Friday, February 10, 2012

Nonsense In All Forms Of Communication

A reader of my Oakton Patch column contacted me this week to see if I spoke to groups.

Of course I responded "yes" then immediately contacted social media goddess/presenter extraordinaire (and my friend), Stacey, to ask her advice. (Because my offer to speak at a small gathering at a garden club is totally on par with her speaking engagement in Poland for a billion dollar restaurant company in Central Europe that hired her to speak to all of their managers.)

Whatever. She did give me some really good advice, including:
  • find out what the agenda is....what is the goal of the conference or meeting where you are speaking (ed., swinging, generally)
  • find out the basic demographics of the group....first rule of comedy is knowing your audience (ed., swingers, mostly. Oh, and your mom.)
  • record all speaking engagements both so I can improve and also for marketing purposes (ed., no one wants to see that)
and finally, her most sage bit of wisdom:
  • do not poop in your pants during the Q&As (ed., no problem, that is generally a pre-show move for me)
Anyway, I am now apparently going to pursue speaking opportunities. Please check out the new tab on this site -- the one titled, "Is This Thing On?" -- that announces this fact.

Dude.

4 comments:

Brett Minor said...

Public speaking is my favorite part. I love being the center of attention and getting up in front of people gives me a rush that lasts for weeks.

Christian at Point Counter-Point Point Point said...

I really dislike public speaking but really like the idea of people paying me to attend their event. As long as I don't have to do anything while I'm there.

I guess I should go create a Craigslist ad: MAN AVAILABLE FOR ANY KIND OF ACTIVITY. WILL NOT TALK.

Wish me luck!

kath said...

"or speak on the optic of your choice" is the dare I've been waiting for. I'll be in touch.

Chantel said...

Dammit, I want to go to a swingers convention! *sigh*