The Seminar Source Objectives:
· To encourage readers to offer seminars as part of their businesses.
· To increase awareness of ready-made seminars available..
· To provide tips on how to earn money giving seminars.
· To provide samples of available books and seminars you can use. Month/Year
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Greetings! Last Wednesday morning I received a call from the N.J. Attorney General's office. A recently employed young lady in charge of prison release was going through old files where she found letters I had written to the governor regarding "at risk" kids.
This coming Tuesday and Wednesday is the Governor's Conference on Deliquency Prevention, and I was invited to attend. What great timing!! And what wonderful potential contacts! I'll keep you informed.
Also this week, I received a letter from the very talented copywriter Robert Bly, and felt his information related to today's article. He writes about job ideas for those who are forced into reconsidering their careers due to the current economic situation.
He recommends the following:
1-Accumulate knowledge.
The late Paul Sarnoff, a successful author and newsletter editor, said: "If you are an expert in something, you will never go hungry."
Before you can write, give talks on, or teach, you need extensive knowledge in that area. This means acquiring in-depth knowledge and deep understanding through a combination of research and experience - of a subject people will pay to learn.
Here's where you look closely at what you really enjoy doing in life and perhaps take for granted because it comes so easily to you. One example I know of personally is my daughter who is artistically gifted, yet isn't overly appreciative of this talent because it comes so easily/naturally to her. I'd give my eye teeth to be able to even doodle nicely. The point is: don't discount what comes easily to you. Others may want to learn how you do what you do.
2-Organize your content.
What's the best way to present your subject? Is it a process with definite sequential steps that must be performed in a specific order? For example, you need to build a birdhouse in order but you may compose a musical composition or a piece of art in the order you desire.
Find a logical organizational scheme that fits the subject matter; e.g., a book on vitamins and minerals could present topics in alphabetical order, starting with vitamin A and ending with zinc.
3-Teach your subject.
Use illustrations, stories, examples, case studies, photos, diagrams, tables, analogies, metaphors, comparisons - whatever it takes to make your subject clear to the reader.
Give plenty of examples, worksheets, resources, and model documents the reader can copy so he does not have to reinvent the wheel.
4-Polish your product.
Here's where your communication skills comes into play. When style is not dictated by the client, publisher, or format, write, speak, or teach in a natural, conversational style - like one friend talking to another, or a patient teacher looking over the reader's shoulders.
Use small words, short sentences, and short paragraphs. Avoid jargon. Write or speak in plain simple English.
Sincerely,
Bob Bly
P.S. For more guidance on how to make your writing clear, persuasive, powerful, and engaging, click here now:
http://www.writebetterandfaster.com
I hope you can use some of the information in Robert Bly's adapted article. He is author of 76 books--yes, 76!!
Happy, Happy,
Gail
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Feature Article:
WHAT YOU NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE SEMINAR BUSINESS
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by Gail Cassidy
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Although the following three traits are recommended for success in the seminar business, they are also invaluable qualities for those of you who are currently looking for a new job or who just want to supplement your income in financially troubled times.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
Speaking effectively is golden. The image of perfectly groomed individuals can be ruined if they open their mouths and stumble badly--not stutter, but stumble over their words.
TRAINING:
Rather than take a high-priced speaking course, you will find that a great alternative is to join a local Toast Master's Club. Every week, members are able to prepare and present their talks and be critiqued by their peers. Taking every opportunity to be on your feet in front of a group will strengthen your speaking skills.
You Cannot NOT Communicate can be used as a self-paced program where you speak in front of your mirror. Even the Participant's Manual will take you through the program without all of the background information. The critique form will help you determine how well you are doing.
PERSISTENCE:
Can you react to failure as Thomas Edison did when he said he learned 10,000 ways not to make a battery?
"There is no such thing as failure-only results." Talk to any singer, actor, inventor, business person and invariably they will tell you the key to their success was persistence-not giving up, trying, trying, trying until they were recognized or were successful in their endeavor.
Not giving up enables you to become better and better at what you do.
Calvin Coolidge said, "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination are alone supreme."
FLEXIBILITY:
The good news is you control your own time. The bad news is your time is controlled by the commitments you make. You are your own boss, but you serve at the pleasure of others.
Your daily commute is shortened, but your travel is extended according to the location of your seminars. You get paid more for putting in fewer hours, but you work longer hours during your commitments.
Your daily routine is relatively stress free, but your commitment dates can be initially stress filled. Having a plan and maintaining flexibility will guarantee your new life as a seminar presenter pleasant and rewarding.
ASSIGNMENT:
Go back to the four columns I had mentioned in a previous issue that are labeled: SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, TALENTS(GIFTS) and look at everything you have listed. Look at what you have done in your life under "EXPERIENCE." Does anything jump out at you, that makes you feel good when you read it? What are the articles you always read, even though you don't "have to?" And what comes naturally to you? Can you figure out your taxes and get satisfaction doing so? Can you make a birdhouse? Are you interested in birds, feeders, and nutrition for birds? Cats? Dogs? Whale sharks in Dubai's aquarium? Are you a good shopper? Are you into "green" living? Recycling?
What have you done so many times, so easily, that you could teach others how to do?
Could you do this at a street festival? At the adult education school? On-line?
This week think about one thing you enjoy doing, have become proficient at doing, and could teach others to do as well. I'd love to receive an e-mail, gail@coachability.com, from each of you who has figured this out.
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Quote of the Day
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You are in a partnership with all other human beings, not a contest to be judged better than some and worse than others.
- Wayne Dyer
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Gail Cassidy
http://www.Coachability.com
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