Archive for professional speaking
My SHOCKING Interview on FOX-TV New York
Posted by: | CommentsThere’s no place in the world like New York City to deliver a speech or be interviewed on television. New Yorkers are outspoken, direct, and fearless in asking questions that make most people blush. I’ve given speeches and interviews in NYC for years, but I have to admit that my interview today on FOX New York shocked me. I guess the lesson for all of us as speakers is to be prepared for anything, especially in the BIG APPLE! Check it out and see what you think. Steve Siebold
Best Novel for Public Speakers
Posted 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
Bob Proctor’s Advice to Speakers
Posted by: | CommentsBob Proctor is one of the most successful professional speakers of all-time. I’ve had the honor of speaking at dozens of conventions with Bob all over the world. I can tell you from first hand experience why he’s so successful: he’s really good. More specifically, he’s a very exciting, content rich, entertaining performer. Millions of people know Bob from the hit movie, The Secret, and we appeared together in the movie. Beyond the Secret. I caught up with Bob at the Delray Beach Marriott as him and I were waiting to go onstage.
Professional Speakers Beware: End of an Era
Posted by: | CommentsThe great recession/correction of 2008-2010 marks the end of an era for professional speakers. The days of thousands of motivational speakers regurgitating think and grow rich are over. Thousands of speakers have been forced out the business in the last two years because companies are demanding tens time the value they were 24 months ago. They are bleeding red ink and desparate for answers, which creates a HUGE opportunity for speakers with solutions while simultaneously marking the end of the road for platitude-pumping, shoulder-rubbing, philospher quoting, feel good presenters. This doesn’t mean the end for all of these speakers, but certainly for the majority. The best of the bunch will make a comeback after the recession ends, but it will never be the same as the pre-recession days. The good news is the high content, solution-oriented personality speaker will be in higher demand than ever. Fess for these speakers will continue to rise, and the future is limitless. Listen to this post and give us your take. Steve Siebold
PLEASE DON’T Write a Book in 30 Days
Posted by: | CommentsThe average best-selling author spends 12-24 months writing their books, yet there’s a bunch of people promising new speakers they can do it in 30 days. These are the same people claiming the speaking business is easy and you can throw a speech together overnight and you don’t even have to be a good speaker to deliver it. I heard these same lies when I got started in the business in 1996, and thank God I met Bill Gove. Bill Gove was from the old school. You know, the guys who believed a hand shake was as good as a contract and your word was your bond? Bill set me straight and told me the truth. Because he was honest with me, I had the chance at fulfilling my dream as a speaker. He warned me about listening to people selling a product or program on the premise that the business was easy. Any successful speaker who’s honest will tell you how tough this business is. It’s doable and it’s worth it, but you will pay a price for your success. (like any other business) Listen this post (9 minutes) and make your decison about writing a book on the FACTS…instead of listening to people who stand to profit from ignorance. If I sound angry in this post, it’s because I am. This is the greatest industry in the world and it’s being tainted by profiteers selling snake oil who could care less if you succeed or not. (Think George Washington Duke in Rocky 5) It’s a small group of people, but they’re growing because no one seems to have the guts to call them out. I’ll look forward to your conments. Steve Siebold (9 minutes)
Should speakers thank the audience?
Posted by: | CommentsSeems like a pretty easy question to answer, but speakers have different beliefs about this. We get this question at every session of the Bill Gove Speech Workshop, and we give the workshop philosophy to the participants. Bill Gove, the father of professional speaking, felt very strongly about this. Listen to this 2-minute audio post and let us know what you think.
Audience “Shocked and Stunned” by Senior Executives Comments on Speaking Business
Posted by: | CommentsI interviewed a senior executive last weekend in Atlanta at the Siebold Success Network meeting for almost 2 hours onstage, and the audience of speakers was shocked at what she had to say. This executive hires some of the biggest speakers in the business, and she told the truth about what it takes to get hired at this level. As I’ve been saying over and over again in this blog, there’s a large group of speaker trainers getting rich telling people how easy the speaking business is and how you don’t have to be a good speaker to make it. They’re telling the masses of new speakers exactly what they want to hear. The problem is new speakers don’t know the truth from the lies, and they often choose to follow the path that looks easiest. That’s why I’m fighting these liars by interviewing corporate executives who hire speakers. The speaking industry is a wonderful business, and we need more thought leaders who are also competent presenters. The only chance a new speaker has to break into the business, (outside of getting famous) is to learn how the business really works and what organizations are looking for. Listen to this post, and join us in Atlanta June 11-13, for the next session of the Siebold Success Network. www.sieboldsuccessnetwork.com Over 4,000 contracts were signed last weekends between speakers and referral agents. All we were missing is YOU!
Steve Siebold
How to get booked as a professional speaker in the Fortune 500
Posted by: | CommentsIf you’re interested in speaking for the biggest, richest companies in the world but you haven’t been able to figure out how to do it, don’t feel bad. Fortune 500 companies have multiple gatekeepers whose only job is to screen and block calls from unknown vendors. The good news is there’s a secret to cracking the code, and there’s a group of speakers from 10 countries around the world who have banded together to help each other make it happen. All this group is missing is you! Listen to this post and then visit www.sieboldsuccessnetwork.com Steve Siebold
Is The Speaking Business Really That Easy?
Posted by: | CommentsThere’s a group of people in the speaking industry telling emerging speakers how easy it is to become a successful professional speaker. Back in 1996, the year I started my full time speakering career, I heard the same thing. It turns out the people perpetuating this lie are profiting from it. Chances are they’re trying to sell you a seminar, book publishing deal, or CVD or DVD product that tells you how to make it. Some of these people are even telling speakers they don’t have to be good on the platform to make it. Of course none of what they say is true, but new speakers don’t know the charlatans from the good guys. Thank God I met Bill Gove back in 1996. Bill set me straight and told me who to listen to and who to run from. He showed me the honest side of the business as well as the dark side. Bill Gove is the most honest man I’ve ever met in this business, and this post will hopefully pass on some of his wisdom to you.
Steve Siebold
Do you REALLY BELIEVE what you speak about?
Posted by: | CommentsThe personal development/self-help industry is once again being accosted by the national press in the United States. The catalyst seem to be the Sweat Lodge tragedy that occurred at the James Arthur Ray event in Arizona earlier this month. (more comments on that at www.mentaltoughnessblog.com) My question for speakers is; are you delivering a message you really believe in? Are you giving your audiences all of you? Are you writing and speaking at the pinnacle of your ability? Are your books, CD’s, DVD’s and other speaker products world class, or just 2nd rate knock off’s of Think and Grow Rich? The great correction of 2008-2009 has taken it’s toll on many speaking careers, but the fact is the best of breed have survived, and in some cases, grown even bigger. The truth is the speaking business is better than ever, but only for the speakers who are writing and delivering a unique message at a high level. Once again, this business has seen another extreme example of survival of the fittest, and among the traits of the fittest is 100% belief in their message. I’ll look forward to your commentson this 7-minute audio post. Steve Siebold, CSP
