|
| |
|
| |
![]() |
Tips for Stress free life > Expert Zone > Public Speaking Public Speaking Tips by experts |
|
|
|
|
Now Appearing: 9 Tips for a Well-Attended Event
When I made the decision to do free workshops and book signings for my latest book, Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer, I thought it would be easy to draw an audience. I had, after all, done all the right things to prepare for this big event: I had a successful e-zine, AbsoluteWrite.com, sent weekly directly to my target market; I was a contributing editor at the most popular magazine for writers; had been interviewed all over writers e-zines; and had submitted articles to sites and magazines related to my primary audience (writers) and my secondary audience (those interested in working from home). But the problem was that my audience was international. I had a workshop set up on Long Island, and more than 99% of my regular audience wouldnt be able to get there. So I had to get local attention. Through trial and error, Ive come up with a system that works. I havent had fewer than 30 people at any of my signings, and Ive always sold books. I hope my tips will inspire you next time youre promoting an event. 1. Focus on the benefit to the attendee. The first thing a reader should see on your promotional material is whats in it for them. A signed book is all well and good, but itll require them to spend money. What are they getting free just for showing up? In my case, I was offering a free 2-hour seminar about making money writing for magazines. What will they learn? What perks will they get? This is what appeared in big letters on my posters, with the book signing in small letters toward the bottom. 2. Community Events are not places to do business. Most local newspapers have a community events section where they run short blurbs about local events. Submit your release at least two weeks prior to your event, with all the who, what, where, when, why questions succinctly answered. But after I did that and failed to place my events in local papers, I asked an ex-newspaper editor for advice. While I would have probably run a little blurb about your free writing workshop, I would not have run your free writing workshop combined with your book signing, she wrote. I would invite you to pay for an advertisement because, being the jaded cynic I am, I would not give you free publicity for something from which you are profiting. So leave your for-profit hat at home when approaching the media. 3. Think small. National attention is nice, but when promoting a local event, you want to get your message to as many local people as possible. I mulled this over one day while pushing my grocery cart through a supermarket, then noticed the bulletin board filled with posters. I ran home and created my own on the computer: Colorful posters that gave all the essential information about my event in large, easy-to-read type, with pull-off tabs on the bottom that simply said Free Writing Seminar, along with the location, date, and time. You can put these in supermarkets, as well as delis, convenience stores, libraries, and other high-traffic businesses. 4. Find local websites, e-mail lists, and message boards. Many cities, counties, and regions have their own websites where people can announce coming events. You can also search for your geographic area on Yahoogroups.com to find e-mail discussion lists in your area. Write to the site owner or group moderator to request that he or she tell members about your event. 5. Co-promote. When Judith Lazarus promoted her books, The Spa Sourcebook and Stress Relief & Relaxation Techniques, she asked a spa product manufacturer to provide her with samples. She used these samples to draw people to her book signing table. You might find a local business that could benefit from being featured at your event, and ask them to hang a sign about the event or include flyers in customers bags in return. Or find someone whos promoting a complementary product or service, and agree to swapyoull distribute postcards about their events at your table if theyll do the same for you. 6. Run contests and giveaways. Similar to Judiths deal with the spa product manufacturer, see if you can get a business to donate an item for giveawayor use one of your own products or services. On your publicity material, you can announce that one lucky attendee (or many) will win a valuable door prize. Or invite people to enter the contest beforehand, then tell each of them that youll announce the winner/s at the event. Be sure to include the prizes monetary value on your announcements. 7. Use lawn signs. If politicians can promote themselves with signs on our lawns, why cant we? Ask friends and associates to put a colorful sign on their lawn with very brief information about your event. 8. Be photogenic. If this is an event youve done before, or if you have an interesting photo related to your event, send it to local newspapers with your release. You have a better shot at seeing print if you can provide a photo, and readers will be more drawn to your announcement if its accompanied by a picture. Pick an interesting prop or a fun candid shot, not a typical headshot. 9. Business cards, revisited. Although many local business dont have enough counter space to display a stack of your flyers, they may be happy to let you deposit a stack of business-card-size announcements about your event. These are easy to make on your computer, and again, should just contain an eye-catching headline and essential information about the event. About The Author Jenna Glatzer is the author of Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer and nine other books. Shes teaching a workshop based on her book Outwitting Writers Block at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY this October. For more details, and to pick up a free editors e-mail cheat sheet, visit www.jennaglatzer.com. Copyright 2004 Jenna Glatzer. All rights reserved. (This article is free to reprint as long as the bio and copyright are included.)
MORE RESOURCES: See the complete list of Articles on Public Speaking here Have a look at Best Selling Books on Public Speaking
See also : Other articles on
Depression,
Grief Loss,
Happiness,
Humor,
Inspirational,
Motivation,
Why not be an expert yourself ? If you can write on
any of the above topic, you are welcome to submit your Submit
your article here |
RELATED ARTICLES
Speaking Body Language I observed an almost surreal event when I was a business student.At the front of the classroom, an entrepreneur was practicing a pitch he would make later to venture capital firms. A Simple Guide to Writing (and Giving) a Speech Nearly as dreaded as snakes and spiders, public speaking ranks high in causing fear in many of us.Whether your motivation is a desire to learn or simple necessity, here is a really simple guide to writing and giving a speech. What to Do When an Audience Member Disagrees With You Some people enjoy drawing attention to themselves by trying to trip you up on a fact or statistic during your presentation. A few will find something you say threatening to their secure view of the universe and want you to know that " You are dead wrong!!" When this happens it is important to remember that you won't be able to please everyone in your audience and you shouldn't try. Poised for Success: How Developing Self-Awareness Can Improve Your Presentations There are a number of factors that determine how your audience will judge you and subsequently your message, one of the most visible being your posture. Posture is a reflection of your attitude and may at times betray your misgivings or uncertainties in difficult situations like an important presentation. How To Write Powerful Presentations, Speeches And Talks Most of us get nervous about making a speech, whether it's to 2000 convention delegates or a PTA meeting at our child's school. Often, though, people find that's the worst part of the whole process - the anticipation. The Top Four Ways To Get Audience Involvement In A Presentation In the thousands of speeches I've heard very few presenters truly engage and involve the audience.Remember, even the most disciplined and attentive of audiences will switch off after 20 minutes. Timing - Why You Should Never Go Overtime with Your Presentation or Speech In a conference setting, nothing annoys audiences more than talks that go overtime. It shows a lack of consideration for the audience, and to be frank, there is absolutely no excuse for it if the speaker has prepared well. Ten Steps to Fearless Public Speaking There is plenty of dubious material which suggests you can combat public speaking fear. Much of it includes fancy techniques such as 'visualisation' or 'breathing techniques'. Lose Stagefright Over Your Lunch Hour While teaching a two-day Speaking Confidence program to a group of 25 government secretaries, I wanted to give them practice using their personal experience to help others. So I gave them a simple assignment to ponder over their lunch hour: Think of a lesson they'd learned in life and share that lesson with the group when they came back. The Best Practical Tips for Overcoming Stage Fright As one who does some speech coaching, I have heard all of the crazy ideas on how to conquer stage fright, but I think in more basic ideas. Actually, just a few. Knowing Your Boundaries While delivering a speech, it is clear that we will be judged and perceived in a certain way based on our ideas, words, and body language. Taking a risk and really thinking out of the box can be quite rewarding and at the same time, it can be a disaster. 20 Tips to Becoming a Professional Speaker: How to be a Rising Star Entering the speaking industry can be both daunting and exciting. It is an excellent environment where you can make a real difference in the lives of your audience. Does Uptalk Make you Upchuck? Uptalk is invading the work place and is reaching epidemic proportions. It's that singsong speech pattern that has a rising inflection at the end of sentence. 15 Tips For Making A Great Speech 1. Listen to your internal dialog. Will Speak for Food - Using Free Speeches to Attract Customers If you want to get in front of prospective customers, and be viewed as an expert in your industry, become a speaker. Being at the front of the room gives you credibility. Start Conversations as Easily as You Start a Car Starting a car is easy. Put the key in, turn it, and the car starts. Speaking One-to-One Speaking to an individual is different from the group experience. Whether you are training someone, selling, coaching, or asking for a raise, here are some tips for speaking one-to-one. Public Speaking Tips: Lessons From Former US President Ronald Reagan If you want public speaking tips, what are the ten insights you can learn from former US President Ronald Reagan who was known as 'The Great Communicator'.The news of the death of former US President Ronald Reagan at 93 in June 2004, hasagain focussed the world's attention on both his achievements and greatcommunication skills. How to Write and Deliver an Outstanding Speech - Using the PEPP Talk Forumla I learned my craft as a speaker a long time ago, and I have kept on learning and practicing it every day for the past 30 years. That's the thing about any talent, you have to practice if you want excel. How Well Do You Speak? The ability to speak well can enhance your career, clinch a sale, sell a point of view and increase your business productivity.1. |
|
You are here |
|
| Public Speaking Tips Home | Public Speaking Tips - Complete list | |
|
| Main Home | | Meditation Corner | |
|
|
| Recommend us | |
|
[About
us] [Contact] [Privacy
Policy]
Copyright 2006, Meditation
is Easy.com, All
rights reserved