The FALL 2020 speakers Academy Program

 October 17 & 24; November 14 & 21; December 5 & 12

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 VIRTUALLY on Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

Sessions will include:

ORIENTATION, PROFESSIONAL AWARENESS AND TOPIC DEVELOPMENT – OCTOBER 17

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.

Syllabus Presented by Academy Deans IrishmanSpeaks Conor Cunneen and Kevin O'Connor, CSP.

Guest Faculty:  Allie Pleiter, President NSA-IL

Q&A with Mark Levy

SALES AND MARKETING & PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS - OCTOBER 24

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:  Rick Davis, CSP

Q&A with Patricia Fripp, CSP

CONNECTING AND ENGAGING WITH YOUR VIRTUAL AUDIENCE - NOVEMBER 14

Developing your skills as a speaker includes your commitment to the profession, the art of presentation skills, and the logistics of speaking from the stage be it on-site or virtual.  You'll learn how to connect and engage with your audience whether they are 10 yards of 1,000 miles away from you!

Guest Faculty:  Chris Carter

Q&A with Laurie Guest, CSP

NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT / streams of income - november 21

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 and services.

Guest Faculty: Bill Guertin

Q&A with NSA National President, Barry Banther, CSP

MANAGING YOUR BUSINESS - DECEMBER 5

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

Q&A with Derek Arden

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER-BEST PRACTICES AND GRADUATION - DECEMBER 12

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.

COST

The investment in your future success is $795, which includes six 4-hour classes. NSA Illinois’ Speakers Academy alumni (graduates from the last five years only) 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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