Jumping Aboard the Net Meeting Bandwagon
Posted By David Newman | May 5th, 2007
Jumping Aboard the Net Meeting Bandwagon
by Jeff Davidson, MBA, CMC
The verdict is in; the Internet will absolutely and fundamentally change all aspects of the meeting industry. So much is changing so quickly that the typical speaker arises each morning feeling as if he or she will never stay on pace with technology developments, particularly as they relate to the meeting industry. Yet, by staying focused on broad-based emerging issues, even solo speakers with no staff can maintain a firm handle on where to focus their time and attention.
Here are the four issues and opportunity areas of which to be aware:
#1 All Functions to the Web
All meeting planning functions will be transferred to the web–given this reality, and that it is happening faster than anyone could have supposed just a few years ago, as a Speaker it becomes fundamental to have all the materials in your business web-ready. This means converting all of your prespeech materials, such as contracts, agreement forms, presentation questionnaires, survey forms, product bordering information, room diagrams and so on into PDF format so that any form can be sent to a meeting planner quickly and easily in the form of an email attachment.Fortunately, conversion to PDF format is a painless process once the proper software is installed. Adobe systems is the leader in this area, and you can gather all the information you need at www.adobe.com.
#2 Prepare Dual Formats
Prepare all speech related materials in dual format–hereafter, whatever you would prepare for an onsite audience needs to be recast for delivery over the Internet, and for a net audience. If you use Corel Presentations, PowerPoint or other online slide show software, you are already ahead of the game as they readily lend themselves to usage over the Internet. Extend the process further by ensuring that your professional photos, handouts, or participant materials as I like to call them, charts, graphs, exhibits, article reprints, and other paraphernalia used in front of a live group can be easily conveyed over the net.
#3 Master Long Distance Techniques
Become adept at long distance learning techniques–I belong to an organization of 40 business experts who share their expertise with clients in live programs over the Internet. Our program, called MentorU and found on the Internet at www.MentorU.com, uses interactive technology hosted by Placewhere.com to deliver real time professional training to corporations and organizations throughout the world. Corporations may sign up 1 to 1,000 people and view programs either as initially and originally scheduled, or as replays contained in the MentorU archives program file.
The point for all speakers today is to become aware and fluent in making online presentations. Use a headset so that you can maintain hands free movement while directing a professional slideshow, entertaining questions from your audience, conducting on the spot surveys, and tabulating results, all without the slightest hitch. The need for onsite speakers at conferences and conventions is not likely to dissipate, even with the development of expert holographic systems like you may have witnessed if you ever tuned into a Star Trek episode involving the “Holodeck.” Still, online presentations will grab an increasing share of the speaking, training and consulting market. If you haven’t gotten your feet wet in this 21st Century technology thus far, now is certainly the time to get started.
#4 How You Use It
How you use the Internet will drive your product sales–even if you already earn a fair amount of your revenues from product sales, be they pre, post, or during live meetings, an increasing share of your product sales will be directly attributed to how you use the Internet, and more specifically, your website. Opportunities to stay in touch with groups to whom you have spoken and to key audience members has never been greater.
Those who initially may not have seen the need to purchase your products, or felt the urge to, may eventually become repeat buyers, in part because of the relationship you establish and maintain via the net. You can maintain such contact through regular online zines, specific email communiques (less desirable), broadcast announcements, and a variety of emerging techniques. The advocates you create as a result of your speaking engagement become prime candidates for generating repeat and enduring product sales. And, as much as you love speaking to groups, you probably also enjoy making money while you sleep.
Jeff Davidson, MBA, CMC, is a popular speaker; and the award-winning author of many books, including Breathing Space: Living and Working at a Comfortable Pace in a Sped-up Society ($14.95).
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