Speaker - September 2011

This issue of Speaker maga- zine is all about selling speaking. Of course, you’re not really selling a “speech.” As keynoters, trainers, coaches, consul- tants and facilitators, NSA members ell their expertise to their clients. They ultimately deliver their knowledge to an audience, either face-to-face or vir- tually. No matter what speakers sell or how they communicate their exper- tise, a passion for the spoken word is the common thread woven among them. But it’s their love for their fellow speakers that bonds them together at NSA—what we “old-timers” call the “Spirit of Cavett”—which is the spirit of NSA: We willingly share successful business practices with the greater community of speakers to help them be successful, too. When one speaker does a great job on the platform, the reputation of professional speaking is enhanced around the world.

The best part of NSA is the rela-
tionships that speakers form with
other speakers as they learn. My
dearest friends are a result of my
membership in NSA. After nearly 20
years in the speaking business, I’ve
had the most fun in the last two,
During my visits,
I’m frequently asked,
“What’s your theme?”
Last year’s “no theme”
theme was not a one-
time occurrence. While
we have dismissed
presidential themes,
NSA’s overall direction
is to help members be
successful and make more money. Oh,
sure, there will still be themes, but
they’ll be meeting-specific and geared
around providing value for the speak-
ing profession as a whole.

To understand the differing needs of NSA members at all levels, from the up-and-comers to the top tier, NSA recently conducted a comprehensive study, the results of which will paint a picture of speakers’ needs and aspirations and help us develop segmented programs and services to address them. For example, you’ll see more segmented meetings, with the majority of efforts focused on our sweet spot— the full-time working-level speaker.

In December, Alan Weiss, CMS, CSP, CPAE, will coordinate an Elite Retreat, limited to 30 people, in Key Biscayne, Florida, exclusively for those members grossing over $500,000 in the business. Bill Stainton and Ruby Newell-Legner, CSP, will help you monetize your expertise at the Winter Conference in Dallas in February 2012. Suzanne Bates, CSP, and Mike Staver,

After nearly 20 years in the speaking business, I’ve had the most fun in the last two, due to all the incredible people I’ve met visiting over 20 NSA chapters so far.

Laura Stack, MBA, CSP

CSP, will develop a special Business Development lab called ChaCHING, limited to 80 people, to help you develop new streams of revenue. It will be held at NSA headquarters in April.

The grand finale will be the convention next summer, which will be held in Indianapolis for the first time. With Patrick Henry as the chair, you can be sure we’ll honor the traditions of the past and build a bridge to the future of speaking. Watch for other exciting things we have in store for you, such as our new online learning center and a new website.