In the face of a crumbling business model, the publishing industry has developed a different approach for finding writing talent. While the digital and independent publishing entrepreneurs lead the way into a bold new future, big time publishers huddle in fear at the demise of their way of life, hands clenched tightly to pocketbooks, afraid…
DetailsTo be clear, the Elmer Fudd Syndrome (EFS) does not include rushing onto stage with a double-barreled shotgun looking for smart aleck rabbits. No, EFS is when you step in front of a microphone sounding like you woke up two minutes ago and your tongue is two sizes too large for your mouth. Singers warm…
DetailsThere are two critical aspects to keep in mind as a professional writer: the writing platform and target audience. Often times, these really go hand-in-hand, but it’s important to know who your reader is and how they are consuming the content.
DetailsWriters, publishers, and speakers should look themselves in the mirror today and ask one simple question. Are you podcasting yet? If the answer is “yes,†then bully for you. Carry on. If the answer that surfaces is the alternative, slap yourself sharply on both cheeks and read the rest of this post. There are a…
DetailsIf you happen to be a professional speaker who does not have a website and still hasn’t taken the time to develop an email list – (sigh) – haven’t you been listening to anything we say? This is 2010, not 1910, and the tools needed for success in building any business are right in front…
DetailsWe’re going to write this article under the assumption that, as a working public speaker, you plan to be reimbursed for your skills. In short, you don’t plan on speaking for free – you want to get paid. The trouble with operating a business with a total labor force of one – you – is…
DetailsIs the Virtual Book Tour (VBT) the wave of the future for aspiring speakers, publishers, and writers to sell their books? While it might very well qualify as the direction we’re headed, it’s also the wave of now. Let’s backtrack slightly first: What is a virtual book tour? You probably could guess but we’ll say…
DetailsOut of sight, out of mind is the kiss of death in many businesses and speaking for a living is no different. The most dynamic and captivating speaker on the face of the planet will almost certainly still be doomed to obscurity unless he has vibrant marketing toolkit that consists of a smokin’ hot website,…
DetailsAs any blog publisher has already discovered, to his eternal sorrow and damnation, there is an entire sub-human class of species known as the Comment Spam Monster that lurks just beyond the reach of your friendly neighborhood spam filter’s best efforts to kill them off. Kill ten and twenty more show up. Kill twenty and…
DetailsOr get dudes, as the case may be. We didn’t intend our article title to be biased against the ladies, transgendered, homosexual, or space aliens. Let’s not wander too far afield here – the point is that speaking is an almost guaranteed to increase your sex appeal, no matter how homely you might be from…
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