DOTTIE WALTERS' SPEAK & GROW RICH
Monthly E-News

December 2004

Dottie Walters' Speak and Grow Rich- December 3, 2004
eNews for Professional Speakers, Authors, and Consultants
From the Publishers of Sharing Ideas Newsmagazine
===================================
In this issue...
1. Exclusive Interview with Motivational Superstar Keith Harrell
2. Climb to the Top of Search Engines Today - David Larner
3. Upcoming events with Dottie Walters
4. More resources for Speakers, Authors, and Consultants
===================================
"Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." - Albert Einstein
====================================
LET IT SHINE!!

A Sharing Ideas Interview with Motivational Star and Best-selling Author, Mr. SuperFantastic, Keith Harrell
http://www.keithharrell.com

Q: Keith, your very successful book and keynote is titled "Attitude is
Everything." Why is a positive attitude so crucial to success?

A: Our attitude is critical to our success because it impacts everything we
do. Attitude is a feeling, a mood or a mindset. How you think is the driving
force that helps you to overcome adversity and obtain your goals. We have all heard that "your attitude determines your altitude." Your attitude is the
control center for your life. It determines how high you will go in life or how low you will stay. One of the only things that we can control in life is our
attitude and without a right attitude, you cannot achieve success.

Q: Your presentation "Attitude is Everything" is well regarded for its
contagious enthusiasm. Can you tell us where your exceptional ability to connect with audiences comes from?

A: I have to give all the credit to God who gives us all our abilities. I
believe people connect with people who are real, honest, and with those who are telling the truth. Those three essential elements work together to make a connection possible. I'm enthusiastic and passionate about what I teach people and they are excited about their personal value and the limitless possibilities for their lives.

We are all experiencing this life together and we can recognize that we are
all blessed in various ways to be a blessing to other people. We're all gifted.
I think my connection to people is effective because they can feel that I
sincerely care about them. I try to be completely transparent. When people
experience that – they connect to it.

Q: Keith, you explain the importance of an attitude tool kit in building and maintaining a positive attitude. Your kit includes such key concepts and practices as visualization, discovering one's true motives, planning, enthusiasm, humor and so on. Why do so many people continue to disregard motivational speakers as offering little more than a Pollyanna happy pill?

A: Well, what is wrong with a happy pill? Motivation is something that we all
need and depending on what we're going through in life, some of us need a
bigger dose than others. The reason some people do not like motivational speakers is because one pill or speech is not a cure all.

Motivational speakers are an integral part of corporate success today because they provide people with that "happy pill" they need to change their thinking, allowing them to develop a "can do" attitude. Once they are motivated they can embrace the additional training tools and learning systems which support their continuous improvement process.

Every corporate client today is looking for how to go from good to great. I
consider myself a life-coach and motivational teacher giving my audiences
practical strategies that enable them to take action to achieve their personal and
professional success.

There are two types of motivation, internal and external. The internal is
your own self-talk, while the external is what friends, loved ones, teachers,
managers, coworkers, preachers, coaches and motivational speakers tell you. Staying motivated, learning to be consistently positive, is a process. It is not an event. It’s something that you work at daily. When you are motivated to maintain the right attitude, the outcome and results have been proven that one can achieve their dreams and fulfill their destiny.

Q: Your style brings to mind the congeniality of Dr. Phil combined with the spiritual strength of the most charismatic televangelists. Have you ever considered the possibility of expanding your career into daytime television or even to Sunday mornings?

A: I have considered it. I am open to explore all new opportunities. I was
privileged to do a recent PBS special where I spoke to a receptive television
audience sharing my Attitude Is Everything for Success message. I enjoyed the format very much. My creative team and I are exploring future possibilities in that arena. I am always open and willing to go where God wants me to take my message whether that is television, a Sunday service, talking to Corporate America, or speaking anywhere in the world where I’m invited.

Q: Keith, you wholeheartedly believe in the power of a positive attitude. How do you present your message of attitude as a tool of individual empowerment so that it doesn’t clash with corporate cultures that actively encourage conformity to "the way we do things around here"?

A: All corporations want to be profitable. They know that it all begins with
their people having the right attitude. A positive attitude is the first step
because it changes the actions and productivity of each employee. A positive attitude effects teamwork and empowers people with the ability to embrace change. Every one of my messages is customized to meet current challenges, always matching my power points to their corporate culture and mindset, while keeping their strategic goals in mind.

Corporate America understands that the right perspective allows employees to connect with where they are as individuals and as a company, and it enables them to have an optimistic outlook on the direction they’re are headed in the future.

With the vast changes going on in the world today, one of the only things we can control is how we think and how we manage our mood. A positive attitude is attainable. I believe that whether you’re in Corporate America or just living life, how you feel, how you think and respond to life, makes a big difference.

Q: We at Sharing Ideas really enjoyed reading Attitude is Everything. Can you tell us about your more recent books and videos?


A: We have several new books, one that is called The Attitude of Leadership. I had the opportunity to interview 21 successful leaders around the world on the subject of attitude and how it plays a key role in effective leadership and management of people. They each inspired and encouraged me and will hopefully do the same for everyone who has the chance to read it.

Another exciting book is The Attitude of Gratitude, where I looked at 21 life
lessons that I’ve acquired in my own life. I wanted to share with my readers
how one can maintain an Attitude of Gratitude in everything, even turning
their biggest adversities into personal victories.

My latest book is entitled Attitude is Everything For Success. It’s a small
gift book that encourages a person to focus on one positive word daily over a thirty-day period. It’s a simple, inviting journey uniquely designed to inspire readers to empower themselves to success.

Our development team is partnering to develop some effective lifelong
learning tools such as the Attitude Is Everything Learning System video series. We are also developing high-impact products and training programs that will not only affect Corporate America but will challenge individuals to improve their everyday lives.

Q: What are your speaking plans for the coming year?

A: I plan to continue to work closely with speakers’ bureaus, organizations
and companies to deliver a timely message customized to meet current
challenges. I am excited about the opportunity to continue to provide some good attitude "takeaway values" that will empower individuals and organizations to make a positive mark on this world that cannot be erased.

Q: Do you have any advice for speaking veterans? How about for new speakers?

A: The advice that I would give to anyone, whether you are a new speaker or a seasoned veteran, is to continue to grow, consistently working diligently at your craft and delivery skills. It is important to recognize that your gift is needed today more than ever. I would suggest you make sure that you’re providing your message by utilizing all the tools available to you such as books, videos, CDs, tapes and an interactive website. Be accessible. Network with other business partners that connect with your vision so that you continue to reach as many people as possible to make a difference.

Can you relate a story of special circumstances where you have been able to impact someone’s life dramatically?

I am so thankful to have met so many good people and received so much
positive feedback. There are so many great stories. I love interacting with my audiences after my programs and there are certain faces that will always stay with me.

I’ll never forget Mike, an executive who had just recently lost his wife of
25 years to cancer. He and his five kids were facing the rest of their lives
without their loved one. Mike had been very depressed and despondent over his situation, understandably. Colleagues were really worried about him and hoped my speech might make a difference.

I had just finished my talk when I was introduced to Mike. He was smiling as
he said, "Wow, Keith. Your words really got to me. I’ve got to be there for
my kids. I’ve decided to change my attitude. You’re, right. Attitude is a
choice!"

I have stayed in touch with Mike by email and his life is back on track.

On another occasion, I had finished my speech and was heading down the hall thinking about my delivery, what I might change and what I could have done better. Deborah was wiping her tears when she ran up to me just as I was about to get on the elevator. "Keith, please wait! I want you to know that your story really touched me. It’s like you were talking right to me! What you said about the power of my attitude is so right. All I was thinking about all day was how I had no purpose for living. Everything was going wrong in my life and I couldn’t see a way out. I will look at things differently now. Thank you."

As Deborah was walking away, she turned back and said, "I’m going for it,
Keith. I’m gonna have a super-fantastic life!"

The doors closed and as the elevator descended, I just stood there watching the numbers light up. I thought to myself, "God, let me never forget the awesome responsibility I have. What I am blessed to say can change people’s lives."

====================================
Climb to the Top of Search Engines Today!

By David Larner
http://tmcla.com/seotips

Everyone wants to get listed on the top of search engines. Hardly a day goes by when someone doesn’t call me on the phone or stop me at a seminar and ask how they can make it to number one. In today’s competitive market getting noticed can be more difficult than ever. Whether you’re a speaker, author or consultant you need visibility. Having a quality web site is one of the key ingredients for success; however, having a great web site is not enough.

The majority of visitors get to web sites using the major search engines and directories. Enter the search term "professional speaker" into Google and you will find that there are over ten million results. Try entering a phrase like "motivational speaker" and you will quickly learn that there are over one million sites competing for this term. In order to be listed on the first page you need to be ranked in the top 10 results. That means that the odds are less than one in one hundred thousand that you will make it to the top page. What can be done to hedge your bet?

There are multiple ways to obtain top search engine ranking. In this issue we are going to focus on the benefits and pitfalls of paid placement
advertising.

Buy Your Way to the Top

The easiest (and most costly) way is to buy your way to the top. Search
engines such as Google, Overture, Kanoodle, Findwhat and others are generating billions of dollars of revenue through cost per click (cpc) advertising. Although the implementations are different, the concepts are relatively the same. They all sell sponsored listings on the top several pages of their search results for a fee. This fee is usually determined by competitive bidding. For example: today the top bidder for the term "motivational speaker" on Overture is willing to pay up to $3.58 each time someone clicks on their ad.

To be listed in the number one position, all you have to do is open an
account and bid $3.59. You would then link the ad to your web site and each click would generate a new visitor. Notice that I used the term visitor rather than the term lead or sale. When purchasing cpc advertising it is very easy to spend a small or large fortune in soliciting visitors who don’t produce leads or sales. A number of factors can influence your online marketing campaign, including your ad copy, keyword phrase selection, bidding strategy and your offer.

Four Common Pitfalls That Can Drive You To Bankruptcy:

Selecting one word search terms that are generic in nature and lead
unqualified traffic to your web site.

An example would be to buy the keyword "speaker." As a professional speaker, do you care about audiophiles who are looking for home theater products, computer products, car stereos, etc? Not at all! You will get thousands of visitors that will do nothing but deplete your bank account. Use targeted keyword phrases. This requires a significant amount of time and research; however your efforts will pave your way to the bank.

Selecting search terms that are not geographically specific, if your product or service is only available to a local or regional audience.

The Internet has global reach. Would you advertise your local business in the New York Daily News or the London Times? Why pay to get visitors from all over the world if your product or services aren’t applicable? Use city and state specific keywords or regional targeting to focus on your specific audience and objectives.

Trying to obtain top position for all of your keyword phrases.

Maintaining top positioning for non-competitive keyword phrases may make
sense if the cost is small. However, for competitive terms, the investment
dynamics can change dramatically. Recently we had Overture run a proposal for one client who wanted to obtain top positioning on a variety of very competitive terms. The proposal called for a budget of over $300,000 per month and was expected to yield 6,328 visitors at an average cost of approx. $50 per visitor. Further analysis showed that by running the same keywords in the number five position we would receive approx. 2,000 visitors at an average cost per visitor of less than $20.

Neglecting the Math

The goal is either to get quality leads for potential speaking engagements or
to sell more back-of-the-room products. If it costs one dollar to drive a
visitor to your web site and one out of fifty people purchase your product, then your cost to acquire a customer is fifty dollars. If your profit margin
cannot support this model, then stop immediately. The objective is to refine your keyword phrases, related bids, web site offer, etc. to yield an affordable and reproducible advertising model based on conversion results.

Our clients regularly generate new business using cost per click advertising.
This process takes extensive effort, analysis and time to implement. However, by selecting relevant keyword phrases that drive targeted traffic to a well- designed, action-oriented web site you can obtain similar results. Next article we’ll cover a variety of non-paid ways to help you climb to the top!

Dave Larner is a best selling author, speaker and online marketing consultant with over 24 years of industry experience. He has helped his clients obtain thousands of top ten keyword positions on the major search engines. In addition, he has created hundreds of professionally designed web sites, including speakandgrowrich.com.

====================================
Subscribe to Sharing Ideas the #1 Magazine for Professional Speakers Authors and Consultants - Don't miss all the latest cutting edge information for today's speaking industry! Subscription includes the latest Electronic DIRECTORY OF SPEAKERS BUREAUS and Dottie's 2 Hour Audio CD on How to be Booked By Speakers Bureaus! http://www.speakandgrowrich.com/sharing_ideas_overview.htm
====================================
NOW AVAILABLE! : 2 hour audio CD "How to Find and Keep Commercial Sponsors"
by Dottie Walters and Robin Raymer. Learn how you can add many more streams of income to your speaking and writing career by finding commercial sponsors.
$95.00 + Shipping. Includes workbook. To order: 626-335-8069 or visit:
Sign up Today!
====================================
Upcoming Events with Dottie Walters
****
New TeleSemeninar by Dottie Walters!
Commercial Sponsored Speaking:
How to Boost Your Speaking Career With Multiple Commercial Sponsors

Saturday, January 15, 2005 12:00PM-2:00PM Pacific Standard Time
Sign up Today!
****
Upcoming Speak and Grow Rich Master Weekend Schedule:
January 29-30, 2005 Glendora, CA (626) 335-8069
March 12-13, 2005 Glendora, CA (626) 335-8069
http://www.speakandgrowrich.com/speaking_seminars_master_weekend.htm
****
More resources for Speakers, Authors and Consultants
****
Want to create your own information product based on your area of expertise?
Let the Speaker's One-Stop help! We will guide you through the process from A to Z.
F-R-E-E consultation. http://speakersonestop.com
****
Don't let all those great ideas from your book collect dust on a shelf. Give readers a way to master them within 30 days with Mem-Cards, a card deck customized with your book's best strategies, principles, practices, and inspirational quotes. Perfect for today's on-the-go lifestyles. Already in use by Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, and other leading authors and authorities. 
http://mem-cards.com
****
EZCDMAKER.com - CD and DVD duplication services, including drop-ship
fulfillment, professional audioprogram recording via telephone. Contact Seth Schrock
(253)952-7156; http://www.ezcdmaker.com
****
Are you looking for meeting and event planners in your area?  We have the 30,000+ contacts you need. Please visit us at  http://www.douglaspublications.com
or call us at 800-223-1797.
****
Technology Marketing Consultants, Inc. - Professional website development for speakers, authors and consultants. Turnkey design, implementation and marketing solutions including search engine optimization and mailing list management.
Our sites are fast, friendly and action oriented. Sell your seminars, books, tapes, videos, downloadable materials, and more. New products and related information can be easily added or updated by the site owner from anywhere that there is Internet browser access.
Call (800) 994-5800 for a F-R-E-E website consultation. http://www.tmcla.com/speakers
(Creators of http://Speakandgrowrich.com)
****
eSpeakers-provides professional speakers with innovative software tools to do more in less time. Our flagship product eVentPRO helps manage your office, while our newest product Marketplace provides an Internet gateway to speaker bureaus. Find out more about these tools eVentPRO: http://www.espeakers.com/eventpro
Marketplace: http://www.espeakers.com/marketplace/speakers.html
To get your free 30 day trial, use ESPK code during signup.
http://www.espeakers.com/information/30day.html
===================================
Best wishes for your success!
Dottie Walters, CSP
International Speaker, Author, Consultant
Author Highest Rated book In THE Speaking WORLD, SPEAK & GROW RICH
Publisher/Editor: SHARING IDEAS newsmagazine, 25th year of publication
President/CEO, Walters International Speakers Bureau
Publisher, International Directory of Speakers Bureaus
Founder, International Association of Speakers Bureau Owners, IASB

____________________________________________________________
 
Don't miss all the latest cutting edge money making information for today's speaking industry!