Speaker - June 2017

a grant from the NSA Foundation to help during my recovery, to which I am forever grateful.

good-bye, michigan!

Leaving Michigan on Sept. 26, 2015, Dave and I said “good-bye” to a handful of our blended family who live in the state, then made our way to Ontario, Canada, where the first stop was a deserted campground, followed by lunch in London the next day with a few CAPS members, arranged by Jane Atkinson. What a great way to start our adventure I thought, as I embraced my first-ever camping experience.

In exactly 200 days, the Nancy Vogl Bureau Tour traversed 22,000 miles and

34 states, an action-packed whirlwind of greeting meeting planners and speakers face-to-face, from coast to coast, just as I had envisioned, with Dave the Chauffeur driving every mile. Each morning I’d research opportunities in the location, calling an association or company in advance for permission to stop by. Each call was a brief introduction with a request to drop off my catalog (offering something of value was the door opener). In over six months, I managed to hand deliver 384 copies of my speaker portfolio.

Some meeting planners only had time for brief conversations, but several visits were longer. When my targeted planners were unavailable, I left my catalog in a pretty package: a handwritten, personal message on a beautiful card with matching envelope, held in place with a purple paperclip.

During the tour, I spoke to the NSA—New England chapter, conducted several “fireside chats” with other chapters, and had delightful get-togethers with numerous speakers as we covered the map. We even partied with NSA Colorado during the holidays, and made it to Austin for the NSA

2016 Winter Conference.

We lived in our tidy little van most of the time—with its scant 60 sq. ft. of living space—staying at one campground after another. For an occasional respite, several speakers invited us to “pull in/plug in” at their homes for fun overnights. Some of our hosts were speakers I’d not met before, but we now share wonderful friendships, including Steve Gamlin, Larry Chatterton, Julie Holmes and Guillermo Mendoza.

When strategizing the bureau tour, I didn’t anticipate seeing much of a return for at least a couple of years. Even with a foot in the door, it usually takes time to nurture connections into relationships.

However, while traveling, several meeting planners connected with me, booking a handful of speakers as a result.

While traveling through Kansas, I discovered the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers. The meeting planner loved my story—and our little trailer, which, to my surprise, bore their sticker. She was also impressed that I knew quite a bit about their industry. I ended up booking Mark Scharenbroich, CSP, CPAE, and Jim Pancero, CSP, CPAE, for the association’s annual convention.

During the entire trip, I conducted business in the passenger seat as if I were at my desk in Michigan— everything from emails to preparing contracts to making calls. One day, while traveling on Route 66, I received a call from a prospective client looking for a speaker. After gathering some information, I asked how the client heard about me. He said, “I’m driving right behind you!” Naturally, we both pulled off at the next exit so I could give him a copy of Portfolio of Speakers.

The trip confirmed that my instincts
about personalized marketing were spot
on. Most people want to connect on a
human level in a meaningful way. They
want to be heard and understood. They
want to know they matter. Technology
is a marvelous tool, but it isn’t a rela-
tionship builder. The overall reception I
received was warm and welcoming,
with many amazed at my efforts to con-
nect with them right where they are. At
a small association in Delaware, the
executive director said, “I can’t believe
you took the time to come see us.”
As speakers and influencers, we
encourage people to create their mis-
sions, set goals, and move forward
despite possible setbacks. For me, with
a positive mindset and a relentless sense
of humor, I was determined to not let
anything interfere with my goal of cir-
cumventing technology and building
relationships face-to-face. Taking this
journey was one of the bravest things
I’ve ever done. Since our first road trip,
Dave and I recently completed a second
mini-tour. And, yes, I’m still wishing
for a house. It will happen!

Nancy Vogl, president of Nancy Vogl Speakers Bureau, nudged into the industry by her mentor, Og Mandino, has been booking speakers for nearly 27 years. She’s also an award-winning writer and songwriter, an aspiring screenwriter, and an occasional speaker. When not on the road, she serves clients from Traverse City, Mich. Contact her at Nancy@NancyVoglSpeakers.com.