Do You Think Like a Million-Dollar Speaker?
By · CommentsI just spent 2-days with 20 of the wealthiest professional speakers in the world. The meeting was held at the National Speakers Association Convention in Orlando. NSA has created a new, invitation-only group called the Million-Dollar Round Table. Each applicant had to submit financial statements to prove they had billed over a million dollars in speaking revenue in 2009. Only 21 speakers qualified, and I was honored to be one of them. All of us spoke during the 2-days, and it was amazing to hear the ideas from all of these brilliant speakers. The entire meeting I kept thinking to myself that I’d never be sitting here without the knowledge I acquired from interviewing wealthy people for the last 26-years. They taught me how to think like a millionaire, and it changed my business and my life. I had to leave the meeting early to begin the media tour for my new book, How Rich People Think. Yesterday I was interviewed on FOX and NBC. Today I’m on CBS in Chicago. This tour will continue through December and go from here to Europe and Australia. The ONLY way I could have done this is from what I learned from the wealthy. Most professional public speakers DON’T THINK like MILLIONAIRES, and that’s why so few of them are wealthy. If you’re goal is to become a million-dollar speaker, please read How Rich People Think. This book may shock you a little, but I promise you it will make you think about money in a whole different way than any book you’ve ever read on the subject. Check it out at http://www.howrichpeoplethinkbook.com You can even download 5 Chapters for FREE as a test-drive. Watch this short video post for a few major tips from the book.
How Strong is Your Value Proposition?
By · CommentsIt’s a tough time for most professional speakers. The recession has wiped out speakers with a weak value proposition. The same thing happened after 9/11. The most telling sign is the National Speakers Association convention, which is being held in Orlando next week. Just over 1,000 speakers are registered. When I joined in 1997, it was almost double that number. NSA is holding a special one-day session for all speakers earning at least a million dollars a year, and out the 1,000 speakers registered, only 24 of us have qualified. Some of the biggest names in the business didn’t make the cut. 9/11 and this recession has created a correction in the speaker’s market that was long overdue. The speaker’s who are still in business simply have the strongest value proposition, which includes platform skills, business acumen, and ability to deliver bottom-line results to their customers. This group and the new speaker’s who do the same will dominate the industry until the market is flush again, at which time the weak proposition speakers will work until the market corrects again. Watch this short video clip about the organization with the greatest value proposition in the history of business…and then follow their lead! Steve Siebold
Speaking on National Television
By · CommentsOne of the fastest ways to catapult your public speaking career is to be interviewed on national television. Last year I was on the Today Show, Good Morning America, FOX, ABC News, NBC, CBS, and a bunch of others. I can tell you from experience this is one the best things you can do for your career. In this short 3-minute video post, I share some of the most important tips for succeeding in this medium.
Speaking in Stadiums
By · CommentsOne of the greatest thrills you can have as a professional speaker is addressing a sold-out stadium packed with 10,000 people. In 40-minutes you can reach more people with your message than most speakers reach in years. I’ve been lucky enough to give lots of stadium speeches, and I’ve learned some important lessons along the way. Speaking in a stadium is different than speaking to 100, 500, or even 1,0oo people. There are many more variables to consider and far more things that can go wrong. In this short video, I’ll give you three of the most important differences you want to be prepared for.
What is Your Public Speaking Dream?
By · CommentsIf you could achieve your ultimate vision as a professional public speaker, what would it look like? Would you be speaking at Microsoft’s national convention with Bill Gates in the front row? How about being the opening keynote at a convention with 20,000 people in Madison Square Garden? Whatever your dream is, make sure your business plan is getting you closer each day. I’m in the middle of a 5-city, cross country speaking tour, and this video post is from beautiful San Francisco. Don’t be a speaker who settles for whatever this business hands you. Identify your ultimate speakers fantasy and then make it happen. Isn’t that what we tell our audiences to do? I’ll look forward to your comments. Steve Siebold ( 1:55 )
What Tier Level Speaker Are You?
By · CommentsFortune 500 executives are famous for referring to vendors in what they call ‘Tier Levels’. They take pride in only hiring “Tier 1 speakers”, which is another way of saying “the best of the best”. After all, they can afford it. When you’re spending five million dollars on a national convention, what difference does it make if the keynote speaker costs fifteen or twenty thousand dollars? They want the best and that’s who they hire. While most struggling speakers are worrying about building flashy websites and killer demo videos, Tier 1 speakers are almost always hired by referral. Of all the Fortune 500 executives I’ve spoken for over the last 14 years, I don’t think any of them have seen my demo video or website. Tier 1 speakers focus their efforts on getting better on the platform and improving their product, which is themselves. For those of you enrolled in the 10-day Free Speaking Course (www.freespeakingcourse.com) I want you to pay close attention to this video and take notes on the details of the four tier levels. I doubt that you’re going to hear this anywhere else. I’ve learned that the speaking business is a lot like the weight loss industry: there’s more money in telling people it’s easy than there is in telling the truth. I was lucky to have the best of the best in this business guiding and advising me every step of the way. The primary reason I have this blog is to pass that same knowledge on to you. I hope you’ll continue to take advantage of it. Steve Siebold ( 6:11 )
Will Toastmasters Lead to Paid Public Speaking?
By · CommentsToastmasters International is the largest public speaking organization in the world with over 250,000 members. I love Toastmasters and have been an active member since 1996. I co-founded the Bill Gove Toastmasters Club in Florida, and I’ve keynoted their regional and international events for free to show my support. The problem is there’s a myth being perpetuated on the internet that Toastmasters is a training ground for professional speaking. Watch this post to avoid listening to the wrong people about the professional speaking business. Steve Siebold
Free Professional Speaking Course
By · CommentsI’m excited to offer you the opportunity to take a 10-day professional speaking training course online…for FREE! I’m offering this course as a way to offset some of the misinformation being perpetuated all over the internet about the paid public speaking business. This is a LIMITED TIME OFFER, so please take advantage of this before we begin charging the regular price, which will be $297.00. Watch this video for more information and then visit Free Speaking Course to register. Steve Siebold
Public Speaking Fees
By · CommentsMost speakers guess when they’re setting fees. The amount of bad information about how to determine your fee is staggering. I’ve attended sessions at NSA where the presenter tells the audience that there is no formula for setting fees. This is ridiculous, and it shows why so few people make money in this business. Meanwhile, the speakers who understand the ‘business of the business’ continue to earn millions. Watch this post and you’ll know understand how ‘Tier One Speakers’ set their fees. Steve Siebold ( 7:38 )
Best Novel for Public Speakers
By · CommentsOg Mandino, one of the most popular authors of all-time, wrote one of his last books about a fictional thought-leader/public speaker. Bill Gove, Og Mandino’s speaking coach and mentor, told me back in 1996 that I had to read this book. As usual, Bill was right. I’ve never forgotten this book. It’s a must-read for every public speaker. Watch this short video post for details. Steve Siebold
