Pleasing Words

View from over the Atlantic heading to London

I was recently asked how one begins and nurtures a speaking enterprise, so I thought I'd outline what I think are the essentials.

1. Have something worthwhile to say. As a fledgling author, I received the excellent advice to become an expert on something that people want to know. Something that will uproot them from their easy chairs to come hear about. Something marketable.

So my first series of presentations were "Young Writers Workshops" geared toward middle and high school students. They were associated with my two YA historical novels, The Distant Shore and Billowing Sails. These fun, highly energetic, audience-responsive PowerPoint presentations became quite popular with homeschool groups and both Christian and public English classes. Most of my advertisement was using plain old elbow grease - calling or e-mailing every school I could find with my verbal pitch and persistently following up until I had a date nailed down.

I used this same technique when marketing my "So You Want to be a Writer..." workshop to adults when my book for aspiring writers came out, Grit for the Oyster: 250 Pearls of Wisdom for Aspiring Writers. I also developed a nice one-page flyer featuring my author letterhead.

At this point, I also had a glossy, 2-sided professional bookmark created to hand out for inexpensive advertisement. It containing my book covers and bio (and website - most important for future contact!). Printrunner was my choice for quality work at a reasonable price. 

When I expanded into women's books such as Mom NEEDS Chocolate and my recently released Too Blessed to be Stressed, I prepared a half-dozen presentations featuring topics from my books that were universally sought after by women, such as dealing with stress, beauty issues, aging, relationships, finding balance, and tuning in to the Holy Spirit's guidance. 

2. Develop a professional brochure. I soon realized that my verbal pitch, flyer, and bookmarks weren't enough if I wanted to expand my speaking audiences. Prospective clients need something impressive in their hands, something to show their employers for approval before booking (especially if an honorarium is involved). So I sprung for a glossy, tri-fold brochure (Printrunner) which I display on my book table at signings and speaking gigs. I also developed an e-version, which proved to be more affordable and effective than snail-mailing brochures to churches and women's organizations all over the country.

3. Give them what they want to hear. Although during the 5 years of my speaking career I've been occasionally asked to speak on a topic off my beaten list (usually to fit into a theme the group has already established), I've almost always been able to tweak one of my existing presentations sufficiently to avoid creating a whole new speech. Unfortunately, not always. My husband still laughs about the time goofy, humor-writer me was asked to speak about "The Evolving World View of Christianity." 

When speaking to groups, humor almost always guarantees you'll be a hit (funerals are obvious exceptions). I've learned that not all humor translates well from the page to the mouth - some things are just funnier on paper and should stay there.

In my genre, audience participation is a must. I sprinkle numerous yes/no/are you with me? questions throughout my speeches and always begin with either a brief funny video or joke pertinent to the topic, and close with a crazy sing-along song. It's imperative that the listeners leave smiling ... and with your book in their hand.

4. Be prepared for smooth back room book sales. Assemble an appealing display of your books on an ample sized table (nothing's worse than having them all scrunched up on a too-tiny table). Arrive early to set up your book table using a nice tablecloth (that you bring) and props that will catch the eye and draw people to your wares.

I take a rolling crate containing an inexpensive (but doesn't look that way), unwrinkleable, white lace tablecloth that can be folded to fit any size table, a clear plastic upright brochure holder containing my brochures, business cards and bookmarks as the centerpiece, an upright flyer listing the book titles and prices, and several creative containers of colorful chocolates and cheerful silk flowers to liven up things a bit.

Create an easy-to-use spread sheet or inventory chart to keep track of book sales. I use one with my titles and prices listed on the left with a space on the right for hash marks to notate each book sold. I've learned the wisdom of requesting a "book table helper" at the time of the event booking who will be responsible for collecting money, giving change, and marking the inventory chart. It's just too hard to do all that, sign books, and chat with your new friends at the same time.


A successful speaking enterprise requires a bit of planning and preparation, but you'll find immense fulfillment in the gratitude you receive from the hearts touched by the Lord through your efforts.
   
May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14, NLT

What's My Line?

Have you ever had to make up an entire speech on the spot? While dozens of faces are staring at you, expecting to get their money's worth for the next hour?

Ain't for the weak of heart, let me tell you.

As an author, we sometimes get asked to speak to groups, which is good. Very, very good. But sometimes, we feel completely out of our element. Like a polar bear in Tahiti. And we're fully - painfully - aware that this could turn out badly. Very, very badly.

I've always admired ministers who use no notes, but say they're led by the spirit about what to say. Wow. How incredibly tuned in they must be. Either that or amazingly clever at improv. Like Wayne Brady. Unfortunately, I'm not one of them.

One night this week as I stood before a group of young (20 something) yuppie mothers in the club house of an affluent area, I realize my regular prepared speech wasn't going to do, no it wasn't. After my lead in, my first line that usually draws a laugh, but fell totally flat with this group, I knew I was in trouble.

So shooting a shotgun prayer heavenward, I ditched my cheat sheet and began adlibbing. Not really my forte. It started out stilted and a bit like a car engine that keeps going ER-ER-ER-ER and won't quite turn over, but after about 10 minutes, the car finally cranked and started truckin' on down the road.

It was a tough audience, probably the toughest I can recall, but after we passed the "I'm okay, you're okay" point that comes in any presentation, we ended up having a mutually good time. And hey, I ended up selling a nice pile of books. Woo Hoo!

My point? Writing is like that. Sometimes our most detailed outline falls flat. The heroine is cardboard or the plot turns out to be lame. It just doesn't work. ER-ER-ER-ER. We have to chuck Plan A and turn over minds to new possibilities. Plans B, C, D, and E.

So don't fall apart if it happens to you. It happens to all writers at some time or another.

Just keep turning the key until that dang engine turns over.

Wet Noodles

It was the day of the biggest speaking event of my life. And I was in tears.

I had submitted queries, brochures, phone calls and letters for nearly two years to the largest church in town, hoping and praying for an invitation to share the joy of the Lord - and my new book, Mom Needs Chocolate.

It finally came to pass in the form of a huge women's event for which they expected 450 attendees. I was thankful, of course, and thrilled . . . at least at first. Then I realized my tried and true speech would not fit into the unusual format of the program. What to do?

Three days before the highly advertised program, I was assaulted by a nasty head cold which descended into my chest in record pace. Two hours before the program, I was sniveling and snorting all over myself, hacking my lungs out after every five croaking words.

The gunk in my throat was thick enough to caulk a battleship.

My brain seemed to be encased in quicksnot as well, for I could not, for the life of me, figure out how to piece a workable speech together. My outline just wasn't right but I didn't know how to fix it. Curled up in a ball on my bed, all I could do was whimper. I was about as lifeless as a wet noodle, and nearly as intelligent.

"Papa God," I prayed, "I'm in a mess here. I REALLY don't know what to do. I feel totally helpless . . . hopeless. Won't you please, please help me?"

Like a soothing cup of hot tea with honey, 2 Corinthians 12:9 poured into my mind: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I could almost hear His still, small voice whisper, "I was just waiting for you to ask, dear child. Wet noodles are my specialty."

Almost immediately, my thoughts began to crystillize and I sat straight up, suddenly seeing exactly what needed to be done to my speech. Rushing to the computer to delete, add, and adjust my outline, I realized that my throat was clearing up and my voice was returning to normal.

Later that night, tears flowed again. This time they were tears of gratitude that if the pasta will only recognize its limitations and submit, the Master Chef is more than able to turn limp, useless, wet noodles into the finest of gormet cuisines.