Learn the Business of Speaking
January 2010 - June 2010
Where Emerging and Serious Aspiring Speakers Learn the Business of Speaking
Nine years ago, the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the National Speakers Association ("GLAC") created Pro Speak, as a way to help emerging and serious aspiring speakers learn the business of speaking. We are proud that many of the more than 170 students who have graduated from the Academy have gone on to become professional speakers as well as important contributors to our chapter.
Academy Goals
- To teach members of Academy about the economics of the speaking profession, and the various markets for paid speaking engagements.
- To help members of the Academy identify and develop marketable speaking topics.
- To create a supportive community consisting of fellow Academy members, alumni, and GLAC members who will contribute to the personal and professional development of Academy members.
- To teach members of the Academy basic financial and business skills needed to run a successful and sustainable speaking business.
- To teach members of the Academy how to create effective promotional materials, and to identify various streams of revenue that can be generated in a speaking business.
- To teach members of the Academy strategies for personal, professional and business growth.
- To assist members of the Academy gain admittance to the National Speakers Association.
- To ensure that members of the Academy perform at the highest ethical and service standards of the speaking profession.
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"If you want to be or are considering becoming a professional speaker, do yourself a big favor, take years off the process and attend Pro Speak. You will learn information you just can’t get any other way."
Douglas A. Bowers, CPA
Pro Speak Graduate – Class of 2008
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Tentative Curriculum
The Academy's program consists of six full-day sessions. Subject to the availability of our faculty and instructors, the course schedule is as follows:
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January 30
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Approach Your Business Strategically
How to leverage your expertise and speaking skills into a successful business. Developing multiple streams of income; learn about audio and multi-media technologies with specific strategies for implementation.
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February 27
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Topic Development/Speaking Markets
An overview of the speaking business and its various submarkets. Identifying a topic that is marketable and for which you have a passion. NSA membership requirements and ethical standards.
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March 20
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Creating Marketing Materials
Determining your most marketable speaking topic. Begin to create marketing and promotional materials.
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April 10
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Identifying Specific Speaking Opportunities
Identifying who can hire you and determining what to say to those individuals. Specific strategies to help you answer the question, "What do you charge?"
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May 22
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How To Speak Like A Professional
Learn what separates a professional speaker from a good amateur. Includes a discussion of the forms that speakers use, platform skills, and other strategies that help speakers get repeat bookings.
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June 19
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Finale: Strategies for Personal, Professional, and Business Growth
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"ProSpeak was a wonderful source of information for emerging speakers. The course covered many essential topics for focusing and setting up your speaking business. Homework assignments were all helpful and relevant. Feedback from the advisers was insightful and provided a lot of tailored information. I highly recommend the course."
Roxann Andersen
Class of 2009 Pro Speak Graduate
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Program Information:
- This is a structured program in which every session builds upon previous sessions and assignments. Classes will take place approximately between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Class size will be capped at 30.
- Homework will be assigned at the end of almost every meeting.
- During the course of the Academy's program, you will have the opportunity to join a Mastermind group consisting of between 4-6 fellow program participants. Such groups meet regularly and provide an important additional vehicle to grow your speaking business.
- Our classes are taught by successful professional speakers, as well as, recording experts and others who serve the speaking community. Instructors are selected for their expertise in specific areas that are important to the development of a professional speaking business.
- Upon admission to the Pro Speak Academy, you will also become an Apprentice Member of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter for one year. As an Apprentice Member, you will be eligible to attend monthly chapter meetings at the member rate as well as participate in selected teleseminars at NO cost.
- Completing the Pro Speak Academy program does not make you eligible to join the National Speakers Association or authorize you to use the NSA logo.
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"When I filled out the form to attend the Pro Speak Academy, it asked how much money I made from speaking in the previous twelve months. I carefully calculated the answer, and it was something like $3,600. Now, 14 months after the end of the Academy, I just booked a single day of speaking for $3,000! With my travel expenses paid by the client, I now make in one day what I used to make in a year of speaking. The Pro Speak Academy taught me how to increase my income from speaking, and taught me how to develop products and sell them, too. I made friends whom I've kept in touch with through the Academy, and I learned a lot. I've earned the cost of the Academy many times over, and now I'm proud to be a NSA/GLAC member."
Katherine Wertheim, CFRE
www.werth-it.com
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Eligibility and Application Process
No prior paid speaking engagements are required to be eligible to apply. You are eligible to apply to the Pro Speak Academy if any of the following apply to you:
- Already have been paid to speak; or
- Are seriously interested in pursuing a career as a professional speaker; or
- Are seeking to use paid speeches as an important way to promote a business, foundation, or some other endeavor.
Above all, the Pro Speak Staff seeks a commitment to learn and master the business of professional speaking, as demonstrated in the answers on the application form. The Staff will closely consider applicants commitment to attend, participate, and follow-through on program activities.
Please submit your application as directed by the instructions accompanying the application form.
If you feel that you currently qualify for full membership to the NSA, please contact Beverly Babb of the NSA, at (480) 968-2552 or visit our web site for membership details at www.nsaglac.org/membership.
Please download the appication (PDF) submit your application as directed.
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"After years of traveling the world, opening restaurants, I decided that for the second half of my life I wanted to pursue the best part of my job: speaking. Through the Pro Speak Academy (formerly known as Fast Track in my year) I was able to hone-in on what it was that I needed to do to advance my speaking business.
My personal goal was to book at least one job, outside of my area of expertise within the first year after the academy. (I was asked to speak at the National Council on Aging and The American Society of Aging joint Conference in Chicago within three months of graduating the academy)
The Pro Speak Academy definitely helps you to understand where in the process you are and what it is you need to do to advance your business. I would say you need to realize that this is not a silver bullet. Many of the people who attended the year I went (2005) felt that the academy didn't do enough for them. It is really up to you to utilize the information and resources you are given to your best advantage. You need to immerse yourself in the community of your chapter; get involved. Marrianne Matheis, who was the President at the time, told us, "The more you put into NSA, the more you'll get out of it." This from a woman who never booked a single speaking job on her own. Every speaking job she had was a referral from her NSA associates. I graduated the academy in June 2006. July of 2007, I attended my first NSA National Convention and set a goal to someday open an NSA Convention on Center Stage. July, 2009, in Phoenix Arizona; I realized that goal. Now I need a bigger dream!
Thanks for the opportunity to inspire others."
Kristen Crawford
GLAC Vice President 2009-10
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Program Fee
The program fee is $780 for Professional Members or Apprentice of the GLAC, and $975 for non-members. Those who have previously graduated from the Academy (formerly known as Fast Track) may participate again for a discounted fee of $497. Additional eligibility requirements apply to such graduates. Please contact Jo Della Penna (at jo@thebusinessofyou.com) or Doug Bowers (at isthatso@pacbell.net) for further information.
The fee includes:
- Six meetings as described above;
- Pro Speak Academy program materials;
- For non-members, an Apprentice Membership to the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the NSA.
Pro Speak Staff
Our Staff reviews applications and manages the Academy. This year's Academy Staff are:
Gideon Grunfeld, gideon@lawfirmdevelopment.com
Gideon is a graduate of the Academy (class of 2004-05). This is the fourth year that he has been a co-chair of the Academy. Gideon is the 2009 President of the GLAC. His speaking business serves lawyers, law firms and their clients.
Liz de Clifford, liz@decliffordinternational.com
Liz is a sought-after keynote speaker, business consultant, and expert on international etiquette. She has more than 20 years of experience as a professional speaker and is a Member of the Board of GLAC. This is Liz's third year as co-chair of the Academy and she is also taking on the role of President-Elect for the Chapter this year 2009-2010.
Doug Bowers, isthatso@pacbell.net
Doug is a CPA, successful businessman, and speaker. His focus is on business development, leveraging people to lead authentic, inspired and effective lives. Doug is a graduate of the Academy (Class 2008-09). This is Doug's second year as co-chair of the Academy.
Jo Della Penna, jo@thebusinessofyou.com
Jo is a profit coach, national speaker, and author. Jo has over 18 years experience in assisting entrepreneurs to build a profitable business while balancing a successful family life. She is a graduate of the Academy (Class 2008-09). This is Jo's second year as a co-chair of the Academy.
If you have any questions, please email the members of the Pro Speak Academy Staff.
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