or perhaps not…

If you’re wondering about the first two women, my TNNW interview with Christine, “The Freedom Formula”, was published September 2008. The article on Morgana Rae, “True Secret of Wealth: Romancing Your Money” just came out late December. (For links, see end of this article.)

How Pat and I first connected

Yes, I met Pat Burns the very first time I attended N.E.W. Entrepreneurs ─ she was the speaker that evening! I was immediately struck by the knowledgeable points in her presentation, but even more so by the super-positivity and all-around self-confidence she seemed to radiate. After the meeting I introduced myself – we clicked, we stayed in touch ─ and she soon invited me to do some editing on her pride and joy, her forthcoming book: Grandparents Rock: The Grand-parenting Guide for the Rock-n-Roll Generation.

So ─ who is Pat and what is she all about?

As you read on, you’ll soon see it is a challenge ─ perhaps even impossible! ─ to simply summarize this multi-faceted woman. A brief Welcome page write-up on her web site, ThePatBurns.com , makes an attempt to explain:

Pat Burns is a delightful and slightly wild woman whose chronological age (typical baby boomer) doesn't even come close to her experiential age of 180! Pat has traveled the world for business, pleasure and singing with a choir (now, she just sings in the shower.) Yes, Pat has seen it all ─ but she's definitely not ready to say she's done it all.

Pat's extensive talents are wrapped up in three projects: ThePatBurns.com, Grandparents Rock enterprise and along with her partner Barry Ackerman, the hugely successful Orange County Children's Book Festival. As cofounder, she serves as the Executive Director of the Festival.

So -- what’s on the menu for an “Organizational & Entrepreneurial Advancer”?

The various menu items on ThePatBurns.com provide an overview of Pat’s breadth of scope: her talents, services, activities:

About Pat | Expertise & Services | Media | Resources

Expertise and Services

For starters, let’s click this item and see what Pat is offering to the world. The list is truly staggering:

· Business Executive and Entrepreneurial Coaching
· Corporate Consultant
· Group Teleseminar Training
· Book Writing and Publishing
· Responsive Emcee and Professional Platform Speaker
· Business Branding, Marketing and Packaging
· Mastermind Sessions
· Trendy Event Planning
· Make-it-Happen Introductions
· Chic Millionaire Events
· Exclusive Community Membership
· Organization and Delivery
· Non Profit Consultations
· Corporate Sponsorship Programs

A number of client testimonials are interspersed in this list. Under “Trendy Event Planning”, here’s a typical one I can’t resist sharing:

“As the founder of the Enlightened Wealth Institute I always knew our special, high-end events would be over the top when Pat Burns was in charge. Her design and vision transformed a meeting room into an unforgettable experience. Her ability to read the audience was a talent I leaned on and trusted. Her WOW factor even impressed my wife… and that’s saying something!”

~ Robert Allen ─ 5 times New York Times best selling author and founder of the Enlightened Wealth Institute

Now let’s look at another testimonial, this one under “Make-it-Happen Introductions“. It seems living proof that Pat “owns” connections of astonishing quality as well as quantity ─ all over the world.

“You never think that one phone call can save someone's life but that's what happened. I have a friend in Africa who was at great risk due to the political situation in Kenya and she needed immediate assistance. Pat Burns is so connected around the world and when I shared my friend's situation, she knew who to call. In one phone call, my friend was taken care of. You really are unstoppable!”

~ Cynthia Kersey, best-selling author of Unstoppable and Unstoppable Women ─
www.unstoppable.net

Resources

On Pat Burns’ Resources page, we find this impressive list:

· Event Production Meeting and Event Planning & Production
· Audio/Visual Film and Tape Production, Audio Recordings & Photography
· InternetWeb Design, Google AdSense, Search Engine Optimization, Myspace & Facebook
· Copy Writing and Editing Copy Writing, Proof Reading & Editing

But let’s stop with the web site ─ it’s time to speak with Pat in person, to learn about the amazing Advancer’s world directly from the source. So I start by asking:

Can you briefly describe what you do, Pat? What’s your “elevator speech”?

“Explain briefly?” laughs Pat, “I’m not sure I can… Basically, here’s what I am:

· -- An Enlightened Corporate and Entrepreneurial Advancer
· -- Business identity, marketing and relationship expert
· -- Published Author of the #1 best selling book Grandparents Rock:
The Grandparenting Guide for the Rock-n-Roll Generation
· -- An Associate producer of a soon to be released film, Back From the Edge
· -- A Literacy Advocate
· -- Co-founder of the Orange County Children’s Book Festival. “

Wow, Pat! I want to say “Wow” here, but that’s an absurd understatement! So I’ll just move on and ask: What makes you and your company unique? In other words, what is your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)?

“In record time I help great and giant thinkers and dreamers bring their businesses to a higher level and their visions and passions to reality.”

What is the primary mission of what you do in your professional work? In your artistic and humanitarian activities?

“There are several activities of mine that I am very happy to say are providing service and happiness to thousands of people.

First off, I am the cofounder of Southern California’s most successful family literacy event. It is called the Orange County Children’s Book Festival. The annual Festival is held the first Sunday of October. This past Festival attracted over 25,000 attendees, 89 authors and illustrators, 78 exhibitors, professional storytellers, five stages of entertainment and education and featured celebrity Jamie Lee Curtis as our main stage presenter. It truly is a wonderful gift to Orange County.

In addition, my book Grandparents Rock: The Grandparenting Guide for the Rock-n-Roll Generation is helping multi generations find new ways to connect at a very disconnected time.”

I keep on wanting to say Wow… So ─ can you briefly describe how you got started in all this, and how you arrived where you are currently?

“Yikes… are you serious?” Pat laughs.

Well, yes I am…

“OK, then! Basically, I love adventure. I am somewhat fearless and I see, think and react well with BIG picture ideas and thinking. As long as I can recall, I never thought I couldn’t do whatever I set my mind to. I am also a very good salesperson which really is how, in my opinion, anything gets done.”

And this “Advancer” title, this persona you created ─ how or when did that come into being? I heard you say in a recent conference call that you just started calling yourself that ─ and people, clients, started coming?

“That’s exactly right!”

So ─ which of your projects are you currently most excited and passionate about?

“Well, just this week I have been brought on to help advance several new businesses and it is very, very energizing. I am helping a new Internet based browser go public with an IPO and helping a global outreach company launch their new outsourcing business.“

That’s definitely exciting! Now let me ask: How much of your work is focused specifically toward women?

“None, really. My work focuses on all genders and ages.”

What are some of the ways you promote your various enterprises?

“It’s pretty much word of mouth and not staying home. In other words… network, network, and network. For example, I met my newest client on a Southwest Airlines flight… How nuts is that???”

• Really crazy! Now ─ whom does your network currently include? How far does your network extend?
  
  “I am what is called a HUB. I know a ton of people.”
  
  What has been the best about building a network: Positive experiences? Benefits, expected and unexpected?
  
  “Really good question. I would say: Always knowing that on any given day, I can reach numbers of people for advice, help or connections.”
  
  What challenges (if any) have you found in your networking experiences? Unexpected events?
  
  “Not really…”
  
  Bottom line – What do you feel is really working well for you?
  
  “Getting out and being with people… lots of people.”
  
  Besides networking, how else are you promoting your company? What do you view as the primary vehicle and what makes it more important than others?
  
  “Networking is the primary method for promoting my company because people aren’t familiar with my term “advancer”, so it’s best done in person where I can explain or give examples.
  
  I also market myself by speaking to networking groups, conferences, chamber meetings and fundraisers also through the media. I’m often contacted to do interviews for radio, internet and print publications. And that, combined with my reputation for advancing businesses, leads to referrals.”
  
  How would an entrepreneur who wants to bring their business to a higher level, contact you and where and when would you begin?
  
  “I feel it’s important to understand that every project, business or company will need an advancer at some point. I remember when Mark Victor Hansen and I were working together and he once asked me; “How would anyone ever find someone like you?” Through ThePatBurns.com web site, it’s easy to contact me.
  
  There’s an important distinction in your question of where and when to begin working with an advancer that I’d like to address. My skills are best used at the founder or executive level where the expectations and accountability can be clearly defined and measured. That’s where I begin… at the top. How I begin is always by way of a mastermind session with complete and open dialog.
  
  An important element of my work is the inclusion of spirituality and love. This is a non negotiable component for my work and life. It is actually stated in my contract. Being an “Advancer” is a special gift not given to many. I acknowledge this gift by bringing spirituality and love to my work."
  
  What’s the achievement you’re most proud of at this time?
  
  “I would have to say the OC Children’s Book Festival. My business partner Barry Ackerman and an astonishing all-volunteer committee have built in just 5 years a huge community event.”
  
  What are your plans and goals for the future, especially regarding networking activities?
  
  “I’m going to continue to expand my network by offering conference calls and facilitating introductions..”
  
  I know your conference calls bring together amazing people, Pat – thanks so much for inviting me to one just last week!
  
  Now -- Anything else you’d like to add for our readers? Perhaps words of encouragement and / or inspiration?
  
  “With the United States just days away from officially starting its biggest change in decades (also creating a ripple effect around the world), it certainly is a stimulating and thrilling time for out of the box and unbelievable opportunities.”
  
  Yes, absolutely!
  
  “Now don't think I've got my head in the sand… I hear the woes of the media and know that many people are wringing their hands with worry. But I also have the fun and privilege of “hanging out” with genuinely amazing people and if you'll allow me … there’s another side to consider that I'd like you to believe.
  
  Here are my ‘Advancer’ Top 10 Opportunities to look for this year:
  
  -- New ideas and innovations are launching
  -- New ways of using technology are being discovered
  -- Countless new businesses are starting this year
  -- Every new business will require new team players:Accountants, attorneys, marketing specialists, financial backers, Internet experts, copy writers, graphic designers, managers and sales people to name a but few
  -- The world is getting smaller and creating opportunities to expand globally
  -- There will be fabulous real estate opportunities for investors
  -- High consciousness thinkers are gathering together in groups around the world to form think tanks for Mother Earth and her people
  -- There is a need for “advancers” to work with businesses and individuals formulating strategies towards many powerful global causes
  -- More people will be learning to simply let go and learn to begin again fresh and new
  -- There will be greater cooperation and looking beyond race, color, religion, gender and social economic status and begin a time of humanitarian unification.”
  
  It’s all tremendously inspiring, Pat ─ Thanks so much for everything you’ve shared!
  
  “You’re welcome! I wish you and all your readers love and joy, good health and well being. But not just that… I also wish you'll see new hope in the New Year living with blessed prosperity and continual gratitude.”
  
  # # #
  
  
  Links to Women’s Networking articles mentioned at introduction:
  
  Christine Kloser: http://thenationalnetworker.blogspot.com/2008/09/freedom-formula.html ,
  
  Morgana Rae: http://thenationalnetworker.blogspot.com/2008/12/true-secret-of-wealth-romancing-your.html
  
  
  Pat Burns Contact Information:
  
  www.ThePatBurns.com
  
  

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Ann Barczay Sloan, M.A.
Author & Editor / Creative Writing Coach
www.GeniusUnbound.com
www.linkedin.com/in/Ann BarczaySloan
Women's Networking Editor,
www.TheNationalNetworker.com
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ESPECIALLY FOR WOMEN: How Does an Advancer Do Her Advancing? An Intriguing Inside Look