I have been appointed as PR Officer for the Association of Speakers Clubs. This is quite an honour, but also a huge challenge. Most of all it is an opportunity for growth. I don't really do PR for my own business - http://www.bespeak.co.uk/ that is more of a marketing exercise.
Perhaps in taking on this role, I will develop the appropriate skills to use in my own business.
I have a fairly sound idea of how to tackle this role, but if anyone would like to comment with any suggestions, I would be most grateful.
Thursday 20 May 2010
Sunday 16 May 2010
A True Dilemma
What to do?
Here I am a budding entrepreneur on the cusp of great success. My web site needs about 6 hours work and it will be ready for re-launch, my book, http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/seven-steps-to-successful-speaking/10982751, has been published and I have the bare bones of a marketing campaign planned.
I also have a commitment to delivering 3 free speeches this week, a mentoring to call to attend and the garden looks like it belongs to a derelict building in an abandoned dockyard.
Conventional wisdom says, ditch the free stuff, skip the mentoring call and leave the garden a little longer.
Apparently you can't start a business unless you are consistently putting in 18 hour work days and being totally driven.
Perhaps I have got to the stage I am at, in a longer time than necessary, because I am not putting in these hours, and am not as driven as I should be.
I value my health, both mental and physical, so I try to fit in some time for relaxing, some time for family, some time for friends and some time for me. Working every hour possible would simply alienate me from family and friends, and from the me that I know and love. Too many working hours will lead to physical health problems. Neglecting responsibilities can lead to mental health issues, like stress and depression.
I think I have got the balance slightly wrong and don't focus enough on the business, So I am going to sort the garden, attend my mentoring call and do those 3 speeches. After that I will be more careful about volunteering my services, so that I don't have to give as many speeches (at least not free ones). The garden will be re-planned, so that it takes less work. The mentoring call will stay, because it is only through being accountable for your progress, that you will succeed.
Please follow my lead if you are in a start up business. Work hard, but work smart. Work long hours when you have to but programme in leisure time. Above all make sure your whole life balance leads to health, because without that you can't run a business.
James McGinty
www.bespeak.co.uk
Here I am a budding entrepreneur on the cusp of great success. My web site needs about 6 hours work and it will be ready for re-launch, my book, http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/seven-steps-to-successful-speaking/10982751, has been published and I have the bare bones of a marketing campaign planned.
I also have a commitment to delivering 3 free speeches this week, a mentoring to call to attend and the garden looks like it belongs to a derelict building in an abandoned dockyard.
Conventional wisdom says, ditch the free stuff, skip the mentoring call and leave the garden a little longer.
Apparently you can't start a business unless you are consistently putting in 18 hour work days and being totally driven.
Perhaps I have got to the stage I am at, in a longer time than necessary, because I am not putting in these hours, and am not as driven as I should be.
I value my health, both mental and physical, so I try to fit in some time for relaxing, some time for family, some time for friends and some time for me. Working every hour possible would simply alienate me from family and friends, and from the me that I know and love. Too many working hours will lead to physical health problems. Neglecting responsibilities can lead to mental health issues, like stress and depression.
I think I have got the balance slightly wrong and don't focus enough on the business, So I am going to sort the garden, attend my mentoring call and do those 3 speeches. After that I will be more careful about volunteering my services, so that I don't have to give as many speeches (at least not free ones). The garden will be re-planned, so that it takes less work. The mentoring call will stay, because it is only through being accountable for your progress, that you will succeed.
Please follow my lead if you are in a start up business. Work hard, but work smart. Work long hours when you have to but programme in leisure time. Above all make sure your whole life balance leads to health, because without that you can't run a business.
James McGinty
www.bespeak.co.uk
Friday 14 May 2010
All Change
After much thought, I decided to turn my e-book into a small paperback. It can be purchased from http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/seven-steps-to-successful-speaking/10982751. Clicking the preview button will let you read most of the first section.
My original intent was that this would be an electronic giveaway. I changed my mind when I realised that, although I had not created a literary masterpiece, I had put a lot of effort into this book and that it was the result of several years of learning and practice.
I am happy for others to learn from the fruits of my labours. I also believe that taking a shortcut to success is a good thing and should be encouraged. There is no point in reinventing the wheel.
The real reason for the change is one of perceived value.
How many of us download free resources from the internet and then don't take full advantage of them. I have many free ebooks and resources, languishing in a folder, waiting for the "someday" on which I will read them.
If I have to go to the effort of purchasing something, no matter how low priced, I am one hundred times more likely to make use of it.
Please consider purchasing a copy and giving me some feedback on it.
http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/seven-steps-to-successful-speaking/10982751
Should you want a signed copy, email me on james@bespeak.co.uk and I will arrange it. Cost is likely to be around £10.00 include postage.
For thiose of you who want to listen to the book in the car, an audio version will be released in a few weeks time.
My original intent was that this would be an electronic giveaway. I changed my mind when I realised that, although I had not created a literary masterpiece, I had put a lot of effort into this book and that it was the result of several years of learning and practice.
I am happy for others to learn from the fruits of my labours. I also believe that taking a shortcut to success is a good thing and should be encouraged. There is no point in reinventing the wheel.
The real reason for the change is one of perceived value.
How many of us download free resources from the internet and then don't take full advantage of them. I have many free ebooks and resources, languishing in a folder, waiting for the "someday" on which I will read them.
If I have to go to the effort of purchasing something, no matter how low priced, I am one hundred times more likely to make use of it.
Please consider purchasing a copy and giving me some feedback on it.
http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/seven-steps-to-successful-speaking/10982751
Should you want a signed copy, email me on james@bespeak.co.uk and I will arrange it. Cost is likely to be around £10.00 include postage.
For thiose of you who want to listen to the book in the car, an audio version will be released in a few weeks time.
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