Volume 4, Issue 2 · October 2013
News and Information for the Speaking Community by SpeakerMatch Organizing your time
If you follow the right feeds on Twitter, you can get tips from experts in many different fields and network in your own field. Twitter connects people through 340 million, 140-character tweets daily. And what are people saying in this short space? One analysis firm tried to answer that question and, after two weeks of studying tweets, concluded that nearly 80 percent of tweets were pointless babble or conversations. But hidden in that study is about 13 percent of tweets that had value or news. Twitter users rate highly news and valuable information, as seen in still another study by three computer researchers from the UK and U.S. universities. In that study, while twitter users said only 41 percent of the tweets in the feed were worth reading, of the tweets worth reading, good information and humor were rated highly. Today, Twitter is not just a place for pithy bon mots, it is also a clearing house for useful information. You can type in any keywords on the Twitter site: financial advisor, home organizer, getting a promotion at work, job advice -- the list is endless. What comes up will be some general junk conversation, but also some information from people who are experts in the field. If you want to see what the experts are saying you can become their follower and have their daily ideas sent right to your twitter feed.
For a Fee, TSA Expands Its Pre-check Program to ANY Passenger The Transportation Security Administration is dramatically expanding its program to get travelers through checkpoints faster. They want 25 percent of travelers to be enrolled in the Pre-check program by the end of 2013 and half of all travelers enrolled by the end of 2015. Pre-check is an option for travelers without passports. It's important for ordinary travelers who aren't frequent fliers. There are now enrollment centers, at Washington's Dulles and Indianapolis' airports, but soon there will be enrollment centers at most airports. The cost is $85 for a five-year enrollment to cover the cost of background checks and fingerprinting. Pre-check offers travelers separate lines at checkpoints, where they can leave on their shoes and light coats and keep laptops in their bags. Several airlines invite qualified frequent fliers to join at no cost and with little more than the information provided when buying a ticket.
(Continued on page 12)
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What’s Inside 10 Tips for Email Clarity, Comprehension and Concreteness ....... 2
Network and Connect When Solo at an Event or Conference ........... 5
6 Ways to Solve the “Who Cares” Syndrome in Sales Presentations ......... 8
Are You Pushing Hard Enough? ......... 3
Designing Your Business Strategy ...... 6
Scary Crossword ................................. 9
Don’t Be Afraid of New Technology.................................. 4
Media Leads Can Be GREAT for Your Speaking Business ................ 7
12 Travel Tips for Speakers on the Go.............................10
Editor’s Notes
10 Tips for Email Clarity, Comprehension and Concreteness
Recently a sales representative from an employee benefits management company came to my office to meet with me.
by Dee Dukehart
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I thought the meeting was supposed to be about how what her organization could do for me and my company. Instead, the meeting was all about how great their organization was. The sales rep told me all about how long her organization had been in business, how many other companies used those services, and how much it would cost. I’d say that most of the presentation was spent explaining to me how much her services would cost and justifying those costs with “social proof”. I was thinking to myself, “Who cares?” I really didn’t care much that others used the service. I wanted to know “What’s in it for me?” In this month’s article on page 8, long-time contributor Patricia Fripp provides 6 great tips for making sure you connect with sales prospects — and avoid the “Who Cares?” in your sales presentations. This skill is important whether you are selling your speaking services, a physical product, or your “expertise” to the media. And speaking about media exposure, be sure to see our story on page 7 for more about increasing your chances of turning media leads into bookings. As we move into the holiday season, think about what you can do to improve your sales presentations and end the year with some new business!
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re you deluged with emails? Can you keep up with the responses? How many emails do you read a day and shake your head in either frustration as to its content or because of grammatical and spelling errors? We write hundreds of emails a day or a week, and to various recipients. Take these Ten Tips for Email Clarity, Comprehension and Concreteness to make your readers happy to receive and respond to your e-mails. 1. The subject line is paramount: Use it to your and your readers’ advantage. After one response, change it. #1. (From you) Vacation policy; respondent’s the same. #2. (From you.) Vacation in 2012. #3. (An entirely different subject) Next Thursday, 8 July. When you file emails away, a specific subject line helps you find the information. With the same subject line you don’t know which one is the one to re-read. 2. BCC: (Blind computer copy.) When you send copies to others, blind computer copy to other recipients. No one wants to read through 20 names to get to the message. If you have two or three other recipients and each needs to know that s/he received the same email, then CC to those parties. 3. Correct grammar: Would you send some of your emails to your 8th Grade English teacher? I assume not. Check your grammar before you press the “send” button. It’s so easy to think that no one really cares or notices if you don’t write correctly; you’re wrong. Dead wrong. Poor writing has gotten out of hand and it’s time to set the bar up three or four notches. Subject/verb agreement: There’s four files on your desk. No! There ARE four files on your
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Behind The Podium
desk. Each of the employees are getting new software. Wrong! Each of the employees IS getting new software. 4. Correct punctuation: Use a colon after a formal salutation. Dear Prospect:. A comma is use for an informal salutation. Dear Joan,. Put all periods and commas inside the quotation marks unless it’s in a parenthetical clause. Semi-colons and colons stay outside the quotation marks. Question marks stay inside when the direct quotation is a question, and outside when the whole sentence is a question. 5. Correct syntax: Write in complete sentences. Most business writing sentences are 10-12 words. Yes, shorter sentences work well too. Use visual explanation, not vague expressions. What does the reader think when you say, “I’ll talk to you soon.”? What does “soon” mean? It’s different for everyone. Delete informal writings: 4u, or RU ready? 6. Patience: No one is on email at the exact same time or the same amount of time as you are. When you need something answered or delivered within :15 or less, pick up the phone and talk to the person or leave a voice mail. Not everyone has the “out-of-office” capability. 7. Cut and paste: When you answer a question or refer to a point in a reply email, cut and paste the question or piece of information. The sender may have sent you several questions and pieces of information and doesn’t know which one your reply refers to. Make it easy for the reader. (Continued on page 11)
Are You Pushing Hard Enough? 6 Ways to Unleash Your Power by Manny Nowak Are you pushing hard enough?
video. If everyone else is sending paper, send a recording. If everyone re you pulling a heavy load while uses email - you text. Do something developing yourself, your business, different, innovative, creative… take a your life? Are you working hard to do risk and be different. something - or just being busy? 3. Give more. Stop worrying about Are you talking about what you did or what you have and start giving more what you are going to do? That is how away. If you give more away, you will you can tell you are getting old. Old get more to give away. It does really people talk about what they did. Those work that way. seeking success talk about what they are going to do. 4. Stop accepting less. How many people accept where they are in life The “Bear,” - one of the most successful and just settle in? How many people college football coaches ever, was a say, “Gotta be happy I got this much.”? man of few words, but a tremendous You know what you want, and you are winner. His Alabama football teams not going to accept anything less. Make will live on in history forever. a commitment to make it happen. Go for it. You will be amazed at what you Until you put yourself under a heavy can do. load, a great stress, you never really
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know what you are capable of. It is human nature to want things easy and comfortable. Yet without difficulties you will never have a chance to discover your real ability, power, and skill. You will never reach or even come close to your potential.
6 Ways to Unleash Your Power 1. Double your goals. Set them up. Come on… stop making it too easy. If you wanted to increase sales by 10%, make it 20%. Make the load heavier and you will be amazed at what you are capable of. 2. Do something different. Stop doing what everyone else does. If everyone else uses the phone, you stop by. If everyone else uses the internet, you use the phone or send it US Mail. If the standard is written proposals, do a
5. Push your team. Raise the expectations you have of them. Expect them to do more and they will do more… or they will leave. Either way it is OK. You need a team that will support what you want to accomplish. If they don’t work at your level, then perhaps they are not the right players. Push them hard and you will learn. Expect them to push as hard as you, and they will. 6. Push yourself. You are really that good. But first you have to believe it yourself. Then you can get others to buy in. Are you really pushing yourself, or are you just talking about it? Are you really stretching, or just thinking you are? Come on, this is your year. Go for it. Yes, you might fail. But, you know failure creates success. So go for the gold!
Behind the Podium (ISSN 1949-5544) is published 4 times a year as a resource for emerging professional speakers, business leaders, technical gurus, educators, and other subject-matter experts. Editor Bryan Caplovitz welcomes your input. Please email any comments or suggestions to Bryan at: editor@speakermatch.com. Behind the Podium publishes the opinions of experts and authorities from many fields; however, the use of those opinions is no substitute for accounting, legal, investment, or other professional services. Material may not be reproduced in part or in whole in any form whatsoever without the written permission of SpeakerMatch. SpeakerMatch is the world’s largest source for speaking opportunities. Behind the Podium is published monthly, by SpeakerMatch, 4807 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 1120, Austin, TX 78759-7944. $149/year, $24.95/issue (US funds). Periodicals postage paid at Austin, TX. Behind the Podium is a trademark of Simply Speaking, Inc. Copyright © 2013 by Simply Speaking, Inc. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to SpeakerMatch Subscription Department, 4807 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 1120, Austin, TX 78759-7944. Disclosure: This newsletter contains some affiliate links. While we only ever write about products we think deserve to be on the pages of our newsletter, SpeakerMatch may earn a small commission if you use our link and buy the product or service in question. For more information, please see our Disclosure Policy at www.speakermatch.com/disclosure.php. Subscription information: Direct subscription inquiries, payments and address changes to SpeakerMatch Subscription Department, Behind the Podium, 4807 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 1120, Austin, TX 78759-7944. To resolve service problems, call (866) 372-8768 or visit our website at www.speakermatch.com. On occasion we make our subscribers’ names available to companies with products or services in which you may be interested. If you do not want to be included in these mailings, please notify us in writing. Call us toll-free at: 1 (866) 372-8768 Outside the United States: +1 (512) 372-8768 3
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October 2013
by John E. Girton, Jr.
R
ecently a partner of mine shared some not so surprising research with me. The research exposed the use of social media and online utilization of services by small businesses to increase customer engagement. According to a recent survey published in the Indianapolis Business Journal 24% of small companies are confused about the right strategy and tools to use for their business. According to the same study just 53% of small businesses in Indiana have websites. Of course I could look at this from my perch as a former communications instructor and gasp at these statistics. I could be appalled by these numbers and suggest that businesses, large or small, ought to “do the right thing” and outline a strategy for implementing an online program. I also understand the difference between a horse and buggy and the locomotive. History has taught me the implications of disregarding Quartz technology in watches or suggesting that television is a fad. Change is all around us. But there are some moments when shifts are so monumental that the question isn’t “if” they will impact you, but “when.” Web-based technology use in a small business can take on several dimensions. But I’d like to help the small business owner with technology that can help you be more productive and efficient. At the same time, technology and the use of the Internet
have lowered the barriers of entry to traditional marketing, legal and accounting services that historically cost the kind of money small companies only dreamed of generating.
found that the iPad was more useful for my children who wanted to watch movies in the car on trips. My business didn’t see any real value for the iPad when I first received it.
When considering a technology tool such Fast forward three revisions or so and now as a smart phone, laptop, client (on your I’m not only tracking my income, I’m computer) software application or mobile actually making money with my iPad using app it’s important to first understand what AVID editing software. I use it to keep up your needs are. In many instances this with the daily news about my industry with requires a small business owner to rethink Google alerts, stream live video with what you’re currently doing first. Just Livestream.com, transfer HD video files because a tablet is cool doesn’t mean it between devices with BFF, update client can help you websites while on the go day one. One with Wordpress, you name has to it. Today, my kids don’t “I’m not only tracking my consider how income, I’m actually making stand a chance getting their it can impact hands on my iPad. Well, sort money with my iPad.” your ability to of… be more So, what should you effective and consider? It’s simple, think of technology efficient in the tasks you are required to like people you meet every day. There complete regularly. are some you meet and immediately they Here’s an example. I was gifted an iPad become a part of your regular routine. the first day they hit the market. Initially, They serve a purpose and fit right in with the iPad had a lot of the “WOW” factor. your lifestyle and schedule. In order to But honestly, I had no real use for it. The add technology like this you must be in app store for the iPad was relatively new tune with the steps you take daily to get and there weren’t enough applications things done. Then, when you find a tool designed to solve the kinds of daily such as Freshbooks.com for simple problems I faced. I needed quicker access accounting, it will become an immediate to my bank account balances. I needed to go-to application for setting up estimates monitory my net income and expenses, I and sending invoices to clients. needed to stay current on topics related to Then there are tools that don’t deliver my business. I even needed a way to what you expect. You might use them respond to customer demands quicker. Honestly, my iPhone did a better job of all steadily for a few days or weeks, but you (Continued on page 12) of that than my new, shinny iPad! So, I
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Behind The Podium
Making the Most of Opportunities to Network and Connect When Solo at an Event or Conference by Sandy Jones-Kaminski
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ost speakers know that effective networking skills are a key tool to have in your marketing toolkit, so I wanted to share a few tips on how best to approach attending an in-person networking event or conference when you have to go it alone. Both of these tactics model a “pay it forward” style approach, and something I believe is the most effective way to attempt to connect with strangers. If you’re what I call a “reluctant networker,” focusing on helping others takes pressure off you and actually helps relieve nervousness.
discover a few ways you might help them.
Find the event's host(s) or any of its sponsors and introduce yourself to them with a warm smile and firm (not bonecrushing) handshake, and then thank them for hosting and/or sponsoring the event. Remember, these people are hosting the event and they want everyone there to have a good experience -- just as you would if you were hosting a party or event. You can then ask about their connection to or role with the group/ event and find out what their goals are for the evening. You might be surprised by what you learn, and maybe you'll
Get in line for something, whether it's food, drink or the bathroom (seriously). Use that time to ask the person of your choice (in front or behind you) if she's connected to the event or a member, or know anyone who was nominated. Or if it's someone you know slightly, try one of my all-time favorite openers, which anyone can answer: Find out what they're working on. For example, "Hi Paul, good to see you. Sandy Jones-Kaminski from Bella Domain Media (in case he looks like he doesn't remember you); we met at the spring ISB conference. How are things
If nothing comes to mind immediately, ask for a business card and make a note of their need on the back of it. Let them know you'll be in touch if you come across whatever it is they need. At that point, explain what made you attend the event and your own goals for attending, and just wait and see what happens next. More often than not, they just might try to help you connect with other folks at the event or will follow up with you via email or phone.
going? (Let them answer.) So what are you working on these days? Anything exciting?" Sometimes the answer is something fun, like planning a trip to Australia, or it might be a speaker related project and something you can assist them with by connecting them to a resource. The laws of reciprocity are soon likely to kick in and you’ll get an opportunity to share what it is that you’re working on right now (looking for speaking opportunities!). And, if there aren't any lines at the event, just look around for another solo person and practice any of the techniques mentioned above. I've met some of my best contacts that way, and they now make it a practice to do the same thing whenever they attend any type of event solo. Sandy Jones-Kaminski is a 15+ year communications and business development professional, networking and LinkedIn expert, Inc.com #1 Business Book Wish List author, bylined columnist, keynote speaker and self-described “connector.” www.belladomain.com
The Lighter Side An elderly couple just bought cellphones and learned how to text. She was the romantic type and one afternoon sent him this message: If you are sleeping, send me your dreams. If you are laughing, send me your smile. If you are eating, send me a bite. If you are drinking, send me a sip. If you are crying, send me your tears. I love you." The husband texted back to her: "I'm in the bathroom. Please advise."
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October 2013
What to Think About When Designing Your Business Strategy By Tracey Fieber
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he key to establishing a successful business is knowing your new company inside and out. This means planning ahead for any potential outcomes, whether good or bad. Knowing who your customers are, what they want from your company and how this want fits into your overall corporate plan can allow you to grow your business faster and with more satisfied customers.
your solution to their problem provides a better value than your competition.
be. Just like with a roadmap, however, you need to check your progress regularly to ensure your business hasn’t deviated What Are Your Goals And How Can You from your course. Reach Them? Starting up your own business is not an Identifying your goals and developing a easy process. There are an infinite number roadmap for your new company to reach of matters that can go wrong, but very them is another integral part of designing few sure-fire ways to help your company a business strategy. No matter how prosper. One factor that any new innovative or in-demand your company is, company should pay attention to in order you’ll likely find yourself wandering to increase their chance of success is aimlessly if you don’t direct your business’ designing a solid business strategy. A few When creating or redesigning your focus. Setting realistic goals allows you to of the most important items to determine company, your business strategy should focus on an attainable end result in order are exactly who your customers are, how act as the framework you need to to keep your progress on track along the your company can help them, your maximize your organization’s earnings way. and future growth. There are a few key company’s set of goals and the methods elements to think about when creating by which you plan to reach them. All-inPretend, for a minute, that you were your business strategy. all, having a well-designed business plan going to take a vacation. You live in New can mean the difference between a York City and have decided to take your Who Are Your Customers And Why growing company and one struggling car and head out on the road. Without Should They Choose Your Company? month after month in order to make ends creating a specific goal of where you’re meet. There is no doubt that customers are a headed, you could drive up and down the core component of your business. Without interstates forever, never making it to any them, your company won’t make it too far place you would like to be and probably Tracey Fieber helps business owners in the marketplace. You need to have a getting lost in the process. simplify, automate, and grow their clear understanding of who your businesses and their lives. She believes in Establishing your company’s goals is like customers are and what they need. the power of hiring the right people, and setting a vacation destination. Heading helps her clients cultivate highly effective One of the best ways to be successful in out from New York City to Los Angeles is teams that allow them to focus on the work the business world is to show customers a long journey, but accomplishable if you about which they're passionate. By nurturing business owners' strengths and that they need you also. This is rarely as keep focused on your goal. The problem holding them accountable for their own difficult as it sounds – if you have a good with only establishing your desired end success, Tracey's leadership, understanding of your customer base and results is that you have no clear-cut way communication, and coaching techniques their wants and needs. to reach those goals. Driving from New help her clients take massive leaps forward. York City to Los Angeles can take you The more you increase your understanding countless different routes, some more about your customers, the more that you efficient than others. In addition to setting will be able to connect with them, goals for your company, you must also understand what they’re looking for out of draw out a strategic plan to take you your product or service and ensure that from where you are to where you want to
Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold; but so does a hard-boiled egg. — Unknown
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Behind The Podium
Media Leads Can Be GREAT For Your Speaking Business! Manage Your Media Leads with Our Newest Service Dan Janal’s PR Leads service (speakermatch.com/prleads). Dan and his team carefully tag and categorize you're looking for media attention each lead to help their clients find the — and you should be as a speaker — best fit. you'd be foolish NOT to be using a media lead service as a resource in your marketing arsenal.
If
Just one appearance in the national media can mean a big boost to your speaking business. An "appearance" can mean:
Over 13,000 Leads Added in Just 2 Days!
Being a quoted source in a magazine Getting featured in a blog post Radio interviews A spot as a "talking head" on a news program Talk-show guest appearances You can get dozens of these types of opportunities each day, and they are listed and sent to you in multiple email daily digests.
The problem is, if you're like most of us, the e-mail leads just pile up unread in your inbox. There are just too many leads to sort through — you might receive dozens of leads in a single e-mail. The chances are that you'll only end up reviewing a handful of leads each month, if that, because it's just so time consuming to read through each message you receive.
emails Respond to leads with a greatlooking profile and appropriate pitch in SECONDS Track responses from media contacts The service just launched in BETA mode at the beginning of October, and is only open to a few people who have a BETA access code. The response has been incredible so far… Over 13,000 leads were added by new members in just 2 days! As a member of the SpeakerMatch community, if you act by October 31, you can get early access and special BETA pricing. For early access , go to myleadguru.com and enter this special BETA code:
btp1013
I've seen a tremendous growth in demand for speakers and experts since I began Until now. working in this industry over 11 years The way it works is that journalists and The team at SpeakerMatch has created a ago. And it's more important than ever other media contacts post a “call for new service to help you manage your e- that you market and position yourself so experts,” and the experts who meet their mail leads from PR Leads and HARO. It’s that you stand out. Following up on the needs respond with their credentials. It’s a called My Lead Guru, and you can find it right leads is essential. Find out how My lot like the SpeakerMatch service. Lead Guru can give you a competitive at myleadguru.com. Our new system edge. makes it impossibly quick and easy to: Many of these media services are free… the most well-known is HARO (Help A — Bryan Caplovitz Review dozens of leads in seconds Reporter Out). Our favorite, and Weed out the "garbage" in the lead recommended resource is
Check out the newest service from the creators of SpeakerMatch:
www.myleadguru.com Enter the BETA Code btp1013 for early access!
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October 2013
6 Ways to Solve the “Who Cares” Syndrome in Sales Presentations by Patricia Fripp You might not want to think your prospect is sitting there during your sales presentation thinking, “Who cares? What’s in it for me or our company?” I hate to tell you...many of them are.
2. Simplify and clarify how your prospects can benefit from your product or service. At the beginning of the relationship, when you are discovering if they have a need, or how much opportunity is there for you
Selling isn’t about you or your products, it’s about how the prospect will benefit. To be persuasive, you need to appeal to the other person’s rational selfinterest. People make decisions for their reasons, not yours. Here’s a quick reminder list to help them make those decisions in your favor. 1. Forget your company history or industry jargon, which might be the biggest “who cares” of all. You have heard the expression “A confused mind always says no.” Here is a Frippicism: “A bored mind gets distracted and cuts your meeting short.” Use a phrase like, “Based on 15 years of helping clients of your size business, I have learned...” or “With the last five clients in your industry, I have found…” and you can work that information into your presentation without belaboring the point.
5. In your presentations, even if you know your discovery questions backwards and forwards, write them down. If you are part of a team, collaborate with your team mates and add to your list, since it’s easier to be creative with a couple of minds working on the challenge. 6. Depending on what you are selling, it may be a good idea to start asking a prospect what is working. This way you are getting your prospect talking, learning more, and putting them in a good mood.
to help, they need to do most of the talking. 3. Take notes on what they say. When appropriate, feed back their words in your conversation and then in your proposal. Our prospects never disagree with themselves!
Above all, keep your sales questioning conversational — it’s not an interrogation. Whenever possible, answer the prospect in a way that brings in your past experience with other clients like them, but keep the focus on getting the information to understand how they can benefit from a relationship with you.
4. The key to connection is conversation, and the secret of conversation is to ask questions. The quality of the information you receive depends on the quality of your questions.
Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE is a Hall of Fame keynote speaker, in-demand executive speech coach, and sales presentation skills expert. Individuals and companies hire Patricia when they want the competitive edge that comes from persuasive presentations. Contact Patricia Fripp: www.fripp.com pfripp@ix.netcom.com.
A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds. — Francis Bacon: English philosopher, statesman, scientist and author
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Behind The Podium
Scary Crossword Across 1. "Fancy that!" 4. Team 9. Usher's offering 10. Papal court 11. Fed. property manager 12. Lecherous 13. Dutch coin and currency unit 15. Chemical symbol for arsenic 16. Lascivious looks
18. Peruvian terrorist group of the 60s 20. Greek monster that lived near Charybdis 23. Moor 25. Order between "ready" and "fire" 26. Tidal bore 27. __ Lanka 28. Horse carts 29. "We've been __!"
Down 1. Comedian's stock 2. At one time, at one time 3. In-box contents 4. Screams 5. Prey 6. Samovar 7. "O patria mia" singer
8. "A Hard __ Night" 14. Sacristy 17. Performer with Guns N' Roses 18. Cast off 19. Kind of jet 21. Former monetary unit of Italy 22. During
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October 2013
by Ted Janusz I have delivered over 500 full-day seminars. As a result, I have flown over 1,000 times. Here are a dozen things I have learned (in many cases, the hard way) as a result of that experience:
the employee who collects the parking fares.
1. Pack your suitcases at least a day in advance - We always remember things we should have packed. This will give you more time to remember them! 2. Keep a separate set of toiletries and other needed items always packed in your suitcase - Lessens the chance that you will need to re-buy these items when you get where you are going. 3. Keep critical items in the same place every time in your luggage - In that way, you will more quickly realize if you left your iPad at Security, or if your keys or your wallet are no longer with you.
10. Sign up for all of the frequent flier, the frequent car renter and frequent hotel staying programs that you can 6. Carry on with carry-on luggage Why not? These programs are Not only will you avoid checked bag free. One of the joys of traveling is the fees, you can always stay with your ability to avoid yet another line while luggage. This lessens the chance that traveling and to choose your own rental your luggage will be delayed or car when you arrive at your destination, lost. You can grab and go, rather than a benefit you are entitled to when you spending time waiting at the baggage are enrolled in a frequent renter claim carousel at your destination. program. And it's nice to know that you 7. Fly Southwest Airlines - It's so nice to are earning points toward a free flight and hotel stay that you, your spouse or see a smiling face when you are traveling! Besides that, Southwest does other member of your family might be able to use on vacation, saving hundreds not charge for the first two checked pieces of luggage (if yours are too big of dollars. to carry on). Nothing tires me faster 11. Always check to see that you have than flying in commuter planes. Not only your rental car keys with you before are seats of these small planes crowded closing the trunk or the locked doors of and uncomfortable, their overhead your rental car - This quick act can save storage can be the size of the glove box you hundreds of dollars! in your car. Southwest only flies big roomy planes, with large storage bins 12. As you leave the room, always pat and comfortable leather your pocket to make sure you have seats. Ahh! Because Southwest has your hotel key with you- Sure, many open seating, just be sure to get your times you can go to the counter and boarding pass online 24 hours in simply get a new one. But the agent will advance. (For the other airlines with usually ask for identification… and that assigned seating, whether window or may be in your wallet — up in your aisle, choose toward the front of the room! plane. There are no advantages to Ted Janusz has delivered over 500 sitting in back.)
4. Check prices and flight arrangements at nearby airports - I once needed to fly to a town near Harrisburg, PA. The travel agent had me fly to Philadelphia and then wait to catch a commuter flight back to Harrisburg. Not only did my business partner save hundreds of dollars by flying non-stop to Baltimore-Washington International Airport and then renting a car, he got there a whole lot faster than I did. 8. Fly early in the day - Flights tend to get delayed as the day goes on. 5. If you park your car at the airport, take your parking ticket with you - It's much easier for someone who is going to steal your car to look in the usual places to find the ticket and just drive off. The last thing the thief wants to do is to try to explain why he doesn't have the parking ticket (and be remembered) by
9. Choose direct flights when you can - Not only will you arrive at your destination refreshed, you lessen the chance that you will miss a connection (or for checked luggage, that your bag will miss the connection) should your first flight be delayed
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Behind The Podium
presentations in 49 of the 50 United States (exception: Wyoming). Janusz is the author of two popular audio CDs: “How to Market Your Speaker Business on a Shoestring (When Your Shoes are Untied)” and “The Complete Guide to Creating and Publishing Your Dynamic Audio Product in Less Than 7 Days (on a Shoestring).”
SpeakerMatch Member Benefit
Instant Access to Exclusive Interviews! We Explore Key Areas of Starting and Growing a Speaking Business
www.speakermatch.com/member
Ten Tips for Email Clarity, Comprehension and Concreteness (Continued from page 2)
10.
8. Replies: Reply to the sender within 48-72 hours unless you have an “out-of-office” message and a date of return. Even if the email is a sales inquiry; it’s rude not to answer. If you hire someone, let the others know that you made a decision. Information is powerful and polite. You can always let someone know that you’re in the process of making a decision. 9. Spelling: We all have spelling situations; some more than others. Check and double check the spell check. Proof for proper name spelling. Your and you get mixed up and both are spelled correctly. Proof. It’s and its.
Proof: Start with the subject line and read and re-read the body of your message. Careless errors make a poor impression even on friends and family. Dee Dukehart runs Sandbox Communications, an international communications consulting business. She helps individuals, teams and companies improve their business strategies and bottom line with more powerful presentations, business writing and communication. To have her help your bottom line and you, contact: Dee@DeeDukehart.com, or visit www.DeeDukehart.com.
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October 2013
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find that their usefulness wares off. This happened to me with Foursquare.com. It was fun for a few weeks but slowly dropped from my radar. It operated more like a game than a useful business tool. And, to be honest, I don’t particularly like games. So, its usefulness wore off. Lastly, there are tools that just don’t live up to the hype. After reading the description, you purchase or download it. Later you find that you can never seem to find time to benefit from them. Note, the concept of the tool might be useful, just not now. So, even though I sometimes delete tools or don’t use technology that I’ve purchased, I never forget the concept of that tool. This was my experience with Square Technology for
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swiping credit cards on the go. The concept was wonderful! However, the policy for transferring payments to my account was horrible. So, I stopped using the tool until the policy changed. Now it’s a go-to tech tool for my business. So, pay attention to your daily to-do lists and record those business tasks that could use more efficiency. Trust me, there’s an app for that. John E. Girton, Jr. is a former instructor of Telecommunications and Journalism at is the President and CEO of The Mass Media Group, Inc. in Indianapolis, Indiana. He travels extensively training non-profit and nongovernmental agencies on branding and the use of innovation and technology. www.johngirtonspeaks.com
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Networking is big on Twitter. Twitter got started by providing networking for conferences and today it is still a valuable tool for meeting and greeting. It's perfectly acceptable these days to ask for a person's twitter name. Be on the lookout for special offers, too. Some companies share coupon codes and sale offers exclusively on Twitter. For example, some American Express card holders recently qualified a $10 statement credit. Qualified users who signed up for Klout got a free one-day pass to American Airlines airport lounge.