You know, back when I started out as a struggling consultant, I did do a couple of things right.

I wasn’t sure about getting my message out through direct mail or advertising… And of course, the Internet was pretty new to me.

One of a few strategies I used that DID work for me was public speaking. For many reasons, I believe using this strategy is beneficial to any service professional.

I don’t know that I was a great speaker or anything. But, I had just moved from Boston, MA to Pasadena, CA and had stumbled upon a little group called ‘Toastmasters’. Many of the successful people I’ve studied have recommended it in a big way. For the dues you pay, it’s training that can’t be beat!

I was an OK speaker, I guess. I was at least very passionate about my topic. I loved marketing and it definitely came out when I spoke about it. So, since I was bettering myself through public speaking, I figured I’d contact some local service groups, like Rotary, Kiwanis, Jaycees, Lions, etc., and ask them if they’d be interested inhaving me share money-making marketing strategies to their groups.

Many said ‘yes!’, and it was a great way to build interest in what I had so say. I got lots of chances to speak. I had one problem though. I wasn’t getting much business from it.

I got accolades each time I spoke. Everybody seemed to like what I had so say. But, I didn’t have anybody asking me to help them with their marketing.

I needed help. I needed to know how to use my speaking engagement to build my list of interested prospects. I just didn’t know how.

One day I came across some videos from a guy named ‘Tom Antion’ and my speaking life changed. Tom, at the time, was a professional speaker who trained others to use humor in their presentations without telling jokes. He has since become one of the top Internet marketing experts (and multi-millionaires) in the world.

I purchased his ‘Wake’em Up Presentations’ videos and discovered so many things I was ‘leaving on the table’ each time I spoke.

Key things I learned:

  • How to make more money in a day than most make in a month
  • How to use your talk to create multiple other profit-based products
  • How to get the names of all the participants if the organization won’t give you the membership list
  • How to know your audience better than they know themselves with a sophisticated Pre-Program Questionnaire
  • Advanced Seating Methods for laughter, interaction and involvement
  • How to handle introductions professionally so you come on with a ‘bang’
  • Tons of proven and reliable ways to make money speaking
  • How to create in-demand educational materials and other easily saleable speaker products that will double your income

    • And, tons, tons more!

    As a significant part of my marketing strategy when I first started out, these videos helped me turn my ’speaking-to-acquire-clients strategy’ around. I started getting business because I learned proven ways to make more money from my presentations. I learned them all from the videos!

    Once a year I watch these videos. Sort of a ‘back to basics’, if you will. Mine are in VHS. But, Tom has a new DVD collection with added videos that weren’t available when I purchased the program.

    If you speak at all to promote your cause or your business, I recommend checking out Tom Antion’s Speaker Videos. You can see all the features and benefits of the program here: —> Tom Antion’s Website

    To this day, I’m a serious student of what Tom has to say. And,you’ll learn a lot of what I learned from him in upcoming issues of my newsletter.

    ‘Speaking’ of great days… Have an outstanding one!

    Craig Valine
    blog@craigvaline.com
    www.CraigValine.com