June 2008 News Flash
- President’s Message from Alan Rigg
- NSA-Arizona June 14 Monthly Meeting
- Meeting Sponsor for June
- Congratulations to Bill Johnson, first Lifetime Member
- Upcoming NSA-Arizona Program
- New NSA-Arizona Members
- NSA-Arizona Speaker Lab
- NSA National Updates
- Business Building Bulletin
- Learning from NSA Greats
- Word Trippers from the Platform
- About This Newsletter
President’s Message from Alan Rigg
Creating Value for Clients and Audiences
When a meeting planner asks you, “What will your speech do for my meeting attendees,” how do you respond? Are you able to clearly explain why audiences WANT and NEED to learn about your area(s) of expertise? Is your answer so convincing that you win more paid speaking business than you lose?
If your messaging isn’t as clear as you would like it to be, you’ll benefit from attending the June 2008 NSA-Arizona meeting. Chris Clarke-Epstein will be leading an interactive session titled “Thinking for Others: How Speakers Create Value for their Clients and Audiences.”
What an excellent opportunity to gather food for thought prior to our “summer break!” Plus, at the end of the meeting, President-Elect Neil Dempster will provide a “sneak preview” of the exciting 2008-2009 program year. You don’t want to miss it!
The June meeting marks the end of my term as president of NSA-Arizona. I would like to thank you for your participation and feedback during the past year. It has been my honor to serve you!
Sincerely,
Alan Rigg, NSA-Arizona President 2007-2008
NSA-Arizona Monthly Meeting—June 14, 2008
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon; networking 8:30 a.m.; Business Building Session 12:15 p.m.
Location: NSA Conference Center, 1500 S. Priest Dr., Tempe, AZ
Prepaid registration (by 5 p.m. Wed., June 11): $30/members, $45/guests
At-the-door registration: $40/members, $55/guests
No refunds after the early registration deadline.
Please notify us if you require any special needs for the meeting.
Chris Clarke-Epstein: Thinking for Others: How Speakers Create Value for their Clients and Audiences
What do people really want from speakers? Information, of course. But they could get that from reading a book. What they want from us are the insights, stories, and enthusiasm that can help them turn information into action!
During this interactive session, you’ll be challenged to look at your expertise from a different perspective, clarify your messages, and think about what you really do for your audiences. You’ll uncover creative ways to learn what your audiences want and need to learn about your subject areas. You and your audiences will be glad you’ve decided to think on their behalf.
Chris Clarke-Epstein, CSP is a student of words, both spoken and written. She’s a lover of storytelling, both true and slightly stretched, and a master of changes, both big and small. An award-winning speaker, trainer, and author, she presents programs that inspire people to look at their world from a fresh perspective, apply new knowledge, and make change.
VOE: Improve Your Image – Improve Your Income with Janice Hurley-Trailor
What does it take to project what every successful speaker must have?
This program features eight real-world NSA makeovers that show you the importance of “looking the part.” This program will challenge you to see the power of your professional image and make the most of your God-given gifts.
Janice Hurley-Trailor, known as The Image Expert, has more then 20 years as a consultant in the business community. She’s an international author and speaker on what it takes to project professional excellence and confidence so others see it instantly. Her clients have included individuals making $10 an hour to $2 million a year. Her goal is to help you understand how to better use your professional energy for success.
Stephanie Angelo stephanie@hressential.com heads the Program Committee 2007-2008.
Business Building Session – Your Action Plan for the Long Haul
This Business Building Session starts promptly at 12:15 p.m. and ends at 1:30. All morning attendees are welcome.
You’ve been attending meetings. You’ve heard many speakers and read the website, the blogs, the e-group, and magazines about how to build your speaking business. Now it’s time to put the pedal to the metal.
What are you going to do with all that great advice? Join us on June 14 and figure it out. Former Chapter President Beth Terry, CSP, will help you think critically about your action plan for the summer and for the long haul.
We will also celebrate our Candidate members who have “graduated” to Professional status this year. Be sure to attend!
Dave Sherman dave@connectionspro.com and Dr. Michelle May mmay@amihungry.com head the Candidate Committee 2007-2008.
Congratulations to Hilari Weinstein who won a free meeting attendance by completing her evaluation form at May’s meeting!
Prepayment Procedures: To streamline check-in at our monthly meetings, please prepay for your meeting attendance. Members and guests save $10 when they prepay by 5 p.m. on the Wednesday before the Saturday meeting. Registration at the door (available as space allows) is $40 for members and $55 for nonmembers.
Note from Executive Director Gwen Henson: We’re happy to keep your credit card on file for meeting payments but it’s not an automatic service. Please specifically ask us to do that.
To register for this meeting and save $10, follow these prepayment procedures.
Three ways to register:
- Online: go to Registration
- By email: send name, company, and number of attendees to Gwen@nsa-arizona.org
- By telephone: call (480) 968-7443
SUPPORT OUR MEETING SPONSOR
Tina Celle
Is your headshot selling you? Tina Celle has been bringing out the best in her clients for years. Many NSA members have already discovered that Tina provides Phoenix’s highest quality photography that is surprisingly affordable. A one-on-one photo session is only $300 and includes three high-resolution images on CD for you to use in your promotional or marketing materials. Schedule a session during the months of June, July, and August and receive two additional photos—a $100 value.
Call Tina today to learn more 480-529-3129 or email her at tina@tinacelle.com www.tinacelle.com
Hilari Weinstein hilari@highimpactcommunication.com heads the Sponsorship Committee 2007-2008
Congratulations to Bill Johnson, CSP, and NSA-Arizona’s First Lifetime Member
At the May 10th meeting, the first ever NSA-Arizona Lifetime Membership was given to Bill Johnson, CSP, in recognition of his 30 years of service to our chapter.
This honor entitles Bill to free lifetime membership in the chapter plus free attendance at the regular chapter meetings from September to November and January to June each year.
Bill is a charter member of NSA and its first executive vice president from 1975 to 1983. He also received Lifetime Membership from NSA National.
Upcoming NSA-Arizona Programs
Look for announcements about our Summer Fiesta. Your next NewsFlash will be sent at the end of August. Have a happy summer!
Mark your calendar now with the 2008–2009 meeting dates!
September 13, October 11, November 8, December 13 (Holiday Party), January 10, February 14, March 14, April 11, May 9, June 13
New NSA-Arizona Members
Welcome to our newest Professional members Quinn McDonald and John Hammond.
Also welcome to our newest Candidate members Mimi Kelly, Edward Gibson, Jeff Cutler, Jack Hulse, and Kevin Gazzara.
Please check out NSA-Arizona’s website nsa-arizona.org for bios and contact details.
Join Us at the NSA-Arizona Speaker Lab
The Speaker “Lab” is the ultimate opportunity to test new material or refine/improve existing material. The Lab is offered exclusively to members of the “Elite” NSA-Arizona Chapter–the only chapter nationally to offer this unique service. Speakers are allotted 30 minutes to present and receive feedback. Forty-minute slots are also available on request. Guests are invited to visit the Lab twice at no charge.
The AM Speaker Lab is held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month.
Location: NSA Headquarters, 1500 South Priest Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281
Time: 9:30 a.m. Networking / 9:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. LAB
June 10 – one slot available.
June 24 – one slot available.
If you would like to be placed on a waiting list for either date, please contact Maggie Hunts for open speaking slots/scheduling. MaggieHunts@itsasweetlifenow.com or 602-315-7788
The Evening Speaker Lab meets on the 3rd Tuesday of every month.
Location: Best Western Inn Suites, 1615 E. Northern Ave. (SE Corner of Northern & 16th St.)
Please note this location is for evening meetings only.
Time: 6:15 p.m. Networking / 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. LAB
June 17 – one slot available.
Contact: Eileen Proctor – 602-867-3647 or topdog@speaktopdogspeak.com
The Lab coordinator term is 6 months (12 meetings) and is an excellent way to build and strengthen relationships at NSA-Arizona while learning from others. To get involved, contact Speaker Lab Chair Larry Colbert 480-894-2639 or larry@drivingvision.com.
Contact Don Thoren for Speaker Lab questions and feedback.
Don Thoren, CPAE, CMC, Dthoren@cox.net
or 480-838-7406
NSA National Updates
Mark your calendar for these fabulous NSA events:
NSA National Conference – Aug. 4-8, 2008 in New York City
NSA Fall Conference – Nov. 20-23, 2008 in Scottsdale, Arizona
NSA Winter Conference – Feb. 12-15, 2009 in Orlando, Florida
NSA Convention – July 18-21, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona
For more details, go to NSA
Note: NSA is currently accepting registration grant applications for the 2008 Convention in New York, NY, August 2-5, 2008. Who is eligible? Those who could not otherwise afford the full cost of registration for the Convention and have been a member of NSA for one year as of the date of application. It does not cover the cost of travel or lodging. Up to ten grants will be awarded and the application deadline is June 13, 2008. For more information, visit the NSA Web site, contact Audrey O’Neal at (480) 968-2552 or e-mail your request to her at audrey@nsaspeaker.org.
Business Building Bulletin
Please contribute your announcements of interest to NSA-Arizona members to Barbara McNichol at editor@barbaramcnichol.com by the 15th of the month for the following issue.
Susan Ratliff was featured with a story and picture in the May edition of Arizona Business Magazine.
Learning From NSA Greats: A Speaker’s Most Valuable Asset
Technology has a “love-hate” relationship with speakers. As a 20-year CSP, I so miss the great early NSA orators who had no technology, just their power from the platform. Some of the Great Ones even stood behind a lectern. (Take note: you stand on a podium and put notes on a lectern.)
In the early days of NSA, I was the “recording guy” who ended up as a speaker. How could that be? I had the privilege of recording ALL of the first eight NSA conventions. That means I watched more than 400 good and bad speakers. I learned just by studying them, especially the BAD ones. Mostly I learned to watch speakers with an open mind and made notes about what they do well-and not so well!
Oh, how I’ve grown to LOVE the art of speaking. Those who missed watching Glenna and Naomi at the May meeting missed a treasure in time, true living legends. It was my honor to see them both come into NSA and grow like bamboo plants. They both made speaking look like a walk in the park every time, but I knew they were churning inside to be the BEST.
I came into NSA as a technology guy; learning about it on behalf of speakers ended up as a business for me (it’s all NSA’s fault)! But ultimately I’m just one speaker giving my colleagues tips to explore great tools.
Here are the must-have technology tools of today (even though Glenna and Naomi didn’t have them when they started in 1980!).
- New light-weight projector. Any projector over two years old is an antique. Four years ago, the best-selling projector weighed 7 pounds with 1000 lumens of brightness at $2900. Today, it weighs 4 pounds with 2000 lumens for $1000.
- Digital recorder. The tiny, three-ounce recorder is the single best tool for speakers. You have no excuse not to record every presentation. And you’ll learn more from listening to yourself than any other method. This investment is under $50.
- Video camera. Using a small video camera (under $200) in the back of the room, you can record yourself for a visual review. What a miracle tool!
- Remote controls. Warning: The remotes that come with projectors are only good for giving small children to play as if they’re cell phones. Use a small RF remote to change your PowerPoint or Keynote frames. The RF works the same as a garage door opener… just press and your frame changes.
- Clocks. Most speakers today run out of time before material. That’s compounded by the fact that the best material is last. So use a clock at all times. If you are booked for 30 minutes, prepare a good 20 minutes and have time for questions. Audiences and meeting planners LOVE a speaker who ends on time and ADORE one who ends EARLY!
Why do you plan for 20 minutes when you have 30? First, you almost always get on stage later than scheduled, and second, during your presentation, you “add” unprepared material and comments as well as waiting for laughter (we hope) to quiet. I recommend placing two or three small clocks place in our line of sight so you ALWAYS know the time. Important to note: The audience (your customer) only knows what time you are scheduled to finish. They don’t care what time you started! Don’t blow your chance to be GREAT by running over.
You can find these tools and more at www.speakertools.com.
Lessons from NSA Greats are contributed by Bill Johnson, CSP, a charter member and NSA’s first executive vice president from 1975 to 1983. Bill has been honored as Lifetime Member of NSA National and NSA-Arizona in 2008.
Word Trippers from the Platform
Pay special attention to these featured Word Trippers that are so commonly misused, it’s easy to mistake them for correct.
Career, careen In addition to “career” referring to one’s occupation or profession, as a verb it means to go at full speed. “Careen” means to lean or tip to one’s side while in motion. “While careering along the dark country road, the young driver careened into a snow bank and rolled his car.”
Choose, chose “Choose” refers to making a selection in the present or future; “chose” means choosing in the past. “Yesterday, I chose to clean the house, though I wanted to play golf. I won’t choose to do that again for a week.”
Compliment, complement “Compliment” means to praise while “complement” means to complete or enhance something. (Note: the words “complete” and “complement” both use the letter “e”) “The wine steward deserves many compliments. The wine complements the food extremely well.”
Email Barbara at editor@barbaramcnichol.com to suggest word pairs that trip you up for future Word Trippers. For a complimentary ebook of 300+ Word Trippers, go to barbaramcnichol.com.
About This Newsletter
Email your News Flash announcements to editor Barbara McNichol at editor@barbaramcnichol.com or call 520-615-7910 by 15th of each month.
To view back issues of the newsletter, visit our web site at
www.nsa-arizona.org Click on Newsletters and select the edition you wish to view.
