MD Uses Speaking to Build his Business

Dr. Armin Feldman was looking for a way to supplement his medical industry income. So, he began to offer medical legal consulting services to law firms around the metro area of Denver, Colorado.

After a few years of trial and error, Dr. Feldman finally realized he had developed a system that any physician could use to provide medical legal consulting. He started a coaching program and built his coaching clients through an annual conference he developed.

Armin just completed his 7th annual 2-day conference. This year's event was held as a virtual 2-day conference due to Covid-19.

Today, Armin still serves law firms through his medical legal consulting practice. 

Is Blogging Dead?

To be brief, NO, Blogging is not dead. A lot of people have given up on blogging because of "their" low reward to effort ration. A neglected and forgotten horse is still alive and may need to be revived a little to get back to normal. But, that doesn't mean it should be left to die. Many bloggers still find enormous value in blogging every week or every day.

You really need to adopt a mindset that blogs are not dead if you're going to get started with blogging or keep blogging in your normal weekly schedule. 

Blogging done properly is still very much a valuable contribution to success for public speakers (now converted to virtual live presenters) and authors. Once you understand the true power of a blog, you are much more open to exploring the more involved aspects of the tech side of things to get what you need to help you scale up.

Here is a list of blogging best practices that is maintained and updated every year.

Getting Started with Blogging the Easy Way

Honestly, if writing is your hobby, just keep it easy and start a blog at Blogger.com. It's free, it's low tech, you don't have to worry about viruses and updating plugins, and, it's owned by Google (which can help you in other ways that are beyond the scope of this post).

What to Upgrade to Next?

The upgrade from there would be to get a free account at WordPress.com. Even that will be a step up in the challenging side of tech and might discourage you from continuing with blogging, even though free and easy are still part of the deal.

When Will You Need More BLOG Power?

If you do stick with your WordPress.com account, you will soon see limitations that can only be solved by hosting your own WordPress website (WordPress software is downloaded free from wordpress.org).

Then, you're in a whole new category of opportunity, and yet, a whole new world of things you have to worry about like hosting costs, security, updates, backups, Those are all worth it of course if your blog is generating book buyers and business customers.

There are many things I love about self-hosted WordPress. I even wrote a post called Why WordPress in 2020 featuring 40 reasons why WordPress is the best fit for most companies.

But, really, don't even bother going in that direction if you're unwilling to fund the development, maintenance and promotion of your blog. Stick with Blogger or WordPress.com if you're a hobbiest or part-timer and just stay clear of the tech stuff until your efforts can be monetized.

Learning Speaking Only Gets You So Far

There seems to be another influx of wanna-be professional speakers entering the speaking world. I'm constantly getting questions from newb speakers wanting to get their first paid gig or, most often, trying to figure out what they're going to talk about. I usually get these questions when I'm attending a speaking-related association meeting. If I could lump all my complaints into three categories related to new speakers it would be these:

1. Lack of Conversion to Cash - Think you have a new angle on "leadership?" No, you really don't. You can have a better way to teach it; offer an easier way to understand it; provide a step-by-step sequence for learning it. But, the concept of "leadership" itself has been around for a very very long time. You can't just tell a meeting planner that you're a "leadership speaker." That just makes me want to gag.

Instead, present yourself as The Turnover Terminator!...because, once a manager uses YOUR techniques, no employee every wants to leave your company. And, that is money in the bank! Your message needs to convert to cash if you can expect to be hired (for pay) as a speaker today.

2. Lack of Drive - If you really want to become a professional speaker, you will immerse yourself in the process completely. Join FIVE Toastmasters clubs! Attend speaker workshops that get you on stage. Attend speaking gigs just to see other speak so you can analyze what works and what isn't working with the crowd these days.

3. Lack of Mileage - This is a bit related to #2, but different as well. You simply have to get out there and speak at any and every venue possible. Free, fee, pay to speak, it doesn't matter. You can't buy mileage. You can't pay someone else to give you the experience you need to become a "good" speaker.

To sum it up, re-consider your topic and figure out a way to change your objective so that the people you want to speak for can see how your presentation will make them money. Then, dive in and get speaking. The money for higher paid speaking gigs will come later.

An Igloo is for Kids of All Ages

This past weekend we had a snowstorm in Denver that brought 15" or more of snow to most of the area. After a morning of shoveling out our neighbors and several rounds of hot chocolate, we decided to scrap turn our backs on technology!

I turned my computer off. Put the cell phone away. Stopped watching t.v. and even said goodbye to our furnace. Yes, we decided we were moving into our new home...our made-for-two igloo in our front yard.

Ahh, the simple life. She had her bedroom and I had my family room where I could sit up in full comfort. We brought some cans of soup, some ketchup, and somehow a bottle of protein powder made it into our bag of take-alongs. We were set.

What would your simple life look like? Did you know there is an actual method and a teacher for building a more simple life? Checkout speaker Eric Ochsie and his website called the Abacus Principle where you can learn to escape the hectic life of technology and chaos and move to a more simple life.

A new Way to Get Speaking Gigs

If you've been in the professional speaking business for 10 minutes, you've already realized just how much of a business it is. You really have to be on the top of your game to earn the right to be paid to be on stage. I always get so relaxed when I finally take the stage.

All the steps that have to happen before that moment are simply staggering to most people.  One of the biggest pieces of that process is being seen by the right meeting or event planner. A new website called MotivationalSpeakersWorldwide.com is taking a new slant on making that presence happen.

First, they intend to re-define the definition of what a
motivational speaker really is by suggesting, "A motivational speaker is any speaker who is able to inspire the audience to take some form of action."  This is fitting too in that meeting and event planners are looking for speakers that can move their audience to action, no matter what topic they're speaking on. They want clear and precise steps presented so their audience will take notes, learn and apply what they've been taught.

If you are looking for a speaker for your next event, or are a speaker looking for ongoing promotion, MotivationalSpeakersWorldwide.com is worth a look.

A Lesson in Presenting from the Platform

Here's a good video to watch of Sarah Palin speaking from the stage and some constructive criticism on how her delivery could be better.

Improve Your Speaking Skills at Toastmasters

People are always asking me how to improve their speaking skills. "How did you get so much energy in your speaking?" "You're so funny when you need to be without overdoing it...How did you learn to use humor in your speeches?" "You look so natural in front of an audience...How did you become so comfortable in front of people?"

These are the top three questions I'm asked about speaking. And, I have the same answer for all three of them. Join Toastmasters. Find a club in your area "today" and go visit. Don't plan to visit with the intent to join though. Just visit with the intention to evaluate. I'll tell you why in a moment.....

First, let me explain what Toastmasters is and what it is not. Toastmasters IS a club-like atmosphere where, on average, 10-30 people meet each week or ever other week. There are more than 100 clubs in my state alone and they are all over the world. Toastmasters if your practice forum to enhance your public speaking and leadership skills.

Each meeting has a set format where there are speeches prepared by pre-assigned members. Meaning, you as a guest will not walk in the door and be asked to give a 10-minute talk, so don't worry. Most clubs have 2 or 3 prepared speeches per meeting and they last usually 5-10 minutes each.

Following the speeches, other members of the club are assigned to formally evaluate each speech. They'll typically give lots of kudos and then just one or two things to work on the next time. Evaluations are designed to be very encouraging for the speaker, not ram them into the ground with embarrassment.

The third component of every Toastmasters meeting is Table Topics. This section is designed to assure that each member of the club has an opportunity to speak in front of the group at each meeting. During Table Topics, the "Table Topics Master" (another preassigned member) spends a few minutes before the meeting to come up with a question to ask each Table Topics participant. The Table Topics participant must respond to the question for between 1 and 2 minutes.

Some clubs DO call their visitors up to the front of the room to participate in Table Topics but feel rest assured that you are in no obligation to participate. Just relax and enjoy the show if you're more comfortable.

As you can imagine, this weekly practice of speaking within a supportive group can be the most important step you take toward beginning your career as a speaker. There are many speakers within National Speakers Association who were obviously not part of Toastmasters prior, and their lack of speaking skills makes that proof positive.

Don't skimp on your speaking practice. Whether you are just starting out or are a seasoned professional speaker already, I strongly urge that you join Toastmasters and attend every meeting for the first year. I was a member for 10 years and served as a district officer for three years. There's no single training you can get for yourself that provides more of a launching pad for your skills as a speaker than Toastmasters. Visit Toastmasters.org to find a club in your area immediately!

Already a Toastmasters member or were in the past? Add your comment and tell others how Toastmasters has helped your speaking career.