Did you get a chance to view the last two short videos I created?
The first one was “The Good News for Practice Building in 2010.” The second one was “Fill Your Practice with Speaking.”
You might enjoy watching them first if you haven’t yet. We’ve had dozens of wonderful comments on them so far. 
This third (and newest) six minute video is “How to Find and Get Speaking Engagements.” In this video, you will find:
1. What to do before you even look for a group to speak to and
2. A Three-step Short Course on how to find community groups, who to contact, and what to do if you don’t hear back right away.
Thanks for watching! And please leave a comment about what you thought about this video in the comment section below. I treasure each and every comment.
And for those who are hungry for more strategies including how to prepare, deliver and follow up your talk in a way that invites people into your practice, please check out our newest 4-part audio program.
It is “soup to nuts” instructions on how to Attract Clients and Fill Your Appointment Book With Speaking - including sample letters you can send asking for speaking engagements. This is how I built my practice and I want to share it with you.
You can see all the topics we will cover in this 4-part audio series by clicking here.
{ 53 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m so glad you show some mistakes/bloopers at the end of your videos. It benefits me as much as the content of the video. I make those same mistakes. The showing of your “do overs” calms my fear. You showed me that speakers, such as yourself (that I admire) make common speaking mistakes and they are still successful.
Keep it up. Your gut hunches are always right on the mark of what other therapists need.
Thanks Kay! I appreciate your comments!
Hi Casey,
Can I purchase the replays of the class even though the class is over? Thanks, Sarah
Sarah! yes yes yes! Go ahead. You will get the replays immediately and then CDs are in process. Hugs, Casey
Hi Casey
Your new course is really timely. I have started to do Library talks in my community and althought I did get another well paid talking engagement out of that I know that that shifting from the talk to marketing is my weakness.
best regards
olivia
Olivia, First of all congrats on getting the talks – that is wonderful. And I am delighted to see you will be joining us for the course!
Hey Casey,
This was a nice refresher and I needed it…thanks so much.
Checking the calendar every day is a killer idea…I’m on it!
Have a lovely week!
Thanks, Cheri
Great Cheri! You rock!
There is no video sbout speaaking attached to the hyperlink. The copy comes up and then there is a blank space where the video should be.
Hi Heidi,
Sorry you are having trouble. It can be frustration, I know. Some people have trouble seeing the videos and some don’t. I think it has something to do with individual computer settings. My suggestion is that you view the videos here: http://therapistleadershipinstitute.com/blog/speakingvideos/ and click on the “direct link.” That should get you to youtube where you can view them. Thanks for letting us know you were having trouble and I hope that helps.
Hi Casey: I continue to love your presentations and responses to our questions. Very helpful. As I take the steps you have suggested I will keep you informed of the results. Right now, I am preparing to lead/teach a seven-week workshop starting March 18th in Pasadena, and I took your word, I have been telling everyone that I know and passing out Flyers. It has been a great experience. Will keep you posted. Many thanks, Jousline Savra
Great Jousline!
Excellent. Love the fast speech and the relevant guidance. Also the outtakes were amusing
Did find the illustration pasted over a framed picture somewhat distracting but that can’t take away from how valuable your information is.
It’s so refreshing to watch an expert get on to the topic right away. Too many videos and teleseminars I watch take forever to get past the intros, mutual backslapping and sales pitches.
Bravo again, Casey.
Hi Bryan,
Thanks for the comment! My husband told me to take down that picture – so I did for the video I just created.
Thanks, Casey! Very practical information. I needed to be reminded to keep it simple.
Casey – I discovered you and your message about three weeks ago and have been not-stop devouring everything I can get my hands on about it! I didn’t think I’d make the move to raise my rates until at least a couple more years, but your book has given me the confidence to do so. Thank you so much!
Wohoo Dara! I am delighted you are considering raising your rates.
Casey,
You are so generous with your time and energy! Thank you so very much – I love the idea of thinking about “Who needs to hear this?” – it makes the ‘community’ out there seem so much less overwhelming!!!
Hi Maggie,
Loved that reframe of community! Nicely said.
Dear Casey, I most admire your ability to laugh at yourself–it makes you so approachable. Ruthe Willis
Thanks Ruthe. I’ve heard that it is a great idea to “laugh at yourself as your default reaction.”
Hi Casey,
I always love your videos- both content and supportive message. But what endears and connects me to you is your humanness which we get to see too- the bloops at the end and the valentine from your husband on the desk behind you. I’m thrilled that we are doing our second round of individual coaching sessions- they have been absolutely invaluable to me building my practice and my income which allows me to work in the field I am so passionate about. With all my heart- many thanks to you!
Katherine,
You are such a joy to know and work with. And I appreciate the trust you have in me and our work together. I am very excited about the vision of your practice! and have no doubt you will have the exactly practice you want – filled with meaningful work and making a great living at the same time. Love and blessings!
Good ideas that can be put to work, right away!
Thank you,
Mason McClellan LAc
Casey: This is a great training. I appreciate it. I am looking forward to the next training.
Hi Carolyn,
Thanks for taking the time to comment. The next training is our 4-part teleseminar series “Fill Your Appointment Book with Speaking” starting in 2 weeks. It will be four ninety-minute sessions with detailed instructions on how to get clients from speaking. I hope you will join us: http://InTLI.com/events/
If you liked what I gave you in a couple of 6-minute videos, imagine what you will get in 360 minutes of training! I can’t wait to share all of this with you.
Casey, These videos are so timely. I loved the idea to look in the paper. I also appreciated your reminder about the importance of follow up. I have a step 3 to do!
Excellent helpful information concisely presented! Thank you!
Fabulous! I love concrete examples. I’ve been doing this work for 20 years and this will really give me new avenues I hadn’t considered. You are really doing therapists you don’t even know a wonderful service. It is very kind of you. Thanks.
P.S. I loved the out-takes.
Hi Casey-
The video on speaking engagements was terrific. It helped me to find my motivation (which has been dormant for awhile) and to become excited about finding venues to speak about my niche. The practical advice was so helpful. I am about to begin scouring the newspaper for groups, clubs, meetings, etc.
Thank you so much,
Ellen
The video is informative. However, depending on where you live, people in certain groups you target do not believe in following through with you for future paid sessions. They have the “free mentality” which is very difficult to break the pattern.
HI Robbin,
That is an excellent point. Some who attend presentations will never become paying clients. So it would be unreasonable to expect that. In fact, there have been talks I gave where no one became a client. On the other hand, I encourage speakers to have a very easy way to invite the client into the practice. There are some steps between the talk and the audience member becoming a client. I think that the speech is the first half – and then helping them move from audience member to paying client is the second part of the process. But again, I take your point – there will be people of groups who don’t want to walk those steps with you.
Hi Casey,
Thanks again for your very cogent presentation on how to find speaking engagements. You have a considerable talent for focusing on what is most important. I expect to finish my doctoral program this year in psychology and I want to begin building a practice by speaking, and like lots of great listeners (read counselors) I am nervous in front of groups and cameras. When I learned to make videos a few years ago I discovered that giving talks to a video camera helped me to become more comfortable, probably because I could see evidence of things I was anxious about and correct them. You know what I’m talking about; vocal mistakes, eyes shutting involuntarily, and such things. Making the videos gave my confidence a tremendous boost. For you and your audience that may want to make their own videos as you are here are a few tips.
1. Buy an inexpensive quartz light with umbrella bounce that will soften the lighting and make it even. This avoids “hatchet lighting” such as I noticed in this video from direct sunlight slashes getting into the scene. One light is sufficient, two will model the face better.
2. Buy a large piece of solid colored felt and attach it to two round poles 1-2″ in diameter to provide an uncluttered backdrop. Hang it from ceiling hooks about 4 feet behind the speaker’s position. This avoids distractions like the crooked shelves behind you in this latest video.
3. Mount the video camera on a tripod to avoid any shakiness.
4. I you want you can put your script in Word on a portable computer right beside the camera to serve as a teleprompter. Use a computer mouse out of sight of the camera to scroll down the script at the correct pace.
5. Use more close-up shots so that viewers can read the marvelous expressions of eyes, mouth, and head positions. Ideally mix up close-ups with medium-wide shots that include the hand movements which for you are very expressive.
6. Shoot 10x as much video as you need so that you can edit to give the best to your prospective audience.
7. Video is now a common channel of communication that can be easily edited and recorded at home. A counselor can leave copies on DVD to share your public talk with others or it can be easily placed on your own website so people will go there to find the latest and greatest from you the masterful listener and speaker.
I look forward to your continued use of video and responses from your viewers of their own speaking experiences. What a useful and powerful topic!
You are one of my favorite Ambassadors of Love,
Kyle
Hey Kyle,
Wow! These are a lot of tips! Thanks for sharing them with us. Good luck on your final year of the doctoral program.
Great stuff! I am a PsyD student, 2nd year. My aim is private practice with biofeedback as an adjunct or even primary focus. I am a former Kdg. 1st & 2nd grade teacher. Resigned to run business in 1983. I anticipate BCIA (Biofeedback Cert.) in about a year, PsyD in 2012, EEEP, SPE, etc. will follow w/license. Yeah, it’s a lot!) I think I would like to start a tutoring service to get myself into the human services loop again and to serve as a stepping stone to my eventual practice. Speaking engagements will be an avenue. I love your site/advice. I am a mature student. (Cough, cough.) Born in ’46. I am thinking that plowing the ground, so to speak, will net referrals etc. Warm regards, John R. Galaska
Casey – you are so friendly and helpful in this video. Thanks so much for making them. Your gentleness puts a person at ease. I also like the friendliness in your emails. I’ve subscribed to so many blogs who email me. I must say I sometime forget just how or when i subscribed. But your emails are friendly enough to make me read and remind me of why I subscribed. Please hear my gratitude.
Best wishes
Johanna
Johanna,
By the way, if you are looking at how to create topics and talk titles that are fun, fresh and unique, I hope you will be joining us for the teleseminar program: Fill Your Appointment Book with Speaking” – there will be four sessions of 90 minutes each. I will be sharing about everything from talk titles to how much and how to prepare to delivery in an interactive way to converting the audience members into clients.
Thanks for the lovely comment and it is nice to know that you appreciate my musings.
Casey!
Great ideas! I appreciate the ease & practicality of implementing your suggestions and your step-by-step approach. Your style is informative & professional without being stuffy. I like how “you” come across in your videos— I feel like I’m being mentored by a dear friend! Still chuckling at the outtakes… (*smiling*). Look forward to hearing from you again soon. — Karen
Karen, thanks for your sweet comment – and glad you think of me as a friend!
Dear Cassey:
I loved it. I am still in school and I was wondering what I needed to do in order to make it….because I know I am going to make. Your ideas are great and I will do everything you mentioned because I want to make it just like you did. I really thank you for sharing, this means a lot to me.
Sincerely,
Karla
Hi Casey,
Thanks for your emails and videos. They have been very timely as I am just about to build my private practice and use speaking engagements to promote the practice. Very practical and doable suggestions. Thanks.
Scott
John, Karla, and Scott,
I am delighted to hear that you are looking ahead to build your practice. I wish you amazing success!
Thank you Casey, your generosity with free videos, free books. free suggestions. All of them have got me thinking about my practice in a whole new way, acting on some pet projects, designing programs that are accessible to a wide audience. I’m into free and if some paying customers come as a result so much the better for me and for them. Thanks again. Carol
Carol,
How wonderful! Focus on what you love – and the money will follow.
Genius! The end bloopers (they are sooo cute) make me look forward to the end rather than wanting to “speed” through. Thanks for all the useful information.
Thanks Lee! Always a delight to connect with you.
Casey,
I just completed two speaking engagements this week – my second and third talks. It took me a long time to speak, but I am absolutely convinced this is the way to get clients. A few people were definitely interested.
NOw the question is how to get them to commit?
Thanks so much, Karen
Wohoo Karen! Congrats on getting out there! And yes – converting audience members to clients is the BIG and fun step. That is one of the big things I will be teaching in the upcoming “Fill Your Appointment Book with Speaking” teleseminar program. http://InTLI.com/events/ Hope you will be joining us!
Hi Casey,Your videos have given me the incentive to contact various organisations within the community. Thanks very much. Loved tha bra strap bit!
Carole
Thanks Carole and happy speaking! – keep me posted on your progress.
Love the end there.LOL I can relate.
This is a great video. When I was still practicing as a therapist, half my clients came from teaching adult education classes. The hardest part was finding a topic people would sign up for (good market research there) that was unique (they only like one teacher per topic).
Once you’ve got that, however, it’s something that keeps you in front of your community when you teach it every term.
Good to remember that those catalogs go out to thousands of people (depending on the size of your community) with your name and topic in them, and they go out several times per year.
Susan
Thanks Susan! Love the tip about the catalogs going out the community~
Susan – how do I find out which topic to present on? I know what excites me. But I am unsure how to identify what is current and will grab peoples attention, for class ideas and for talk topics.
thanking you
Johanna