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WRITERS WHO SPEAK - QUOTING FEES

It's football season in Texas -- Friday Nights Lights for real! And here in Waco, the big news has been Baylor University's new McLane Stadium, and the nationally ranked Baylor Bears. As Baylor alumnae, my husband and I are enthusiastically following our beloved Bears, even though the first game saw temperatures of over 100 degrees. But then the next Saturday we shivered in a brisk wind on a 58 degree Saturday morning watching our great-grandson make a touchdown in Little League Football. The result of hard workouts and practices.

It's also the season for booking retreats and speaking engagements, and the sticky issue of quoting fees for your speaking engagements. How do you make a touchdown, so to speak, in negotiating a fee for your speaking engagement?

WRITERS WHO SPEAK - 3 REASONS I LOVE TO SPEAK AT RETREATS

Golden Parsons here, writing from Central Texas where the weather is beginning to feel a bit like fall. Believe me, that is unusual for this part of the country. Football games begin this next week -- from Little League to major college events. This is Friday Night Lights country, and there is excitement in the air. Fall is a popular time for retreats, so I thought we might spend a little time discussing that.

WRITERS WHO SPEAK - QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

After an unusually cool spring and month of June, our typical Texas summer has come in with the fireworks of the 4th of July this past week. But those of us who have grown up in Texas, are used to it, and we get through it every year. Some may feel like the fireworks fly when it comes to the Q&A time after one has delivered one's talk. Well, I have a confession to make ...

WRITERS WHO SPEAK - DRESSING THE PART

Golden Keyes Parsons here from Central Texas. Summer is now here, but I can't complain, for we have had a lovely spring this year with cool nights and very pleasant days.

Although our culture has gotten much more casual since I've been speaking professionally and we don't spend as much time talking about dressing for the stage as we used to, I still think there are some basic rules which need to be observed.

WRITERS WHO SPEAK - A PIECE OF CAKE!

Golden Parsons here, sitting on my patio on a lovely spring day in Central Texas, after a large speaking event this week.So many writers, when asked to speak, get all "twitter-pated" about having to talk in front of a group.

The good news is that all of us share the same feelings, more or less.However, the type of speaking that writers encounter is really the easiest speaking assignments I have ever been invited to do. I have preached, taught Bible studies, been a keynote speaker for conferences and/or retreats, led marriage seminars, taught various workshops from wardrobing to writing proposals, and speaking to an audience as an author is the easiest assignment ever.

WRITERS WHO SPEAK - WHAT SHALL I SAY?

Golden Keyes Parsons here in Central Texas wondering if the cold weather of this winter will end anytime soon. We have had several cycles of freezing degree nights swinging to 80's during the day. I don't ever remember the weather fluctuations being this varied and long lasting before.

However, spring seems to have arrived in our yard, so perhaps warmer days are here now.

 

 

WRITERS WHO SPEAK - THOU SHALT NOT!

Golden Keyes Parsons here in Central Texas experiencing March going out like a lion, hoping April will come in like a lamb. Now that is what is known as a cliche', and writers are to avoid them like the plague. Oops! Sometimes it is difficult to do.

WRITERS WHO SPEAK - 5 COMMON PITFALLS

Golden Keyes Parsons sending greetings from a frigid Central Texas winter day. We moved from the mountains to get away from the cold! Nevertheless, I'm warm and cozy by the fire, ready to share more tips about speaking. When we prepare our message or talk for a group, we anticipate they will listen with rapt attention to every word. The truth is ...

Tip for Speakers

"Manners are the beginning of integrity." 

The first time I read that quote I thought how simple yet profound.  I pondered for a moment how simple etiquette reveals immediately whether or or not we courteous, considerate and grateful. And, when it is present it refreshes everyone who happens to encounter it.

As speakers, we are often the ultimate focal point of someone's event.  Therefore we are lavished with praise, gifts and our every need is attempted to met.  In return, what are we giving beside a great talk?

Having been both a Women's Ministry Leader and still a speaker I have sat on both sides of the table. Therefore, I'd like to share from a Hostess's point of view for a moment.  For example, I remember...

 Observing one speaker's table manners and how it revealed her lack of patience.  She immediately reached across the table for the sweetner and in an irritable manner called the waitress because she hadn't gotten her 2nd cup of coffee quickly enough "  Note: Your hostess wants you to model what they want the audience to become.

On the other hand another speaker stated "Please," upon her every request and "Thank You" at every appropriate opportunity. Note: A hostess desires to be respected as a person and leader.

One quite famous speaker revealed her gratitude for the opportunity to speak by giving more in her gift to us than the honorium we were able to afford to give her.   Note: Prepare to always have a gift to say thank you to your host church and something special also for the one who might host you personally.

These examples helped set the bar for me as an up and coming speaker. 

As Christian speakers we can re-ignite the flame of  good manners by modeling them whether its daily among family and friends or when we are called to speak at a humble or highly attended event.

Respectfully submitted,

Doreen Hanna

 

    

 

  

 

The Power of Our Words

Hi from Doreen Hanna,

Speaking was the most effective and efficient way to reach our audience for many years.  Now,we are writing more than ever and reaching a greater audience.  In the midst of this, sometimes exciting and other times challenging change, it is easy to forget the value of keeping our speaking skills strong.