Establishing a Speakers Bureau for People with Disabilities Sarah Gray, Marketing Manager
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Before we begin
Exits Restrooms Cell phones Break at 3:45 pm Pen and Paper
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Agenda • Introductions • How the NISH Speakers Bureau started • 9 simple steps to a Speakers Bureau • The 4 things every speaker needs • Questions
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Introduce yourself
• Your name • Your company • What you would like to learn in this session
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How it started NCMA Government Conference 2005
Congressman Don Manzullo (R-16) Page 5
NCMA Government Conference 2006 • Belinda Porras • Started with one speaker; one event • Today it is 10 speakers, who have spoken at 90 events in front of more than 20,000 people
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Step 1: Find a Speaker Things to consider • Success story with excellent work history • Able to be away from work - Have a substitution plan
• Traveling - Accommodations/Escorts
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Step 2: Interview speaker & write the speech • Time Goal – 20-25 minute keynote speech approximately 2400 words – 10 minute abbreviated keynote approximately 1200 words
• Word Count Average – 100-135 words a minute
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Sample questions • When/where were you born? • What is your disability? • How has it affected your employment? • What do you do at work now? • What is your favorite thing about your job? * Include only the facts relevant to the speech
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Monroe’s Motivated Sequence
1. Attention getter 2. Need/Problem 3. Satisfaction/Solution 4. Visualization 5. Call to Action
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Step 3: Practice and Edit • Use a stopwatch www.online-stopwatch.com/ • Print with large font • End sentences on a line/page • Add …(pause), highlighting, smile cues • Break up words Example: “jen-et-ic” instead of genetic
• Use the speaker’s words • Change any words that are hard to pronounce Example: college to university
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Step 4: Record • • • • •
Sony Handycam dcr-sr45 ($350) Quiet place with podium Dress up Get a complete take Background: company logo, American flag, etc.
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Sample YouTube clip
• Nathan Short at the Pentagon (1:24) http://www.youtube.com/user/abilityoneprogram#p/c/ E5F6D7E9A9728504/8/YcsUrmyQgRU
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DVD Samples
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Justifying Expense • Do not expect to get paid for speaking. • Your company might pay for advertising and PR. • What would it cost to meet with the members of the audience one-on-one? • And would you even be able to get an appointment with them? • Give your CEO a break from speaking. • Start small and local. Page 15
Step 5: Book a gig • Make a list of upcoming events • Research gatekeepers at conferences/events – Who books the speakers? – Example: Executive Director, Conference Director
• Timeframe: – At least 6 months before event
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What the conference gatekeepers are thinking • Education vs. sales pitch • Is this speaker’s message relevant to my audience? • Is their message timely? Important? • Will they deliver it well? • Why should I take a chance on this new speaker?
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How to write a pitch letter • Formula is: – Introduce yourself and speaker – Explain why it’s relevant for the event – Mention any past speaking experience and media attention – Include picture, one paragraph bio and YouTube link – Fees/travel expenses or lack thereof – Contact information
• See Handout Page 18
Sample Biography SPC Nathan S. Short, US Army (ret.) Quality Assurance Manager, PCSI Nathan Short joined the National Guard in 1999 and went active duty in 2000. He was sent to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom and was severely injured in an accident with a Palletized Load System, or PLS Truck, while he was delivering supplies. He spent a month in intensive care and was lucky to survive. He was medically retired from the Army in 2005. He worked on an AbilityOne contract at Tinker AFB for two years before being promoted to Quality Assurance Manager for PCSI. He lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and four children.
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Using technology 1. Do you have a digital camera? 2. Do you have a video recorder? 3. Do you have a smart phone? Can you borrow one from a friendly neighbor?
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Sample Headshots
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Examples of events
National Contract Management Association www.ncmahq.org National Defense Industrial Association: www.ndia.org National Postal Forum: www.npf.org MAILCOM: www.mailcom-conference.com Defense Logistics Conference www.wbresearch.com/defenselogisticsusa National Down Syndrome Congress: www.ndsccenter.org NISH NCWC meetings: Contact your local NISH rep
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Step 5 1/2
• Wait/pray.
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Once you book your first gig‌
Celebrate!
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Step 6: Prepare for gig • Arrange travel • Determine appropriate attire • Venue Size/Type • Technology requirements for a slide show – Bring an extra copy on CD and thumb drive
• Audience size
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Etiquette • • • • • • • •
You are a guest. It is a privilege to be invited to speak. No demands, only requests/offers. Do not expect to be paid. Keep the sales talk to a minimum. Show up early. When in doubt, wear a suit. How to Tie a Tie
http://www.tie-a-tie.net/ Page 26
Things that are usually OK to ask
• Approximately how many people will be in the audience? • Can we ship brochures/items to hand out? • Can we bring 1-2 people to watch the speech? Family? • Can we videotape or take photos of the speaker? • Can we get into the room early to set up the camera? • Can we reserve a table to sit in the front? • Will media be invited? Can we invite media ourselves? Page 27
Things that are usually not OK to ask
• Can we have a list of all the attendees with their contact information? • Will you pay for my speaker’s plane ticket? • Surprise! I brought 10 unregistered guests. Will you pay for their lunches or let them in for free? • Can I book another gig with you right now? Page 28
Step 7: On site checks Expect something to go wrong. Ask these questions in advance: • Is the ramp set up to get on stage? • Is the microphone there and/or working? • Is there a podium to set down the speech? • Who is introducing the speaker, and do they have their introduction written down? • Does your PowerPoint presentation show up on the screen? • How do you click the slides? • Are my camera batteries charged? Page 29
When you arrive… • Get on stage before event if you can • Practice with microphone and presentation • Set up camera equipment near plug • Reserve seats in the front • Have speaker business cards ready – This is a good place to make contacts for new speaking opportunities
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Step 8: On site recording and making contacts • Record video on tripod • Take 5 still photos • Take notes for future edits
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After the speech is over • Stand near the exit as the audience files out. • Make your own receiving line. • Shake hands and hand out business cards. • “Here is my card. Let me know if you would like a speaker at one of your upcoming events.”
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Step 9: Post-event follow up • Thank organizer • Ask for feedback • Offer another speaker for a future event • Upload video to YouTube • Share photos with company and organizer • Provide a write up for publications • Give a copy of DVD to speaker and keep a copy for future use
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Will you be invited to provide another speaker in the future? • Was this speaker’s message relevant to my conference? • Was the message timely? Important? Memorable? • Was it delivered well? • Was the speaker prepared? Professional? • Did the audience give positive feedback? • Does the organizer know how to contact you? Page 34
The 4 things every speaker needs 1. One paragraph bio to include in program 2. Headshot digital photo (300 dpi) to include in program 3. A recording of the speech to share 4. A speech EXTRA CREDIT * Business cards or the equivalent * PowerPoint slides Page 35
Potential Venues • Internal company meetings • Board meetings • Business development meetings • Local government events • Rotary, Lions Club • Trade shows/Conferences • Congressional events • Fundraising/Annual Events Page 36
Other Resources National Coalition for the Homeless Speakers’ Bureau Guide http://www.nationalhomeless.org/faces/faces_manual.pdf
Guide Dogs for the Blind: Speaker’s Guide http://www.guidedogs.com/site/PageServer?pagename=program s_community_speakers
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• • • •
I learn how to cut wood by cutting wood. From the tiny acorn, mighty oaks grow. The best time to plant a tree is 25 years ago. The second best time is now. 38
Session Evaluation Information
SESSION TITLE: Speakers SESSION CODE: GA-T300
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YOUR HOMEWORK
1. Choose a speaker. 2. Choose an event. 3. Make a speech-writing appointment with your speaker. 4. Find a camera and a video recorder. Page 40
Before we go to questions: 2 plugs Nation-wide search for the next AbilityOne speaker CRITERIA
1. Must be Iraq/Afghanistan conflict veteran with a disability 2. Must be working or have worked on an AbilityOne contract – direct labor hours
Do you want to meet some of the speakers? • Come to the next session: Meet the Voices • 4:45pm-6:00pm
• Belinda Porras • Nathan Short • Frederick “Will” Williams
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Questions?
Sarah Gray, Marketing Manager NISH National Office 8401 Old Courthouse Road Vienna, VA 22182 o: (571) 226-4634 f: (703) 560-2977 sgray@nish.org 43
Thank you for attending.
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