For each event I speak at I spend on average 10 hours creating the slide deck, and about 20 hours rehearsing the presentation, unless it’s an existing presentation/deck, then that time is much less. The end result is that I spend anywhere from 15-30 hours preparing/rehearsing the presentation, and lose a minimum of one day due to travel, usually two days.

So there’s a pretty big time commitment necessary for me to speak at an event. And yet even with the time investment required, even though I have spoken at most of the biggest social media events and get rave reviews when I speak, I still have conference organizers that contact me expecting me to speak at their event for free.

And when I say ‘free’, I don’t mean that they won’t pay a speaking fee. I mean that they won’t cover a speaking fee OR any of the speaker’s travel costs TO the event.

I wish I’d said that! :-D

So here’s a simple rule of thumb to live by: if you’re going to launch an external social media initiative – even something as simple as an official Twitter handle – make sure it’s properly supported on your primary website and via your email communications.

And the more intricate your external efforts become, the more social, mobile, and interactive your website must become.

Hmmm. Maybe some of these will work for attorneys, too?

There are only a few authors out there who I feel compelled to read, consume, ingest and meditate on everything they do. Jeffrey Gitomer is one of the very few. When we started re-focusing Twist Image back in 2002, it was Gitomer’s book, The Sales Bible (and his entire Little [insert color here] Book Of… series), that really pushed me to think differently about everything from sales and marketing to personal branding and networking. The impetuous to Blog and launch the Montreal Business Book Review were ideas based on Gitomer’s writing (he’s a huge proponent of establishing oneself as a recognized authority). All of his books are business best-sellers and he is also one of the most thought-provoking and entertaining public speakers around. He is a legend, and it is a true honour to have him on the show. I’ll recommend that you not only listen to this episode, but pass it on to five of your closest friends who have been struggling with how to get ahead in business. Enjoy the conversation…

If you’ve never heard Jeffrey Gitomer, here’s your chance — I don’t know anyone who has more to say on marketing and sales for entrepreneurs and small businesses!

Engaging your brand in social media is easier said than done. There are many factors to consider when executing an effective social media strategy. Instead of watching the train wreck hurt your brand, here are warning signs of a weak social media strategy that you need to be aware of before things really get bad

Most people jump right in to social media and then and wonder why their efforts are not working. Or sometimes they jump right in and their efforts, time, and resources are not being utilized as properly as they should be.  Whether their efforts are working or not, one thing is for certain: their efforts could achieve better results following a strategy. No one should have to do more work than they have to, and my goal here is to give you the keys right now so that you don’t waste time, resources, money, and more.  Essentially, I don’t want you or anyone I work with to send their troops into battle before they’re ready.