Next Up? Can Even a Nerd be Heard on the International* stage?
It's not evil.
I want to be here. (Giving the keynote presentation.) |
The dream. (see update below)
I have a dream to become a keynote speaker. I want to get out of those little rooms with sliding divider walls and move to the auditorium. I want to offer subjects that are less educational and more inspirational. I've been presenting all over the country for over 15 years. I've even made a couple of presentations in South Africa. Now I'm ready for more. I want to expand my subject matter and reach more audiences. I want to speak more often and help other people do the same. |
But it's a plan.
Not just here. (Presenting a break-out topic.) |
I am going to write my second book as I work to make my dream of being a keynote presenter come true. I am not quitting my day jobs, so when I can, I will be chronicling my journey to take my speaking to the next level.
I have a ton of questions to answer. What does it take to be the keynote? Is it the subject matter? Do you need to look a certain way? Is it about the graphics? Is it about overcoming hardships? Is my story good enough?
The plan.
Here's the deal. Today is March 14, 2011 Pi day. I can't think of a better day to make my plans public.
I plan to be a keynote presenter by October of 2012 and to have finished my second book. That gives me 597 days to figure this out. (if I don't make it to the main stage, the book may never get published. But that is a risk I'm willing to take. That and public humiliation. )
Update 8/14/2018: *International keynote accomplished. Received invitation one month after adding that one word to the title above. Keynote in Sao Paulo, Brazil September, 2018
Update 11/9/15: Keynote Accomplished. Put your plan in writing y'all. It is unbelievable how these things come together. See how I started my plan below. It is specific and public. But also notice how I gave myself plenty of fudge room - I was terrified that I was gettin' too big for my britches.
I have been coaching TEDx speakers since 2012 - I can help you get to the main stage too.
I have a ton of questions to answer. What does it take to be the keynote? Is it the subject matter? Do you need to look a certain way? Is it about the graphics? Is it about overcoming hardships? Is my story good enough?
The plan.
Here's the deal. Today is March 14, 2011 Pi day. I can't think of a better day to make my plans public.
I plan to be a keynote presenter by October of 2012 and to have finished my second book. That gives me 597 days to figure this out. (if I don't make it to the main stage, the book may never get published. But that is a risk I'm willing to take. That and public humiliation. )
Update 8/14/2018: *International keynote accomplished. Received invitation one month after adding that one word to the title above. Keynote in Sao Paulo, Brazil September, 2018
Update 11/9/15: Keynote Accomplished. Put your plan in writing y'all. It is unbelievable how these things come together. See how I started my plan below. It is specific and public. But also notice how I gave myself plenty of fudge room - I was terrified that I was gettin' too big for my britches.
I have been coaching TEDx speakers since 2012 - I can help you get to the main stage too.
Accountex, Las Vegas 2016 "Owning Your Brand"
Update: I am living the dream and giving INTERNATIONAL* keynotes:
Starting with TEDxNapaValley in December 2011 (8 months after this page went live.)
Closing keynote - SleeterCon 2014
Closing keynote - AICPA E.D.G.E 2015
Closing keynote - SleeterCon 2015
Closing keynote - ITAlliance 2015
Wednesday Keynote - Accountex 2016 (Mirage Las Vegas - photo above)
* Sao Paulo, Brazil 2018
Still working on that second book. Stay tuned.
How you can help with the book.
I will need help to make this happen. I plan to interview people who are either presenting keynotes or have made hiring decisions about keynote presenters. And I will compile my research and the results of my efforts as I learn how to get to the main stage.
If you know of a keynote presenter or an event planner who hires them,and they are willing to be interviewed, have them send an e-mail to [email protected].
Here's my wishlist of people I would like to interview.
I will need help to make this happen. I plan to interview people who are either presenting keynotes or have made hiring decisions about keynote presenters. And I will compile my research and the results of my efforts as I learn how to get to the main stage.
If you know of a keynote presenter or an event planner who hires them,and they are willing to be interviewed, have them send an e-mail to [email protected].
Here's my wishlist of people I would like to interview.