The two most effective ways I have found to land speaking engagements are through networking and web. My clients who do most networking have jam-packed speaking schedules that others dream of. Attend local Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Kiwanis, and Lions Club meetings. After you attend a few of these meetings, present your one-sheet to meeting coordinator. There are many opportunities right in your 'own backyard'. These organizations will usually not pay any big speaking fees…usually these engagements do not pay at all. One of most important things I have learned is not to be greedy, especially if you are just starting out. More than likely reason you wanted to get out and speak in first place was to inspire, not profit. If you do keep that important fact in mind, paid engagements will follow. The internet is a vast and infinite source of leads. It's as easy as doing a search on your target audience and contacting organizations you feel could benefit from your expertise. There are also websites that contain complete listings of conferences throughout world on any and every subject. Spend some time doing research and make calls.

Most importantly, promote yourself. Public Relations Master Strategist, Jill Lublin (www.promisingpromotion.com), says it perfectly "it's not who you know, it's who knows you". Jill's advice for an upcoming speaker is "to create ooh-aah syndrome. You have to find ways to express who you are with an expertise and unusual way to say who you are. The point is to get your name in as many places as possible…people listings in your local business journal, articles written by and about you, your college alumni, your local chamber of commerce…the possibilities are endless."

In conclusion, author of Top 10 Traits of Silicon Valley Dynamos, Joan Clout-Kruse (www.cloutpower.com), states, "You can read all good books in world on public speaking, and I have. You can attend workshops by all great leaders in speaking field, and I have. Yet, everything you learned means nothing until you actually get out there and do it. That is real learning experience." We learn most by doing, by just getting out there and taking chance. So if you feel you have something to say that will contribute to lives of others, just get out there and share your message with world.

Jennifer Geronimo is a Speaker Coordinator / Public Relations Contractor located in Northern California. Her clients include musicians, authors, and motivational speakers throughout the United States. She works with clients she feels inspire others, which is why she has named her business, Life Enlightenment. You can contact Jennifer at (415) 444-0401 or by email: jennifergeronimo@go.com.

Also, most of these commercials, along with their infomercial counterparts, air in early mornings, generally, around 2:00 a.m. - 3:00 a.m., and on, which also makes other wheels of wonderment turn in my head. I'm wondering:

1. Is commercial airing in this time slot because this is a "special short-lived promotion" and company does not wish to be overrun with orders at low price and risk running out of product while losing on profit end?

2. Is this a discontinued item that I will not be able to easily obtain parts for if it happens to break?

3. Is commercial airing in this time slot because advertiser cannot afford prime time slots?

4. If product is so great, why does company give away another complete version of same product, instead of a lesser-priced item?

5. If there is a P. O. Box, how do I know this isn't a fly-by-night rip-off operation?

See how 'believability' factor has quietly arisen and crept into play here?

So, aside from fact that you might have a great product, service or information take a good look at your own marketing, promotion and advertising copy before presenting such to general or specific publics, asking yourself:

1. Are people going to believe this item will do what my copy says that it will?

2. If I place myself in my intended customer's spot, would I believe this?

3. What can I do to make my offer sound more credible, thus, warding off any possible doubt from prospects?

4. Will my price for this product be perceived by prospects as too low (or too high)?

5. Am I easing emotional pains of prospects by offering a strong and solid guarantee?

By way, it is generally accepted in business arena that, longer guarantee for your offer, better overall sales will be, with fewer returns. I suppose that longer guarantees, i.e., 6 months or 1-year, appeal to prospect who reasons that if product was not everything as presented, shorter guarantee would be in interest of advertiser escaping liability a lot sooner.

So, after your great headline has been punched out, great ad copy as been written and appropriate media have been selected for your product, service or information, take one last moment to review what you now have before you, completely addressing 'believability' factor. Now, upon your completion of doing so, would you buy this item from you?

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