“I’d like to bring up another subject, dear”, types the chat girl of your dreams.

“What’s that?” you respond.

“You know how I said my father died a few years ago, and my mom lives in Nigeria?”

“Yes,” you respond, remembering her story.  It had touched your heart, you have to admit.  This poor girl seemed to have had a very difficult life.

“And, you know how it’s good for people to help others who are not as fortunate as they are?”

You take the bait.  “Yes, I know that.  What do you need?”

“When my dad was forced out of office, he left a considerable amount of money in a bank account here in Nigeria, but my mom can’t touch it unless she gets some help.  We’d be willing to share it with you if…”

The warning bells should instantly go off in your head when this wonderful girl, who has been so supportive and has listened patiently while you pour your heart out, now needs your help.  If you’re a man, the protective instincts are triggered.  If the person on the other end of the instant message is male, and you’re a woman, you immediately want to rush to his aid.

This is the same Nigerian scam, but instead of hooking you with avarice, it hooks you with love and compassion for someone you have already formed a relationship with.

That, my friend, is why instant messaging is far more dangerous to the victim of a scammer than email ever was. 

IF YOU CAN'T GET MONEY, GET INFORMATION

It’s a rare instance when the IM scammer will try the Nigerian scam on you.  Most of the time they will try to get information from you.

“I would love to call you, what’s your telephone number?”

 “What’s your last name? “(Assuming you’ve already told them your first name.)

“I need to set up my own web site, could I use your credit card?”

They probably won’t be dumb enough to ask you for your mother’s maiden name, social security number, or bank information.  At least not yet.  Not until they really think they “have” you.

BEWARE IF...

1.   The person is too romantic, too endearing, too flattering too early.

2.   The person won’t furnish a picture of themselves, or if they only have one.

3.   The pictures they do provide look like they were taken by a professional photographer.  A real person normally won’t have professional pictures in their profile.

4.   They have no profile.  They claim to be an American but speak broken English.

5.   They give you a “sob” story.  The drama is meant to elicit compassion which leads to your wallet.

6.    They ask for money, credit cards, or any information about you beyond your first name.  Most legitimate chatters won’t even ask for that.

7.   They have a sudden crisis for which they need money.  They have an automobile accident and have no insurance.  A sudden illness and no money.  This usually comes later in the game after they think they have you “hooked”.

8.   They want to set up a cam, but when you set it up, you can’t make out their face. Note: they want to see you, but they don’t want you to see them.

9.   They get annoyed when you engage in idle chit chat.

10.   They can’t answer detailed questions about themselves.  For example, they claim to be a student, but they have trouble telling you what their major is and what their favorite class is and why they like it.

11.   They can’t describe the city or location they say they are from.  Do a little internet research on the place they claim to live in.  Ask them detailed questions about it.

12.   If they give you an age, ask them something specific that someone in that age bracket would know (or not know).

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE

Instant messaging can be a lot of fun, and you can meet people from all over the planet you would never have known in real life.  You can meet a special someone you might be happy with for the rest of your life.

It’s a vast ocean full of many different kinds of fish, but just like the ocean it’s got some sharks and barracudas in it.  The sharks will make themselves known before they strike, if you know what to look for, and how to avoid them.

Know how to test the water and you won’t be devoured by a scammer or an identity thief.

A bio is a key part of your marketing toolbox. And a well written one is worth it's weight in gold! This seeming simple marketing blurb has the amazing power to wow the media, impress a decision maker, or showcase your expertise to any potential buyer. And, once you have written a good bio, you'll find a million uses for it. In addition to adding one to your website, you can use in your article byline, email signature, one sheet, promotional flyers, brochures, sales letters, and more! But how you go about writing a bio?

Below are some 20 tips for what to include in your bio.

1. Area of expertise
2. Title and company name
3. Media coverage you have received including television, magazine, and radio
4. Topic you you are a sought after speaker on
5. Number of people you have spoken to
6. Number of counties you have spoken in
7. Names of books you have authored
8. Credentials including notable awards or recognitions you have won
9. Clubs or organizations that you are actively involved in
10. Personal insights such as what you believe, your mission, your vision
11. Quirky fact about you such as "A former school teacher-turned-confrontation expert, Jane helps people communicate more effectively. Or an avid baseball fan, when Bill is not speaking, you'll find him eating hot dogs and watching the Chicago Cubs with his son Dave.
12. Interests or hobbies
13. Occupation of your parents, if it's interesting and adds to the story. Ex: The son of Vermont Turkey Farmers, Jim Smith is....
13. What your hometown is known for.
14. Interesting or substantial former careers
15. What led you to start your current business
16. What you help people to do
17. Events that shaped your life
18. Offices you have held
19. Call to action like "For a free report on "9 Ways to Build your Bottom Line".

Sometimes finding good leads for speaking gigs can feel a bit like hunting for a tropical spa with umbrella drinks in the dessert. It's easy to get discouraged. But yet when you see superstars that are booked solid, you know that it can be done. So how do you find leads for paid speaking engagements? Below are 14 techniques you can use to find good contacts and get yourself booked!

1) Define a niche. According to Networking expert, Lillian D. Bjorseth, a niche can be defined as types of organizations you want to speak for, an industry you want to specialize in, or a subject matter. By defining a clear niche, you instantly set yourself apart. The next challenge of course is to become known in your niche.

When you become the leading authority in your field, people seek you out. Speaking trainer Burt Dubin says, “There's no point in being a fine marketer until you have expertise to offer. And your expertise has gotta be in a specific niche. A niche where folks with cash in their jeans recognize your value and are willing to invest in what you alone know. Here's how to select your niche: identify the topic or issue in which you're willing to do endless and ongoing research for a market with the means to pay you.”

2. Free to Fee. Speak for free in places likely to have people who could hire you for fee. Often there are people in these audiences who could hire you. Check your local Kiwanis, Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, and Rotary
clubs.

After speaking recently in the Women’s Economic Development Outreach event, someone in the audience hired me for a speaking engagement for their group. If they hadn’t seen me speak in person, it’s very unlikely that this person would have contacted me.

3. Attend Events - Go to the events that your ideal clients attend and mingle with the decision makers who could hire you. “The Transition Man” Johnny Campbell says, “Research the event ahead of time. Know who will be in attendance. Have a hit list of people you want to connect with. Ask first what THEY do so you can tailor your 30 second pitch to address how you can help with their specific needs.”

Johnny likes to go to chamber meetings and sit at the far end so he goes last introducing himself. That way he can listen first to who is in his audience and tailor his 30 second introduction. Once he did this and a gentleman was so impressed that he immediately handed him a business card and said, “Call me.”

4. Speaker Directories. There are websites that list speakers for a fee. Meeting planners sometimes go to these directories looking for a speaker on a certain topic.

5. Smile and Dial. Flipping the pages of a meeting planner directory and cold calling can drum up business. Most speakers who use this approach successfully make 40- 50 calls everyday. If you are smart about finding the
“right” targeted leads to call, this is especially effective.

7. Ask for referrals right from the platform. Keynote speaker and master certified coach, Rich Fettke says this when he speaks to groups “As you can tell, I am really passionate about what I do. If you know of a group who could benefit from this message, please hand me a business card afterwards.”

8. Referrals. Ask for referrals from existing clients who have hired you to speak. If you ever have to lower your fee, you ask for letters of recommendation and referrals as part of the deal in exchange for the discount.

Burt Dubin offers this tip to reward those who refer you.

“Let your clients or customers know they are rewarded for referring folks who invest in what you offer. Give appropriate gifts, depending on the size of the ticket. I give a choice of gifts. A dollar amount in cash or a higher dollar amount given to their favorite charity in their name, or a certain dollar amount in free product. Reward referrals generously.”

My personal thought is that a heartfelt note, a Starbucks gift card, a phone call, or even flowers is a wonderful way to say “thank you - I appreciate your referral!”

9. Get on Your Prospect’s Radar Screen. Top of mind status comes from word of mouth of your clients, being "seen" in the pages of print media, and from testimonials of audience members.

Know where your audience goes and be there. This includes your prospect’s ezines, clubs, organizations, bulletin boards, and magazines.

10. Speaker Website. An effective speaker website gives a meeting planner everything they need to decide that you are the perfect speaker for their event. You’ll want to include downloadable one sheet (brochure), testimonials, program descriptions, media coverage, results gained for other clients, and your speaker video.

Lillian D. Bjorseth, the Networking Expert, shared how she got a lead from a major company who wanted to hire her and found her on the website. The person came back to their planning committee who said, “You found her where?” “Have you even seen her speak? My reputation is on the line here.” Then after reading testimonials from clients who hired Lillian to speak, they were happy to hire her.

In the past 2 weeks, having a speaking video on my website has gotten me the job. A client was hemming and hawing and said, "Can we see you speak somewhere locally first?" I told them where they could view my speaker video on my website and in 5 minutes they called back to book me.

11. Join organizations where people can hire you or might be able to refer you to people. Review your organization memberships at the end of the year before you renew to make sure that the fees was worth it.

12. Publicity rules! Red Zone Marketing speaker, Maribeth Kuzmeski says that hiring a full time publicist has made all the difference in her speaking career. She says that when people have seen your face enough times in publications they get to feel like they know you.

13. Invite prospects as your guest when you speak to groups. That way they can experience you firsthand. After they experience the power of your speaking, they are likely to hire you or even refer you to others.

14. Building relationships. Communication expert, Cyndi Maxey, says her secret is to keep in touch with her clients and prospects. She sends articles to them to let them know she is thinking of them. She also likes to send cards and call them from time to time. As Cyndi says, “Never let them forget your name. You want to be top of mind when they are ready to hire.”