Greetings to my longtime readers and welcome to my new readers. I am thrilled to bring you another issue of The Street Smarts Marketing and Promotions Newsletter.

We have readers from around the globe including Australia, The United Kingdom, Japan, Russia, India, Canada, Mexico, and The United States. It’s amazing what the power of the Internet has done in creating the opportunity to connect with people from all over the world to share information. The area I live in is Oregon. Having relocated from Utah nearly a year ago, this will be my first full Spring here.

Spring is definitely beginning to show in the great Northwest of the United States. It’s an incredible time of year here. The colors from the abundant flowers are breathtaking. Since gardening is one of my favorite pastimes, I absolutely love tending to my numerous flower gardens. As if four gardens weren’t enough, I am beginning another one “just because.” 

Another favorite pastime for me is bicycling. Yesterday I went on a ten-mile ride around the river. What a glorious way to spend an hour. From the number of people on the bike path, those fishing in the river and others just enjoying the sunshine, it was obvious lots of people were ready to have cabin fever become a distant memory.

Speaking of memories, May marks the one-year anniversary of the launch of The Law of Achievement. If you have been reading my newsletter for any length of time you know that last year about this time the book The Law of Achievement became an Amazon.com bestseller. If you are new to my newsletter, last year my co-author, Lori Giovannoni and I wrote The Law of Achievement. Through an incredible journey into the unknown, the book was created.

Not only did we manage to write the book during an incredibly difficult personal experience for Lori, we also partnered with Executive Women International with a very unique marketing campaign to take the book to market. Additionally, we were able to donate several thousand dollars to a children’s literacy program called The Reading Rally.

The essence of the book and the circumstances around how it was written, created, marketed and became an Amazon.com bestseller in May of 2006 speak to the issue of intention, vision, collaboration, faith, belief and trust.

To read more about how the book came to be and to order your own copy go to www.lawofachievement.com.

As many of my readers know, I often offer free information teleseminars specific to Internet Marketing. In that I have been making my living from the Internet for some time now, I have insights that I like to share with my readers. I also like them to know how to determine what is real information and what is hype. Unfortunately, there is a lot of hype out there and people are constantly getting ripped off.

Hearing story after story from people who fell for the next get rich quick scheme I decided to write an eBook that addressed the truth about how you can really make money with the Internet.

If you have not yet accessed my eBook, The Truth About Making Money on the Internet, I would recommend you do so right away. For a limited time it is absolutely FREE. You will learn lots of great insights that will help you to know how to make real money with the Internet as part of your marketing mix. Go to www.streetsmartsmarketing.com/free-ebook.htm

Wishing you a great month.

Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketing Speaker and Author

Presentations as Part of Your Marketing Mix
by Kathleen Gage

Companies are constantly seeking the next new idea when it comes to marketing and sales. Fact is, some of the best strategies have been around for a long, long time. Take presentations – they have been a viable aspect of marketing for untold numbers of people.

For anyone in sales, knowing how to present your ideas can make or break a deal. Granted, there are occasions where the lowest bid will get the job no matter what. Yet, while low bids may be critical, the ability to “sell” the ideas is equally important. This is usually done through a presentation.

Have you been asked to make a presentation recently? Did you feel confident you can deliver an interesting talk or did you freeze, feeling fear take over? Every day people are expected to make presentations. Whether you’re in sales, an administrative assistant, a CEO, a minister or a volunteer on an organization committee, your ability to present well will determine if you are taken seriously. It is essential to develop a good presentation style. When you present your ideas well you are considered more credible and persuasive.

Very few people are “born” presenters. Actually, outstanding presenters prepare and practice. Just about anybody can learn to present well. It has been said that the number one fear many people have is the fear of public speaking.  I’m not sure how true that is, but I do know most people would be well served to develop their ability to present.

The following are just a few guidelines that can move you in the right direction to be a persuasive presenter.

What the presenter needs to know

• Who are you presenting for

• What do you want to leave people with

• When will you be presenting (Morning, afternoon or evening)

• Where (Small, cramped quarters. Large, spacious environment)

• Why - Inform or persuade

PROCESS OF PREPARATION
All good presenters have a systematic method of preparation that guide them through the process.

• Opening

• Body

• Close

Identifying your main Point

• What’s the one, single most important idea you want to get across?

• What is the key piece of information you’ll be presenting?

• What is the heart of your presentation?

Who are you presenting for?

• Men                                  

• Women                      

• Young people

• Management

• Executives

All this should be factored in as you prepare your presentation. What you would present to line staff will be very different than what you present to top-level executives.

ORGANIZE YOUR SPACE
By the time your guests arrive you want things to run smoothly.

It is a good idea to check the following items ahead of time to make sure everything has arrived and is functional.

• Microphone (usually reserved for groups of over 25 people)

• Sound System

• Overhead projector

• Props

• Workbooks

• Handouts

• Pens/pencils

• Lighting

• Heating/Air conditioning

• Room Set up

• Rest rooms

• Telephones

bring it to life
Tell signature stories. These are your own personal experiences as they apply to the presentation you are making. 

• Funny episodes

• Turning points

• Successes

• Failures

• Meaningful

Humor

• Use humor only when appropriate.

• Relate a humorous personal anecdote

• Tell a joke. However, avoid ethnic, off-colored, religious or political jokes. Only tell a joke if it ties in with what you are presenting on.

PRACTICE

• In front of a mirror

• With your family and friends

•  In your car

• In front of stuffed animals

• Practice

• Practice

• Practice

• And then - practice

Videotape your practice sessions and review. If possible, videotape your actual presentation and review. This will help you to continue to improve.

There are some people who have the ability to present with little or no rehearsal. Usually these individuals have been presenting for some time. The fact they have done this for some time is their practice. For most individuals it will be necessary to rehearse in order to come across smoothly and with confidence.

It has been proven over and over that those people who can present their ideas well can open doors for themselves, while others are still knocking on the door.

Regardless of your industry, what your product or service is, you will stand out from the competition when you know how to deliver a well-organized presentation. Presenting is one of the most effective marketing strategies you can use.

Kathleen Gage is a bestselling author, award-winning keynote speaker and Internet Marketing mentor who works with individuals and organizations who want to increase their market position, sales and level of achievement. Access The Truth about Making Money on the Internet at  http://www.streetsmartsmarketing.com/free-ebook.htm

To book Kathleen call 541.654.0426

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