Get Paid to Speak - Testimonial
By Darren | June 30, 2009
Darren,
I want you to know that I bought your “Get Paid To Speak By Next Week®”
program back in December of 2007 and I wanted to use it to learn more about the speaking industry. In the year following, I lost my home to foreclosure and had numerous financial challenges. In October 2007 I made a goal to have my first paid speech before the end of my group’s Toastmaster season, June 30, 2009.
I am happy to report that thanks in large part to my determination and the principles outlined in your program, just last night (JUne 25, 2009) I hosted a Book Release Event for my new book entitled, “Real Estate Simplified.” I spoke at this event and ended up selling 30 books at a cost of $20 each. Darren, I made $600 from my first paid speech.
Sam Hachem
Southern Lights Toastmasters
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
PS Get Paid to Speak by Next Week
Topics: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Make Your Message Memorable! Darren as a Prop??
By Darren | June 24, 2009
When you give a presentation, what do people remember three days later? I always try to teach speakers that is it not about what they “hear” today, it is what it remembered and acted upon three days after you speak. I will probably forever be remembered in the speech contest as “the guy who fell on his face.” In that memory, there is the essence of my message. If you remember that, you remember my message.
Is your message remembered three days later?
Why am I on keynote speaker, Dr. Janet Lapp’s back? We’ll get to that. Many new speakers have this challenge. They think they’re writing a speech. The speech is just the delivery mechanism for the message. We must ask ourselves, “How will we stand out form other speakers?”
When I studied 10 years of previous World Championship contests on video, I was amazed! I thought, “How will I stand out at that level?” I searched for the answer. Standing out and being memorable is the key to marketing yourself in the professional speaking world. You want to be so good that audience members say, “I know some people who need to hear that message! WOW!”
My home NSA Chapter in Las Vegas recently hosted CSP, CPAE, Dr. Janet Lapp. I was there in the audience, learning from a Hall of Fame speaker along with my fellow NSA members.
Right in the middle of her presentation, Dr. Lapp invited me up to help her. Then, she proceeded to pick me up and carry me around the stage on her back. THAT was memorable! It was also the essence of her message. A few months from now, I won’t be able to tell you exactly what she said… but I assure you, her message about “letting go” of the baggage we each carry around with us will stay with me for a very long time!
Her message was powerful — and memorable. It’s one of her signature stories, as we call it in the business. Never use someone else’s story. This is a small industry… it won’t take long for the ‘owner’ to find out. After doing my “Ouch!” speech at NSA a few years ago, it was copied by somebody overseas just a couple of months later. One of my mentors happened to be in the audience, and called the speaker on it. At first, he denied it. But later, he admitted it. As speakers, we can be inspired by others — but it’s important that we be original in our own messages, techniques, and stories.
Dr. Janet Lapp is known for that story and her technique of using an audience member to demonstrate her point.
What will you be known for?
For me, it started with asking myself the question, and then searching until I found the answer.
Will your message be remembered three days after you speak? How?
Topics: Stage Time Comments, World Class Presentations | 8 Comments »
Ask Darren LaCroix: Are you still a paid member of Toastmasters?
By Darren | June 22, 2009
I’m starting a whole new category of FAQs that I get.
Here is a video answer!
Topics: Ask Darren | 1 Comment »
Just spoke at NSA VA, Showing them You Tube!
By Darren | June 19, 2009
Here is what we created in class!
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Darren Goes Casually to Abu Dhabi?
By Darren | June 10, 2009
How would you handle it if you were giving a speech half way around the world to 700 people and you were missing something very important to your presentation?
Part I (The Conference)
Part II (Seeing the sights)
PLEASE COMMENT ON VIDEO and/or the STAGE TIME Article Casually Connect?
How would you have handled the situation?
Should Darren always pack an extra in his carry on?
Do you agree with Darren’s “no worries” attitude?
Topics: On the Road, Professionally Speaking, Stage Time Comments | 22 Comments »