3 Questions Speakers Should Ask Before Signing a Contract

by Yvonne Ortega @YvonneOrtega1

Ask the right questions before you say yes to a live event. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in acceptance or rejection of the opportunity after you've asked enough questions.

How Writers Can Get Speaking Engagements

by Yvonne Ortega @YvonneOrtega1

Texts, phone calls, and emails fill my “in box” with the same concern: “I’m an author. How can I get speaking engagements?” I will start with one step that many believers include as their last, rather than their initial one. 

First, pray for speaking engagements.

Speaking Tips from Keynote Speakers at the Speak Up Conference 2021

by Yvonne Ortega @YvonneOrtega1

The Annual Speak Up Conference will be virtual again in 2021. The Speak Up Conference runs July 14-16, 2021 and includes a pre-conference day on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. Several speakers will facilitate breakout sessions, take appointments, and host virtual meals. Only the keynote speakers are highlighted here. 

Valentine’s Day Speaking Tips for Writers

by Yvonne Ortega @YvonneOrtega1

Whether you’ve never married, are married, divorced, or widowed, Valentine’s Day with the Lord can be a fabulous speaking day for writers. For the never married, divorced, or widowed writers, it can also be a painful day. 

You and I can use the Valentine’s Day speaking tips as a springboard for virtual or live events. As much as possible, we can include God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit in our Valentine’s Day plans. If you have a spouse, children, in-laws, or grandchildren in the home, you can still celebrate with God and invite them to join you. Whether they accept the invitation is up to them.

Speaking Opportunities for Authors in December

by Yvonne Ortega @YvonneOrtega1

Speaking opportunities for authors abound in December. You may raise your brows in disbelief. After all, live events are minimal with strict policies for masks, social distancing, and sanitizing measures. Let’s look at the reasons why you can still speak in December.

SPEAK UP WITH CONFIDENCE Guide for Authors

by Yvonne Ortega @YvonneOrtega1

I read Carol Kent’s revised and updated edition of Speak Up with Confidence from cover to cover. Her passion to speak words of eternal value and bathe every step of the process in prayer spoke to my heart. I hope it speaks to yours, too.

Help—Someone wants to use my content!

by Cathy Fyock @CathyFyock

“Cathy, I just did a presentation and it went really well. I’m concerned because someone from my session asked if they could use my content. What do I do?”

It’s the dilemma faced by most speakers, trainers, consultants, coaches, experts, and thought leaders who use their expertise in the course of their businesses. We want to be regarded as thought leaders, yet we also need to retain ownership of our Intellectual Property (IP). 

Storytelling for Authors, Part 1

by Yvonne Ortega @YvonneOrtega1

Have you ever spoken to a group to promote your business or ministry and wished you hadn’t?

A little over twenty years ago, I spoke for a conference and hoped it would launch my career. It didn’t. I rambled on and on. I had the passion to speak, but no storytelling techniques.

How Writers Can Craft an Ending for Their Presentation

by Yvonne Ortega @YvonneOrtega1

You’ve crafted an introduction and the body or main points of your presentation. How can you conclude your speaking engagement?

How to Craft the First Point of Your Presentation: Part 2

by Yvonne Ortega @YvonneOrtega1

In Part 2, you will go through the ways to use the foundational phrase in the first point of your presentation. We covered the niche and the foundational phrase in Part 1 of How to Craft the First Point of Your Presentation. 

The First Way to Use the Foundational Phrase: Anecdote or Story

One of the most popular ways to craft your first point is the use of an anecdote or story.

How to Craft the First Point of Your Presentation: Part 1

by Yvonne Ortega @YvonneOrtega1

What are you passionate about? What could you speak or write on that you would forget to eat a meal or stay up late to prepare for it? That’s your topic. Narrow it as much as you can. Then narrow it again. 

Physical Preparation for a Speaking Event

by Yvonne Ortega @YvonneOrtega1

Are you worn out? Perhaps you’re thinking, Is there no end to the preparation for a speaking event? 

I understand. In my early training to become a speaker, I once threw my arms up in the air, looked to the sky, and said, “Gracious, does it ever end?”

Tips to Manage a Microphone When You Speak

by Yvonne Ortega @YvonneOrtega1

After many laughs and nightmares with a mic, I now tell others that I can manage a microphone without losing my mind. If you and I understand the four types of mic, we can consider the microphone our friend most of the time.

Spiritual Preparation for Speaking

by Yvonne Ortega @YvonneOrtega1

In your plans for a speaking engagement, you probably think about the topic, visuals, handouts, and what you’ll wear. What about your spiritual preparation? 

How to Craft an Introduction for Your Speaking Engagement, Part 2

by Yvonne Ortega @YvonneOrtega1

In case you did not read How to Craft an Introduction for Your Speaking Engagement, Part 1, here are the main points from it: 

• Begin with a bang.
• Avoid “unpleasant pleasantries.”
• Don’t open with a joke. 

Now, let’s go on to Part 2.