What’s your backup?
No, Marvelless Mark Kamp wasn’t asking about singers echoing your melody. He wanted to know if you have a plan when the (inevitable) tech disasters happen. No mic? No problem. Former president, John Getter carries a Bluetooth speaker. The Marks (that’s both Marvelless and A. Smith) use their headphones as speakers in an emergency. (Does anyone else think they should start a band?)Contingency plans in place, Marvelless Mark asked us three questions inspired by music greats.1) The Kiss Question: What do you want to create? 2) The Jay Z Question: How can we change the industry together?3) The Lady Gaga Question: How are we going to be brilliant today? (I think I’ll write a phenomenal meeting recap for which people will shower me with gifts.)
Update TimeOur President Elect, John Polish informed us that after the Chapter Leadership Committee heard about our Member Spotlight videos, we were awarded the prestigious Chapter of the Month designation. Huzzah! This came with the tiniest trophy known to man and blue cow bells for each board member. Fingers crossed that we’ll win again and be rewarded with a blue cow to dress.
John Getter then took the stage to talk about the Cigar Peg, an unofficial philanthropic program through the NSA. For just $99 (for the year), you can hang out with top level speakers and be a part of a group that serves one another and the community as a whole. The club has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity over the years. Visit www.cigarpegs.com/secret/ to take advantage of the discount.
Last but not least, Jim Root introduced the Marketing Outreach Committee’s goals. Through research, promotion, and direct outreach, the MOC will be working to increase our member’s visibility with the individuals that can get us hired. Can I get a “woot woot?”
How can I help? I’m glad you asked. 1) First, we need content. If you’d like to contribute a piece promoting the chapter (not just you) and educating our target market about how to hire and work with speakers, send it to Jim (Jim@jimrootspeaks.com). You’ll receive a byline and a hug. 2) NSA Las Vegas now has a LinkedIn page. Please become an “employee” so we can further promote our members.3) Tag all social media posts referencing the chapter with @NSALasVegas4) If there are any contacts you’d like the MOC to reach out to, please email Jim.
Chapter Education
Did you ever realize just how much motivation and wisdom we have within our chapter. We love our guests, but don’t forget our members! President, Dr. Jeff Magee reminded us that our word of the year is “Elevate.” No matter where you are in your speaking career, you can take the information and education given, and tailor it to Elevate your own business. Whatever you do… be uniquely you. Ooh ooh! I said that! Dibs!
Next up… Darren LaCroix, who discussed personal touch marketing and so graciously offered to write out all of our thank you cards. Did I get that wrong? Stand by while I check my notes (hums hold music).
Ohhh! Nope, Darren suggested we use Bombomb.com to create personalized videos for our customers and clients. Then he showed us how to properly utilize YouTube. We’re talking actually looking up what people search for, using long tail keywords to rank, and including your URL in the description (with the http://) to direct people to your website. He even mentioned how to add cards to your YouTube videos. To see the step by step process he uses, go to YouTube and type in… wait for it… How to add cards to your YouTube videos.
Guest Speaker: Damian Mason
Our guest speakers are always phenomenal, and this month was no exception. Damian Mason delivered some cold, hard, brutal truth about the speaking business (and life). We are not T-rexes (though I certainly feel like one when I try to submit my ticket in parking garages) and we’d be better off if we were. Extinction is the rule, not the exception. In order to be successful, stay relevant, and have longevity in this business, we must reinvent ourselves. Damian shared his rise, his fall, and his phoenix moment. As a political comedian, Damian delighted his audiences with political commentary delivered as Bill Clinton. When September 11th put a damper on this country’s sense of humor and economy, Damian had to un-pigeonhole himself and reinvent his brand and his business.
How? (And what can we do in our own businesses?)1) Change your product: Offer something new.2) Change customers: Find people that don’t currently use your product.3) Change your image: Rebranding is important, but you’ll need to do this along with #1 and #2 or your audience will see right through your new logo and prettied up website.4) Change your industry: Get out of the commodity mindset and pay attention to the future.
Ask yourself, “What will people demand to improve their lives?”.
Damian encouraged us to review our Talent Stack, those strengths, experiences, jobs, background, interests, products and education that make us different than others and better at certain things. (Turns out I can capitalize on a decade of wearing all black.)
Brutal truth: Don’t be afraid to try new things. New won’t kill you. Stagnation will.
How can you consistently reinvent? Review your tapes (record every time you speak… and then actually watch it!). Ideally, you’ll do this within a day of your presentation. Sit down with a notepad in one hand and a beer in the other and watch yourself. Tally up the laughs versus chuckles, and see where you can improve your presentation. See yourself from the audience’s perspective.
Brutal truth: No great accomplishment has ever been done alone.
You need three kinds of support in your life:1) Accountability: Are you doing what you said you’ll do?2) Professional Support: A coach, a mentor, maybe a good therapist3) Truth and Critical feedback: Someone to tell it to you straight.
Be careful who you surround yourself with. Peer pressure is only bad when your peers are bad.
Brutal truth: Content is free. And you are content.
Are you realistic about your market potential? Do you have something that people want to buy? (Or are you a Calvin Coolidge impersonator?)
Where are you vulnerable?
- Age
- Industry
- Commoditization: You are definable but not unique
Brutal truth: People are afraid of the unknown and they don’t buy when they are confused.
Can you actually describe what you do? Damian presented a strategy for using the familiar to sell the foreign. For example: Imagine an SNL style sketch, delivered by Bill Clinton, customized to your audience. You can find out more at https://www.damianmason.com/blog/2018/12/27/use-the-familiar-to-sell-the-foreign.
Brutal truth: View your time the way you view your money.
(Excuse me, I have to go rock in the corner now.)In order to make the most out of his time (while still maintaining a balanced life), Damian breaks down his activities into the 5 E’s:
- Enterprise – career
- Exercise – movement
- Enrichment & Education – becoming a better person
- Enjoyment – fun with friends, family, and hobbies
Want to learn more about the 5 E’s? Check out this article: https://www.damianmason.com/blog/everyone-uses-100-of-their-time
And this video: https://youtu.be/TWvLob0lXXU
Finally, never end your presentation on questions. There’s always someone in the audience (like Jim) who wants to make you look bad.
Next Month:
Did you miss the March meeting? Well, you sure won’t do that again, will you? Join NSA Las Vegas on April 13th as we welcome the esteemed Patricia Fripp. The person with the best presentation gets the most bookings. Patricia will give you the tools to take your presentation to a new level… no matter what level of experience you have. Don’t miss education, friendship, and a delightful British accent at NSA Las Vegas.
About the Author
Sheryl Green has always enjoyed writing, however, it wasn’t until a divorce shook her world, that she discovered the power of story. Having penned three novels, she now brings her penchant for storytelling to non-fiction and content writing, working with businesses and individuals who want to position themselves as experts in their field. She leverages the power of story through blogging, website content, book coaching, ghostwriting, and speaking engagements.
Sheryl is the author of “Surviving to Thriving: How to Overcome Setbacks and Rock Your Life,” “Once Upon a Bottom Line: Harnessing the Power of Story for Sales,” and the forthcoming book “Book Writing for Busy People.” She’s also a firm believer that everything looks better covered in pet fur. Learn more at www.sherylgreenspeaks.com.