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by
Jeff Davidson, MBA, CMC
I am happy to present some of the ideas of my friends
that may be of value to the visitors to www.fripp.com. Naturally,
they are in harmony with my thinking and business. Enjoy
this one from Jeff Davidson, a very prolific author and
popular speaker.
Patricia Fripp
The verdict is in; the Internet will absolutely and fundamentally
change all aspects of the meeting industry. So much is changing
so quickly that the typical speaker arises each morning feeling
as if he or she will never stay on pace with technology developments,
particularly as they relate to the meeting industry. Yet,
by staying focused on broad-based emerging issues, even solo
speakers with no staff can maintain a firm handle on where
to focus their time and attention. Here are the four issues
and opportunity areas of which to be aware:
#1 All Functions to the Web
All meeting planning functions will be transferred to the
web--given this reality, and that it is happening faster than
anyone could have supposed just a few years ago, as a Speaker
it becomes fundamental to have all the materials in your business
web-ready. This means converting all of your prespeech materials,
such as contracts, agreement forms, presentation questionnaires,
survey forms, product bordering information, room diagrams
and so on into PDF format so that any form can be sent to
a meeting planner quickly and easily in the form of an email
attachment.
Fortunately, conversion to PDF format is a painless process
once the proper software is installed. Adobe systems is the
leader in this area, and you can gather all the information
you need at www.adobe.com.
#2 Prepare Dual Formats
Prepare all speech related materials in dual format--hereafter,
whatever you would prepare for an onsite audience needs to
be recast for delivery over the Internet, and for a net audience.
If you use Corel Presentations, PowerPoint or other online
slide show software, you are already ahead of the game as
they readily lend themselves to usage over the Internet.
Extend the process further by ensuring that your professional
photos, handouts, or participant materials as I like to call
them, charts, graphs, exhibits, article reprints, and other
paraphernalia used in front of a live group can be easily
conveyed over the net.
#3 Master Long Distance Techniques
Become adept at long distance learning techniques--I belong
to an organization of 40 business experts who share their
expertise with clients in live programs over the Internet.
Our program, uses interactive technology to deliver
real time professional training to corporations and organizations
throughout the world. Corporations may sign up 1 to 1,000
people and view programs either as initially and originally
scheduled, or as replays contained in the archives
program file.
The point for all speakers today is to become aware and
fluent in making online presentations. Use a headset so that
you can maintain hands free movement while directing a professional
slideshow, entertaining questions from your audience, conducting
on the spot surveys, and tabulating results, all without the
slightest hitch. The need for onsite speakers at conferences
and conventions is not likely to dissipate, even with the
development of expert holographic systems like you may have
witnessed if you ever tuned into a Star Trek episode involving
the "Holodeck." Still, online presentations will grab an increasing
share of the speaking, training and consulting market. If
you haven't gotten your feet wet in this 21st Century technology
thus far, now is certainly the time to get started.
#4 How You Use It
How you use the Internet will drive your product sales--even
if you already earn a fair amount of your revenues from product
sales, be they pre, post, or during live meetings, an increasing
share of your product sales will be directly attributed to
how you use the Internet, and more specifically, your website.
Opportunities to stay in touch with groups to whom you have
spoken and to key audience members has never been greater.
Those who initially may not have seen the need to purchase
your products, or felt the urge to, may eventually become
repeat buyers, in part because of the relationship you establish
and maintain via the net. You can maintain such contact through
regular online zines, specific email communiques (less desirable),
broadcast announcements, and a variety of emerging techniques.
The advocates you create as a result of your speaking engagement
become prime candidates for generating repeat and enduring
product sales. And, as much as you love speaking to groups,
you probably also enjoy making money while you sleep.
© Jeff Davidson 2001. All rights reserved.
Jeff Davidson, MBA, CMC, is a popular speaker; and the award-winning
author of many books, including Breathing Space: Living
and Working at a Comfortable Pace in a Sped-up Society
($14.95). For a complete resource list including books, and
videos, visit BSI's website http://www.BreathingSpace.com,
or send an email request to Jeff@BreathingSpace.com
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