Welcome to the NSA North Texas chapter website.

Please take a moment and look around and also feel free to contact me or anyone else with any questions you might have.

My experience with this incredible association for over 12 years has taught me many things. One of those things is that you have questions. Here are some answers to the most commonly heard questions we get here at NSA/NT.

Can I learn how to speak at NSA?

The short answer is Yes. But the real purpose for NSA is to learn how to make a living at speaking/training/facilitating. If your goal is to learn how to make better presentations and speeches for your work and career there are other terrific local organizations that can help you do that, Toastmasters and Pro Speak come immediately to mind.

But if you have a feeling that you might want to join the ranks of professional speakers then you should really visit one of our meetings and get more information. NSA/North Texas has an excellent speaker training program called The Charbonneau Speaker’s Academy. It is lead this year by two of the areas very best speakers, Sally Baskey and David Hill. The Academy along with membership in NSA has launched dozens of successful speaking careers since its inception. It teaches not only speaking skills but also the business side of becoming a professional speaker/trainer facilitator

I’m new to speaking and don’t speak that often, is NSA for me?

If you want to get better at anything the best thing you can do is to be around and learn from others who are already doing it and good at it. It’s true the majority of our programming is aimed at the speaker who is somewhat experienced and speaks between 30-50 times per year. Now if you want to short cut your learning curve in this dynamic business what better way than to learn from others who have already made the mistakes, learned the lessons and are more than willing to share them with you?

What makes NSA so different from other associations.

The answer to that is we share everything we learn and everything we know. Founded by Cavett Robert in 1973, the goal is and always has been to grow the profession of speaking. So yes, as hard as it is to believe, you really will have people tell you all the insights and lessons they’ve learned in order to help you be successful. Competitors helping competitors; how’s that for being different?

Are you saying I can use other people’s material and copy them?

The answer to that is NO! You are welcome to use our insights, ideas and even our vendors. But you can’t rightfully use other people’s material without their permission. Our intellectual property is ours. We have spent years developing and refining it. To put it bluntly, as NSA member Larry Winget says: “Do what I do, just don’t do WHAT I do.” Besides, clients want to
pay you for your thought leadership, your insights and your ideas. Stealing other people’s
material kills original thinking…and is bad karma to boot.

What’s the first thing I should do?

Come to a meeting! Once you get to a meeting, tell us that you are new and we’ll take it from
there. Meet as many people as you can and ask any question you can think of. Secret: find
and talk to someone who is relatively new and ask them how it’s going for them being new and
all. They’ll give you the real scoop.

If you have any other questions just contact me or any other member. Again, Welcome!

Best Regards,


Tim Durkin
NSA North Texas President 2012-13

Welcome to another hot summer in North Texas! An exciting year is ahead for NSA North Texas and I’m honored to serve as your president for 2011-2012. I look forward to seeing you at every opportunity! Coming up are our 2^nd Saturday meetings, our conventions and our HOG (Heard it on the Grapevine). Our theme this year is “It’s All About YOU”! It’s all about you ‘The Speaker’ and how you serve your audiences. It’s all about ‘Your Audience’ and giving them the value they need. Finally, it’s all about you ‘North Texas’ and how we can support each other in our personal and business growth.

If you are going to the NSA Convention July 30^th we look forward to seeing you there! Monday night August 1^st, NSANT we’ll gather at 5:30 for a happy hour and dinner. We’ll meet at the Degrees Wine and Patio Bar.

I’d like to share a tip in our newsletters each month about what I’ve learned over the years in sales training. Whether it’s prospecting, cold calling or closing the sale, we all have to sell ourselves to be successful.  I’m calling it, “It’s All About You and your Sales Success”

So, here it goes:

This month’s tip is about “Prospecting”.  (PUT IN A ‘CLICK HERE’ TO READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE)

3 Ways to Help You Get Your Prospect to Say “Yes” to an Initial Meeting.

1. Mutuality – try turning a cold call into a warm one through a mutual relationship.  It’s easier to start a conversation with someone by saying “John, my name is Stu Schlackman with Competitive Excellence and Jack Reynolds suggested I contact you in regards to….” John is more likely to accept the invitation because of his friend.  After all, he might be letting down his friend if he didn’t agree to meet.  It’s natural for people you know to help you – that’s what relationships are all about.
2. Commonality –both you and your prospect might have something in common that reaches beyond that of a mutual contact. It can be an organization, a hobby, an interest in a business topic or friends whether business or social. It’s easy to get comfortable with someone that has a similar interest to you. That common link can make it easier to meet.
3. Credibility - your reputation and credibility in the market is critical to your success. Having mutual contacts and being referred by them adds to your credibility. Having something in common like running a triathlon or receiving the same award from an organization also contributes to your reputation. This increases the likelihood of you getting the meeting. The goal is to connect with the prospect in a way that gets them to be open to knowing you and the company you represent. Prospects like to talk about their successes and are more likely to open up when you focus on them. Try something like, “John, we understand that you have a great track record of success with your sales organization. As a sales training company we would like to get your view of the top needs in regards to sales training in this economy. Would you have time next week to visit”? People enjoy sharing their knowledge.

The objective of the meeting is to learn and build trust, NOT to sell.

Mutuality, commonality and credibility are excellent ways to make prospecting more successful.  Social media like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter are so successful partly because they provide opportunities for warm introductions.  They make it much easier to research and find out more about the people you want to meet.

Remember – It’s All About YOU!

Stu Schlackman

President, National Speakers Association of North Texas, 2011-2012

It is my favorite meeting of the year—MEET THE PROS with a SILENT AUCTION and both offer you a fantastic line up! Because of our central location and access to airports, North Texas attracts some of the best speakers in the world. This monthly meeting you will get a chance to meet with two of these professionals in a small group and then hear from ALL of them in a panel moderated by news show host Dennis McCuistion. During the meeting you have a chance to bid on some incredible packages both in a silent auction and in a live auction conducted by the Sheriff of Tyler Texas and celebrity auctioneer J. B. Smith. If you see Deanna Frazier, Alex Ramsey or Adele Good, thank them for the efforts they have put into making this meeting happen. This meeting you are going to get a chance to both get first class education and see our community represented by some of its finest. Speaking of representation.kuddos to Dave Hill our finalist to the NSA national at the “So You Think You Can Speak” contest.

I am leaving you with a challenge-we are eight members shy of being 100 strong. That means we need eight members or affiliates to join us before June to be an organization of 100. Can you imagine 100 powerful speakers who Engage, Encourage and Enhance as members of NSA/North Texas? What kind of influence would we have? What would be possible? Let’s find eight more incredible people to add to our community and see what happens! See you April 9th!

Until then- Journey On!

Linda Swindling

Just back from NSA’s UnConference and once again it reminded me why I belong to this organization….the community and the education. Nowhere else do people share so generously and give you practical advice on running this entrepreneurial speaker business. This month’s meeting is no exception. Tim Durkin, CSP will speak on A Random Walk on the Other Side of the Speakeasy Street and Dan Clark, CSP, CPAE on Story Power. Don’t miss these two supreme story tellers who are highly successful both in business and in creating connections. A special thanks to Russ Riddle for setting up a meeting of a lifetime with Zig Ziglar, CPAE. We took your notes to Zig and will show the video at our March meeting.

What a blast to have sales and speaking expert Jim Pancero, CSP, CPAE in our midst for the Heard it Over in Grapevine-Dallas. Jim is a smart business strategist who actually knows how to sell what he delivers. Speaking of smart people, you might see if you can buy Adele Good, Bill Lynch or Jeff Brady breakfast, lunch or a glass of wine and see what they learned at NSA’s UnConference.

Look at all we do in a month and think about who needs to join our NSA/North Texas community and invite them to our March 12th meeting! There is a discount for first time visitors, just email Judy Shimp our chapter administrator at judy@madcrouch.com and connect her with the guest. Best wishes to your continued success on Your Journey to Influence!

Journey On!

Linda

Come Celebrate Presidents Day!

Isn’t it amazing what volunteers do for NSA?  No one comes to mind more than the involvement of NSA/North Texas’ past presidents. We will honor our past presidents this month during our meeting on February 12^th and with a reception immediately following. In addition, Lisa Ford is coming to Dallas to show us How to Create Staying Power: The 11 Strategies That Built Her Business. Our own funny man Michael Hoffman will let you know his secret to going deep into his clients’ organizations and what has made him so successful for so long. It’s not too late to attend the “UnConference” in Atlanta on February 18-20^th or the CSP/CPAE summit April 1-3^rd in Dallas. All of these events can be found at www.nsaspeaker.org.

OK get ready to show some love to our past presidents….

Journey On!

 Linda

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Around NSA you hear a lot about the “Spirit of Cavett.” The term refers to the sharing, caring and professionalism shown by NSA’s beloved founder Cavett Robert. While no longer with us, we still celebrate Cavett’s birthday on November 14th by reaching out to inspire and help our fellow NSA members. You can see the Spirit of Cavett at work during our meeting November 13th as two professionals with incredible business models and a willingness to help other speakers take it to the next level. Do not miss Ed Foreman, CPAE and Rebecca Morgan, CSP. Ed and Rebecca belong to an elite club. They not only have figured out the speaking business but also how to connect and stay connected with their audiences. Rebecca has agreed to host a special Making Money In Your Jammies-Roll-Up-Your-Sleeves 1/2 –Day Workshop later that afternoon.

Cavett also believed in encouraging other speakers and bringing professional speakers together to polish their craft. There is no better opportunity to refine your skills and see others’ styles than the Pecha Kucha event on November 9th at the Ranch in Las Colinas. Contact Andrew Szabo aszabo@themarketingchef.com if you would like to participate.
One other date to keep is our next HOG meeting on November 17th. We will meet at Farinas to discuss the learning and your best next steps based on the information shared by Sam Horn, Vince Poscente, Rebecca Morgan and Ed Foreman. Members and Affiliates don’t forget to let Tim Durkin know that you want to attend. tim@timdurkin.com.

The Journey to Influence continues-See you on November 13th!

Journey On!

Linda

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How are you doing this month on your destination? Our October 9^th meeting is the very best way to help you on your journey. This month’s meeting features the expert on intrigue…Sam Horn. Sam brings her POP! method for creating communications that get you noticed by your target audience. If you can, stay for the afternoon session where we work on adding the POP! you need for one of your priority projects.  AND we kick off our meeting with the speaker who knows how to POP! – record holding Olympian and author, Vince Poscente. Vince will cover the presentation power of one word, Modulation. Modulate your voice, face, body, stories and content to engage the most fickle audiences.

For those members who are ready to POP! this is your opportunity to showcase in front of meeting planners. If you have not completed a form already, make sure you contact Judy Shimp judy@madcrouch.com to let her know you are interested in our Oct. 19^th Speaker Showcase with the Professional Convention Management Association, Gulf States Chapter. And, if you got to see Jeanne Robertson—wow—what a professional. Her timing is amazing, she is hilarious and she went out of her way to help our chapter! Thanks Jeanne!

OK Get ready to POP! and not from Halloween candy! See you Oct. 9^th!

Journey On!

Linda Byars Swindling, JD,CSP
President, National Speakers Association of North Texas, 2010-2011

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Destinations were set and the Journey to Influence has begun for more than 60 lucky attendees at our August 14th meeting! NSA/North Texas kicked off our year with the incredible Jim Pelley, former SNL writer and humorist. If you are an All Access Passholder you can log in to see a video of Jim’s presentation at the members’ page (Members only). Thank you to our media genius, Tim Cocklin www.WorldsofWonder.com, for all the hard work on the site, our graphics and the video. Check out our speakers for this month. Vernice “Flygirl” Armour shows how she made six figures her first year of speaking. AND NSA/North Texas welcomes a living legend Howard Putnam, CSP, CPAE. Past CEO of both Braniff and Southwest Airlines, Howard will discuss how to thrive even in these Turbulent Times. For more information about the September 11th program, Click here.

We’re looking forward to seeing you on your own Journey to Influence!

Linda Byars Swindling, JD,CSP
President, National Speakers Association of North Texas, 2010-2011

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Successful Speakers! Results oriented! Determined to Succeed!  These are just a few of the characteristics of the members of NSA/North Texas.  Professional speaking is our business.  We reach out and touch people’s lives in hundreds of ways.  Our members have a wide variety of expertise.  We have negotiators, marketers, motivators, and more.  The common denominator among the specialties is a regard for the profession of speaking as a business.  This year we are focusing on how to thrive in a tough economy.  We are determined to provide our members with the most current and effective tools to help them succeed beyond their beliefs.  That is at the heart of our theme, Imagine Endless Possibilities. 

President Kennedy showed us that the impossible is possible.  Putting a man on the moon required endless sharing of ideas, a willingness to fail, and the fortitude to succeed.  These attributes are reflected in our members and speakers. 

The opportunities for learning and sharing are many.  Our monthly seminars are half day events with two guest speakers that provide content rich insights.  Heard it On the Grapevine (HOG) presents a casual setting for sharing the nuts and bolts of what’s working in the marketplace.  Workshops provide the opportunity to dive deep with the experts. 

Cavett Robert, the founding father of National Speakers Association, believed that the best path to success was to share openly and freely with others.  That’s the uniqueness of NSA/North Texas, professionals who are willing to tell it like it is in hope of helping someone discover endless possibilities for their speaking business. 

I hope to see you at a future event. 

Susan  C. Gatton

NSA/North Texas President  2009 – 2010

It’s in the newspapers; a potential 10% unemployment rate is being forecasted for the near future. What a scary thought or is it. I don’t think so. Alan Weiss author of the Million Dollar Consultant would say it is opportunity knocking and I agree with him. He’d suggest that it’s time to roll-up your sleeves and get busy doing the things you normally don’t have time to do. I think that’s on target. I started my business in 1985 in one of the worst downturns in the Texas market.

It’s been a while since I’ve heard Alan speak however his message always resonates with me. It’s time to get focused, create products, re-connect with past customers, establish a social networking footprint and the list goes on. I don’t know about you, but it all sounds great until you want to take the first step. It’s overwhelming. Where do you start? How do you do everything while maintaining a revenue stream, work life balance, and a realistic budget?

I’m determined to find the resources and learn from the experts to do just that this year. The members and affiliates of our chapter are amazing in what they have been able to do and I will be calling them for input. The speakers coming every month are experts in their field. They want to help us be more successful. I plan to ask the tough questions to quickly assess what I can use in my business. I want to share with you what I learn along the way and hope that a few of the insights will help you make a difference in these unique times. I also want to hear from you. After all, you are out there too. Now, how do I take the first step?