Publishing\/Marketing News and Views<\/b><\/p>\n
Bringing you the information and resources you need to succeed.<\/b><\/p>\n
June 2014, Volume 1, Issue 6<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Editor: Patricia Fry<\/p>\n
plfry620@yahoo.com<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This month, we\u2019ll continue with the public speaking theme and discuss how you can locate opportunities to speak at targeted conferences and trade shows. Now you may not have one iota of interest in public speaking or meeting face-to-face with your potential readers. But if you are a published author or plan to become one, you need to go out and meet your readers. They want a relationship with you. They are more apt to buy your book in person. Speaking in public should be on your list of skills to adopt or hone. I\u2019ll offer some tips and techniques. I\u2019ll also help you find audiences for your speaking gigs\u2014people who would be interested in reading your book.<\/p>\n Included in this issue:<\/b><\/p>\n A Klepto Cat Mystery Update<\/b><\/p>\n Sleight of Paw<\/i>, the third in the Klepto Cat Mystery series is now available at Amazon.com in print.<\/b> Order your copy today. If you haven\u2019t read the first two print books in the series, order all three! Catnapped<\/i> is first, then Cat-Eye Witness<\/i>. See the amazing covers by Bernadette Kazmarski and read the story descriptions at the Klepto Cat Mystery page at Amazon.com. http:\/\/amzn.to\/1kAI8I2<\/a><\/p>\n NEW! The Colony Cat Caper<\/i>. Now there are 5 Klepto Cat Mysteries on Kindle for your cozy mystery reading pleasure. Catnapped, Cat-Eye Witness, Sleight of Paw, Undercover Cat<\/i> and BRAND NEW: The Colony Cat Caper<\/i>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n How to Become a Presenter at Prestigious Conferences<\/b><\/p>\n As you may know, there are conferences held in many locations world-wide on numerous topics including travel, arts and crafts, writing, publishing, computer technology, agriculture, ecology, animals, photography, health, real estate, finance, business management, education, sports, spirituality, paranormal and more.<\/p>\n A conference might be a one-day event or run for ten days. Most are two and three-day events, usually over a weekend. Conferences generally consist of anywhere from five to thirty-five (or more) workshops running throughout the duration of the event. Often, they\u2019ll have two or three (sometimes more) sessions running simultaneously. At some point during the conference, everyone will come together to hear the keynote speaker\u2014generally in conjunction with a formal dinner. Sometimes the keynote address is given early on the first day of the conference as an opening to the event.<\/p>\n If you have written a nonfiction how-to, informational or reference book, you may be considered an expert\u2014or at least very knowledgeable\u2014on that topic, and you may be able to get a speaking gig at an appropriate conference. If you hope to do more than one or two conferences per year, you will probably be required to do some traveling.<\/p>\n So what can a conference presenter expect as far as expenses and fees? There are nearly as many scenarios as there are conferences across the United States. Some conference organizers are authorized to pay all expenses for their presenters. Some pay for your hotel stay, all meals associated with the conference and free admittance to the conference. Others may give you the conference admission and meals only and pay you a small stipend.<\/p>\n Why should you pursue the opportunity to speak at conferences on topics related to your book? Because this is where you\u2019ll find your audience. If you have a book featuring tips and resources for artists and crafters who want to sell their work, many of your readers might gather at a conference on the business of arts and crafts. Maybe your book is a primer for families who want to go green or a step-by-step guide to installing solar power. You might find your audience at conferences related to green living.<\/p>\n Being a writer, you are probably already familiar with writers\u2019 conferences. Perhaps you\u2019ve attended a few of them. If you are promoting a novel, you may be inclined to seek speaking opportunities within these familiar territories.<\/p>\n You may recall listening to novelists speak at writers conferences on character development, how to promote a novel, writing a dynamite opening, tips for a more descriptive way of writing, how to show and not tell, how to use dialog and so forth. You\u2019ve probably heard novelists talk about their writing journeys. I sat in on a session with a former police officer once who talked about how to accurately describe the appropriate guns and ammo one could use in their stories. I enjoyed a presentation at a conference not too long ago where a novelist shared her research techniques. So, yes, you could, conceivably, get a speaking or workshop slot to talk about fiction-writing at a writers\u2019 conference or even a writers retreat. This may be satisfying and enjoyable, but is this sort of exposure lucrative for a novelist?<\/p>\n Margaret Brownley speaks successfully at conferences and she has developed a fairly versatile repertoire. She says, \u201cI gear my talks toward the audience. Writers like \u2018how to\u2019 information and readers enjoy an entertaining look at the life of a writer. Since I write westerns, I also give talks on women of the old west. I\u2019ve spoken at the Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers national conferences. Even though the audiences are mostly writers, my novels sell out at conference bookstores.\u201d<\/p>\n So how do you land a speaking gig at the conferences of your choice?<\/p>\n When I locate an event of interest, I study the information presented at the website and, if it seems appropriate, I submit a proposal or I send an email of introduction, based on their submission guidelines. If there are no guidelines posted, I will email or call the director and ask how to apply to be a speaker or a workshop leader. I have a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 prepared listing my qualifications as an industry professional, an author of books in this field as well as a speaker, and I\u2019m always ready to make workshop or speech topic suggestions.<\/p>\n Sandra Beckwith often speaks at conferences. She says, \u201cMy book, Publicity for Nonprofits<\/i>, was published in 2006. During the first eighteen months after the book came out, I spoke at several national and regional conferences. This was no coincidence; I submitted many proposals to appropriate organizations well in advance of the book\u2019s release and did a few teleseminars, as well. I was paid for all of them with the exception of one teleseminar, which led to a follow-up in-person paid speaking gig for the organization. I earned almost as much in speaking fees for that book as I did for the advance.\u201d<\/p>\n QiGong expert, Victoria Cobb says, \u201cLast summer I was invited to teach at a retreat in Michigan. It is a wonderful long-running, spiritual retreat. For over forty years, these like-minded people have gathered. There are many classes and about 300 people who attend. I was their energy teacher and one of many massage therapists.<\/p>\n \u201cI sold books and DVDs in the bookstore and made bottles of flower remedies, gave massages and taught what I have learned as a student, teacher and healer. This was a remarkable and memorable event! Last year at the event I sold twenty-five DVDs, fifty-three books and all thirty remedies. I have been invited back for this July\u2026 a rare thing since no one has ever been invited twice in a row.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s true, conference directors like to invite new people with fresh ideas and unique presentations. If you want a repeat invitation, look around while you\u2019re at the conference and come up with something appropriate, but unique to suggest for the following year.<\/p>\n While some conference organizers are still selecting speakers a month prior to the event, many of them have their programs set practically a year in advance. I\u2019ve discovered that, if you want a speaking gig at a particular conference, you\u2019d better be proactive. Early in 2011, I contacted the director of a writers\u2019 conference I wanted to participate in. She told me, \u201cContact us in October.\u201d When I did, I was told that all of the speaking slots were filled and the event isn\u2019t until spring. In this case, I should have checked in earlier than I was told to.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what I recommend: Research conferences that occurred one to four months ago. Contact the organizers of those events. If they suggest you reconnect in six or seven months, make a note on your calendar to contact them in three. They may put you off for another three months, but that\u2019s okay\u2014they know you are interested. Besides, there is always a chance that they are beginning to interview possible speakers for their program next year.<\/p>\n Nancy Barnes presents workshops and speaks on how to write your life story or memoir.<\/p>\n She says, \u201cIt\u2019s easy to research conferences now that their information is all online. When I started out I wanted to establish myself as a speaker, so I \u2018paid my dues\u2019 by renting an exhibit booth at an expo. While I was there, I closely examined the expo program and dropped in to watch many other speakers. Then I put together a better presentation\u2014a better PowerPoint, a livelier description, and a great title\u2014one that ensured the expo organizers allowed me to speak at the next conference. (Since they\u2019d met me already as a paying exhibitor, they were inclined to give me a chance.) Once I had my foot in the door at that expo, it gave me credibility when I applied to speak at other events. Now I keep a spreadsheet of ten conferences, and about ten book festivals, with dates a year and a half out, and I monitor their application deadlines using Google alerts to be sure I\u2019m applying for each one.\u201d<\/p>\n Some books are conducive to sell at tradeshows. There are differences between conferences and tradeshows, however. Conferences are generally learning opportunities. People attend conferences in order to gain more knowledge, information and resources on a particular topic. Typically, during the day, attendees sit in on presentations and workshops by professionals, experts and others with experience in various aspects of the topic or field. There are often casual mixers and\/or elegant dinners in the evening, sometimes accompanied by an awards program or an entertaining keynote address. There is generally a bookstore set up where attendees can purchase books by the speakers and workshop leaders. As an alternative, speakers will be provided a signing table separate from the bookstore for an hour or so after their presentations.<\/p>\n (Excerpted from Talk Up Your Book<\/i>, Allworth Press, 2012)<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Public Speaking Tips for Authors<\/b><\/p>\n Speak out<\/b>. Practice speaking up and speaking out. Whether addressing a large audience or a small group, always speak so that you can be heard even in the back of the room. Keep those folks in mind throughout your speech. Speakers often heed the advice of their audience and speak up at first. But if not prodded, they soon fall back into their old routine of quiet talking, mumbling or dropping their voices at the end of their sentences. You\u2019ll hear the speaker ask in a strong voice, \u201cCan you hear me?\u201d When everyone assures him that they can, he then ratchets his voice back down to his conversational tone.<\/p>\n In order to make it easier on yourself as a speaker, if there are empty seats, invite those sitting in the back to fill some of the seats toward the front of the room. But most will not budge. They choose their seats according to their level of comfort. Some sit close to the door in case they don\u2019t want to stay. At conferences, some people bounce from one session to another in order to pick up a few ideas and the free handouts from each. Some people don\u2019t want to sit close to others, don\u2019t like people sitting behind them or just want to spread out without infringing on others or vice versa. So, while you can try to rearrange audience members, just know that some will not comply.<\/p>\n Make eye contact<\/b>. Move your attention around the room as you speak, making eye contact with each person throughout your presentation.<\/p>\n I like to make frequent eye contact with those in the audience who are responding to what I\u2019m saying. Some will smile. Others will nod in agreement and, perhaps, frantically jot down some notes. These people energize me and keep my enthusiasm level up throughout my presentation. I avoid focusing on those with blank stares, those who are chatting with their neighbors while I\u2019m speaking, those who are nodding off or those who are sitting back appearing a bit smug\u2014as if what I\u2019m talking about is of no importance to them. When you make eye contact with audience members, you are getting some feedback. Some of it is positive and some might be rather disturbing, even confidence-shattering.<\/p>\n Sure you want to know that you are reaching at least the majority of your audience with your message. If you see the blank stares and it appears to you that people are not interested or are not getting it, start asking questions. You\u2019ll learn a lot about how you\u2019re coming across if you allow your audience to respond to some pointed questions.<\/p>\n In the meantime, don\u2019t shortchange the entire audience by reacting to the negative vibes you might pick up from a few people. Always focus on the positive. You will often discover that what you perceived as disinterest in an audience member or indifference\u2014even arrogance\u2014may have been erroneous. I\u2019ve had these people come up to me after the program or speak up during the question and answer session expressing keen interest in the material I was presenting. Some of them even bought my book or hired me to edit their manuscripts.<\/p>\n I remember a gentleman in one of my sessions a few years ago who seemed indifferent to the material I presented. He sat in the back row with two other men. They talked among themselves several times. He didn\u2019t take notes. His eyes kind of wandered around the room. But he didn\u2019t leave. After the program, he came up to me and introduced himself as the president of the organization. He said, \u201cYou\u2019re amazing. You gave us more value in one presentation than our speakers did throughout the entire conference last year.\u201d<\/p>\n Don\u2019t apologize. <\/b>Avoid sabotaging your presentation by making excuses for not being well-prepared or for poor speaking skills. Stand tall, appear self-assured and you will gain the confidence of the audience.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve heard speakers stand before an audience and actually say, \u201cMy voice tends to drop off at the end of my sentences, so forgive me if you can\u2019t hear everything I say.\u201d \u201cSorry I\u2019ve been busy and haven\u2019t had much time to prepare. Just bear with me, will ya?\u201d Or \u201cI\u2019ve been flying all night and don\u2019t have much energy today. I hope you don\u2019t expect much of me.\u201d No, no, no. Never indicate to the audience that you do not plan to give them your very best performance.<\/p>\n Sure, if you have a cute story as to why you rushed into the meeting hall at the last minute, tell it. Or if there is an important message or lesson in something you feel you should apologize for, perhaps you should share it. What I\u2019m trying to prevent you from doing is to give audience members the impression that you are not going to give them your all\u2014that there is something more important to you than this presentation. You certainly don\u2019t want to negate any credibility you have with this audience.<\/p>\n What if, after you\u2019re introduced, you say to the audience, \u201cWell, I don\u2019t really know that much about the topic of my book. I\u2019m just one of many who have written about it, but I\u2019m not the authority. I will tell you what I know, but you should take it with a grain of salt. Joe Schmo knows a heck of a lot more about it and I always recommend his books.\u201d Sure it seems ridiculous that someone would sabotage themselves like this, but you would be surprised at how little some author-speakers know about promoting themselves and their books, human psychology and even communication.<\/p>\n Use vocal variety<\/b>. Make your talks more enjoyable by using an assortment of vocal tones and pitches rather than speaking in monotone. If you need help developing vocal variety, practice reading to a child. Use your highest and lowest voice and everything in between. I\u2019ve mentioned joining a storytelling group a few times already. Please consider this if you need help with vocal variety and if you are going to read publicly to children or tell stories related to your novel.<\/p>\n Eliminate non-words<\/b>. Inexperienced speakers generally use so many filler words that Toastmasters actually have an \u201cah counter\u201d at every meeting. This person counts the number of filler words each member uses throughout the course of the meeting. Filler words include uh, ah, um, er and so forth. You can start eliminating filler words by paying close attention to your speech during your daily communication. Listen to yourself (and others) during conversations. As they do in each Toastmasters meeting, ask a friend to tally the number of filler words you use while rehearsing a speech or during a casual conversation. The numbers may shock you. Once you are aware of your filler word habit, you will be more motivated to make some changes.<\/p>\n Eliminate poor speaking habits. <\/b>\u00a0Rid your vocabulary of stagnant verbiage. Break yourself of those mundane phrases you like to repeat, such as, \u201cyada, yada, yada\u201d or \u201cknow what I mean?\u201d<\/p>\n Be prepared.<\/b> You will be more at ease if you know what to expect. Find out if there will be a lectern or microphone, for example. How many people do they expect? How will the room be set up? Also, have your props or notes organized so there will be no annoying fumbling during your presentation. Know your material well enough so that you are prepared for any interruption, agenda change, etc. that could, and often will, occur.<\/p>\n I know two speakers who have had the power go off during their presentations due to storms. One was in the midst of a PowerPoint program. With the use of candles, flashlights and battery-operated lanterns, both of these shows went on, only without the digital props.<\/p>\n You may never experience this sort of interruption while speaking, but you should prepare so well that you could carryon expertly should anything like this happen.<\/p>\n Write your own introduction<\/b>. You know what you want your audience to know about you before you speak and what information you will share during your presentation. So doesn\u2019t it make sense that you would write your own introduction? If you don\u2019t, the person in charge of introducing you might get it wrong. I\u2019ve had MCs introduce me based on the back cover info of a book I produced three years earlier. This might not include the fact that I am now the author of thirty-six books or that I am now the executive director of SPAWN rather than the president, etc. If you want the intro to be correct and to include only certain information, take charge. Find out who will be introducing you and email them your introduction. Also carry a copy of it with you to the event in case it was misplaced.<\/p>\n Know your audience<\/b>. Gear your speech to the needs and interests of this particular audience. When I talk about the local history, I give a completely different talk to students at local elementary schools or a visiting tour group than I do when addressing civic organization or historical society members. When I speak to a group of writers who may or may not decide to publish anything they write, I put a very different slant on my talk than I do when my audience is comprised of published authors.<\/p>\n A standard rule in preparation is to learn as much as you can about your audience from the program coordinator. This is an excellent place to start. However, I can\u2019t tell you how many times I\u2019ve discovered while in the process of speaking to a group that they do not actually resemble the demographic given to me. That\u2019s why I also pay close attention to the promo going out to the public or organization members. This will give me a clue as to who would be attracted to this program\u2014to this slate of speakers, etc. Once I stand before my audience, I almost always ask a few questions before I get too deep into my planned presentation. Let\u2019s say that I have prepared a speech on writing a book proposal. I\u2019ll ask for a show of hands representing those who are in the process of writing a book, those who have a book they are pitching to publishers and those who have a published book. If the majority of audience members already have a published book, then I might spend some time talking about the post-publication book proposal\u2014something I have devised to help authors with faltering books determine their true target audience.<\/p>\n Perhaps your book covers do-it-yourself home remodeling and you\u2019ve planned a presentation for homeowners who want to remodel their kitchens. Only, after quizzing the audience, you discover that most of them are renters, so your original talk wouldn\u2019t actually apply to this audience. What to do? This is when your professionalism, or lack of, will become apparent. Can you shift gears and share ideas for making a kitchen more user-friendly? This would not involve tearing down walls, building new cabinets, putting in flooring and such. Instead, it might cover storage ideas, how to create a new look in your kitchen without spending a lot of money, tips for choosing the right countertop kitchen appliances, how to give your old kitchen a fresh and modern look simply by using paint and wall covering creatively.<\/p>\n Dress to standout, but not to distract from your presentation<\/b>. If you\u2019re a man, you\u2019ll most likely wear a suit and tie or slacks\/jeans and an open-neck shirt. Unless you have a statement to make related to the theme of your book, I would avoid faded jeans and a tee shirt. For women it might be a suit, dress, skirt and top or slacks and a sweater. Just keep it neat (fitted, crisp and pressed). Be tasteful (no low cut tops, too short skirt or too tight skirts\/slacks).\u00a0 I\u2019ve seen authors dress in costume related to the theme of their books\u2014a WWII bomber jacket, 1950s vintage outfit, Victorian dress and bonnet, overalls, an apron and so forth.<\/p>\n Anyone can get up in front of an audience and speak. How well you do it is what counts. Consider each and every one of the points above when you next take the stage.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Basic Podium Protocol<\/b><\/p>\n Perhaps you\u2019ve noticed that there is a correct and incorrect podium protocol. This is something, I\u2019m sad to say, that escapes many program coordinators and masters of ceremonies. You may want to teach this etiquette to the MCs you meet during your speaking tours. For example, the number one rule is: Never leave the podium area (or stage) empty. Here\u2019s how it goes:<\/p>\n 1: The master of ceremonies introduces the speaker and waits for her to join him at the microphone.<\/p>\n 2: The speaker greets the MC and shakes his hand. The MC either turns and leaves the stage or he steps behind the speaker and walks off stage. The MC never crosses in front of the speaker.<\/p>\n 3: As the MC exits the stage, the speaker very breifly thanks him for the introduction and then begins to address her audience.<\/p>\n 4: When the speaker concludes, she nods toward the MC indicating the end of her program (or she might say, \u201cMr. MC\u2026\u201d to get his attention or even \u201cMr. MC, I return the program to you.\u201d)<\/p>\n 5: The MC then joins the speaker on the podium and shakes her hand. The speaker either turns and walks off stage or she steps behind the MC to leave the stage going in the opposite direction.<\/p>\n Particularly for a major presentation before a large group of people, I recommend that the speaker go over this protocol with the MC or coordinator prior to the program. Rehearse it a time or two. This will give your entrance and your performance a greater sense of professionalism and you are providing a valuable service to the leaders of the organization by showing them the proper way to enter and exit a stage.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Resources for Authors<\/b><\/p>\n Links to directories of conferences and trade shows<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.shawguides.com<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.allconferences.com<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.tsnn.com<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.eventseye.com<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.eventsinamerica.com<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Recommended Books<\/b><\/p>\n Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author<\/i><\/p>\n Talk Up Your Book, How to Sell Your Book Through Public Speaking, Interviews, Signings, Festivals, Conferences and More<\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n Publishing\/Marketing News and Views Archives<\/b><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/publishingblog\/?page_id=3081<\/a><\/p>\n 1: August, 2013\u2014Before Your Book is a Book<\/p>\n 2: October 2013\u2014The Psychology of a Book Proposal<\/p>\n 3: December 2013\u2014Publishing<\/p>\n 4: February\u20142014\u2014Understanding Book Promotion<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Patricia Fry’s Bio Roundup<\/b> My articles have appeared in hundreds of publications, including Writers Digest, Publishing Basics, Book Marketing Matters, Writer\u2019s Journal, Cat Fancy, Your Health, Horse of Course, Western Horse, The Artist’s Magazine, Woman’s World, The World<\/i> and I<\/i> and many others.<\/p>\n I work with authors on their projects from an editorial standpoint, I teach online courses for authors and I travel to speak several times each year at conferences and other author events.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.patriciafry.com<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/kleptocatmysteries<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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\nPractice speaking without inserting those fillers between thoughts and sentences. This is a habit you can definitely break.<\/p>\n
\nI’ve been writing for publication for 40 years and I\u2019m the author of over 40 published books\u2014most of them on publishing and book promotion. I’m the Executive Director of SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) http:\/\/www.spawn.org<\/a> I compile the Market Update<\/i>, a bi-monthly newsletter for SPAWN members and I maintain an almost daily publishing blog. The blog boasts over 2,000 posts to date http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/publishingblog<\/a> I also write a blog related to cats\u2014through which I promote my Klepto Cat Mystery series and Catscapades, True Cat Tales<\/i>. http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades<\/a><\/p>\n