This week on Speakernomics, Robert Kennedy, III speaks with International tour expert, Elaine Rodriguez, about the significance of retreats for speakers and coaches. Elaine discusses the planning process, pricing considerations, and the importance of aligning the retreat theme, activities, and location. She emphasizes the need for a balance between learning and free time for participants to absorb information. In this episode, Elaine will share: Retreats for Impactful Messaging: Retreats are presented as a pure way to convey messages, connect with clients, and facilitate transformations, allowing speakers to impact their audience more deeply. Strategic Planning and Pricing: Speakers are advised to plan retreats at least nine months to a year in advance, considering audience affordability. Pricing should reflect the value provided, with an emphasis on not undervaluing one's time and effort. Balancing Structure and Spontaneity: The ideal retreat schedule includes a mix of learning, coaching, and free time. Leaving room for spontaneity allows for unexpected, impactful activities and enhances the overall retreat experience. A transcript of this episode is available to NSA Members in the NSA Digital Vault Catalogue.Answer our Question!  Head over to www.Speakernomics.com/voicemail and leave us a voicemail answering our question and we may use your recording on an upcoming episode of Speakernomics!  Question: What is the one thing you want people to walk away with after working with you that would change their lives forever? And what can you do to make that message clearer? Who is Elaine Rodriguez, CPC, ACC, ELI-MP?A 14-year veteran of the travel industry, Elaine has impacted the lives of travelers from all over the world through tour directing, tour planning, and now as a retreat planner for speakers, coaches, and facilitators through her company Essential Retreat Experts. Elaine keynotes on customer service, leadership, and teamwork, using her stories from her time on the road to inform – and entertain – her audiences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Speakernomics, Robert Kennedy, III, speaks with special guest Lauren Schieffer on how to cultivate a successful speaking business while creating a meaningful impact on the world. Lauren shares the advantages of being associated with a recognized speaking organization like NSA. She highlights the invaluable role of local chapters, acting as tributaries that provide a personalized and immediate educational experience. Gain actionable insights into active engagement, strategic networking, and the art of leveraging individual strengths to forge lasting connections within the speaking community. Key Takeaways:   Organizational Affiliation: Emphasizes the importance of joining professional speaking organizations.  Local Chapter Engagement: Provides a personalized and immediate educational experience. Advocates for active engagement, strategic networking, and leveraging individual strengths.   Strategic Relationship Building: A strategic approach to building relationships, initiating conversations with seasoned speakers, and extracting valuable insights from their experiences.  National Membership Benefits: Benefits of national membership, including global exposure and exclusive discounts and services.  Thought-Provoking Question: Lauren challenges listeners to reflect on what actions they are taking today to make a positive impact tomorrow.   Answer our Question!  Head over to www.Speakernomics.com/voicemail and leave us a voicemail answering our question and we may use your recording on an upcoming episode of Speakernomics!  Question: What are you doing today that you didn't do yesterday or last week that's going to make a difference tomorrow?  Who is Lauren Schieffer, CSP? As the daughter of a career Air Force officer, Lauren grew up being uprooted and relocated every couple of years. This imbued her with a profound independence and ability to adapt to changing circumstances, continually learning to adapt to new stations and new people. The lessons she learned from her dad, “The Colonel” helped her make smart decisions and overcome adversity with humility and a sense of humor. Her personal journey has traversed some dark and scary roads that included battles with and recovery from an eating disorder and surviving two personal assaults. The upside of that is she is standing strong on the sunny side of those dark roads in triumph. Lauren’s life journey has brought her to the conclusion that what happens to you in your life is not as important as how you choose to respond to what happens to you in your life.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Speakernomics, Robert Kennedy, III speaks with comic and comedy coach Mike Goodwin, offering key takeaways on incorporating humor into your presentations to elevate your impact. In this episode, Mike shares how to: Embrace Humor for Connection: The importance of using humor as a powerful tool for connecting with audiences, inspiring them, and providing entertainment. Understand Your Audience: Recognizing the audience's dynamics and adjusting your approach accordingly Crafting Jokes: The three essential components of a joke, keeping it concise and avoiding unnecessary details. Natural Funny Remarks: Pay attention to naturally funny remarks in everyday conversations, as these can be seamlessly incorporated into presentations for authentic humor. Strategies for Less Naturally Humorous Speakers: For those who may feel less naturally humorous Balanced Humor in Presentations: Aim for a balanced approach, with approximately one laugh every 10 minutes in a professional presentation. Answer our Question!  Head over to www.Speakernomics.com/voicemail and leave us a voicemail answering our question and we may use your recording on an upcoming episode of Speakernomics!  Question: What's one thing that you will do to effectively incorporate humor into your presentation?Who is Mike Goodwin?Mike Goodwin is a refreshingly funny comedian, speaker, and leader. His signature bowtie represents his expectation-defying brand of comedy that leaves a variety of audiences from churches to corporate events to swanky galas-laughing hysterically and completely inspired, without a foul or vulgar word spoken.A native of Camden, South Carolina, holds a master’s degree in Education from the University of South Carolina, is a veteran of the U.S. Army, and a former primary and secondary education professional. He infuses his varied life experiences into his act, making him relatable to audiences from all walks of life.Using his ability to merge leadership and laughter, Mike is a powerful communicator whose primary goal is to leave places and people better than he found them. He’s appeared on America’s Got Talent, Lifetime, BET, Dry Bar Comedy, TBN, Daystar, USA, Circle TV, SiriusXM, the That Sounds Fun Podcast Tour, and USO Europe Comedy Tour. Mike’s programs have inspired teams at corporations like Guess, Proctor and Gamble, and Dermira. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Kennedy, III welcomes Danielle Cobo, host of the Unstoppable Grit Podcast, former Fortune 500 senior sales manager, military spouse, and author of the book "Unstoppable Grit." Danielle shares her journey of balancing a thriving speaking business with the challenges of life, including raising twins and dealing with personal setbacks. In this episode, Danielle shares:  The importance of taking care of yourself, your family, and then your clients. Challenging the misconception that achieving success is easy and encourages listeners to acknowledge the difficulties while giving themselves grace through the process.  Her experience of managing a demanding corporate career while being the primary caregiver for her twins when her husband was deployed. She shares mindset shifts, the importance of support networks, and how redefining success led her to transition into the speaking business.  2020 became a pivotal year, marked by personal loss, a toxic work environment, and the decision to leave her corporate career. She discusses the shift from tying her identity to titles and income to focusing on who she wants to be and aligning her core values with her passion for transforming lives through speaking.   Answer our Question!  Head over to www.Speakernomics.com/voicemail and leave us a voicemail answering our question and we may use your recording on an upcoming episode of Speakernomics!  Question: What are three of your core values that you are in alignment with within all areas of your life?  Who is Danielle Cobo? Danielle Cobo is an international female speaker for organizations, associations, and the public sector. She works with audiences to harness the grit and resilience to lead through change. With over 15 years of corporate experience in the medical sales industry, she knows how to build high-performing teams that increase sales, productivity, and employee retention. Her expertise includes corporate resilience and burnout prevention. Danielle is the author of “Unstoppable Grit: Breakthrough the 7 Roadblocks Standing Between You and Achieving Your Goals” and hosts the globally top-rated podcast "Unstoppable Grit Podcast with Danielle Cobo.” As a former Fortune 500 Senior Sales Manager, she led her team through downsizing, restructuring, and acquisitions to become the #1 sales team in the nation. As a result, she was awarded Region Manager of the Year. Her resiliency motivated her to earn four consecutive national Sales Excellence Awards in a male-dominated industry.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Certified Speaking Professional™ (CSP®) is a professional designation that provides independent proof of a speaker's expertise and professionalism. It's a promise to clients and meeting planners that you are a reliable and engaging speaker. In this episode of Speakernomics Jennifer Elder, CPA, CSP® discussed the benefits of earning the designation and the process to achieve it. You can find the CSP® resources featured in this episode at www.nsaspeaker.org/CSP.  In this episode you will learn more about:  Meeting planners and clients often prefer CSP’s® because they have confidence in their professionalism and capabilities.  Why speakers, regardless of applying for the CSP® or not, should download the CSP® spreadsheet and begin tracking their presentations immediately.   Practical tips and insights on the application process.   The specific criteria that need to be met when applying for your designation.    Answer our Question!  Head over to www.Speakernomics.com/voicemail and leave us a voicemail answering our question and we may use your recording on an upcoming episode of Speakernomics!  Question: If you have not earned your CSP® yet, what is the first step you'll take towards that goal this week?  Who is Jennifer Elder, CSP®, CPA? Jennifer Elder is a highly sought-after speaker, emcee, and author who creates an interactive and fun experience that gets the audience to think differently and act strategically.    As a CSP, Jennifer has spoken in 47 states and six countries, averaging 80+ presentations a year.   She has spoken at Microsoft, Lowes, Dollar Tree, Marriott, and Perdue.  She has presented at conferences for The Association of International Chartered Accountants, Sage Software, the American Society of Association Executives, and the Society for Human Resource Management.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Robert Kennedy, III welcomes guest Scott Carley to discuss running toward intimidation. Scott shares his journey of breaking through intimidation and building relationships with top-notch speakers. He emphasizes the importance of getting comfortable with intimidation and using it to your advantage in your speaking business. Scott shares his strategies and tactics to connect with influential speakers and how he leveraged those relationships to grow in his speaking career. Other key takeaways include:   Embracing intimidation as an opportunity for growth in your speaking career.  Building relationships with experienced speakers to learn and advance in the field.  The significance of serving and collaborating with others in the industry.  The power of hooks in speeches to capture the audience's attention.  The value of referrals in the speaking business.  Answer our Question!  Head over to www.Speakernomics.com/voicemail and leave us a voicemail answering our question and we may use your recording on an upcoming episode of Speakernomics!  Question: Who do you want to emulate as a top-notch speaker and what are you willing to do to build a relationship with them?   Who is Scott Carley? There's a reason they call him "The Change Energizer"--Scott Carley has the energy and the knowledge to get any organization moving! With his emphasis on taking action, Scott brings rejuvenation and momentum to help organizations achieve objectives and see results. He takes a proactive approach to overcoming obstacles and conquering failures. Audiences come away with confidence, motivation, perspective, and an excitement for innovation.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2020 brought a wave of unexpected changes and uncertainties to our lives. Speakers, like many others, were left wondering how to adapt and thrive amidst the chaos. This week, Meridith Elliott Powell, CSP, CPAE shares her invaluable insights and nine-step methodology that will empower you to embrace uncertainty and turn it into your competitive advantage. In this episode, Meridith will: Encourage speakers to envision a brighter future, actively predicting and preparing for potential changes, thereby promoting adaptability and innovation. Highlight the importance of collaboration over competition in the speaking industry, emphasizing the significance of aligning business decisions with core values. Listening to clients' needs and developing a strong support network, ensuring relevance and adaptability in an ever-evolving environment. Answer our Question! Head over to www.Speakernomics.com/voicemail and leave us a voicemail answering our question and we may use your recording on an upcoming episode of Speakernomics! Question: What is your relentless vision? Who is Meridith Elliott Powell, CSP, CPAE?Voted one of the Top 15 Business Growth Experts to watch by Currency Fair, Meridith Elliott Powell is an award-winning author, keynote speaker, and business strategist. With a background in corporate sales and leadership, her career expands over several industries including banking, healthcare, and finance. Meridith worked her way up from an entry-level position to earn her seat at the C-Suite table. She is a Certified Speaking Professional and a member of the prestigious Forbes Coaching Council. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're not just talking about the conventional stage. We're delving into the ever-evolving world of virtual meetings, where the rules are different, and the opportunities are boundless. Ever wondered how to capture the essence of a live stage in the virtual realm? How to engage your audience in ways that transcend the limitations of a screen? Our special guest is none other than John Chen, a pioneer in virtual meetings for 37 years, way before they became the norm, and now, he's here to reveal the secrets of creating impactful and engaging virtual experiences.Key Takeaways: Engagement strategies to keep your virtual audience hooked.  Using the power of music to transform the mood of your virtual audience. Answer our Question! Head over to www.Speakernomics.com/voicemail and leave us a voicemail answering our question and we may use your recording on an upcoming episode of Speakernomics! Question: What will you do that you have never done before to be engaging in a virtual or hybrid meeting?Who is John Chen?John Chen is the CEO and author of Engaging Virtual Meetings. His work has earned him multiple awards and his more than 300,000 clients across the United States and in countries including Spain, France, and Taiwan have experienced breakthrough results. He has dozens of certified producers and MCs to help your virtual and hybrid now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Original Air Date: March 14, 2023We’re revising tech this week! Are you embracing new technologies as they become available, or are you often watching from the sidelines waiting to see if it is worth your time to invest in the new trends? Whether you like it or not, technology will keep moving forward, so it might be time to change your mindset. This week on Speakernomics, we invited Denise Hamilton, who spoke on the mainstage at Thrive 2023, to discuss how you may not need to follow every trend, but you do need to embrace technological change if you want to continue to be a successful speaker. Key Takeaway:Don’t be afraid of change; embrace technology.Question of the Week:Drop us a line! Head over to www.Speakernomics.com/voicemail and leave us a voicemail answering the following question and we may use your recording on an upcoming episode of Speakernomics! Question: What technologies are you committed to learning about?Who is Denise Hamilton?Denise is the founder and CEO of Watch Her Work and works in the DEI space. She’s worked for AOL, was named one of Houston’s top 50 most influential women and used to be a backup singer for Stevie Wonder and En Vogue Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unlock the secrets of turning your IP into your MVP! Join host Robert Kennedy, III, and special guest Rick Lozano as they delve into the power of your Intellectual Property (IP) in the speaking business. Discover how your unique Angle, Perspective, and Lens (APL) can set you apart and captivate audiences like never before. Learn how to craft a message that's uniquely you, building a stronger connection with your listeners and turning them into loyal fans. Don't miss this episode – your speaking success starts here! Download now and embark on a journey to becoming an MVP in the speaking world.Key Takeaways: Your IP is the most important aspect of building a successful speaking business. Find your unique, Angle, Perspective, and Lens (APL) Answer our Question! Head over to www.Speakernomics.com/voicemail and leave us a voicemail answering our question and we may use your recording on an upcoming episode of Speakernomics! Question: What do you have to offer that no one else does? Who is Rick Lozano, CSP?Speaker, musician, and locksmith, Rick Lozano helps people unlock their potential and amplify their talent and is known for incorporating music and storytelling into his presentations. He's the author of "Acoustic Leadership: How to Develop a Leadership Culture That Resonates" and is a past president of NSA Austin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices