Can you make it as a professional speaker? Knowing how to deliver a great presentation is obviously important, but truly understanding how the speaking industry really works is probably even more important. What do you need to know to deal with event promoters? What can you do to take control of the room and not let the unexpected derail your presentation? Should you pursue the fee or free speaking model? What about technology? What do they mean by 'buying units.' And so much more.
In "ABCs of Speaking" industry insiders Adryenn Ashley (the "A"), Bret Ridgway (the "B") and Caterina Rando (the "C") share their combined decades of experience from both the platform and the promoter perspectives. They pull back the curtains and give you a sneak peek into how the speaking world really works. You'll learn how to build a profitable speaking business that allows you to more effectively build your platform and share your powerful message with the world.
"ABCs of Speaking" literally covers the world of speaking from A to Z and even if you already consider yourself a professional speaker you're guaranteed to pick up a few nuggets that can help you take things to the next level with your speaking. Get more gigs, make more money and impact more lives today!
ABCs of Speaking : Your Building Blocks to Speaking Success
Description
Table of Contents
Chapter A -- Analysis and Action
Chapter B -- Bookings, Bookings and More Bookings
Chapter C -- Curriculum: What are You Going to Teach Them?
Chapter D -- Demographics: Understanding Your Audience
Chapter E -- Environment: Controlling the Room
Chapter F -- Fee or Free: Speaking Models
Chapter G -- Getting the Word Out: Speaker Sheet/Website/Online Profiles
Chapter H -- Hosting: Things to Consider if You Want to Put on Your Own Events
Chapter I -- Impressions: Your Speech Starts When You Walk in the Building
Chapter J -- Joint Ventures
Chapter K -- Keeping It Real
Chapter L -- Leverage: Using Speaking to Explode Your Business
Chapter M -- Metrics: Attendees, Buying Units, Closing %, Etc.
Chapter N -- Networking
Chapter O -- Offers: Selling Products from the Stage
Chapter P-- Promoters: Dealing with Them
Chapter Q -- Quality vs. Quantity: Creating your Criteria
Chapter R -- Responsibility
Chapter S -- Storytelling
Chapter T -- Technology: Powerpoints, Texting, and More
Chapter U -- Upselling and Under-valuing
Chapter V -- Visibility: Social Media Strategies
Chapter W-- Writing a Book
Chapter X-- eXpanding Your Platform: Coaching, Membership Sites, etc.
Chapter Y -- You: It's All About You... Or Is It? (Don't be a Diva.)
Chapter Z -- ZZZZs: Avoiding Them Nodding Off by Keeping Your Audience Engaged
Author Description
Review quote
"I've been in the speaker and event business for over 13 years and this book really covers the industry in an easy to understand, complete format. It's a great road map to follow to ensure success in an often competitive and complex speaking world." --- Jessie Schwartzburg, Event Producer and Speaker Consultant, JessieSchwartzburg.com
"As an author and trainer looking to get more speaking time this is "THE" handbook to have. I don't look at "The A, B C's..." as a read it once and apply. I think it's more of road guide on what to do before, during and after to make sure you have all of the bases covered. This will definitely be useful for not only myself ,but also as a resource I will soon be telling other speakers, potential speakers and those in my coaching groups they must read." --- Frank Deardurff, That One Web Guy!, FrankDeardurff.com
"For everyone who wants to unleash their public speaking talent, The ABCs of Speaking by Adryenn Ashley, Bret Ridgway and Caterina Rando is the best book for you. It is especially helpful for entrepreneurs who want to learn how they can use the art of public speaking to increase their number of customers, add more opportunities and grow their businesses. I love that the ABCs of Speaking book is comprehensive and very easy to understand. You should all grab your copy now." --- Veronica M. Brooks, International Speaker, Author and Wealth Life Coach, VeronicaBrooks.com
"If you are an expert in your field (and if you aren't, either become one or find something you ARE an expert at!), you need to be on stage in front of people who can benefit from your expertise. In the ABCs of Speaking, Bret, Adryenn and Caterina provide you with a no-nonsense, get-to-the-point strategy guide that can help get you where you want to be! Be sure to read it A to Z." --- Joel Comm, New York Times Best-Selling Author of Twitter Power 2.0, JoelComm.com
"ABCs of Speaking is a must-read for anyone interested in making money, attracting clients, and delivering unforgettable speeches. Easy to read, each chapter is clear and concise, offering practical tips to develop your speaking career as a business, not just a hobby. In fact, I'm using Chapter B and its 10 key strategies to increase the number of bookings for my keynote speaking business. From A-to-Z, you'll find everything you need to get started and maximize your speaking experience." --- Phil Johncock, The Grant Professor, Award-Winning Author, Inspirational Speaker & Innovative Educator, PhilJohncock.com
"What an awesome resource for speakers! Save hours of time, lots of unnecessary aggravation and costly mistakes by referring to the 'ABCs of Speaking' before, during and after your next speaking engagement." --- Ellyn Bader, Director, The Couples Institute, CouplesInstitute.com
"To a great extent I've used speaking to help build Morgan James Publishing. Bret and the co-authors of his new book the ABCs of Speaking provide a wonderful introduction to the world of speaking for anyone looking to add speaking to their marketing mix. The content is clear and concise and I highly recommend it for any public speaker." --- David Hancock, Founder, Morgan James Publishing, MorganJamesPublishing.com
"Bret and the authors of this book are the definition of "Been There - Done That." Their experiences watching some of the best speakers in the world do well (and not so well) make this a book that should be on the shelf of anyone looking to take speaking seriously. The best training comes from experience---grab this now!" --- Paul Colligan, PaulColligan.com
"The ABCs of Speaking is a great primer for beginning speakers. This fast-reading book provides a cornucopia of hints for anyone who is looking to start a speaking business." --- Wendy Lipton-Dibner, 3-time bestselling author and internationally recognized authority
in business acceleration through transformational speaking, MovePeopleToAction.com
"A must have for aspiring and seasoned speakers.
If you're looking for the A - Z of speaking, The ABCs of Speaking is the book to get. Each and every page is chock full of great insights on exactly what you need to do to secure speaking engagements and make money in the process. With everything from defining your ideal audience, putting your speaker sheet together, networking, self staged events, selling from the platform and more, this is a must have for anyone serious about their speaking career.
Don't hesitate for a minute. Get a copy for you and anyone you know who aspires to be a well-paid speaker." ---Kathleen Gage, Award-winning Speaker, Author and Marketing Consultant, PowerUpForProfits.com
"In this practical guide to the speaking business, the authors have gifted us with a bucket full of gold nugget wisdom for burgeoning and experienced speakers. Not only do they share targeted key points on how to strengthen your speaking skills, they also give away the secrets on proven methods to put butts in the seats, work with promoters, and fulfill your passion to get your message out to the world. I especially enjoyed the chapter on storytelling and how to craft audience riveting talks from your own real life experiences. Well done! " --- Dr. Dan Strakal, International Award Winning Speaker, Author, and Workplace Expert
"This is the book that every speaker would say 'I wish I had this before I made all of my costly mistakes!' The ABCs of Speaking is a true shortcut/checklist/manual for anyone intending to make a career of speaking from the stage. While it has great information on being an effective speaker, I believe its true gold is in providing precise guidance on the business side of speaking...the step-by-step information you ordinarily would have to learn the hard way. You can't go wrong with this speaker toolbox or handbook! Get this book and you are well on your way to igniting your life as a successful speaker. I'm recommending The ABCs of Speaking to all of my clients who are seeking to expand their speaking." --- Jackie Lapin, Founder, Conscious Media Relations, ConsciousMediaRelations.com
"In the ABCs of Speaking Adryenn, Bret, and Caterina have created a wonderful primer for those of us interested in developing speaking as a component of our businesses or making speaking our business focus. In this relatively short book (and easy read), they are at once comprehensive and specific, giving practical steps and advice in a wide range of topics that speakers, and aspiring speakers, need to know about. This is a reference that I know I will consult over and over again." --- Mary Hiland, Ph.D., President, Hiland & Associates, Hiland-Assoc.com
"From soup to nuts, the alphabet soup for your speaking success. An instructional guide teaches you the essential ingredients you need to speak and win today". --- Janet I Muelle, JanetIMueller.com
"This book is brilliantly written and jam packed with everything you need to know in order to succeed in the world of speaking. It has been said that the number one fear people have is public speaking. This book is without a doubt a must-have tool chest for new speakers and a magnificent reference for those already living in that space!" --- Rose Sheehan, Founder and CEO, Golden Egg Global, RoseSheehan360.com