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Having attended CLASSeminar, Upper CLASS, and
Personality Training Workshop, I finally dove into
"the PITS" - Putting In Time Speaking. Launching my
speaking ministry in late 2006, I spoke to over 30
groups in the first eight months.
Lesson
#1: Be Purposeful
Have a "mission statement" for your ministry, even
if it's a work in progress. Your mission
statement keeps you purposeful and helps you
remember why you're speaking.
Lesson
#2: Be Focused
There is wisdom in getting really good at one main
message. Last year, my best talks were the two that
I gave over and over again. I recorded them,
listened to them, tweaked them, cut what wasn't
working, improved what was working. Now I'm
so comfortable with my material that I can relax
and put all my energy into connecting with the
audience.
Lesson
#3: Be Prepared
Give yourself plenty of time to prepare.
Figure out your one main point and build everything
around it. Then practice, practice,
practice. I practice my stories in order to distill
them down to the core, so I can give the 2-minute
audience-appropriate version, not the 10-15 minute
Thanksgiving Dinner version! Be sure to practice
your opening and closing to make sure you start and
end strongly.
Lesson
#4: Be Proactive
Confirm and get full details several weeks prior to
the event if at all possible. I try to ask as many
questions as appropriate right when I'm booked.
Lesson
#5: Be Ready
I have a tote box that contains every possible
"supply" I could need: notes for every talk I
give, handouts, feedback forms, a lightweight music
stand, timer, spare batteries, pens, receipt pads,
calculators, business cards, change pouch, price
signs, water bottle, Blistex, duplicate make-up,
extra nylons, Band-Aids, etc.
Lesson
#6: Be Comfortable
Dress for any temperature. One very chilly evening,
I wore a turtleneck under a wool jumper to keep
warm, only to find the speaker's podium standing in
front of a blazing fireplace! As I hadn't layered,
my only option was to swelter for my entire
presentation. Now, I select my speaking
outfit with a jacket or sweater I can wear, or take
off.
Lesson
#7: Be Self-Sufficient
Expect the event coordinator to be dealing with one
or more crisis situations when you arrive.
Bring everything you might need, including tables.
Once you're set up, offer to help. Make
yourself the easiest part of the event, totally low
maintenance.
Lesson
#8: Be Efficient
If you have a book table, be sure the coordinator
knows you'll be selling products; if possible, have
your book table mentioned in announcements and
newsletters ahead of time. Request volunteers
to assist you, too. Streamline the selection
and buying process so you can focus on the
people. My greatest time-saver is a printed
list of all the titles I've got; everyone
gets a copy. Those who wish to purchase
simply fill out the quantities they want of each
title.
Lesson
#9: Be Relaxed
Do what God leads you to do in order to prepare.
Pause to pray as you arrive, as you set up, as you
wait your turn, right before you start speaking.
Many groups will invite you to join their circle of
prayer before the event starts. Remember: It's not
about you. It's about what God is doing through
you.
Lesson
#10: Be Selfless
We need to carry the "it's not about me" philosophy
clear through the end of the event and beyond. It's
so tempting to finish a presentation and
immediately think, "How did I do?" If you've
got a book table, it's easy to focus on, "How much
can I sell?" Instead, we need to keep
focusing on the people!
Final Tips:
Take photos of audience members enjoying their
event. Send the photos to the event
coordinator afterward and, with permission, include
some of the pictures in your monthly e-mail
newsletter, showcasing the particular group. Send a
handwritten note to the event coordinator, thanking
her for the privilege of sharing with their group,
and including a Starbucks gift card so they can
enjoy a little "down time" after all their hard
work (which often goes unacknowledged).
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A
Heads Up on Headshots
Want to book more speaking
opportunities? Who doesn't! After all, you do
believe that God has given you a special message to
share with others. Like it or not, a part of
getting the word out about you is having a good
headshot for your one sheet, website, and other
marketing materials.
What is the difference between a
portrait and a head shot? A portrait is a nice
photo for yourself and your family. The lighting is
good, you look happy and it looks good on your wall
or mantle. A headshot is a completely different
animal.
A headshot is intentional. It is an
advertisement for you. You are trying to persuade
others to buy your time, your expertise and your
story. What people see through your photograph will
have an impact on how they perceive you.
A publicity photo says three things
about you:
- You
are fun to be with
- You
are confident and know your topic
- You
have a little bit of a secret
If you are a CLASS graduate you are already taking
care of the first two points. However; the "secret"
part probably got your attention.
One of the keys to booking speaking
engagements is to identify the hurt, pain or issues
that your audience is concerned with. The second
component of "the secret" is that you have a
special, unique, God-given message that can help
ease the pain or offer a solution to a life
issue.
How do you best communicate this? By
using a great photograph that emphasizes your eyes.
The glimmer in your eye shows others that you know
something they need to know. Your eyes will draw
the viewer in; it says you are friendly, fun,
approachable and that you have a solution for the
issues they are facing. Your headshot can either
make a good impression or place you in the reject
pile.
Why do so many speakers fall short in
this area? I believe there are three reasons that
so many speakers come up short on their publicity
photo.
First,
they do it on the cheap. The will either get a
"Glamour shot" or have their cousin take a shot
with their digital camera. There is nothing wrong
with this, but don't use these shots for your one
sheet or website. It looks cheap.
Second,
they pick the most convenient photographer.
Third,
they don't communicate well with the
photographer.
Next month: How to find the
right photographer for you and communicate exactly
what you need for the perfect head shot.
A
Retired Army Reserve Chaplain and
Professional Christian Counselor,
John
Thurman
is a CLASS Grad, Speaker
and Faculty Member.
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WRITER'S
CORNER
7
Ways to Prepare for ICRS
Are your marketing plans all set for the
International Christian Retail Show? Now is the
time to plan your marketing so you aren't trying to
get things to the printer at the last moment. Here
are some tips for things to get started on.
1.
Prepare to blog while
attending the show, even if it is just one or two
paragraphs each evening. Who is your audience? If
it's your readers, remember to mention things they
may find interesting: who else you bumped into, new
books you are eager to read, funny things that
happened (like getting stuck in the elevator),
personal thoughts about the event as well as your
spiritual insights. Publicily compliment exhibitors
that had clever ideas you liked.
2. Get the
materials in order that you will be
distributing. Update your sell sheet with new
testimonials, recent media attention, and fresh
photos. Last year I prepared 5.5 x 8.5 envelopes
with sell sheets, brochures, tracts, stickers,
ordering information, etc. for my ministry.
Although individuals could pick up items
separately, they loved that they could just take
the envelope and know everything was in it. Usually
their hands are full, so don't make them fumble for
your information.
3. Consider
promotional items. Order "autographed copy"
stickers for the books, book marks, any inserts for
the books, and fun items to give away. People
usually give the freebies to their children so find
something in relation to your book that kids will
think it cool.
4.
Order a new business card. Last year
I began using glossy, rolodex business cards and
every person I've handed it to says, "Oh, wow..."
and then flips it over. One side is specifically
for media or general use and says that I am an
"expert" on chronic illness ministry; the other
side has my book publishing information. Bookstore
owners do still use Rolodexes for quick reference.
And even if they don't order your book, they like
having your information on hand if someone comes
into the store and needing ministry in your
area.
5.
Create interesting press releases to
get the attention of media; send them out before
the event and then follow up with those attending
ICRS. Polls results are often a great way to make
your topic current and interesting, so start a poll
fast of your own or find one that could suppport
your press release. For example, I have received
lots of media attention from one entitled, "Who
Hates to Look Great? Over Half the Chronically Ill"
with over a thousand respondents.
6.
Order postcards to send out about
when and where you will be signing books. Remember
to add "available for interviews."
7. Remember
your goal is
not to sell more books but to help bookstore owners
sell multiple copies of your books. While preparing
to attend ICRS, think about how you can help
bookstore owners create a buzz about your book. How
can they draw people into their store by calling
attention to your book? What events would tie in
with your topic? Be familiar with thechurchbookstore.com
to brainstorm how church bookstores could sell more
copies of your book. (They have a new magazine with
lots of tips.)
While preparing all of your materials always ask
yourself, "How can I help make the bookstore
owner's life easier?" and then plan from that
perspective.
Lisa
Copen is a CLASS Grad and founder of
Rest Ministries which serves the chronically
ill.
For daily marketing tips, or to submit your
own,
please visit www.youcansellmorebooks.com.
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CLASS
Offers
2-Day
Workshops at ICRS
July
14 - 15, Orlando, FL
"I want to Get
Published - NOW!" Have you ever said that?
Sometimes the road to that first publishing credit
seems long and hard to travel. It feels like you
will never be able to say, "I am a published
writer."
If you have had those
thoughts, be encouraged. At the 2008 ICRS,
you can take advantage of the Get
Published Now class. Arrive in Orlando an
unpublished author and leave a published author
after participating in this year's Get Published
Now class.
Is the class
limited to unpublished authors? Absolutely not! We
can all improve on our writing and having a
personal mentor for two days can help anyone to
improve writing skills. However, the more you have
to learn the more you will learn! So, come, join us
in Orlando for Get Published Now.
What could be better than having a professional
writer looking over your shoulder as you craft a
proposal for your book? Not much!
You have that opportunity at Book
Proposal Blitz. Join Tama Westman and her
team of professional writers to learn how to
develop a book proposal that will sell. You will
learn the basics of book proposal writing, what
editors are looking for, and how to present your
idea in the most effective way. Working on your own
book proposal, you will have the benefit of years
of experience from your mentors as you develop your
idea and learn the elements of a good proposal.
Registration for either two-day
intense workshop includes admission to the ICRS
floor where you can see the latest releases, meet
authors, and attend free concerts, book signings,
and movie previews. A welcome reception will be
held for all participants where you can network
with other professionals in the
industry.
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Don't
miss this opportunity to
Contact Ramona at 800-433-6633 to reserve
your spot in one of these workshops now.
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God's
Word Locked In
During my late teens and early
twenties, I got pretty good at memorizing
Scripture. The other members of my
semi-professional gospel group and I would play
"Hit You with the Word" whenever we had some free
time during rehearsals or while traveling. One
person would begin by calling another's name and
then quoting a Scripture and its reference. That
person would then have to quote a different
Scripture and reference in response. We would
continue "hitting" each other back and forth until
one person couldn't think of a Scripture to quote.
Then the game would either be over, or another
person would jump into the "fight". No one ever
liked to lose.
Okay, I know what you're
thinking. I can't
do it. I was never good at memorizing. Not
so. You can do it. In fact, I'm going to give you a
great method that I used to memorize Scripture and
I rarely lost the "Hit You" game. All you need is
your Bible and a pack of index cards.
Step One:
Start with one index card and
label it "Daily". On this card, write only the
Scripture reference for a verse you wish to
memorize. Carry this card with you every day (thus
the name "Daily" card). Whenever you get a chance,
look at this card and open your Bible to the verse.
Repeat the verse until you can look at the
reference and say the verse without having to look
it up.
Step Two:
Now label a set of cards for
each day of the week, from Monday through Saturday.
Once you can say the verse by just looking at the
reference, scratch it off of your "Daily" card and
transfer the reference to a day-of-the-week card.
Now every Monday, carry this day-of-the-week card
along with your daily card and review the verse you
learned.
Place a new reference on your "Daily"
card and start working on memorizing it. When you
memorize your second verse, write that reference on
your Tuesday card, and so on.
Step Three:
Now label a set of cards for
each day of the month. Number them from one through
thirty-one. Once you have three verses on each day
of the week, give yourself a test. Recite each
verse you have on each day. If you can do it
without looking the verse up in your Bible, scratch
that verse off the day of the week card and
transfer the reference to a day of the month card.
If you learned all the verses, you will have a
reference on monthly cards numbered 1 - 18.
Keep this system going. You will
be constantly working on memorizing new verses
while you review the old ones you have learned. It
will take a little while to get 4 or 5 verses on
each day-of-the-month card. Once you do, these
verses will be so well-engrained into your head
that you will be able to start a set of brand new
cards.
This system is personal,
convenient, inexpensive, rewarding, easy, and
effective.
Give it a try. The Word of God is alive and
applicable for whatever you are facing today. Get
ready to be able to "hit" those issues with the
Word that you have locked inside your heart.
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Getting
to Know...
With Sean's experience, it's no surprise that he
serves as a writing expert for CLASServices. A
former editor with Christian
Retailing, former writer with Publisher's
Weekly, reporter for the Associated Press
and manager of the popular line of guys' Biblezines
for Thomas Nelson, Sean was recently
hired by Randall House Publishers as a consultant
to its editorial team, and runs his own business,
Lightpost
Communications.
Check out the photo of Sean and a Nigerian army
officer standing in front of an armored patrol
carrier when Sean covered one of Reinhard Bonnke's
crusades in
Warri, Nigeria.
Sean's
not all work though, indeed, most any of the CLASS
faculty might laughingly, but lovingly, refer to
Sean as being "all eat." For a fit, in-shape fellow
(a one- time bouncer at a Cape Cod pub), he can
pack more food into a day than most of us can
imagine, and says that peanut butter cup Blizzard's
from Dairy Queen are his favorite. (The man must
run marathons in his sleep to stay so thin.) In
addition to reading, he loves photography, golf,
tennis and blogging, be sure to check out
Sean's
blog.
An ordained minister, Sean's hope is to be
completely debt-free by 50. His favorite scripture
is Philippians
4:13; favorite book, Walden
by Henry David Thoreau; and
favorite movie, "It's a Wonderful Life." Sean and
wife, Linda, married for 20 years, enjoy the
wonderful life, working from
home
offices in sunny Florida where, for fun, he cruises
around on his Vespa motor scooter, rides with the
top down in his sporty red Miata, or whiles away
the hours writing his
magnum opus.
A man who has traveled the world proclaiming the
truth of the gospel, Sean brings clarity and
conviction, commitment and
continuity to his work
with
CLASS, and we are honored to call him friend.
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May
5-7
CLASSeminar
Austin, TX
Jun 22-24
Career Coaching
Albuquerque, NM
Jul 13-17
Publishing Connections
ICRS
Orlando, FL
Aug 4-6
Faculty Training
Henderson, NV
Aug 18-20
CLASSeminar
Livermore, CA
Sep 8-10
CLASSeminar
Jamestown, NY
Sep
19-21
Upper
CLASS
Lakeville,
CT
Sep 29-Oct 1
CLASSeminar
Canton, GA
Oct 22-26
Glorieta Christian
Writer's Conference
Glorieta, NM
Nov 10-12
Personality Training
Nashville, TN
Nov 17-19
CLASSeminar
Indianapolis, IN
*
Alumni receive special discount when booking a
re-boost seminar.
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Career
Coaching
with
Marita Littauer
Golden Keyes Parsons
Whether you've been speaking awhile or just getting
started, the logical next step is CLASS Career
Coaching.
- Define
Your Mission, Purpose and Vision
- Refine
Your Presentation Skills
- Design
Power Packed Promotional Materials
Dates: June 22 - 24,
2008 Place:
Albuquerque, NM
Price: $675
+
Tax
-
Limited to 8 participants -
Register now.
Call Ramona @
800-433-6633
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Sign-up
for your ICRS
Booksigning
CLASS
grads interested in having a booksigning at ICRS
should send an e-mail to classrvcs@aol.com.
Indicate ICRS Booksigning
in the subject line.
Please let us know what day (M, T, W, TH) you would
like to schedule and whether you prefer a day or
evening time.
Authors are expected to stay one hour and
distribute a minimum of 100 books.
***************
CLASS Authors - We Need
Your Books
If
you are a CLASS graduate, alumni or speaker,
we want to aim the spotlight on your success in our
newly designed ICRS booth!
At ICRS, we want to showcase a spectacular display
of our fab CLASS authors!
Please send
a copy of each of your published books (in
excellent condition) to the CLASS office by June
15th.
CLASServices,
Inc.
ATTN: ICRS BOOTH
2201 San Pedro Drive., NE
Building 1, Suite 225
Albuquerque, NM 87110
Make
plans to attend ICRS. Find special hotel rates
at the ICRS
website.
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Special
CLASSales
just in time for
Mother's
Day
grandmother's
Bible
Hard
cover - $26
Leather
edition - $36
Making
the
Blue Plate Special
50% off - Now
$10
To
order, contact
Ramona
or call 800.433.6633.
Prices
through May 9th.
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News
& Reviews
It's
Live!
It's
Fabulous!
Log
on!
CLASS
Blog
**********
Congratulations to
Glorieta CWC attendee
Linda
Ann Crosby
for
her new release
from
Randall
House,
Laughing
in the
Midst
of Mothering.
Florence Littauer will be the featured speaker at
the Golden Scrolls Awards and Banquet, Sunday, July
13, during the ICRS convention, Orlando.
The event honors the Publisher, Editor and Fiction
Editor of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement
Award Winner.
All CLASS graduates and friends are invited and
encouraged to attend the event and hear
Florence.
J uly 13, 1-3 p.m.
Dessert Reception
The Rosen Centre
(adjacent
to Convention Center)
Register
now
**********
Please consider donating to the
Littauer Scholarship Fund
to help those unable to pay to attend
CLASSeminars.
Please
make checks payable to:
Redlands Community Foundation
Memo:
Littauer Scholarship Fund
Donations
can be mailed to:
CLASServices,
Inc.
2201 San Pedro Dr., NE
Building 1, Suite 225
Albuquerque, NM 87110
(Contributions
are tax deductible.)
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SUBMISSION CALLOUTS:
Chicken
Soup
for the Actively Retired Soul
Deadline May 31
Info available online at
www.chickensoup.com
**********
Chicken Soup
for the Soul -
Baking with Kids
Deadline Dec. 31
Info available online at
www.chickensoup.com
**********
Chicken Soup
for the Soul -
Celebrating
Life's Most Embarassing Moments
Deadline Dec. 31
Info available onine at www.chickensoup.com
**********
Chicken
Soup
for the Soul of
Twins
Send
submissions to
Susan
Heim
**********
Cup of Comfort
for
Adoptive Families
Deadline June 15
Tips/guidelines
at www.cupofcomfort.com
**********
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We want to celebrate your success!
Please
share book releases, submission callouts, new
markets, photos, pertinent articles and
comments.
Tama
Westman, Editor.
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If
you are interested
in bringing the CLASSeminar to your church or
community, contact Karen
Porter.
CLASServices,
Inc.
2201 San Pedro Dr., NE
Building 1, Suite 225
Albuquerque, NM 87110
800.433.6633
www.classervices.com
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