Lessons From a Professional Speaker: Jim Mathis, The Reinvention Strategist

Jim Mathis was the featured speaker at the December Chapter meeting of NSA Alabama.  Jim has an incredibily successful public speaking business and he shared the methods that have helped him grow to where he is today.  Jim reported 2010 was his best year yet and believes his techniques for marketing his business are what are responsible for this success.  Here are a few tips Jim had to share for anyone interested in making a living from their professional speaking engagements:

• Develop a marketing plan, without it you are speaking to yourself.
• Invest in an attractive logo and business cards.
• Use both sides of your business card – front for features (name & contact information) back benefits you offer
• Go to networking events. Chamber of Commerce, networking groups, etc. Be sure to call people back that you exchange cards with whether the exchange was during the event, in the elevator or on the way out.
• Ruthlessly cut out all distractions and focus only on organizations and events that can advance your speaking career.
• Contact local associations and businesses. Find out where they are and go see them.  Make appointments, don’t just drop by.
• Invest in a used copy (one – three years old) of the State and Regional Associations Directory and get on the phone and call those who may be booking professional speakers for meetings and events.
• Get on the phone. Develop a routine and follow it. Jim said he averaged 20 calls a day before the economy tightened, now he averages 30 calls per day.
• Have a business plan – “a goal is a dream with a deadline at the end of it”. A business plan helps you see where you are going.
• Develop sales products and plans for using them. Turn engagements into real money-making opportunities.
• Have a strong Internet plan – get a website and learn how to use it for marketing. Engage in social media and other techniques that will make your website a key component of your marketing efforts. Get started by reading articles about social media, marketing and business marketing services.

Of course Jim had many more valuable pieces of information to share and there are a wealth of resources at his website, reinvent yourself in 2011 by following Jim’s advice for growing any business.

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