Dana VanDen Heuvel: Damn, I'm glad I thought of that

July 12, 2005

Damn, I'm glad I thought of that

I'm a loyal reader of Gas Pedal's "Damn, I wish I'd thought of that" newsletter. Coincidentally, this week's version had some points about speaking, promoting and meeting people that are particularly important, like the following.

Speakers: How to turn the audience into customers

If you don't have a handout, you've wasted your time. You spent all this time and money to speak, then you give people no way to buy from you. Always print a 1-page flyer, staple it to a printout of your slides, and put it on every single chair before you start. It's a guaranteed way to get new business.

Speakers: How to look like an asshole

Read a speech that someone else wrote for you.

Read a speech you've never rehearsed.

Read a slide that pitches your company.

Funny you should mention placing a handout when you speak. This summer I've been to 2 seminars already where none of the presenters took the time to create or give out a handout. With about 75 people in the room, they missed a good opportunity to reach more customers.