Speakers - Setting Fees For Workshops and Other Speaking Engagements (Purposely Not Called 'Gigs')

Speakers (of every different ilk, i.e., keynoters, workshop leaders, consultants, trainers, etc.) often wonder what to charge and how to decide their fees. Since I have been a speaker (in all of these roles) for many years, I've given this question a fair amount of consideration. Here are some ideas on how to determine your fee:

Sometimes, I do have a flat fee, but rarely. For example, for me to do a Productivity Power Day(tm) in someone's office - in the area where I live - then it's a flat rate. If I have to travel, it goes up some because I will be spending the night out of town, etc. Productivity Power Days are quite similar in scope and process, so it's one of the reason I can quote an exact fee right on my website or when someone calls me. For essentially all other endeavors (speaking & consulting), there is much more involved in making the determination.

For speaking engagements even within my own area, I have a base rate and then I make a final determination based on some (or all) of the following factors:
Is this a brand new workshop (speech, etc.) or one I've done before and will be able to offer in essentially the same way or with minor modifications? Are the people ones who will be easy to work with (or difficult to work with)? Often, I don't know this until I've worked with them in the past...and then I know, believe me! What is the expected number of participants? It takes far more energy to work with a group of 100 or 200 (for a workshop, for example) than a group of 35. So, I need to know the number of people who will be in attendance. Is this part of a series of workshops/seminars I will be doing for this group or is it a stand-alone? I prefer to work with people over longer periods of time - developing relationships and building community and trust. When people are interested in that as well, they receive a different price than those who want a one-shot event. If I am going out of area, then I take the following into consideration, as well:
Time zones crossed (more of an issue as I get older!) I add a certain amount for each time zone I hop. Ease or difficulty in travel (flying all the way across the country in one plane vs. hopping 3 different planes, taking a bus, then renting a car to even get 1/3 of the way across the country).

Speakers - Setting Fees For Workshops and Other Speaking Engagements (Purposely Not Called 'Gigs')

So, these are issues I take into consideration, but each person needs to determine what it is that makes the work easier or harder for him/her.

Sometimes, one factor to consider is whether you are trying to build up a market -- and in order to penetrate that market, you choose to price yourself a bit lower than you will later on...I have certainly done that (and continue to) in certain markets.

Always, always, always, however....remember the value you're bringing to your clients and price yourself accordingly. And to go back to the title, for heaven's sake, don't call what you do 'gigs'! Unprofessional and unworthy, in my opinion, which is what you got in this article, of course!

Speakers - Setting Fees For Workshops and Other Speaking Engagements (Purposely Not Called 'Gigs')
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If you want additional ideas for moving your speaking and consulting business forward, be sure to consult the Life of E's blog:

http://meggin.com/lifeofes/wordpress/

Topics ranging from money to productivity to speaking to writing to coaching to business set-up and more are featured there.

And, to make sure you are productive in your personal and professional life, you'll want to access the resources at

**http://www.TopTenProductivityTips.com

(c) 2009 by Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D., "The Ph.D. of Productivity"(tm)

Through her company, Emphasis on Excellence, Inc., Meggin McIntosh changes what people know, feel, dream, and do via seminars, workshops, writing, coaching, & consulting.

Public Speaking Topics - How to Choose a Great Topic For Your Speech

What is the importance of public speaking topics?

Let's start at the beginning. Do you have to give a speech? While it is a nerve-wracking prospect for most people, the good news is that if you come up with a great topic for your speech, which you can prepare well for, then the actual speech does not need to be something to dread.

Great public speaking topics makes it easier for you to relax and get into public speaking

Public Speaking Topics - How to Choose a Great Topic For Your Speech

It really is important to have a speech topic that you can get passionate about - or if not passionate then at least interested. This way you'll have more fun researching the speech and you will be able to relax into your interesting, informative speech topic and focus on the content of your speech rather than focusing on how nervous you are.

Persuasive speech topics

Do you need to give a persuasive speech - perhaps a sales speech, or narrative speech topics to a panel where you need to persuade the listeners over to your point of view? In these situations, the best possible speech topic to use is a story. Decide what your main points are, what you need to get across to your audience, and then for each point pick one or two stories that illustrate it.

People are not persuaded so much by facts as by emotion, and a great public speaking tip is to incorporate stories in order to make your speech much more persuasive.

Public speaking topics for groups

Are you just starting out in public speaking? Do you need to come up with interesting speech topics that you can present to a group but are not sure what topic to cover?

Here are some questions to ask that will help you choose the right speech topic for your audience - and for you, the speaker.

What is my audience interested in? What is the purpose of their group and what topics, that I could use in my speech, could relate to their purpose? What are the goals of my audience? Do they want to have a fun social evening, to achieve a business goal, to learn about something, to laugh? What are my goals for this speech? How can I relate my own goals to those of my audience?
Researching your speech topic - the key to success

When you have a great idea for a speech topic, researching it will be fun and easy. Here is the process I use for researching my own speech topics when preparing for a public speaking topic. You can follow my process or tailor it to one that will get YOU motivated and excited!

First I brainstorm my topic. I sit down with paper and some colored pens and let my imagination run riot. I jot down or sketch any and all ideas that come into my head that relate to my speech topic. Next, I go to my local library and immerse myself in the appropriate section that relates to my speech topic. I pull out books at random and browse them, jotting any ideas or useful facts that I come across down in my notebook. Finally, I set aside some quiet time to use the computer and write up my notes into speech form. Any extra research that I need to do at this stage, I use the Internet, being careful to take facts and figures only from reputable web sites.

Using these public speaking tips and your own imagination and thoughts, you are sure to come up with great public speaking topics!

Public Speaking Topics - How to Choose a Great Topic For Your Speech
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Do you know how many everyday things can make great public speaking topics? Visit Mags Squidoo Lens and find out.

New York's Good Samaritan Law - A Good Deed Goes Unpunished

The other day, a client was telling me a story.  While trying to describe somebody's personality, he said this:

"She's the type of person that will find fault in everything you do. If you push her off the tracks just seconds before she is about to be struck by a speeding locomotive, she'll sue you for bruising her leg and soiling her clothes."

New York's Good Samaritan Law - A Good Deed Goes Unpunished

And that reminded me of New York's Good Samaritan law, today's topic.

Common Law: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

Generally speaking, there is no duty to come to the aid of somebody that has been in an accident and in need of emergency medical assistance. However, not long ago, if you attempted to render medical assistance to somebody and botched the rescue, chances were you would be sued. Therefore, educated bystanders wouldn't dare attempt a rescue.

Since the common law discouraged bystanders from attempting to render medical assistance to those in need, the legislature, recognizing this result was both unacceptable and undesirable, enacted in 2000 what is generally referred to as the Good Samaritan law.

Effect of the Law

New York's Good Samaritan law carves out specific circumstances when an individual shall not be held liable for ordinary negligence in attempting to render medical assistance. Instead, they will only be held liable in cases of gross negligence.

Gross Negligence

Simply put, negligence is a failure to exercise ordinary care. Gross negligence means a failure to use even slight care, or is conduct that is so careless as to show complete disregard for the rights and safety of others.

When it Applies

The law isn't found in one centralized part, but rather integrated into various provisions of the NY Public Health Law and the NY Education Law.

Importantly, New York's Good Samaritan law is limited to medical treatment or assistance. The heart of the law is found in Pub. Health Law §3000-a, which provides in part:

Any person who voluntarily and without expectation of monetary compensation renders first aid or emergency treatment at the scene of an accident or other emergency outside a hospital, doctor's office or any other place having proper and necessary medical equipment, to a person who is unconscious, ill, or injured, shall not be liable for damages for injuries alleged to have been sustained by such person or for damages for the death of such person alleged to have occurred by reason of an act or omission in the rendering of such emergency treatment unless it is established that such injuries were or such death was caused by gross negligence on the part of such person.

Voluntary Act; No Expectation of Monetary Compensation

An important theme here is that the person act both voluntarily, and without the expectation of monetary compensation. This is significant because the protection extends to dentists (Educ. on Law §661[6]), physicians (Educ. Law §6527[2]), nurses (Educ. Law §6909[1]), physicians assistants (Educ. Law §6547) and physical therapists (Educ. Law §6737), provided they are not in a place having proper and necessary medical equipment, and are not rendering their professional or licensed services in the ordinary course of their practices.

Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and Epinephrine Auto-Injector (Epi-pen) Devices

The law is somewhat different, however, for emergency health care providers, or those persons or entities that purchase or make available Automated External Defibrillator (AED) devices, or Epinephrine Auto-Injector devices. In those cases, the emergency health care provider, person or entity, shall not be held liable for the use of that equipment if a person voluntarily and without expectation of monetary compensation renders first aid or emergency medical treatment, and shall also not be held liable for the use of defectively manufactured equipment.

However, the law expressly states it shall not limit claims against the emergency health care provider, person or entity that purchased or made available that equipment from its own negligence, gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Pub. Health Law §3000-a(2). See, also, Pub. Health Law §3000-b (Automated External Defibrillators) and Pub. Health Law §3000-c (Epinephrine Auto-Injector).

Go Ahead, Be a Hero

Once again, it is safe to play superhero, but remember to use at least ordinary care.

(NOTE: Emergency medical technicians and volunteer ambulance services are subject to more technical provisions under Pub. Health Law §3013.)

New York's Good Samaritan Law - A Good Deed Goes Unpunished
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To find a personal injury lawyer, or understand more about personal injury law, go to: http://ny-personal-injury-law.blogspot.com/

Favoritism In The Workplace

Seeing favoritism in the workplace can be one of the most demotivating things you might experience.

In the workplace, favoritism refers to when someone appears to be treated better than others and not necessarily for reasons related to superior work performance.

Favoritism in the workplace might result in this person being promoted faster than others unfairly, being paid more to do the same job as others, being given more leeway to come and go during the day as they please, that sort of thing.

Favoritism In The Workplace

The end result is that they appear to be treated better than others and for no valid reason.

In each case, the favoritism they are given seems to you to correlate less to their abilities and more because they know the right person or people.

Favoritism can occur in pretty much any office environment large or small. How you react to the favoritism really depends on how blatant it is, if it's proveable and whether or not it's illegal. Your company's willingness to tolerate such behavior is also key.

Before you consider going public with a complaint about favoritism think about the possible consequences.

Whistleblowers are increasingly being offered more protection in some countries but whether or not your complaint is legitimate and proveable might be the biggest obstacle and a public announcement could end up causing you long-term grief.

If the favoritism you are witnessing is holding you back or hurting you and you feel it is based on illegal reasons - race, sex, age, etc - you might consider legal action but you'd obviously need proof of wrong doing to have a case.

You might also ask if your current job is worth fighting for? Do you want to work for a company that tolerates favoritism if you can find a better opportunity elsewhere?

Depending on the specific situation, you might have a hard time proving favoritism or getting any sort of positive resolution otherwise.

Short of getting a new job, you might consider exploring other options depending on your situation such as consulting with a labor lawyer or speaking with a Human Resources rep from your company.

Also make sure you are familiar with your company's policies towards this issue. They may have processes in place that can help you and guide you.

Favoritism In The Workplace
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Carl Mueller is an Internet entrepreneur and professional recruiter who has written an ebook for career-minded individuals: [http://www.RecruiterSecretsRevealed.com]

Recruiter Secrets Revealed [http://www.RecruiterSecretsRevealed.com] sheds light on job search and career management "secrets" that you can use to supercharge your career and distinguish yourself from other job searchers.

Top 10 Job Searching Tips

Top Ten Job Searching Tips
How many of these have you read? Here we go again, but this time I am concentrating on those matters which have emerged over the last two to three years, that we often neglected or failed to use in the past; mainly it's to do with new technology.

1. Get a professional email address.

Ditch the babyangel@gmail.com. Now is the time to professionalise yourself, use your proper name or professional name.

Top 10 Job Searching Tips

2. Google yourself.

Sounds egotistic doesn't it? But just in case you wrote something many years ago, and it raises its head to bite you in the foot, it is better to check what is out there on you in cyber space. Also while we are at it, blog your email address, telephone number and address as well, all these can leave a digital footprint exposing yourself to other information .

3. Add your email address to your CV or resume.

How many times do I see this omission?

4. Start blogging.

This is a free way of getting yourself known and building your profile.

5. Register on online job sites.

There are many: seek.com, TradeMe/jobs.co.nz, and also check out your local newspaper online listings.

6. Use social networking sites to your advantage.

Make a special professional Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Bebo etc account specifically to your work environment, keep your personal social networks to your friends.

7. Network.

Join societies, organisations and clubs associated to your career. Check out the Yellow Pages and online directories to see what is available, then network with these people.

8. Specialize - Become a Subject Matter Expert.

A sophisticated society has many specialist roles, therefore, the more specialised you are or can become, the more expertise you can provide, and more value to an employer's team. But don't forget to be a generalist in all areas connected with your career.

9. Lead from your strengths.

If you know what you are good at, or above average, or just brilliant at ... then move from that area first. If you are good at public speaking then use that as your primary form of accentuating your strengths.

10. Mitigate your weaknesses.

Similar to number nine. Play down your weaknesses. Avoid (especially in those first couple of meetings) those things that you are not so good at, or generally don't like doing.

Top 10 Job Searching Tips
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Paula Stenberg, 2009
http://www.cvstyle.com

Public Speaking Tips: 10 Easy Ways To Prepare A Powerful Introduction

An introduction is the very first message an audience will hear when you have to speak in public.

It can set the scene and make or break a presentation. It is frustrating so very few presenters use this powerful tool.
Always request an MC or someone respected to introduce you. This provides instant credibility through third party endorsement.

It is far better for someone else to talk about and endorse your fantastic achievements than yourself!

Public Speaking Tips: 10 Easy Ways To Prepare A Powerful Introduction

The more senior, respected, experienced or higher ranked, the greater the credibility boost you will receive.
As that well-known phrase goes, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. So do you leave this opportunity to chance? Or do you want to control every word the audience hears?

It is always best to control the introduction and in particular, write your own introduction and importantly brief the person who will be introducing you.

A well-written introduction you have prepared beforehand also allows you to move smoothly and unhesitatingly from the introduction to your opening.

Here are some public speaking tips and 10 Easy Ways to Prepare a Powerful Introduction when giving a speech for any occasion.

1. It Has To Make Sense.

Your introduction must make sense and cover why you are speaking or have been chosen to speak. Read it out aloud to someone else prior to giving it to the introducer.

2. Keep It Simple.

The best introductions are often the simplest.

3. Keep It Short.

A short introduction will have the most impact. Remember the audience has come to hear you not the introducer. Bill Clinton has made famous his mistake in the US Congress where he took longer to introduce someone than the actual speech. Don't make this fatal mistake. A good introduction will take between 20 and 30 seconds to read out and be between 3 and 4 paragraphs in length.

4. Make An Impact.

Good introductions make an impact. Ways to do this could be to start with a rhetorical question.

5. Include Personal Information.

Include personal information to make a human connection with the audience. This helps build rapport and empathy.

6. Include The Quirky, Memorable or Unusual.

This helps the audience relate to and remember you. It is also useful as a way of introducing humour or a foil or balance to all your great achievements. The unusual can also surprise and delight an audience. I use my past involvement in the unusual athletic pursuit of hammer throwing to help put a smile on the audiences faces.

7. Link To The Opening.

Make sure you have a link in your introduction to segue seamlessly into your opening. Remember the introduction and your opening are NOT the same.
8. Have Large Font.

Make sure the introducer can read the introduction. Keep the font as large as possible that will comfortably fit on 1-page.

9. Brief The Introducer.

Always brief the introducer on pronunciations and any stage directions. It is especially important for them to shake your hand to give you confidence and energy and permission to connect with the audience.

10. Give Them Plenty Of Time To Prepare.

Avoid handing the introduction to the MC at the last moment. Give them plenty of time to prepare and rehearse. Most are nervous and will want to do their best. Always avoid the credibility sapping experience of them saying .."So and so has just handed me this and I'm just going to read it out."

Don't laugh it has happened to me and nothing dampens your energy and enthusiasm as a presenter more than being introduced with that line.

Here is an example of an introduction I use:

INTRODUCTION FOR THOMAS MURRELL - Presentation Skills
How can you more effectively get your message across?
More importantly, how can do you this when delivering a speech?

Our guest presenter today is an International Business Speaker, consultant and award-winning broadcaster
He is recognized by his peers as a Certified Speaking Professional or CSP, this is the industry's highest award and there are only 53 people with this in the whole of the Asia Pacific Region.

His company 8M MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS provides solutions to media, marketing & communication issues for Top 500 companies, government organisations and leading Universities.

In a former life he was a radio & TV presenter, executive producer and Senior Media Executive, describing his 12 years at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation as an "apprenticeship".

A graduate of three Australian Universities, he gained his MBA in marketing from the University of Western Australia and is a former National Junior Hammer Throw Champion!

To talk about Powerful & Persuasive Presentations, please welcome MR THOMAS MURRELL (turn to Tom & shake hand).

Please feel free to use this as a template and modify it for your own situation.

Public Speaking Tips: 10 Easy Ways To Prepare A Powerful Introduction
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Thomas Murrell MBA CSP is an international business speaker, consultant and award-winning broadcaster. Media Motivators is his regular electronic magazine read by 7,000 professionals in 15 different countries. You can subscribe by visiting http://www.8mmedia.com Thomas can be contacted directly at +6189388 6888 and is available to speak to your conference, seminar or event. Visit Tom's blog at http://www.8mmedia.blogspot.com

Public Speaking - 7 Effective Ways to Open Your Speech

Have you ever asked for pay rise or asked someone out on a date? Did you think about what and how to say your opening line to have best effect? Openings are important in many of life's situations. It is the same in public speaking where a good opening can get the speech of on a positive note. An effective public speaker will start their speech with the opening lines that will get the best result for the occasion and their personality.

There are number of ways that can be used to get your speech started. With experience will come the knowledge of which way works best for the occasion.

1. The conversational start
As the speaker stands up he looks over at his neighbor, smiles and says something like "I was just saying to "Y" that it is obvious you are all interested in...." In this relaxed conversational way the speaker gets going almost without the audience realizing.

Public Speaking - 7 Effective Ways to Open Your Speech

2. Ask a Question
Ask an interesting and clear question that gets the audience thinking, e.g. a speech on food hygiene could be started with "Do you know how long it takes a fly to walk from one end of a hot dog to the other? It will get their attention and will get them trying to work out the answer.

3. Put Yourself In Their Shoes
The speech is started along the lines of "If I were sitting where you were sitting, without all the facts I would think... "This is a useful way to start where the audience may be against you or has a strong preconceived idea about your topic and do not want to listen to what you have to say. By starting this you have brought yourself alongside them and they will more disposed to listen to you.

4. Funny Story
If you can tell a story well this is an excellent opener. The story should be relevant to the rest of the speech. Getting the audience laughing pulls the audience together, gets their attention and sparks their interest in hearing the rest of the speech.

5. Using The Past
This does need to be kept brief but by relating the past and then bringing the audience up to date it can set the scene effectively for the rest of the speech. If you talk too long on the past you may start to bore your audience.

6. Using a Quotation
This is a simple and effective way to start a speech. It is simple because of the ease at finding great relevant quotations and it is effective because it indicates expertise in the topic you are discussing. Give the quote first and then relate the purpose of the quote.

7. An Interesting Story
A personal interesting story that relates to your speech is also an effective use of stories in gaining the audience's interest. The story, like a good short story in literature should be brief and include some drama and suspense to get the audience wondering what happens next.

There are other effective ways to start your speech than those mentioned here. This is a selection of the effective ways to start your speech. The opening you choose depends on your personality and the speech you are giving. Try not to limit your introductions to only one kind of opening. Choosing different starts to your speech will help you in acquiring more effective public speaking skills.

Public Speaking - 7 Effective Ways to Open Your Speech
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To learn more about effective speaking when presenting to groups and in conversation visit http://www.SelfConfidentSpeaking.com to receive a free preview of The Art of Great Conversation