Because It's My Birthday You Can Save Big!!!
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: News & Updates

Today is my 31st birthday!  Woohoo!!!

*** SPECIAL OFFER *** 

In honor of my 31st birthday, any new coaching client who signs up for a FREE introductory session between today and August 22nd, 2008 will receive each future 1-hour session for just $31 each (regularly $125/hour) for the first full month of service!  Save even more by choosing to make an advance commitment of 3 months and pay just $310!

To take advantage of either of these exciting offers, just send an email to contactme@niquenyafulbright.com with "Happy Birthday" in the subject line.  You MUST mention this offer by adding "Happy Birthday" in the subject line or regular fees will apply.

Coaching is conducted primarily via telephone or instant messaging service (i.e. Yahoo, Skype) for convenience and worldwide availability.

 

Opportunity's Knocking, Answer the Door!
Mood:  on fire
Topic: Financial

Maybe we are in a recession?  Maybe we are not?  President Bush describes the state of the economy as being in a “slow-down”.  Whatever your description, one thing does remain true; times are hard for almost everyone. 

The cost of living is on a steady rise right alongside inflation; however, paychecks don’t seem to be experiencing that same type of growth.  Food is more, gas is more, and insurance is more.  It seems that everyone is pinching pennies so hard that Abraham Lincoln is crying.  In times like these, it becomes incredibly important to take advantage of every break that presents itself.  Unfortunately, when opportunity comes knocking, many people slam the door in its face. 

An opportunity is a chance or an opening to do something different than what you are already doing.  It is a means for you to remove yourself from bad situations so that you can step into a good one.  Never taking advantage of opportunities that lay before you can mean a lifetime of being stuck within your present circumstances.  By now, we know that if we always do the same thing all the time and expect for things to change, that is the definition of insanity.  You would have to be crazy to let your opportunities pass you by. 

What types of opportunities is meant here?  First, any opportunity to cut down your costs should be met wholeheartedly.  For instance, coupons are provided in every newspaper, in most restaurant menus, on the back of receipts and even in a bound collection mailed out by your neighborhood association.  Use them!  Research has shown that coupons have been neglected as of recent.  Every household throws away thousands of dollars in potential savings each year.  Before your next shopping trip, check your local papers for coupons that could decrease your grocery bill.  Combine manufacturer’s coupons with store sales and be amazed at your savings.  You should also look for free stuff.  Chicago has a lot to offer its residents in terms of entertainment.  Visit museums on Thursdays, watch a free movie in the park, go to art shows and improv comedy theaters.  Your local coffee shop may even have live entertainment. 

Secondly, look for ways to increase your income.  Nowadays, when someone is referred to as a “hustler”, there is a negative connotation to it.  We think of a drug dealer or a scofflaw.  Hustler used to mean that you did whatever you had to do to put food on the table for your family…legally.  Take a look at your skills, talents and hobbies.  Are you good with your hands?  Can you build things or do you like arts and crafts.  Sell your services and/or your crafts.  Do you have good typing and administrative skills?  Sign up for a temp service or contact your local small businesses to see if they could use some part-time help?  Is the fast food chain on the corner hiring?  Apply!  Fast food is a great stepping stone for anyone who has little job skills.  The training and experience will go a long way to open doors for future growth. It’s time to hustle. 

Lastly, expand your experience by trying something new.  Opportunities don’t always present themselves so obviously.  Sometimes it is up to you to seek them out.  Learn the art of networking and expand your circle of influence.  Like the old saying goes, “it’s not always what you know, but who you know.”  That doesn’t mean you don’t have to know anything either.  Education is vitally important.  Ignorance can prevent you from recognizing a golden opportunity even if it slaps you in the face.  Knowledge is power. 

The bottom line is to keep your eyes open and your ears to the ground for anything that can help your circumstances.  Say YES to opportunities when they come your way and open the door to good financial times.

 

 

© Copyright 2008 by Niquenya D. Fulbright - All rights reserved.

 

About the Author:

Niquenya D. Fulbright is a certified Christian executive life coach, management consultant, certified mediator, corporate trainer and motivational speaker specializing in inspiring small business owners, nonprofit leadership, entrepreneurs, executives, groups and individuals in a career or life transition to use their innate abilities to master their goals and achieve successes beyond their wildest dreams. http://www.niquenyafulbright.com/

10 Stress Management Tips
Mood:  chillin'
Topic: Life Lessons

1.      Take the proactive approach: Stress can have a negative impact on your physical, mental and emotional health. You have a responsibility to yourself to maintain your well-being. Response-ability is the ability to choose your response.  You may not have any control over the situation and you can’t change the way people behave but you do have complete control over the way you respond.  Take the high road by readjusting your attitude toward more positive thinking.

2.      Laughter is the best medicine: Laughter is a great way to relieve stress.  You would be surprised at how much better you will feel after a great laugh.  If the situation is one in which a good belly burst would be inappropriate at the time, you can simply smile.  Both laughter and smiling provide a physical release of stress hormones such as cortisol, dopamine, adrenaline, epinephrine and the growth hormone.

3.      Forgive: Forgiveness is a sister to taking the proactive approach.  It is human nature to hold on to past hurts; however, by choosing to forgive the offender, you are actually releasing yourself from the stress associated with harboring grudges.  It takes much more time and energy to obsess over someone who has wronged you than it does to just move on.  Most likely he/she already has.  Realize people are only human and we all make mistakes from time to time.  That includes you so remember to also forgive yourself.

4.      Take a purposeful pause: A purposeful pause is a break away from your daily tasks with a specific intention in mind for that time.  The type of activity you choose to engage in during the “pause” is reliant on what you need at that time.  If your intention is to relax, then your purposeful pause could be meditation, prayer or a bubble bath.  If it is to reenergize, then the pause could be a nap or a coffee break.  A purposeful pause can be as long as an hour or as short as 5 minutes.  Try to work several purposeful pauses into your day.

5.      Exercise: Physical activity relieves stress in a couple of ways.  First, it offers a purposeful pause.  Secondly, it promotes better health which in turn aids the body in its ability to handle stress.  Take up yoga, join a gym or start walking.

6.      Eat well: Having a balanced diet packed full of energizing nutrients aids in combating stress.  Heart-healthy grains, fruits and veggies should be eaten regularly.  Also, drink plenty of water.  Steer clear of foods high in unhealthy fats, sugars and salt.  Caffeine should also be avoided.

7.      Tell the truth: Honesty really is the best possible.  Lies, even small ones, can place terrible stress on the mind.  It can be very difficult to keep up with lies and often more lies have to be told in order to maintain the initial one.  Dishonesty also puts undue stress on great relationships.

8.      Say NO: We often say “yes” to things we really don’t want to, either out of obligation or guilt.  It really is okay to just say “no”.  If a particular request takes you too far outside of your comfort zone then it is probably best to say no.  It is also better to simply say no than to take on a task that you don’t have time for.  You are much more productive when you only assume responsibility for those things that are important to you.

9.      Plan:  Time management skills are a great stress reduction tool.  Write important things down, maintain a schedule and stick to it.  Organize your files in a manner that makes them easily accessible and create a plan for routine maintenance.  Don’t forget to schedule time for you. Add your purposeful pauses to your planner.

10.  Delegate: You really can’t do it all by yourself much as you might think you can.  Learn the unique talents and strengths of those within your circle of influence and use that knowledge to share your tasks.  Doing less is quite often doing more.

 

 

© Copyright 2008 by Niquenya D. Fulbright - All rights reserved.

 

About the Author:

Niquenya D. Fulbright is a certified Christian executive life coach, management consultant, certified mediator, corporate trainer and motivational speaker specializing in inspiring small business owners, nonprofit leadership, entrepreneurs, executives, groups and individuals in a career or life transition to use their innate abilities to master their goals and achieve successes beyond their wildest dreams. http://www.niquenyafulbright.com/

New Website Venture - For Black Professionals
Mood:  energetic
Topic: News & Updates

On a never-ending pursuit of ways to diversify my income and expand my circle of influence, I am reaching out to my fellow people of color.  I have created a new website catering to Chicagoland black urban professionals (buppies).  The site is located at http://www.chitownbuppies.com.

Chitown Buppies is intended as a resource for Chicagoland black urban professionals to meet and greet, network, share wisdom and expertise, socialize and take advantage of opportunities to grow both personally and professionally in pursuit of their goals.

Buppies have certain issues that are completely unique to the black experience and it is my desire that this forum provides a safe and welcome haven for us to connect and discuss these issues responsibly.

To your dynamic success and continued happy living!

Great Article on the Benefits of Executive Coaching
Mood:  happy
Topic: News & Updates

Check out this article from yesterday's Wall Street Journal.

Executive Coaching - Worth the Money? by Laura Lorber

Have you ever utilized an executive coach?  How much did it cost and was it worth the money?

FREE Life-Changing Teleseminar + $2654 in BONUSES
Topic: Professional Development

Happy New Year,

 

"A good goal is like a strenuous exercise -- it makes you stretch."
 
                                                    ~Mary Kay Ash
 
"Man is a goal seeking animal. His life only has meaning if he is
reaching out and striving for his goals." 
                                                     ~Aristotle

 

I only have one question for you....

 

Will you make 2008 your Best year yet?

"People with goals succeed because
they know where they're going." 
~Earl Nightingale

"Our self image and our habits tend to go together.

Change one and you will automatically change the other."

~Dr. Maxwell Maltz

 

Sign Up Here!

Now that the New Year is here it is time to think about resolutions.
 
Have you made any resolutions yet?
To lose weight? Make more money? Have better relationships? Get a better job?
 
So, how are you doing on them?
 
Hmmm......
 
Why do you think that is?
 
I know the answer.

Lack of willpower? Lack of follow through? Lack of knowledge and skills?
 
Nope!
 
Lack of a SYSTEM and lack of ACCOUNTABILITY have been your downfall.
 
So, what can you do?
You can lose weight. You can escape debt. You can make 2008 your best year yet!

 

I can help you. Here at The Positive Website we have a tool that will help you achieve all of your dreams this year!
 
Please take the initiative to sign up for my FREE tele-seminar:

 “How to Make 2008 Your Best Year Yet!” on January 17th 2008.
 
Be a part of this LIFE CHANGING experience!
 
Spaces will be EXTREMELY limited so PLEASE sign up right away!
 
You need to take immediate action and sign up to reserve your spot! 
 
Those who attend this FREE tele-seminar will:

• Learn to set reachable goals
• Learn to set "stretch" goals
• Learn to monitor and measure your progress towards achieving these goals.
• Achieve Your Greatest Dreams!

And the best news is- You will get it for FREE!

Get Free Bonus Materials Valued at over $2,654 just for looking! 

But wait!

 

It gets even better!

 

Just for going to the site you will get a slew of Amazing and Valuable FREE Bonuses worth over $2,654!

 That’s right; you will get all of these bonuses just for visiting the site!  See for yourself! 

So what are you waiting for?

 

Sign Up Here!

 

Are you ready to finally keep your New Year's resolutions?

 

Is 2008 the year you make it all come true?

 

The year you set goals and actually keep them?

 

The year you become the best you can be?

 

Is 2008 going to be the best year of your life? 

 

Please accept this invitation to join me in this amazing FREE tele-training.

 

Please take the initiative to Sign Up for my FREE tele-seminar January 17th 2008.
 
Be a part of this LIFE CHANGING experience!
 
 Sign Up Here!

 

Live Victoriously,

Joshua Stein

Founder- www.thepositivewebsite.com

 

Make 2008 Your Best Year Yet! Join me in this Free Training

 

P.S- Please invite all of your friends and family to join us as well!

Have you signed up for Your Free Daily Inspiration Service at www.thepositivewebsite.com?

 

 

 

Beware of Internet Dating Scams
Topic: Relationships
 

Internet dating sites have become a great option for lonely souls seeking to connect to their life partner.  Typically, an eager dater has only to log onto a dating website, create and post a profile along with a recent picture and wait for like-minded individuals to show interest. Hundreds of thousands of cyberdaters all around the world have sought romance by following this formula with much success.  Unfortunately, there are many sharks swimming alongside the sincere fish in the sea.

 

Internet dating scams are a growing concern.  These scams come in many shapes and forms.  Probably of the most popular include pick-up-artists, disguised as your soul mate, pilfering the hard-earned cash of unsuspecting victims.  The false-hearted scammers lower their prey’s defenses by appealing to their romantic desires.  This usually leaves those with true intentions in financial and emotional ruin and, incredulously, can often times lead to criminal charges pressed against the victim for unknowingly aiding a crime.

 

The way these types of scams usually work is that the scam artist creates their own profile on the dating website, often complete with an attractive photo and alluring bio.  More times than not, the scammer will state in their bio that they are an American expatriate working abroad for a large corporation in another country.  This plays on the potential victim’s fantasy which helps to add to the mystery and fascination of the connection.  The scammer can then either wait for a potential victim to contact them through their profile or the scammer may initiate the contact themselves.  Either way, an online relationship ensues.  The enthusiastic dater and their scammer will communicate frequently over a period of several weeks or sometimes even months.  Scam artists can be very patient while they wait for their prey to get really comfortable and hopefully fall in love with them.  The correspondence will start in the online dating forum but will eventually move to the exchange of personal email contacts and perhaps even phone numbers.  The scammer uses this time to scope out their ideal victim which can be anyone who is lonely, shy, isolated and vulnerable.  Divorcees, widowers, single parents and naïve young adults are the perfect candidates.

 

Once the scammer is assured that their pretend love interest is head over heels for them, the scam begins.  Scammers have several devices to trick their victims out of their money.  There may be a sudden family emergency that requires the victim to wire the scammer money for fake medical expenses.  There can be a supposed contract deal gone badly and the scammer begs for funds to keep it going with the promise to repay their victim on the back end.  The scammer may say that they are having difficulty cashing a check or money order in whatever country they claim to be working in and request that it be deposited into the victim’s bank account so the cash can be wired to them.  Of course, the check is counterfeit and the victim ends up eating the cost and can sometimes be jailed for illegally transferring money as this can be considered international money laundering in many locations.  The scammer may also claim to have issues with their visas and need their victim to pay the fees required to apply, renew or release their immigration papers.

 

Probably the most egregious method is for the scammer to announce their undying love for the victim and desire to meet in person.  The request may even include a suggestion of marriage.  Clouded with the idea of wedding bells ringing, the victim agrees to wire untold sums of cash to the scammer for airfare, hotels, car rentals, engagement rings and in some cases, full wedding ceremonies.  As long as the victim is willing to pay, the scammer will continue making requests.  Then on the day the two are destined to meet, the victim waits aimlessly at the airport for their new love to show up but the scammer never does.  In fact, the scammer is never heard from again.

 

It can be very difficult for a victim of an internet dating scam to receive justice.  Dating scammers can be very crafty.  They never use their real name and that gorgeous picture on their profile is most likely a stolen photo from a model website.  You can never be too sure that someone’s profile is truthful about their image, profession, age, gender or even their nationality.  For this reason, it is important to be wary of any internet romance.  While most internet daters have good intentions, it is imperative to use your common sense when pursuing an online relationship.  Don’t let your desire to find love obscure your ability to make good decisions.   If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

 

© Copyright 2007 by Niquenya D. Fulbright - All rights reserved.

 

About the Author:

Niquenya D. Fulbright is a certified Christian executive life coach, management consultant, mediator, corporate trainer and motivational speaker specializing in inspiring small business owners, entrepreneurs, executives, groups and individuals in a career or life transition to use their innate abilities to master their goals and achieve successes beyond their wildest dreams. http://www.niquenyafulbright.com/

From LOL to Latte: Meeting Your Internet Connection Face-to-Face
Topic: Relationships

Many internet daters are apprehensive about making that move from the comforts of online chat to an actual face-to-face encounter with their internet love connection.  With all of the horror stories floating around concerning fake profile photos, dating scams and other criminally unsavory behaviors, it can be more than a challenge to gather up the courage to meet a person of interest offline.  Since you can never be too sure that someone’s profile is truthful about their image, profession, age, gender or even nationality, it is really in your best interest to arrange a fact-finding initial meeting prior to an actual date.  Thus we have the coffee date.

 

A coffee date is not really a date at all.  It is a simple, inexpensive, non-threatening meet-and-greet.  Coffee dates should be scheduled in the daytime at a safe, public location such as a coffeehouse.  It is best to schedule the coffee date between regular meal times (i.e. an hour after breakfast or two hours prior to dinner).  This first meeting should last no more than twenty to thirty minutes.  This is enough time to assess whether that gorgeous profile photo is a match for the real-life version.  You can also determine if there is enough chemistry between the two of you to pursue the option of a real date.  Most people will know if there is a physical attraction within the first five minutes.

 

The coffee meet-and-greet is a casual affair so dress accordingly.  Keep the formal attire at home but dress nice enough to make a good first impression.  You may even want to prepare for your meeting by having a list of questions ready to ask your online love prospect.  There is no need to rehearse your lines but it can help to have a good idea of some specific items you genuinely want to learn about your potential mate.  It can also be helpful to pay attention to that week’s current events so you can be properly armed to actively participate in a good conversation.  Make sure that you stray from heavy, negative topics.  You want to keep the conversation as light as possible but keep in mind that the purpose of this meeting is to find out who you are.  Remember to stay relaxed and feel free to be yourself.  This is a getting-to-know-you engagement so don’t take the person out of your personality.

 

Try to keep the coffee date from going longer than thirty minutes as any longer could invite boredom.  You want to create an atmosphere conducive to a love connection, not a friendship.  To make the coffee meet more interesting, select a location that provides extra amenities.  Many coffeehouses now offer live music, a DJ, comedy shows or poetry slams.  Some also include light menu items, pool tables, darts and other traditional “bar” games.  Even if there is an additional entertainment element to the coffeehouse, do not go there with this as your aim.  The idea of a coffee meet is just that, to have coffee.  Should the two of you decide that you are hitting it off; the coffee meet could turn into a real date without the need to move to a second location.  For this reason, arrange the coffee meet to occur at least forty minutes prior to any scheduled show time.  That way if sparks aren’t flying, you aren’t locked into a commitment to stay.  You can simply bail at the half hour mark.

 

If you don’t like coffee, most coffeehouses do offer many other beverage and snack items such as tea, sandwiches and soda pop.  Another alternative to the coffee date is going for ice cream, an excellent idea during the warmer months.  You might also decide to grab something to-go and simply take a leisurely walk through a scenic neighborhood.  The point is to stay away from full-course meal offerings that involve longer time commitments.  You want to avoid the pressures of being on a formal date so pick a location or an activity that is best suited to both of your interests.  Hopefully your efforts to move from LOL to latte will eventually send you from latte to love.

 

© Copyright 2007 by Niquenya D. Fulbright - All rights reserved.

 

About the Author:

Niquenya D. Fulbright is a certified Christian executive life coach, management consultant, mediator, corporate trainer and motivational speaker specializing in inspiring small business owners, entrepreneurs, executives, groups and individuals in a career or life transition to use their innate abilities to master their goals and achieve successes beyond their wildest dreams. http://www.niquenyafulbright.com

5 Myths About Breaking into the Field of Professional Speaking
Topic: Careers

Many professionals have heard how the art of professional speaking can be leveraged to help build their businesses; however, most are reluctant to put their first foot forward to break into this field of endless possibilities.  Their reluctance stems from fear as a result of several myths floating around regarding the difficulty of becoming a professional speaker.

 

Myth #1: I have to be famous.

This myth is completely false.  There are many no-name six- and seven-figure income earners making their livings as professional speakers.  Many organizations would rather hire those speakers who do not possess celebrity status because their audiences will have a much easier time connecting and relating to the average Joe or Jill.  How many seminars, workshops and conferences have you attended in which you had never heard of the keynote presenter but he/she delivered a dynamic presentation?

 

Myth #2: I have to have great credentials.

There are literally thousands of well-paid speakers who do not even possess a high school diploma, let alone a college degree.  The only credential that you need to be a speaker is a topic that you are both passionate and knowledgeable about and a true desire to help others by giving them access to what you know.  There is a popular speaker’s bureau in Chicago that is completely composed of former prostitutes.  This group of women travels across the country presenting motivational speeches to empower women and youth to value their own self-worth.  Some of this group recently delivered a presentation to a meeting of key decision makers on Capitol Hill.

 

Myth #3: There is too much competition.

True that there are a lot of professional speakers and aspiring speakers; however, there are more than enough speaking engagements to go around.  Every day, in the United States alone, there are approximately 7,000 speaking opportunities.  That is over 2.5 million potential speaking gigs per year.  There are more than enough speaking opportunities for you to take advantage of even if you share the same or a similar niche with other speakers.

 

Myth #4: I have to be a really good speaker.

While having good presentation skills can help your audience really tune in to your message, it is not necessary.  Even the most wet-behind-the-ears speaker can earn a decent living.  I have an aunt who has a speech impediment.  She has always had trouble pronouncing certain words even though she is a native English speaker.  At first, she thought this would be a hindrance but now she realizes that it is what makes her unique from her competition.  Use your quirks and idiosyncrasies to build your brand. Again, the important element in any speaker’s presentation is that there is a real message to be heard.  Know your subject matter and deliver it with passion.  If you can do this, then nothing else even matters.

 

Myth #5: It is too difficult to get started.

No it isn’t!  The biggest roadblock to getting started is you.  Throw away your fears and doubts and just jump into it.  There is nothing to it but to do it.  Become an expert on a topic that you feel passionate about it and just start speaking.  Share your message with every group you think could benefit from your knowledge and charge them a reasonable fee for your services.

 

© 2007 All Rights Reserved. Reprint permission granted only with inclusion of the author bylines.

 

About the Author: Niquenya D. Fulbright is a Chicago area executive life coach, mediator, professional speaker and corporate trainer with over 10 years experience specializing in motivating small business owners, entrepreneurs, executives, groups and individuals in a career or life transition to use their innate abilities to master their goals and achieve successes beyond their wildest dreams. http://www.niquenyafulbright.com

Are You Ready to MAKE 2008 YOUR YEAR TO BE GREAT?
Mood:  energetic

Do you have your New Year's Resolution in hand?
Have you created a plan to achieve your goals?
How well have you kept your previous resolutions?
Are you truly ready to accomplish your wildest desires?
What are you doing to prepare for the New Year?


We often start off each new year with the best of intentions to accomplish our goals but what happens come March or April? Our fears, insecurities and lack of motivation set in to steal our thunder.

If at the beginning of the New Year you find yourself facing the same fears, obstacles and negative voices that have nagged you in the past, how will this year be any different?

If you always do what you have always done and expect a different outcome, this is indeed the definition of insanity. Stop driving yourself insane.

MAKE 2008 YOUR YEAR TO BE GREAT!

I want to be your personal success cheerleader. As a certified Christian life coach, I use the Holy Bible, the laws of attraction and the principles of servant leadership to partner with my clients in achieving their goals. I have over 10 years experience specializing in motivating small business owners, entrepreneurs, executives, groups and individuals in a career or life transition to use their innate abilities to master their goals and achieve successes beyond their wildest dreams. As your life coach, I will offer you support, guidance, encouragement, clarity, focus and direction. I will hold you accountable to your commitments and celebrate every success with you. Together we will stomp out fears and overcome obstacles so that nothing stands in the way of meeting your goals.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^SPECIAL OFFER^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
As a special to all first time clients, anyone who schedules and completes a FREE introductory coaching session prior to January 15, 2008 will receive 6 months worth of weekly coaching sessions for just $1000! This equates to receiving 3 months completely FREE!!!!!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

All coaching sessions are conducted via telephone for the convenience of serving an international client base. For more information and to schedule your FREE introductory coaching session, visit http://www.niquenyafulbright.com, call (773) 368-3575 or email inquiry to contactme@niquenyafulbright.com.

MAKE 2008 YOUR YEAR TO BE EXCEPTIONALLY GREAT!

Happy Living!

Niquenya D. Fulbright
Executive Life Coach, Management Consultant, Mediator, Author & Motivational Speaker
Building Bridges Between Your Dreams & Ultimate Reality
http://www.niquenyafulbright.com
http://www.inner-view.org/chicagolifecoach
http://chicagolifecoach.blogspot.com

Tune in to my weekly internet radio show, "Building Bridges", every Tuesday at 1:30PM CST. Visit http://www.blogtalkradio.com/buildingbridges to listen in or subscribe for download to podcast.

How to Get Started as a Professional Speaker
Topic: Careers

So you have heard all of the rumors that professional speaking is the way to go in order to get your products and services in front of massive audiences and really boost your business.  But how do you do it?  The truth of the matter is that professional speaking is not a difficult field to break into.  You just have to be willing to put in the work it takes to get paid speaking gigs.

 

The first step is to determine what you are passionate about and become an expert in that subject.  Your passion is what will drive you toward success.  Learn all that you can about your specialty.  Interview industry experts, join professional affiliations and read all available literature.  Subscribe to white papers and stay abreast of important innovations.  You want to be the one with all of the answers when it comes to your chosen topic.

 

Once you are comfortable with your subject matter, write a book using the wealth of information that you have collected.  Publishing a book helps to establish you as an expert.  You will be the resource for people interested in your specialty.  The credibility that comes along with being a published author paves the way for speaking engagements.  Send out press releases to announce your new book.  Create a media kit that includes cover art and a synopsis of your book and forward it to your media contacts.  You should also send your media kit to libraries, colleges and other organizations that may have an interest in your subject matter.  You will soon find yourself being contacted by these folks to arrange book signings.  Books are also a great additional income stream that can be used to boost the revenue you earn at each speaking engagement through back-of-the-room sales.  Even if you are not chosen as a speaker for a particular event, your book may still be used in the absence of the chosen speaker having a published work.  Most bookstores have a “signed by author” stamp available.  Make sure that after every book signing event that you request the stamp and leave behind additional signed copies.  People will remember this personal touch and be more apt to contact you.

 

The third step is to market yourself as a speaker.  You will most definitely need a website if your business does not already have one.  Make sure that you include a highly visible line that reads “available for keynote or breakout session presentations” within your website’s content.  Create a brochure that highlights your niche topics and include a short bio about yourself.  Send your brochure and a professionally produced presentation clip, if available, to your target audience.  Your target audience may include universities, high schools, trade schools, professional associations, chambers of commerce, corporations and community groups.  Contact meeting planners, human resource managers, alumni associations, radio stations and orientation coordinators.  Decide which group will be most receptive to your expert topics and focus your marketing efforts in their direction.

 

Finally, leverage your bookings.  Ask for multiple bookings at a time.  Many conferences are multiple-day events and will have a need to fill several speaker vacancies.  Make the conference organizers aware of your availability to fill more than one slot.  This means you could present both a morning and an afternoon workshop. Event planners will be appreciative and remember how easy you are to work with for future events.  Request to be used again for events that will reoccur annually.  Also, request testimonial letters for a satisfactorily delivered presentation upfront.  Most event planners will be agreeable to providing these for you and then you don’t have to worry about chasing them down later as they would have already committed to giving you one.

 

Becoming a professional speaker is not rocket science.  It just takes a big of legwork and dedication.  The biggest thing to remember is that as long as you have a subject that you are passionate and knowledgeable about, all you need is a willingness to share the information in a way that will help others.  Secondly, it is important to note that the difference between an amateur and a professional is that professionals make money so make sure that you charge what you are worth for your services.

 

 

© 2007 All Rights Reserved. Reprint permission granted only with inclusion of the author bylines.

About the Author: Niquenya D. Fulbright is a Chicago area executive life coach, mediator, professional speaker and corporate trainer with over 10 years experience specializing in motivating small business owners, entrepreneurs, executives, groups and individuals in a career or life transition to use their innate abilities to master their goals and achieve successes beyond their wildest dreams. http://www.niquenyafulbright.com

Check out a RedEye Today - 2 articles include my expertise
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: News & Updates

In today's RedEye, a sister publication to the Chicago Tribune, there are three articles by reporter Leonor Vivanco about staying young.  2 of the 3 articles mention expert quotes by yours truly.  Pick up a RedEye today!

 http://redeye.chicagotribune.com/red-120607-age-main,0,7538407.story

http://redeye.chicagotribune.com/red-120607-age-side,0,1438958.story

I've been quoted in the Chicago Tribune again!
Topic: News & Updates

You can find the article in the Good Eating Section of the October 31, 2007's Chicago Tribune.  You may also access it online at http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/chi-mxa1031eatcoverpizzaoct31,1,2729881.story.  Your comments are welcome.

 Happy Living!

Read this Chicago Tribune Article That Mentions Me
Mood:  lucky
Topic: News & Updates
In an article called "DEFINING IDENTITY" by Sue Ellen Christian published in the Chicago Tribune on Sunday, October 28, 2007, there is a nice 3-4 paragraph piece in which she interviewed me regarding code-switching.  Read the article here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-code_thinkoct28,0,1105143.story

Taking Pause
Mood:  happy
Topic: Life Lessons

Many people struggle with finding time to fit everything into their busy schedules.  We often neglect our health and well-being in favor of completing tasks.  We don’t exercise.  We don’t eat right.  We don’t even relax.   We think that we just don’t have the time to take pause in the midst of so much activity.  Meditative activities are so important to weave into our lives that I wanted to provide an even easier way to incorporate it.

Meditation doesn't take long hours of classes or workshops to learn how to do. It is a practice which means the more you do it the better you will become and the more benefits you can reap from it. To meditate, all you have to know how to do is to breathe, relax and think. Meditation is continuous and profound concentration on a single subject. It is to give something your complete, undivided attention. You don't need a quiet room or a special place to perform meditation. You don't need to be a student of Eastern Philosophy. You don't need to have a half hour of time devoted to it. You simply need to breathe, relax and think.

With breathe, relax and think as your criteria in mind, what activities do you enjoy that will allow you to incorporate these three elements? Almost anything! That is the great thing about meditation. There is no specified time or place. This means you can do it at work. You can do it at home. You can do it in the gym. It doesn't matter. Any time, any place and in any way you choose, you can breathe, relax and think.

Breathing is important because it is your life force. It is the way oxygen enters your body to be used by your blood cells for energy. When your blood cells don't have enough oxygen, they move sluggishly. If your cells are sluggish, they are slow to bring food to the many different areas of your body. If your body doesn't have enough nutrition, it can't work properly. The end result is that you feel fatigued, stressed, sick and often can't think straight. How many times have you felt that you can't concentrate until you get some food into your stomach? You have to breathe.

Relaxing involves allowing your body to calm itself down. It puts your mind, body and spirit at rest. Relaxing removes stress and allows your muscles to repair themselves. In this day and age, with so much hustle and bustle, we hardly ever give ourselves the permission to rest. Even after a grueling exercise regimen, experts suggest that you take off one day for every three to five to allow yourself time to recuperate. We stretch and tear our muscles during activity. This is why so many people are suffering from Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). We never take the time to just sit and relax. So relax and let your mind, body and spirit heal itself.

Thinking invites clarity and focus. We can solve problems, make decisions and hear what our bodies are telling us. We can concentrate on specific issues that may be plaguing us in the form of worries. That dedicated time yields resolutions because you are relaxed. Your mind is quieted from all other noise and distraction. Your complete attention is devoted to the problem at hand. You can be more creative and inspired to determine a solution.

Meditation does not have to be difficult. It does not have to be an intensive task. You can do it in as little as five minutes. Its purpose is to bring clarity, improve health and achieve balance. To this end, you should find it much easier to incorporate meditation into your life. Simply breathe, relax and think.

 

© 2007 by Niquenya D. Fulbright - All Rights Reserved.  

About the Author: Niquenya D. Fulbright is a Chicago area executive life coach, professional speaker and corporate trainer with over 10 years experience specializing in motivating small business owners, entrepreneurs, executives, groups and individuals in a career or life transition to use their innate abilities to master their goals and achieve successes beyond their wildest dreams.  Niquenya wants to partner with you in building a bridge between your dreams and ultimate reality. For more information or to schedule a complimentary coaching session, visit http://www.niquenyafulbright.com, send inquiry to contactme@niquenyafulbright.com or call 773-368-3575.  All coaching sessions are performed via telephone.