The Spring 2019 speakers Academy Program

Northern Illinois University Naperville, 1120 E. Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois: March 9, 23, 30, April 6, 13, 27

Each session contains essential information, ranging from improving platform skills to marketing and running your business. Participants will get the tools they need to succeed as professional speakers.

Sessions are held on Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in Room #164 at NIU Naperville, 1120 E. Diehl Road, Naperville.

Session 1 – March 9: Orientation, Professional Awareness and Topic Development

We’ll have an overview of the course, highlight the importance of the speaking profession, and then help you 1) identify your area of expertise and 2) how to define and refine your topic for your target audience.

Guest Faculty:  Conor Cunneen 

Session 2 – March 23: Presenting and Performing: Platform Mechanics

Developing your skills as a speaker includes your commitment to the profession, the art of presentations skills, and the logistics of speaking from the stage. You’ll learn about everything from “owning the room” to managing the microphone.

Guest Faculty:  Terry Watson, CSP

Session 3 – March 30: Sales and Marketing: Professional Relationships

Success in the speaking business depends on your ability to sell and market your services. This class discusses successful strategies for positioning yourself to the people who hire speakers, the importance of the sales cycle, and the marketing techniques to get booked.

Guest Faculty:  Bill Guertin

Session 4 – April 6: Authorship and Products

Giving a speech isn’t the only way professional speakers build their businesses. Learn how to expand your platform and profits through books, workbooks, CDs, webinars and other products/services.

Guest Faculty: Rob Biesenbach

Session 5 – April 13: Managing Your Business

You can be great on the stage, but a lot of your success will depend on what happens behind the scenes. This session focuses on how to set up and maintain the business side of speaking, so you can move this from a hobby into a profit center.

Guest Faculty: John Blumberg, CSP

SESSION 6 - APRIL 27: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER-BEST PRACTICES /GRADUATION

Time to take a bow! You've gone through the 10-module workbook, heard from top-notch speakers, and now it's time to give your own speech.  Everyone gets a little stage time.  Then we end the class by celebrating with the representatives of the NSA Illinois Board and our very own chapter CSPs.

Guest Faculty:  Lynn O'Dowd

Cost

The investment in your future success is $795, which includes six 4-hour classes. NSA Illinois’ Speakers Academy and Speaker University alumni may attend for a $195 reviewer fee. Reviewers also must complete the application

Please note: once accepted and registered for NSA Illinois’ Speakers Academy, your program tuition will not be refunded, however make-up sessions are available for one year following the current session.

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