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Publication & Free Publicity
As speakers, we need to continually work to refine our communication skills, both written and verbal; the actual publication of any articles written by you would serve as free publicity and additional opportunities for ministry. Add to this the reality that most book authors found their beginnings in local papers, contests and magazines. If you have ever wanted to write a book, this is good starting point!

Join Marnie Swedberg and guests as we explore how to use your current storehouse of information to reach more people, refine your communication skills and potentially break into the market of published works.

I know that is required after getting home from a conference, but yikes.

I will tell you all more as time goes on (and we see if editors really like what I am doing…) but for now I will tell you I had an amazing time. Plus I came home to a clean house (cleaner than I left it,) a huge flower arrangement, and a brand new Waterman pen http://www.waterman.com/en/style/pens/product/carene to sign any large contracts that may come this way (a girl has to be prepared…)

I saw lots of people get to talk to several editors about their projects, and see two people sign with agents – cool, huh?

I am writing up all the things I promised to people, so I can go down my check list. It is going to be a busy week.

If You Were at the Conference

Take my adivce and hook up with an accountability partner and make a list of what you need to do and whittle it to what you need to do this week. My accountability partner (hey Carolyn) and I are going to talk on Wednesday and come up with our plan of attack.

Also, if you were there – let me know how things went. We all love to hear about the connection that are made at these things – it gives us all hope.

 I am off to Glorietta Christian Writer’s Conference in New Mexico tomorrow (my husband is not happy about the 6:15 flight, but at least he doesn’t have to shower just to drive me to the airport - I however will be sitting next to real live poeple on the plane who would appreciate me attending to my personal grooming before boarding…)

I apologize for the leangth between posts. As all you speaker chicks know, it is hot and heavy speaking time and I have been busy, busy.

 One thing that has been taking up a great deal of time is my new booklets. TADA!

5 Steps to Kick Start Your Speaking Career is hot off the presses – and not 2 minutes too soon.

Then there is 13 Ways to Get More Gigs. A ton of work – but I think you will think it was worth no sleep and lots of black coffee.

The covers are amazing (thank you Susy Flory) and the content rocks -it was everything I wish someone had told me when I was getting started in speaking.

 OK so off to GCWC and I will post when I get back – let you know what is hot and what is oh so last week.

XXOO

Kathi

I only do this with other speakers I have heard and trust. Nothing can make your credibility go south quicker than a bad referral.

The flip side of this is that I have other speakers who pass my name along when they are done with an event. There is nothing better than great word of mouth given to a happy client.

So, here is tip number 4 about creating Great word or mouth. Besides, when do we have time to work on our stuff but over the weekend. So find the techie in the family (for me, it is my overworked, very patient hubby. For most of you, it will probably be your 13-17 year old…) 

I have a website (www.kathilipp.com) where people can find out more about me without a high pressure sales approach. Even if you only have a one-page site with a little bit about you (especially your contact info) it is much better than nothing – and in the year 2007 – it is expected. (Since you are hip enough to be readin a blog, I assume you know this.)

A couple of things I have on my website (that every speaker should…):

• My bio
• References
• Audio clips
• A picture of myself (OK I may hate it, but it is a necessary evil)
• My Speaking Schedule (if you are just getting started, you may want to leave this off at this point)

Take a look to see the basics at kathilipp.com

Have a great weekend

3. I am extra polite. When I have a great event planner, not only do I send them a thank you note, I also send their boss a note telling them how great their planner was to work with. It is good WOM, but it is just the right thing to do, too.

You may have one of two reactions to that, “Super – now I can kick back and let good old word of mouth do it’s magic,” or “Super (said in a much more sarcastic tone) she is already speaking a lot, so she can have word of mouth. I am speaking twice a year to mother’s groups where 50% of my audience are under the age of four.”

So let’s talk about two of those myths right now:

Myth #1 – Word of mouth requires no effort on my part

Myth #2 – In order to have word of mouth, I need to be already speaking on a regular basis

Today - Myth #1 – Word of mouth requires no effort on my part

I work very hard at getting good word of mouth. I try to make it easy for people to refer me, and feel confident doing so. Here are some of the ways I try to make word of mouth work for me:

1. I have a bi-monthly newsletter that I send to anyone who signs-up at one of my gigs. (You can check it out by subscribing to Goal Girls at my webpage www.kathilipp.com) That way, if they hear of someone looking for a speaker, they are never further than their inbox to having my contact info.
2. I put my contact info on the bottom of every handout I pass out while speaking. It may just get stuck in their purse for months, but at least they know where to find me.

More ideas on Monday…

When it comes to goals, here is what SMART means:

• Specific – Is my goal vague, or am I able to really pinpoint what I want to do?
• Measurable – Are there clearly defined ways that I can see if I am accomplishing my goal?
• Accountable – Have I shared my goal with others who will check on my progress?
• Realistic – Is this goal actually obtainable, or am I just setting myself up for failure?
• Time Sensitive – Do I have a specific date when I want to accomplish my goal?

If you were interested in becoming a professional photographer, here is an example of what your SMART goal could look like:

“My goal is to become an accomplished photographer booking 12 weddings and 20 studio sittings a year. I will ask Kristy and Jackie to check in on my progress once a week and ask for updated stats. i want to be at this stage by June of 2008.”

Goal To It: Take a goal that has been rattling around in your head and make it a SMART goal. Reword it to make it SMART and send it to two friends to hold you accountable.