VE Blog Header_tp

A Blog By Speakers, For Speakers.

“What’s Your Favorite App?” The Right Question Isn’t About the App—It’s About the Outcome

“What’s Your Favorite App?” The Right Question Isn’t About the App—It’s About the Outcome

By Jamie Champagne, CSP |  These days, with the explosion of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, asking others “What’s your favorite app?” is starting to be almost more commonplace among speakers than the “What do you speak on?” question.  The explosion of AI technology into the hands of the average user has us all jumping at…

Read More...
Crossing State Lines: Navigating State Tax Obligations for Speakers

Crossing State Lines: Navigating State Tax Obligations for Speakers

By Marquita Miller-Joshua, CSP, MDSG   As a professional speaker, your job often takes you across state lines to deliver keynote addresses, facilitate workshops, and conduct seminars for diverse audiences. While travel and exposure can be exhilarating, understanding the state tax implications that come with working in multiple states is important.   Why State Taxes…

Read More...
The Self-Eating Watermelon

The Self-Eating Watermelon

By Kent Cummins, CMCE How can you help prospective clients get the money to pay your full fee? For more than 60 years, I have been using a technique which I call, “The Self-Eating Watermelon!” The concept was developed by myself and a few friends while I was an undergraduate at Louisiana State University (1961-1965),…

Read More...
Why Not Insert a Panel Discussion in Your Presentation?

Why Not Insert a Panel Discussion in Your Presentation?

By Kristin Arnold, CSP, CPAE, CPF | Master A few years ago, Joe Calloway, CPAE, called three people on the stage in the middle of his keynote presentation and facilitated a 15-minute panel discussion!  Whoa! You can do THAT in a presentation? Indeed, you can! Embedding a panel discussion into your presentation can be an…

Read More...
Slide Decks: What Do I Do Wrong?

Slide Decks: What Do I Do Wrong?

By Trevor Perry The first debate about presentation material is whether or not to use slide decks. The second debate is then a question of which tool to use. The answer to the first is…it’s your choice. A slide deck has many advantages, the main benefit being that it is a cheat sheet for yourself….

Read More...
The Real Deal: What Meeting Planners Want Speakers to Know

The Real Deal: What Meeting Planners Want Speakers to Know

By Linda Swindling, CSP, CPAE Speakers often want to know what items are negotiable and how much to charge. Not asking for what is available can be a rational concern. That said, there are lists of concessions and items to request. However, many speakers ignore the wants, needs and even fears of the busy professionals…

Read More...
Reinvent Your Business

Reinvent Your Business

By Thom Singer, CSP | The pandemic hit my speaking career hard. Speaking mostly to midsize associations, the abrupt halt of live events meant my clients didn’t hold in-person meetings. They no longer had the same budget for paid speakers, and my income plummeted by three-quarters over two years. Emerging from the pandemic felt like…

Read More...
Want To Create New Speaking Opportunities?

Want To Create New Speaking Opportunities?

By Frank Kitchen, CSP | Many think you must have a killer Speaker’s Reel. Others will tell you to hire a Virtual Assistant. Another group will tell you it’s about creating a social media presence. You’ll hear constant comments about building a funnel. Everyone has advice. Let me be honest with you…there are numerous ways…

Read More...
How to Lean into Intimidation and Grow Your Speaking

How to Lean into Intimidation and Grow Your Speaking

By Scott Carley – The Change Energizer | For whatever reason, my whole life has been one of intimidation. Maybe it was because my brother was eight years my senior, always a step ahead and setting the bar high. Or maybe it was because I’ve always wanted more for myself and my career, which put…

Read More...
The content in Voices of Experiences is written by NSA members, for NSA members. The opinions and representations made within each article do not necessarily reflect the opinions or position of the association itself.