We were thrilled to have a great group of speakers at our recent Public Words Speaker Forum.  As I continue to blog about takeaways from the event, I thought I’d provide some quick reads on some of the most useful talks.  Three are below; I’ll continue with David Meerman Scott and others tomorrow.
Esmond_harmsworth
Esmond Harmsworth is a super literary agent.  He has represented interesting people from Governor Deval Patrick to Keith McFarland to the estate of Louisa May Alcott.  I first met him when he was in the middle of striking an incredible deal for a Public Words client. You want him on your side. 

Esmond held forth on the subject of what makes a good book proposal, unwrapping that particular mystery for speakers who want to get that book project underway.  What I particularly liked about Esmond’s approach was its simplicity.  He argued that book proposals should consist of three parts:

1.  What’s the idea
2.  Who’s the audience
3.  How are you going to reach them (marketing, platform, reach)

From personal experience with many book proposals, I can heartily concur that these are the essential questions.  If you can answer them in a fascinating, convincing and lively way, your book proposal will sell. 

Pamela_slim
Pam Slim, consultant, speaker, author, and generous soul, spoke on building your audience, through social media and other means.  She invited us to rethink how we approached the question of audience.  Rather than looking around for people to attract to our individual causes, Pam said we should first connect with people authentically, then amplify them – helping them find their passions and further them — then advocate for them.  I like that so much I’m putting again here:

1.  Connect with them
2.  Amplify them
3.  Advocate for them

Steve_farber_forum
Third, the amazing speaker, author, and California dude Steve Farber spoke on building a lasting speaking career.  His insights came from an introspective look at how his own career has unfolded, and they were counter-intuitive and fascinating: 

1.  Have the passion (that comes before everything else)
2.  Develop the chops (meaning the speaking chops)
3.  Strengthen your point of view (a life-long work)
4.  Develop a body of work (what you do instead of hunting for speaking gigs)

Steve’s point was that any professional speaker is first and foremost a content expert.  That’s how you get hired.  As another speaker I know is fond of saying, “Speaking isn’t a profession.  What you do is a profession.  Speaking is an activity.”