When I first joined our chapter, I was twenty-three.

Youngest person in the room by at least twenty years.

Turns out, however, it didn’t matter. And I learned a few key tips about being a young member of an association

1. It’s not the years, it’s the mileage. Just show people your odometer, or take them on a test drive, and nobody will care.

2. Build a timeline of credibility. When you’ve written thirteen books, nobody cares how young you are.

3. Walk with wise. Find smart, old people or veteran members. Ask questions. Shut up. Take notes. Then thank them with your life.

As my grandpa said, “A chicken ain’t nothing but a bird.”

The connection between NSA and Toastmasters has always been strong (and beneficial) to professional and aspiring speakers.  Come mingle with fellow NSA’ers and Toastmasters this Thursday, October 20th from 6 – 9:00 p.m. at this exciting Live and Silent auction event.

No charge for admission, and drinks and food are provided.  A small sample of auction items up for bid:     

Full-course dinner for four at Annie Gunn’s Restaurant with Flight of Wine
Full set of golf clubs with deluxe golf bag
Personal Training sessions with full fitness analysis and nutrition session
Exclusive Disney Collectible from “Alice in Wonderland”
Collection of fresh organic produce

 Kids baskets ·         Wine baskets ·         Holiday baskets ·         Romantic baskets ·         Home décor baskets ·         Book baskets

Click here for all the details!

Discover how to create flexible book-marketing strategies and actions that are customized for your audiences and clients. Have you got yours? You will after this event, which will be held at the Sheraton Clayton Plaza and features Dan Poynter (CSP), Judith Briles and Brian Jud.
• Find out the latest and greatest techniques for social networking. You need to do much more than simply join Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. Create a social-networking strategy and watch your business jump to the next level.
• Become the spokesperson for corporations and associations – sell more books and make more in fees. Travel the world to spread the word about their products and causes – and get paid to do it.
• Sell at the back of the room at list price – find out how Judith Briles sold $15,000 of books in a few hours after one presentation
• Find new markets to spread your word – get paid to speak on cruise ships and other places you may not have considered
• Use your book to create and extend Brand You – Discover how you can use your book to prove that you are an expert on your topic, build new revenue streams, get new customers and keep old ones
• Get one-on-one time with the experts. Judith, Brian and Dan are experienced speakers. Talk with them to discover new ways to sell your book.

The seminar is $129 and starts at 8am on Oct 1, and you can register now here.

On May 19th and May 20th, in Chesterfield, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry PAC presents noted sales and leadership author and speaker Jeffrey Gitomer for two days worth of events. Note: this is a paid event.
· Treat your sales teams, key clients and yourself to this entertaining and inspiring event which is sure to give a lift to your revenues.
· Registration and more information can be found at: http://mochamber.com/mx/hm.asp?id=PACevent-gitomer
· Jeffrey has put together an informational video for us as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SoWGC00KOU

Sure, Abert Pujols has millions.  He’s famous.  He has a restaurant.  He has a charitable foundation. And one day he will be in the MLB Hall of Fame.  Very cool.

But (here comes the big but), can you imagine doing what you love and being wildly successful at it and yet no matter what you do your career will be over at age 40?  Not cool.  Think about it.  If you’re forced to vacate your passion at 40 years old and you live to 80 or 90, then the majority of your life will actually be spent doing something other than what you love.  And there’s nothing you can do about.  Bummer.

Now let’s look at professional speakers.  Many of us in NSA are just getting started as professional speakers at 40.  We’re discovering our passion, we’re figuring out how we can best make a contribution to the world, we’re harnessing our experience, we’re taking hold of our talents and using our gifts.  We’re writing books, blogs, articles, and Tweets.  We’re making videos, DVDs, and audio programs.   We’re learning new ways to connect with audiences and change lives.  It’s freaking awesome!

And at 40, there’s nothing in the world to keep us from speaking for five more decades.  In fact, as professional speakers (unlike pro baseball players),  we get to spend the majority of our lives doing what we love, getting better at it, and even making a nickel or two in the process.  We might not have a restaurant, a charitable foundation, or a Hall of Fame plaque, but we’ll know why we’re here and the planet will be better off because we’re speakers.

So speak passionately.

Market aggressively.

Give generously.

And thank heaven you’re a professional speaker, not a first baseman.

2010 is the year NSA St. Louis upgrades.

New meeting space: Art of Living.
New meeting days: Friday lunches!
New meeting structure: Inside the Speakers Studio.

We’re a small, lean, nimble organization – and we serve a singular purpose:

To help your speaking business explode.

It’s not for dabblers.
It’s not for amateurs.
It’s not for lazy people.

Join us if you want to (1) change the world with your message, (2) fatten the bank with your marketing and (3) beef up your schedule with your bookings.

And, if you have any questions about ANYTHING speaking related, please contact me.

I am at your service.
I am honored to be your leader.
I am excited about making money.
I am even more excited about making history.

Come hang with us.

* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
scott@hellomynameisscott.com
314.374.3397

Ever wanted to broadcast your speech online but either didn’t know how or didn’t have the time to figure it all out? Well, a new venture offers a way to do this with a minimum of setup, and unbelievably, it is free. Check out Cover it Live on their site below. Note: I have not used them, just watched a couple of their streams.

http://www.coveritlive.com/index.php

Is an excellent read and a reminder that we can all use some fine-tuning tips. Berkun is a technology speaker who has worked for Microsoft and done a fair amount of corporate training. He goes into some of the mechanics of public speaking, and in particular reminds us that the view from our audience is worth keeping in mind when we climb up on the podium (which Berkun also takes pains to differentiate from the lectern).

You can grab a digital version here and buy one from Amazon here.

January 16, 2010 NSA Meeting Featuring Lois Creamer

Public Speaker Marketing Expert
Time: 8:30 am to 1:30 pm
Reserve and optionally pay online by clicking button below:

Guests and Non-Member $65:

Toastmasters or IMC $55:

NSA St. Louis/National NSA Member $40:

NSA St. Louis Seminar Details

Crowne Plaza Hotel, 7750 Carondelet Ave., Clayton, MO 63105
Phone: 314-726-5400

IN THIS SESSION:
Ever wonder why some speakers “make it” and others don’t? It’s not a big secret. Successful speakers know the secrets of increasing productivity and profits by creating systems. Success systems that work. Systems that are repeatable.

Come to the chapter meeting and learn how to create and use positioning to your advantage! You will learn that and much, much more!

During this program you will learn the answers to these key questions:

1. How can I maximize marketing?How should I position my business?

2. What are some of the BEST sales tips and trends?

3. How can I work more with bureaus or get involved with bureaus?

4. What part should Social Media play in my business?

5. How to leverage mastermind groups?

You won’t want to miss this valuable information and key strategies taught by Lois to help you get bookings even in tough economic times. There are speakers whose businesses are thriving. In 2010, will yours be one of them?

During this program Lois will share the following strategies:

• Lois’ definition of marketing – we’re not merely talking about getting speeches! Today’s business is much more than that.

• Some fun marketing ideas that don’t cost a fortune

• The importance of a “positioning statement” and how to create one

• How to incorporate your positioning statement in everything you do – this includes “branding”

• Lois’ qualifying system for prospects – how to ensure you are spending the greatest amount of time with prospects who are mostly likely to buy from you – speeches, consulting, training, products.

• “Dialing for Dollars!” – Lois’ 10 Questions to help you Book More Business. Who to ask for, what to ask, what to send, what to say.

• Trends in our business – time permitting

Background info on Lois Creamer:

Lois works with speakers who want to be well positioned in the marketplace, maximize exposure, and ultimately get more clients. Her client list consists of speakers early in their careers, as well as many CSPs. You may recognize some of her clients: CSP’s Bill Cates, Marjorie Brody, Patti Hathaway, and St. Louis’s own Karyn Buxman, Craig Hawksley, Kim DeMotte, and Fred Martels name a few!

Her expertise in the industry has led her to be called upon to participate in many programs for NSA including conventions, workshops, labs, and currently as a member of the board of directors for her St. Louis Chapter.

To learn more about Lois Creamer click here.

8:30 am – 11:30 am Featured Speaker
11:30 am – 12:00 Noon Networking after presentation
12:00 noon – 1:30 pm Members Mastermind

Join your fellow members to discuss best practices and create your action plan to implement what you learned.

Did we mention that LUNCH is included.

Date: Saturday, January 16, 2010
Time: 8:30am – 11:30am Regular Meeting
(12:00 pm – 1:30pm Members Mastermind)
Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel
ST. LOUIS – CLAYTON
7750 CARONDELET AVE
CLAYTON, MO 63105 UNITED STATES
Hotel Front Desk: 314-726-5400

NSA St. Louis members, $40 (Prepaid)
Toastmasters and IMC Members, $55 (Prepaid)
Guests, $65

See you there!

Steve Hughes
Club President