Below is a sample Syllabus for year 1

Homework from time to time may be requested.

October

World of the Professional Speaker(Ethics)

Learning Objectives

1. Becoming knowledgeable about the National Speakers Association, the events it offers & benefits to the speaking professional
2. Adhering to the NSA Code of Professional Ethics
3. Staying current on what is state-of-the-art in professional speaking
4. Working with other speakers
5. Working with agents, bureaus & other distributor options/channels & understanding their requirements & benefits
6. Working with program/meeting planners
7. Working with professionals serving speakers
8. Interacting with the media
9. Understanding and being able to articulate the unwritten rules for seeking advice & support from chapter members & leaders
10. Understanding the different types of speaking: keynote, breakout sessions, seminars, etc.

NOVember

Topic Development (Expertise)

Learning Objectives

1. Selecting & developing topics-is my topic marketable? To whom?
2. Building topic expertise
3. Staying on the cutting edge of topic development
4. Tailoring/customizing topics & presentation/performance content
5. Understanding what topics are right for me & what steps are necessary to develop them

december

Platform Mechanics, Presenting & Performing (Eloquence)

Learning Objectives

1. Identifying & developing unique communication styles
2. Mastering the craft of presenting/performing
3. Creating the setting (e.g. introductions, room set-up, proper staging, appropriate knowledge of and use of audio or visual equipment, working with meeting place personnel)
4. Learning techniques to engage audiences
5. Understanding & connecting with diverse audiences
6. Acquiring the skills for different speaking roles (e.g., keynote speaker, workshop presenter, seminar leader, emcee, after-dinner speaker, panelist)
7. Learning about evaluation forms & using them to build business
8. Learning how to get information about your audience

january

Marketing (Enterprise)

Learning Objectives

1. Developing productive marketing strategies, including understanding target marketing & pull/push marketing strategy
2. Designing brochures/promotional materials
3. Developing a brand image
4. Developing profitable market penetration
5. Developing relationships with bureaus, agents & other distributor options/channels
6. Developing productive sales & marketing contacts
7. Learning about other associations in the meeting and convention industry
8. Expanding one’s speaking market (e.g., speaking internationally)
9. Earning client loyalty & providing customer service
10. Identifying different approaches & cost-effective ways to market including electronic listings, one-sheets, websites, newsletters, phone solicitations, direct mail, networking, advertising, free speeches, business cards, videos, letterhead
11. Learning to write a proposal

February

Sales (Extension of Marketing) (Enterprise)

Learning Objectives

1. Developing effective sales strategies in-person, on phone, via internet, etc.
2. Learning how to do cold/warm calls
3. Understand pricing realities without anti-trust violations
4. Learning about effective in-person sales calls
5. Closing the sale

march

Authorship & Product Development (Expertise)

Learning Objectives

1. Developing writing skills
2. Protecting intellectual property
3. Learning & developing process for creating products & successfully marketing them
4. Learning effective use of articles & books, videos, CD’s
5. Learning the advantages & disadvantages of electronic publishing, self-publishing & using a commercial publisher
6. Learning the multiple benefits of publishing: advertising, credibility, sales, fee increases, & passive income generation
7. Determining whether you should publish, what and when
8. Defining copyright & trademark regulations & requirements & what constitutes plagiarism

april

Managing the Business (Enterprise)

Learning Objectives

1. Organizing & operating a profitable speaking business (e.g., purchasing supplies, managing inventory, use & knowledge of office equipment & technology, cost control, maintaining financial records)
2. Selecting & working with staff
3. Managing financial aspects of the business
4. Negotiating contracts, fees & royalties
5. Scheduling/tracking speaking engagements
6. Planning business travel
7. Learning the various sections that make up a business plan
8. Defining what you know & what you must learn to write each section of business plan
9. Determining how much detail is required in each section to reach goals -too much wastes time, too little risks failure
10. Learn the what, where, when how & why of: office equipment; files, forms, schedules & record systems; technology - hard & soft ware; staff; suppliers - product & services; letters of agreement, client checklist, client assessment questions; & be able to separate what you need from what you want & what you need now from what you may need someday

may

Final Project

Learning Objectives

Final project will be a 5-10 minute speech from each candidate incorporating what you learned this year & how you applied it to your speaking business.