Archive for July, 2009

From time to time as SmallBizLady, I conduct interviews with experts that could benefit my audience. This is excerpts from my #smallbizchat interview on Twitter with professional speaker Marquesa Pettway @speakertalk. Marquesa speaks in approximately 10 cities or states per month elevating and transforming audiences. Marquesa is a leader in Toastmasters, Iota Phi Lambda, and the National Speaker Association which gives her opportunities to help other speakers.  If you are interested in building a career as a professional speaking her coaching website is www.NationalCenterSpeakerTraining.com.  She also hosts a popular radio show http://www.blogtalkradio.com/speakertalk.  I even worked with Marquesa years ago when I first started speaking professionally.  She is an excellent resource.

SmallBizLady:  Why is public speaking a great way to attract clients?

Marquesa Pettway: Public speaking allows you to reach a lot of potential clients at one time and build instant rapport.

SmallBizLady:  What are the key attributes for being a successful speaker?

Marquesa Pettway: Understanding storytelling, if you can learn to be persuasive and be authentic, the audience will love you

SmallBizLady: What is the speaker platform?

Marquesa Pettway: The speaker platform is any opportunity you have to speak publicly about your expertise.  If you have a speaking platform you are adding professional speaking to your business model. You are marketing yourself as a paid speaker.

SmallBizLady:  Do I need to have a specific expertise to be successful speaker?

Marquesa Pettway: It’s important to be perceived as an n expert for the topic you choose to speak on, people buy from experts. Know everything you can about your expertise.

SmallBizLady:  If speaking terrifies me, what should I do?

Marquesa Pettway: practice, practice, practice, start with toastmasters for support

SmallBizLady:  Is it important to practice before attempting to do a presentation?

Marquesa Pettway: Absolutely you need to practice.  Speaking is a real skill.  You need to practice speaking in clear thoughts that people can grasp.  Toastmasters is a great resource and doing free speeches is another good way to practice.

SmallBizLady:  How often should I speak and should I charge?

Marquesa Pettway: Speak as often as you like, the more you speak, the better you become, the more you can charge.

SmallBizLady: What if I’m not getting paid, is it worth it?

Marquesa Pettway: Yes, you can get paid in other ways, quality recordings that can be used as demos, introductions to decision makers, back of the room sales, consulting and coaching opportunities, etc.

SmallBizLady:  Is it ok to sell products or services from the platform? If so, how?

Marquesa Pettway: Yes, keep it short and make your sales pitch very simple, but remember you must deliver tons of value for free and do not oversell, it will turn the audience off.  Make an irresistible offer that is only good for that presentation; sense of urgency and make it easy for audience participants to sign up.

SmallBizLady:  Are there any systems I need to set up for success as a speaker?

Marquesa Pettway: Yes, a one page sign up form.  A one page form for evaluation and referrals in one. Offer a prize to get the email address of all audience participants. Have help and keep it moving.

SmallBizLady: What are the basic marketing materials I need to get speaking engagements?

Marquesa Pettway: To book speaking engagements you need to prepare a speaker one sheet, your signature speaking topics, a basic website, and have a positive attitude. Use this link as a guide http://TwitPWR.com/mN4/

SmallBizLady:  How do I prepare for questions that my audience may throw at me?

Marquesa Pettway: Anticipate the questions in advance by preparing at least 10 questions.

SmallBizLady: How do I follow up once I speak?

Marquesa Pettway: Contact people from the evaluation/referral forms

If you found this interview helpful, join me on Wednesdays 8-9pm ET for @SmallBizChat on Twitter.  For more tips on starting or growing your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog at http://www.succeedasyourownboss.com

Social media is a powerful tool for would-be and existing small business owners. I have used Twitter often to reach out to people that I would never be able to reach otherwise. Now I am sharing my top list of professionals on Twitter, who I believe have real value, and are generous with their expertise.

If you’re serious about starting your own business, you’ll need first-hand advice from successful entrepreneurs.  Twitter is a great resource for making contact and learning critical business information, from small business experts, branding professionals and finance experts, so check out our list of 25 small business experts you should follow and learn from on Twitter.

1.      @smallbiztrends: Anita Campbell is one of the top smallbiz experts as CEO of a Smallbiztrends.com an online community with business blog posts, marketing news, and industry trends.

2. @kgreenstreet Karyn Greenstreet is a business coach and mastermind group expert.

3.      @mashable: Pete Cashmore is the CEO at Mashable who frequently tweets really useful articles about business tools and technology.

4.      @zimblermiller is a social media strategist and branding coach.

5.      @chrisbrogan: teaches people how to use social media to grow  your small business.

6. @richelleshaw: small business expert for women

7. @sidehustlecoach: Lawrence McClutchen help you transition from moonlighting to fulltime entrepreneur

8. @Typeamom: is a great social media strategist, momblogger and expert work at home mom.

9. @Merylkevans: is known as the content maven and professional blogger since 2000.

10.  @copyblogger: Brian Clark is writer turned professional blogger.  He’s great on having freelance success.

11.  @cathywebsavvyPR: She’s a pro at social media strategy, web marketing, PR and more.

12.  @FranchiseKing: Joel Libava is a marketing and business consultant.

13.  @smallbiztweets: Alex Bellinger’s small business podcast is full of information for entrepreneurs.

14.  @dmscott: David Meerman Scott has written ground breaking books including The New Rules of Marketing & PR and World Wide Rave.

15.  @problogger: Darren Rowse teaches how to use Twitter and blogging to grow your business

16.  @deniseoberry: Denise O’Berry of justforsmallbusiness.com is author of cash flow management

17.  @getresults John Reddish is the succession planner, he helps you plan what comes next.

18.  @DIYMarketers: Learn Do It Yourself marketing tips from Ivana Taylor.

19. @taigoodwin The career makeover coach help you develop your entrepreneurial mindset as you transition for worker to business owner.

20.  @startupprincess: Kelly King Anderson helps women entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

21.  @shelisrael: Shel Israel has written books like Twitterville: How Businesses Can Survive in the New Global Neighborhoods.

22.  @StefanW: Great links to articles about starting a business, managing your money, using budget-friendly marketing techniques, etc.

23.  @lenawest: Social media maven and successful entrepreneur

24.  @absolutelytrue: This entrepreneurial mom shares tips for web design, content development, and more.

25. @TPEntrepreneur Mike Michalowicz, “Mr. TPE” gives great advice for first time entrepreneurs.

If this list has helped you, please Tweet it and help spread the word on what I am all about at www.succeedasyourownboss.com