The Pursuit of Fame: Part 4

By Michael Scott Karpovich, Certified Speaking Professional, 2000-2001 Chair, Motivational/Keynote Professional Experts Group

1,470 Word Count

We all have heroes in this association…people who we dare to call friend, buddy, chum, and peer but who deep inside cause us to call out, “I’m not worthy!” In my huge list of heroes there are about ten who have defined for me the concept of “contrarian”… people like Dan Kennedy, Randy Gage, or Certified Speaking professionals Jeff Slutsky, and Joe Charbonneau, CPAE -- all people who are “Sons-Of-Guns” … and like it that way! These are the type of people who you initially want to slug in the face, but if you listen, you realize they are actually very kind, warm and supportive people -- they just don’t pull any punches!  They tell you the truth even if it’s hard to hear. Perhaps the best example is Certified Speaking Professional Alan Weiss. Alan has taught me so many lessons that have changed the way I look at our profession. One of his most poignant lessons was the time he told me to “leverage everything.”

Think about it…if you are in pursuit of fame you cannot afford to not make every event, every effort, every article and every engagement as “big as possible!” This means when you accomplish anything, no matter how small, you should be sending out press releases. Even if you consider the accomplishment minor, it still can be leveraged into something of value for the press.

First, let’s look at the most overlooked leveraging opportunity: a speaking engagement! It is great when the client arranges for local press but most of the time that does not happen. You, however, can take charge of the situation by finding the local papers and television stations and letting them know about this great story and opportunity.  Call local radio stations beforehand and arrange interviews (from your phone at home) a week before or better yet, just a few days before you arrive! Imagine how this press coverage will boost your image and increase your perceived fame.  Also, every one of us always needs better photos of ourselves in action or better yet, video footage for a future demo or product. You may want to arrange for your programs to be professionally videotaped. Of course, you will arrange this with the client and perhaps they will be willing to foot the bill.

We all know that famous people are followed by the paparazzi.  Well, since we’re usually not in that type of demand, hire a professional photographer. Ask them to shoot one or two rolls of film. I would even ask them to have bad boundaries and occasionally stand right in front to get just the right shot. The flash bulbs of the newspapers and your hired photographer, the videographer you hired, and the local TV stations will turn a talk into an event!  Audience members who may not usually take note will sit up and ask themselves, “Who is this guy/gal that he/she demands this type of attention?” Then, ideally they will say “… this message must be really important!” Orchestrating your fame will start the momentum!

Receiving any award or other recognition demands press releases!  Be prepared with media contacts locally and nationally…mail to them, e-mail them, and phone them whenever you are recognized for your work or any other accomplishment.  Do not worry if the occasion is “not a big deal;” rather, remember that in self-promotion “everything is a big deal!” You may simply win a $25 drawing at your kid’s fund-raiser – send out your press release: “Motivational Speaker gets Motivated!” Maybe you ran a race and came in 23^rd out of 49 racers – send out your press release: “Inspirational Speaker Loses Race but Wins a New Priceless Perspective…” 

Never downplay any award! Some NSA chapters make “Chapter Member of the Year” a huge award but some treat it like something every chapter has to do. If you were to ever win such an award, it is your job to make it BIG! If you are Indiana’s “Chapter Member of the Year,” send your press releases to every paper and television station in the state!  Contact the state capital and inform the Governor that you are the “INDIANA PROFESSIONAL SPEAKER CHAPTER MEMBER OF THE YEAR!” At very least, this is state news… and some stations may pick it up because it is unique.  It is your job to create the press release that suggests newsworthiness, and uniqueness. “Motivational Speaker” is still considered a unique job title… capitalize on it!

Receiving your Certified Speaking Professional Credential or getting into the CPAE Hall of Fame is a big deal within our industry. However, several of our colleagues, anticipating that someday they would become a CPAE, decided to “structure it” to make it even a bigger event! One example is Dr. Janet Lapp who submitted her CSP application when she knew she was going to win the Hall of Fame award, making that convention her big week! Past President Tom Winninger, Certified Speaking Professional, CPAE, suggests that the way to leverage your success is with “the power of three;” i.e., three events structured to happen at (or near) the same time. Mark Sanborn had the same idea when he became a Certified Speaking Professional days before he was inducted into the CPAE Speakers Hall of Fame… and then to guarantee that he was never forgotten within our association, when he took the platform to accept the CPAE, he turned to the love of his life and proposed marriage in front of all of us!  (The power of three… oh, yes, she accepted!)

When our dear buddy (coach) Ray Pelletier, Certified Speaking Professional, was inducted into the CPAE Speakers Hall of Fame, his staff called one of his best clients and arranged for them to place a full-page, full-color congratulatory ad in USA today! Monday morning, immediately after the awards banquet, everyone (and I mean everyone) knew about Ray, about the award, about NSA, about his client, about his success… talk about positioning!

Because we are such a giving group of people in this family of NSA, many of us have a tendency to contribute. Many of us have served in our churches or synagogues, on United Way boards or other charities, on a NSA chapter board, or on the national board or a national committee…some have even presented at chapters or at a national event. Every one of us will say, “I am not doing it for what I will get back… I am doing it to do my part or to give back!” Nevertheless, I am suggesting you will serve your church, your cause, NSA and/or your chapter better if you leverage your service into publicity and even notoriety. Your advancement of the importance of your role attracts more people to your cause and to your associations… and probably encourages you to do an even better job. By leveraging everything, your pursuit of fame positively serves everyone!

As you read this, the great privilege that you have bestowed upon me over this past year is now over. I have been thrilled by every opportunity to give back to our great Professional Experts Group and NSA. I have been overjoyed by every kind note, phone call and e-mail that you have sent to support me, and just as overjoyed by those of you who chose to tell me that I was nuts, foolish, misled, and just plain wrong.  Don’t you dare think I am pulling your leg – I have learned long ago that if everyone agrees with you then you are not cutting edge!  As I have said from the beginning, I took this role with the intention of ruffling a few feathers, and breaking a few rules – I embrace the controversy! Not to be controversial for controversy’s sake but because I believe that the greatest learning comes from the debates and discussions we have.

If you’ve had a great time this year, I have good news. However, if you felt that your P.E.G. left something to be desired, I still have great news. The news is my “baby sister” Snowden McFall will follow me as Chair!  After all of her articles in Keymotes and in our e-zine, you may have a clue as to how brilliant she is. Her NSA leadership is renowned throughout New England… and she has a great year planned already.  (Check out her article in this issue – I pity the leader that has to follow her.)

Now I will take this gift you have given me and leverage it in my own pursuit of fame! For the rest of my life, I will proudly say in my promotional material that I was the chair of the Motivational Keynote Professional Experts Group of the National Speakers Association that guided this prestigious group from the old decade, the old century, and the old millennium into the new!