I had attended a few sessions in the past and found most of the presenters to be funny, but not really explain the “how to” be funny. It usually felt more like a chance for them to shine rather than teach. This one sounded different after all is was a regional conference, not a local one.

I was shocked! Absolutely beside myself, and me and myself were both ripping mad! The gist of the presenter’s instructions was to find funny stories in old Reader’s Digest Magazines and memorize them! The presenter actually said, “If they are from years ago people won’t remember the stories.” My head exploded, “WHAT!” Not only is that stealing, you’ll never learn to do it yourself with that strategy.

I not only filled out the evaluation form, I filled the whole back-side of the paper as well. This event actually lead me to have a passion for teaching “how tos.” Partially because it was what I craved and I saw few other people teaching specific “how tos.” It is when I thought, “Not only is this wrong, but I can help people better than these presenters!” This incident also lead me to making sure our Lady and the Champs Speakers Conference is very content-rich.

You see, I grew up in the comedy world where the fastest way to end a career is use other people’s material. It is a small world and everyone knows everyone else’s material. It is easy to spot those who steal. I’ve learned over the years that somehow people in the “emerging speaker” world think it is OK to use other people’s material. It is also not “policed” as much in the speaking world as in comedy. I want you to know that it is not OK!

In the Boston comedy scene where I started, there was about fifty working comedians. In the emerging speaker market there are literally tens of thousands around the world. As people go up in fees the numbers reduce dramatically. Working speakers in the $5000 fee range and above are a relatively small group. Event planners know speakers in the range often share the stage with colleagues repeatedly. They too know each other’s material and stories. They talk.

A couple months after I gave my “Ouch!” speech at the National Speaker Association, Rick Segel and Larry Winget were speaking in the UK and witnessed someone there do my fall. They “called him” on it. He at first denied he saw me at the national convention do my fall, but later admitted to them that he was actually there.

Though that speaker may have gotten some compliments from others, what do you think happened to his credibility in they eyes of Rick and Larry? Do you think they would ever refer him? It is a small world especially at the top.

I’ve had a professional speaker, who should know better, actually use a page from one of my handouts and taught humor from it! The shock to me was it was at the same conference I spoke at a year prior. That’s not OK! They got a call from me and to my surprise they saw nothing wrong with it. Yikes! They ignored © stamp at the bottom of the page. I may have expected it from someone who is a naive novice, but a pro? It’s not OK!

Rory Vaden, when teaching his humor workshop, uses a couple of my ideas with my permission and gives me credit. That’s perfect. That is OK!

Recently, it came to my attention that someone from one of our boot camps came out with an e-book. I had more than one person tell me that this speaker was teaching our material. When I looked at it, though there was some original info it seemed like a highlight reel of teachings from the other Champs and myself. The bigger challenge was that no credit was given. I emailed the person and they replied telling me they “reworded” the content from their own head so they thought it was OK. That writer replied to me,

“Most of the techniques were known to speakers in ancient Greece, actors of the past etc….For example many speakers of today use techniques taught by Dale Carnegie. Dale Carnegie learned them from Socrates and Socrates learned them from somebody else.”

That is absolutely correct. Universal principles can’t have a copyright. Specific techniques and applications can be. For example, my message in my speech “Ouch!” is willing to fail. That is a universal principle. I found out after winning that John Maxwell had a book titled: Failing Forward. Same universal principle. What I saw in this ebook was some of our exact terminology. That speaker in the UK who “lifted” my fall idea realized the power of truth, brand and credibility.

Much of what I teach has been learned from Patricia Fripp, Craig Valentine and Lou Heckler not to mention Mark Brown. Give credit. Make it your own and personalize from your life experience. I remember seeing a speaker at a summer school class who gave a wonderful speech on self-responsibility. I was mesmerized. A few years later I heard Tony Robbins give the exact same example. Yikes. I had not realized I had seen a copy back in summer school because that was before I was aware of Tony and his material. At an amateur comedy night in Boston, I saw someone do a Robbin Williams routine word for word. He bombed. The truth does always come out.

Many professional speakers now, may have made a similar mistake early in their career. Once you are aware, stop please. I thank the people who taught people to steal material. They inspired me to become a teacher. I realized I could help people more than they were.

I’m grateful for my comedy up bringing which taught me, though it was more work to create unique material, doing the work actually forced me to grow faster. It may seem like a shortcut to “lift” someone else’s material, but it makes becoming a paid professional a much longer road. It can be challenging when you get started. If it was easy, everyone would become a success. The audience wants to know your story from your experience. Regurgitating someone’s material especially without giving credit… That’s not OK!

-Darren

1. Your benefit hooks, story angles, headlines for your pitch

2. Your contact information, with name, email, website, and mailing address

3. Depending upon the medium, you can include sample Intros and possible “talking-points” or actual suggested questions. Keep in mind, that they may totally ignore them and ask you whatever they want.

4. Your short Bio or Byline.

5. Links to digital assets, like video b-roll, photos & Images, additional text.  This can be the media and news page of your website like this, Ford Saeks Media Kit

6. There are plenty of templates, just search google for “media kit templates” or “media release templates”

I suggest that you research the media company first to be familiar with what type of guests they use. Do they publish guest blog posts, need videos or audio? Get familiar with their style, tone and format. Remember, if they are going to interview you, you’re their to help add value to their viewers, listeners or readers, not to promote your products or services.  Keep a database of your media contacts and be prepared to get bumped, so if they promise you an interview time, and it gets cancelled or reschedule, you still want to send a thank you card and keep the relationship lines of communication open.

When it comes to media, the real benefit is not just when the piece airs or is printed, but in your re-use of it as “social proof” to build trust and credibility with your prospects.

I have a seminar that would help businesses to grow. However, I could use sponsorship and sponsorship proposal to conduct 24 monthly public seminars. What resources would you suggest I reference before negotiating help from an association or business?

Ford Saeks Suggests these tips for Sponsorship Proposals

Hi Jeffrey,

Sponsorship partners are a great way to co-promote, generate additional funds and provide social proof to your prospects. There are no specific resources that I can point you towards, but I can give you some insights into how to prepare.

1. Remember that you are trading “value-for-value”. The sponsor wants to reach your prospects or help a cause and you want to generate revenue to help with promotions.

2. I would start with no more that three sponsorship packages.    Like the Silver, Gold and Platinum, or whatever names you want to use.  The smaller packages include logos on marketing materials, and the larger packages can include things like, mentions in newsletters, advertising banners on your website, blog or newsletter, special appearance time at your actual event, like 5 or 10 minutes before a break, maybe speaking during a meal, etc.

3. Do you research in your industry to see what’s customary for sponsorship proposals. Keep in mind, that research is helpful, but that doesn’t mean you cannot set your own package and involvement levels.  We’ve sold sponsorship packages for as little at $150, all the way up to a title sponsor for an event at $150,000.

4. Issues to consider are logo placements, inclusion in marketing campaigns, mentions in media campaigns, signage at the event, on workbooks, posters, and whether or not the Sponsor is going to marketing and promote to their lists. This can be a huge asset as now you are reaching new prospects.

5. Start with the value proposition. What’s the value that you’re offering to the sponsor and why should they care or get involved?

6. Everything is negotiable, but you’ll want to maintain fee integrity between sponsors. It’s a small world and they’ll no doubt ask each other about the deals.

And for the viewers out there… post your thoughts below.

Ford Responds…

Dear T.F.,

Your goal should be to add value and capture their contact information at the event. So if you’re speaking for free, you can offer a free give-away (ethical bribe) to trade for their contact info. The schools will see you adding value by offering the free report, free audio, free CD, free digital download… you get the point.

Then once you have their contact information, you can distribute your give-away and start a drip-campaign, to drip value on them either through the mail or through electronic means, like an email newsletter. You can also leverage social media and encourage your audience members to follow and connect with you on facebook, watch and subscribe to your Youtube channel. IF their students, Facebook may be more appropriate than a social media website like Linkedin.

You can present the “free events” to build trust, credibility and add value, but you need to have the next stage in your sales cycle (funnel) figured out so it naturally makes sense for them to ask for more information to continue their learning, transformation, experience, etc. Get clear on who you want to reach, figure out where they congregate, and get in-front of them. Build your list, and then market to them to convert them from a prospect to a customer for one of your products or services. You should watch the first and second video replay of the monthly webinars. They explain in more detail how to identify your revenue model and marketing tactics too.

Ford

If you want to learn how to Get Paid to Speak, then check out this other video on how Darren LaCroix and Ford Saeks can help you generate revenue from your expertise through speaking, training, consulting and information products.

If you have questions on how to earn money from speaking, post them below on this blog post and we’ll respond to your questions with new comments or even special blog posts.

Darren LaCroix and I, Ford Saeks, created the Get Paid to Speak Community to:

• Help you market yourself profitably as a professional speaker.
• Enable you to stay ahead of the professional speaking industry.
• Give you secrets from successful mentors.
• Help you to get rich in your niche.

The Get Paid to Speak members’ “dashboard” within the membership website includes access to:

Monthly Webinars

As an elite member, you’re registered automatically, receive all webinar details via email, attend all webinars for free and receive a digital replay after the session.  Presented by Darren and me, you’re going to get strategies and techniques directly from the experts!

Group Coaching

Members are registered automatically, receive all conference call details via email, participate in all group coaching sessions for free and receive a digital replay after the session.  You’ll even get the chance to ask questions and hear guest interviews with other world-class professional speakers!

How-To Videos

Whether you’re brand new or need to re-invent your business, our video library offers invaluable training directly from the experts.

 Resources

Darren and I want to do as much of the work for you!  Members enjoy complimentary resources to help you get started or continue to grow your speaking business.

Store

Members get 20% off all of our products, including value packs, multi-dimensional learning, audio programs, video programs and books!

Ask the Experts

As an elite member of the Get Paid to Speak Community, you get direct access to Darren and me!  Ask us any question, any time and get a prompt response straight from the expert!

If you’re not already a Get Paid to Speak Community member, please visit www.GetPaidtoSpeak.com for all the details.  We look forward to seeing you on the other side!