All attendees will receive a free critique of their current speaker’s one sheet, just e-mail your one sheet to me in Word or PDF format and I’ll return it to you the day of the workshop with my suggestions.

A few of you have already sent e-mails asking, “What do I do if I don’t have a speaker’s one sheet at all? If I want to write a one sheet right away so I can receive the free critique, where do I start? What should I put in my one sheet?”

I love motivated workshop participants!

Let’s get started:

First, remember the purpose of your speaker’s one sheet. You are creating a marketing tool that will convince decision makers to hire you to speak. So, you are selling your topic and yourself.

Second, do a little brainstorming. Jot down the answers to these questions:

• What is your area of expertise?
• What have you done that makes you an expert in that area?
• What topics do you speak about?
• Who do you want in your audience?
• Who have you presented to in the past?
• How will your clients benefit from hiring you?
• How will your audience benefit from attending your presentation?
• What feedback have you received after previous presentations?

Don’t get tied up in knots during this process. You’re not writing a dissertation—or even a first draft yet—this is simply a warm up exercise to help you get started.

Now, brainstorming notes in hand, write first drafts of the following elements:

1. Topics/Programs: Include the name of your talk or workshop plus descriptions of your presentation’s target audience and how participants will benefit from attending.
2. Biography: Keep it short. You don’t have to include everything you’ve ever done. Stick to highlights that illustrate your expertise in the topics you offer.
3. Client List: Not all of them, just the best and brightest that illustrate your experience as a public speaker and an expert in your field.
4. Testimonals: Find two or three that rave about your abilities as a speaker and give concrete examples of how participants benefited from your talk.
5. Contact Information: Make it easy for prospects to hire you by providing them with complete contact information including your full name, phone number, e-mail, and website address. If you accept business calls on your cell phone, include it. If you have a business mailing address, include it.
6. An attention-grabbing headline: What is this doing at the bottom of the list when it will appear at the top of your page? Quite simply, it’s easier to write the headline after you’ve written everything else. In fact, you can write the first draft in any order you want. I find it’s usually easiest to start with the contact information, testimonials and client list. Then I move on to the biography. I write the topic list with benefit statments next and finally, the headline.

When you’re finished, format your first draft onto an 8 1/2 x 11 page. Add the fonts and graphic elements you’re considering. Do your first round of text edits.

Then send it to me by e-mail.

See you at the workshop!

Are people bored by your brochures?

Indifferent to your networking efforts?

Underwhelmed by your newsletter?

You’re not alone.

Most businesses fail to craft intriguing marketing messages. That’s why we’re so quick to mute commercials and delete sales e-newsletters. Yet studies show consumers are taking an active role in seeking out new products and services every day. What would happen to your sales if your marketing efforts caused prospects to call you with questions?
 

Would it be worth an evening of your time to learn?

• Which marketing activities are most likely to increase sales
• 3 copywriter’s secrets that will improve your sales writing immediately
• 5 easy ways to increase the number of people who respond to your marketing efforts
• How to create a manageable, affordable marketing plan for 2010

Join me at Association of Home Businesses January 21, 2010 from 6 – 9 p.m. to learn how to Write to Sell. Event fee is $10, which includes a buffet supper. You don’t have to be a home-based business to attend but you must make reservations by calling Eric at 503-232-2326.

Dorothy Tannahill Moran

She’s starting a virtual (over the phone) Career Makeover Club beginning the last week of January. 

Should you join? Yes, if …

• You are unemployed and uninspired about your job prospects
• You are looking for a job but don’t know where to start
• You hate looking for a job
• You feel like you’re all alone
• You need help to get you going and keep you going
• You can’t afford to hire a career coach or counselor

What is the Career Makeover Club?

A group of people organized and coordinated by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran, Your Career Change Agent, the CMC is designed to provide a support structure, job search education, resource sharing, inspiration and momentum for your job search.  You don’t have to “go-it-alone”.

CMC will meet weekly for 8 weeks, over the phone.  Each session has a specific agenda for education and discussion.  In addition, a private online forum is available exclusively for this group to provide group updates, progress reports, wins and timely resources sharing

How much does Career Makeover Club cost?

A fraction of the cost to hire a career coach!  Fees are $25 per meeting either paid in advance or a payment schedule of 2 payments with the first half paid prior to the first club meeting and the second installment by week 4.

What if I’m interested?

Contact Dorothy Tannahill Moran now!  Membership is limited to ensure adequate coaching coverage. E-mail Dorothy at: dorothy@nextchapternewlife.com