I returned from NSA imbued with a new spirit and heartened by new
knowledge which I already know will increase my bookings and help
educate my audiences.
The new spirit came from my discovery of a jovial but
serious-minded group of professionals who did not hesitate to share
their experiences and tips with a first-timer.
The new knowledge came from too many speakers to mention in this
review, but here's a smattering from my l2 pages of notes. At NSA,
I:
-
Discovered that even a regular speaker
can gain helpfulness from others engaged in earning a similar
living.
-
Picked up 44 specific points on
incorporating humor into a presentation (thank you, Dr. Charles
Jarvis) and another 23 from Bob Murphy who said he was only going to
make 7 points.
-
Tapped Earl Brodie for the important
differences in approaching association directors and corporate
planners for engagements.
-
Gleaned promotion subtleties for
speakers from Ed Foreman.
-
Explored new marketing ideas with
Somers H. White.
-
Chit-chatted daily with John Jay Daly,
a fount.
-
Found that the top speakers, like Og
Mandino, are not unapproachable. Instead, they do want to assist.
-
Learned superior audience control and
contact techniques from Ed Mason, Ralph Archbold and Don Hutson.
-
Exchanged experiences with Allan
Willey.
-
Exulted in the positiveness of Mort
Utley's stage presence.
-
Uncovered the value of humility from Ty
Boyd.
-
Compared promotion concepts with Nido
Qubein.
-
Learned acceptable methods of
self-promotion within a speech from Charles Jones.
-
Unearthed delightful voice ranges from
Naomi Rhode.
- Discovered from Dave Yoho how important it is to sometimes
surprise an audience with a personal disclosure that unites the
room.
As with every large convention, there were some rough spots and
some so-so presentations, but there was no doubt about Bill
Johnson's ability to program and coordinate a truly helpful event.
Every speaker closes with an upbeat remark. In print, this remark
may not seem as powerful as it would if I were on stage, but it is
from my heart:
If 25% of the knowledge I acquired, 25% of the contacts I made,
25% of the techniques I discovered and 25% of the spirit I
encountered really do pay off, I will have obtained l0 times l00% of
the cost.
