Sales, Technology Speaker; Speaking Tips by Frank Furness

Friday, December 29, 2006

Public Speaking and Sales Tips by Frank Furness

Public Speaking and Sales Tips by Frank Furness: "Right now is the best time to plan for the year. Start by analysing what your average fee was for last year, NOT YOUR STANDARD FEE.
Take into account the talks you gave pro bono or at a lower or discounted rate. Simply, take the number of all your talks and divide this by your actual speaking income and divide the two, you may be surprised by the results"

Speaking Tips - Planning for 2007 and Royalty Free Music

Right now is the best time to plan for the year. Start by analysing what your average fee was for last year, NOT YOUR STANDARD FEE.

Take into account the talks you gave pro bono or at a lower or discounted rate. Simply, take the number of all your talks and divide this by your actual speaking income and divide the two, you may be surprised by the results.

Use this figure when you next plan your intended income target for speaking this year. Divide your target by your average for the last year and you will come up with your target number of talks for 2007. Do the same for your training, consulting, coaching and products.

Unless you are famous, written a best seller or a TV presenter, you are going to have to do some serious marketing. Candice and I have a 17 point marketing plan each year and right now we are overhauling all our marketing materials. That clip that looked great five years ago will have you cringing now, so like any normal business we have to work on our branding, prospecting, marketing and selling, we have to see ourselves as businesses, not speakers.

Royalty Free Music

We are all looking for great royalty free music and I have found a great site with excellent music.

If you need royalty-free music for your info products, to use as a music intro/outro for your voice on a web site, for your greeting on your opt-in page, your recorded audio products etc., this is THE BEST value that I've ever seen

Click here for your Royalty Free Music

Stock 20 charges only $7 per song and that includes multiple versions! From short 10 second ones, to the longer versions that are 3-4 minutes. That's a ONE- TIME fee.

And if you create an account with my link above, they will send you a $7 discount -- which means you can get your first free.

I've paid thirty dollars before for ONE version of a music track -- but no more. Stock 20 is such better value, so go to this link right now and register to get your first track free.

Get your Royalty Free Music

Technology Tips - Word to Text Software

I’m always looking for ways to use technology to save me time and money. Recently I bought a piece of software that really blew me away. It converts text to voice and gives you the choice of countries, accents and genders.
It uses voice synthesis to convert text into spoken audio. You can listen on your PC or create MP3 or WMA files for use on portable devices like iPods, PocketPCs, and CD players.
I now use it for all kinds of uses:
I buy many Ebooks and can now listen to them live or save them as recordings and listen to them on my IPod when travelling or working out at the gym.
Any correspondence that piles up, I record and listen to later.
Emails that are not urgent, I can either listen to while I’m working on something else or record them and listen while driving.
Take a look at voice to text or go to http://www.frankfurnessresources.com/text2voice.ht ml
Great Tool - Free Headline Analyser
Do your newsletter subject lines or blog post titles have emotional or intellectual appeal?
Find out using the Advanced Marketing Institute’s free Emotional Headline Analyser where you can test your headline, page title, or PPC link text for intellectual, sympathetic, and spiritual impact. Remember to take a look at http://www .headlinecreator.co.uk
Here is a great keyboard trick that will save you a lot of typing when you surf the web.
Intead of typing in the http://www. before the domain name, and the .com after it, just type in the site’s domain name into the address bar. Then hit CTRL and ENTER keys together. This adds both the http://www. and the .com and works in both Internet Explorer and Firefox browser.
Go ahead, try it. Copy frankfurness into your address bar now, then hit CTRL and ENTER together.

Frank Furness - Interview with an Astronaut

In November I was fortunate enough to be invited to speak at the National Speakers Association enterprise lab in Phoenix.
On the Saturday night a few of us went out to a restaurant for supper and I got speaking with the person next to me and heard an incredible story. Rick Searfoss was an astronaut and captained three missions into outer space. His story was fascinating and so much of his training and missions have principles that could apply to each of us in our everyday business.
Can you imagine what he could share about focus, leadership, team building?
We stayed in touch and when I returned to London, I phoned Rick and recorded a wonderful interview filled with anecdotes, stories and practical tips and techniques.
Take a listen to the recording and then take a look at the incredible photos that Rick shared with all my subscribers.
Rick's photos from outer space.
Thanks Rick.
Listen to the recording with

Free Resources and Tips for 2007

It’s that time of year again, when we decide that we’re going to hit the gym every day to lose those excess pounds we have just gained and get a body like a Greek God. It’s the time we plan to spend much more time with the family, less time at work but at the same time make a ton of money this year so that we can retire in the sunshine and spend our days travelling to exotic places.
Three weeks later we will be wondering what possessed us to think those crazy thoughts.
It is the time right now to reflect on last year and to make realistic goals for 2007, but my advice is to build in plenty of personal time and fun goals for yourself. I had so much fun travelling and speaking last year and made many more good friends around the world. As you all know I love my food and Chennai and Cochin in South India were highlights as was the ‘Capital Grill’ in Kansas City (thanks EO).
In this newsletter there is a ton of new info, Ebooks, software and much more.
Please go to the free downloads link for the free Ebooks and software, and even if you have been there before, I have added plenty of new stuff including audio editors and other software and some best selling books – all for free. Also go to my resources website where there are new videos, information and a new section on Hints, tips and tricks.
Take a look at the ‘Speaking Tips’ in the newsletter for copyright free music and one free download or go straight to http://www.frankfurnessresources.com/copyrightfree music.html
My good friend Francis West from FWCS has also contributed and opened up his resources section to all my subscribers. Take a look as there is great information and free Microsoft training videos and tips . Go to http://www.fwcs.co.uk/it_training.html
Take a look at the ‘Motivation Tips’ for my section on my friend Rick Searfoss on his experience as an astronaut. Then take a listen to the interview with fantastic tips and advice on how, what he learned, can be applied to business and personal goals. Also take a look at the incredible photos taken from outer space.
The final free gift is an Ebook called Expect More From 2007 which is a collection of resources and tips from myself and friends from all over the world.
The next Speakers Bootcamp will be at Latimer just outside London on the 24/25 February 2007.
Bootcamp details or email bootcamp@frankfurness.com for an eBrochure

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Client Based Selling - People Focused Buyers

In the last issue we looked at Task focused buyers. Now we will see what motivates the relationship based, enthusiastic buyers and how we can recognise and adapt to get the best results when selling to them.

Relationship focused buyers - Enthusiasts

STRENGTHS
Personable
Stimulating
Enthusiast
Dramatic
Inspiring

WEAKNESSES
Opinionated
Excitable
Undisciplined
Reacting
Self Promotional

BUSINESS ATMOSPHERE
Open, friendly and enthusiastic
Wants proof of your success

WHERE YOU FIND THEM
Trainers
Salespeople
Sales Managers
Creative, Advertising & Media people

OFFICE
Motivation is the theme
Walls contain recognition certificates slogans, posters
Open friendly atmosphere
Office appears disorganised

ATMOSPHERE
Open and enthusiastic

PRIORITIES
Develop the relationship

PACE
Quick

ABOUT YOU
Who are you/ your thoughts /who you know/ who uses your product

WINNING ACCEPTANCE
Give recognition and praise

YOUR PRODUCT
Who has used it

PROBLEM SOLVING
Support their dreams, ideas and ambitions

DECISION MAKING
Testimony and incentive

How to win them over
Impress them by: Your flexibility
Ask questions that: Support their dreams
Support their: Ideas
Demonstrate your: Originality & creativity
Make benefits: Innovative
Show commitment by: Giving fresh ideas
Be impressed by their: Achievements
Best close: Be direct

Monday, September 25, 2006

Public Speaking and Sales Tips by Frank Furness

Public Speaking and Sales Tips by Frank Furness: "Having spent months working on my new programme ‘Sales Strategies for Financial Advisors’, it is now finally completed and hopefully the most comprehensive package in the business. It is a complete training programme that will give new consultants the strategies to start writing business immediately and give existing consultants plenty of ideas, strategies and motivation"

Sales Strategies for Financial Advisors

Right now many of you will be returning from vacation and looking for something to get you motivated and write business as soon as possible. I have the solution:

Having spent months working on my new programme ‘Sales Strategies for Financial Advisors’, it is now finally completed and hopefully the most comprehensive package in the business. It is a complete training programme that will give new consultants the strategies to start writing business immediately and give existing consultants plenty of ideas, strategies and motivation

The programme consists of,

8 audio CDs on financial planning,
3 audio CDs on goal setting & motivation,
3 video CDs packed with video clips demonstrating everything from seminar selling to getting business on the internet and,
An additional CD with an action planner. (15 CDs in total)

Please take a look at http://www.training-financial- advisor.com for all the details and take a listen to a few cuts. You will also be able to see exactly what is covered in the programme.

I have tried to incorporate everything I have learned over the past 23 years in Financial Services that helped me to qualify at Million Dollar Round Table 'Top of the Table', as well as everything I have learned working with successful financial advisors in 47 countries. I also have guest interviews with some incredibly successful people who share their strategies, including one financial advisor who wrote a $100 million dollar case at age 28.

For all my financial services subscribers, I gave a pre-release discount before I opened it to everyone on the 15 September at the normal price. After numerous requests this offer has now been extended to the 15th October. You save $100 per package if ordered within the next three weeks. It is incredible value, less than the cost of a Mont Blanc pen or equal to the cost of a cup of coffee per day for a month at a Starbucks in London .

The first 50 packs were sold out in hours.

So there it is, if you order right now, your investment is only $197 (£105 in the UK) & postage (& VAT for Europe). On the 15th October it increases to $297 and in January 2007 to the normal investment of $425

So don't wait, get moving as soon as possible with this great package and order it directly from the internet. Remember, you only need to pick up one idea that results in a sale and you investment will have paid for itself ten times over.
Take a look at the website and listen to some cuts..

Marketing Tips for Speakers

As speakers we should always be marketing. On my recent trip to Dubai I spoke five times and each day after my talks attended three marketing appointments to set up my next trip. Here are the strategies I used and you can apply there to yourself wherever you are speaking:

1 - Prior to the trip, I contacted all my existing clients and associates in Dubai and set up
breakfast or dinner meetings, one of these meetings could result in a joint venture in Dubai and another a long term consulting contract in ten countries – TIP – whenever you speak in a city or country, always meet with current and past organisations who have used you in the past. Circumstances change, staff change and you will always create new opportunities.

2 - I spent some time on the internet looking for potential organisations that I could meet up with and contacted them prior to my trip. This resulted in some good meetings and as soon as I get home I will be following up to see how to turn these into relationships and speaking engagements. TIP – before you travel to a new engagement, take the time to research the internet and set up meetings with potential bookers. Once you have met with someone face to face, developed a relationship and sold yourself (like only you can do), you stand an excellent chance of being booked. Someone would rather do business with a person that they have met rather than some information in emails being received without ever meeting the speaker. Remember, these bureaus/agents/ associations are receiving hundreds of marketing packs and emails from speakers each week (and binning most). The one that they will remember is the one who took the time to meet with them.

3 - I have a close relationship with a few speakers who I refer to my clients, and they refer me in return so we create two way traffic. I contacted some of these speakers and met with their contacts and I know business will follow. – TIP – Develop a few key relationships with other speakers who you feel confident to refer to your clients, but know that they will do the same in return.

4 - Research your target market – prior to my trip I made some calls to find out who the key people were in Dubai in my niche markets and set up meetings. This resulted in immediate bookings after I met with them – TIP – build your exposure and brand in your specialist niche and let people know who you are and how you can help them.
5 - Talk to everyone – On the aircraft from London to Dubai, I spoke to the lady sitting next to me and discovered that her husband is one of the top consultants in a large International Financial Services Company. By the time we reached Dubai she had given me the key contact people and after a couple of calls I will now be meeting with them on my next trip. – TIP – Speak to everybody

6- Ask for referrals – I ask everyone that I meet with for referrals. When I met up with a large bureau/training organisation, I had a great appointment and by the end, discovered that this organisation is one of the largest in the world and I was referred to the head of the Singapore operation which looks after Asia who I will be contacting next week. – TIP – always ask for referrals if your appointment goes well and you can show them how you can contribute to their organisation.

So there it is, from this two week trip I am organising talks into the first quarter of next year and have secured numerous other speaking assignments this year. We always have to be marketing. If you are not a film star or have written a genuine best seller, the phone won’t be ringing unless you make it.

Take a look at 'How to Find New Business for Speakers

Public Speaking and Sales Tips by Frank Furness

Public Speaking and Sales Tips by Frank Furness: "We all know how difficult it is to find new clients. When we have them as clients we have to do everything we can to keep them and provide them with great customer service.
What we need to do is develop a 10 touch plan so that we can be in contact with them at least ten times a year.
Often we think that we have sold them our product or service and they won’t need us again. There is always going to be staff turnover, executives leaving the organisation and joining other companies and as long as we stay in touch, more business will follow."

Public Speaking and Sales Tips by Frank Furness

Technology - Marketing with Newsletters

We all know how difficult it is to find new clients. When we have them as clients we have to do everything we can to keep them and provide them with great customer service.
What we need to do is develop a 10 touch plan so that we can be in contact with them at least ten times a year.
Often we think that we have sold them our product or service and they won’t need us again. There is always going to be staff turnover, executives leaving the organisation and joining other companies and as long as we stay in touch, more business will follow.
I recently returned from speaking in Sydney and this was as a result of a CEO selling his company in the UK and taking a senior position in Australia. By staying in touch he hired me to speak at the company in Australia.
So we either have to be with them face to face, on the telephone, by email, or the easiest way to keep in contact is by newsletter.
I like to produce the electronic newsletter as the costs are minimal and I can see all the statistics of how many people open the newsletter, unsubscribe or link through to the website. (I’ve always been driven by ratios; I feel they are so important in selling).
Publishing a newsletter is a cost effective way to build your loyal customer base. You keep your clients updated about your business, latest offerings, as well as new products and services. It keeps you and your business visible.
Good information gets distributed. So, a newsletter is a means of viral marketing, your clients will pass it on to their clients and before you know it the telephone will be ringing from new clients that you never even knew existed. When I sent out my first newsletter, I received a call the next day from someone who had been forwarded my newsletter and this resulted in a number of talks and training days with that company.

Here are some tips for producing your newsletter:

Always ensure that you have a main article that provides information that your readers will find valuable. Your articles form the body of your newsletter. They should be informative and arouse the interests of your readers. Articles should be well written, and checked for spelling and grammatical errors. Your readers will be appreciative of the fact that you have given much thought and preparation to your articles. I always try to add value with good practical information.

Keep abreast with the current developments of your field. Your readers want to know what is new and what is hot.

Within your Ezine, throw in links to related articles that you have written or been featured in when appropriate.

Offer testimonials from satisfied clients.

Give real life examples and show how you’ve helped clients.

Case studies always position you as the expert in your readers’ minds more than you coming out and saying so.

Jot down eight questions your clients have asked you in the past

Answer each one in a short article, as there may be many other clients who have the same questions in mind.

If you have been to any industry conference workshops or seminars where you’ve picked up some helpful hints, share these with your readers.

Recommend books or resources and offer reviews on some of these books. By the way, take a look at my new list of recommended books at http://tinyurl.com/s6j 67

I have produced a short video to demonstrate how I develop my newsletter each month, take a look at http://tinyurl.com/fz wr6
As you can see, I use constant Contact for my electronic newsletter and find them to be terrific, take a look at their site and try them for free at http://tinyurl.com/on msy
Try Constant Contact

Client Based Selling

Do you sell to clients the way they buy, or the way you want to sell? We know that people like to do business with people that they like, trust and feel comfortable with. People like to buy from people similar to themselves. One of the most powerful courses I attended many years ago was one about dealing with different personalities and being able to adapt your selling style to suit the client’s way of buying.
It made me realise that everyone is different; there is no wrong or right personality style, people are just different and as great salespeople we have to have great versatility to recognise their style immediately and adapt ourselves to make it easy for the clients to want to do business with us.
There are many styles and sub styles, but I am just going to highlight the four major styles over the next for issues of the newsletter, see if you can recognise your clients that fit the profile or indeed which style you are. This month we take a look at the task focused buyer:
Task Focussed buyers

STRENGTHS
Determined
Assertive
Efficient
Decisive
Thorough

WEAKNESSES
Pushy
Severe
Tough-minded
Dominating
Harsh

BUSINESS ATMOSPHERE
Wants to reach a decision quickly
No small talk
No time wasting

WHERE YOU FIND THEM
Decision Makers
Directors
Management
Politicians
Self-employed business owners

OFFICE
Efficient
Picture to fit office, Awards (no posters or slogans)
Desk may be packed with work materials
Desk used as a barrier

ATMOSPHERE
Businesslike

PRIORITIES
Disciplined - Wants effectiveness and efficiency

YOUR PRODUCT
What your product can do

PROBLEM SOLVING
Support their ideas
How to win them over
Impress them by: Getting to the point
Ask questions that: Are relevant
Support their: Actions
Demonstrate your: Experience
Make benefits: Tangible & concrete
Show commitment by: Getting things done
Be impressed by their: Strength
Best close: Be direct

More in the next issues on how to deal with other types of buyers.
Take a listen to a cut on Client Based Selling

Public Speaking and Sales Tips by Frank Furness

Public Speaking and Sales Tips by Frank Furness: "Well, she has done it, Candice has completed her five kilometre run for Beating Bowel Cancer in her best time. Can you imagine 22,000 people in Hyde Park and my wife doing so well, I’m incredibly proud of her, last year this time she was having chemo and radio therapy every day for five weeks and we never imagined that a year later she would be fit and healthy and running five kilometres. A huge thank you to everyone who sponsored her and helped her to reach over 200% of her target, we really do appreciate it."

September News

Well, she has done it, Candice has completed her five kilometre run for Beating Bowel Cancer in her best time. Can you imagine 22,000 people in Hyde Park and my wife doing so well, I’m incredibly proud of her, last year this time she was having chemo and radio therapy every day for five weeks and we never imagined that a year later she would be fit and healthy and running five kilometres. A huge thank you to everyone who sponsored her and helped her to reach over 200% of her target, we really do appreciate it.
I’m sitting on an Air India flight writing this, just returning from two weeks away, one in Dubai and one in India, so I’m looking forward to getting back home and going to gym to shed the excess belly and one of my three chins from all the fantastic food I have been eating.
Dubai was terrific as usual and I managed to get in ten marketing appointments while I was out there speaking. I had two speaking engagements in India, the Life Insurance Round Table convention in Cochin and Entrepreneurs Organisation in Chennai. This was the second time I have spoken for LIRT and I have to say that the Indian audiences are by far the best audiences I have ever addressed. I made so many new friends and if you ever want an excellent vacation, try Cochin (called God’s own country). We stayed at the La Meridien (one of my favourite chains) and as usual, the service was excellent. My room had a large balcony with a view of the pool and the backwaters (river), it truly is one of the most beautiful views you can imagine.
When I was a financial consultant, I was fortunate enough to see a legend speaking at a convention in South Africa, Mehdi Fakharzadeh. As a young man he moved from Iran to the USA and became one of the insurance industry’s top producers and speakers. In India I was thrilled when I heard that I would be sharing the stage with him. Spending four days with him gave me an insight into this incredible man, who at the age of 85 is still one of the best speakers I have seen. On top of that, only having four months a year left to sell (he travels all over the world speaking), he is still number one at Metropolitan Life and has been for years. Mehdi is one of those special people who touch everyone’s life that he comes into contact with. For all his fame, he has incredible humility, genuinely compliments everyone and has a knack of making everyone feel special after speaking with him. It was truly refreshing to watch and learn from him. Take a look at my interview with him).
I them flew to Chennai (was Madras) where I spoke to the Young Entrepreneurs Organisation. What a fantastic group of people, the average age was 32 and all have hugely successful companies. They treated me so well and I have to say took me to some of the best restaurants I have ever been to. The South Indian food is very much coconut based and absolutely delicious.
I am spending so much time on aircraft and in airports, that I am now tipping Candice every time she makes me a meal.
Product creation is going well and my new product, the 15 CD set called Sales Strategies for Financial Advisors sold out immediately on the pre launch. More in the newsletter on the special offer for anyone who is a financial advisor. My new Ebook ‘How to Create and Market Products’ is almost complete and should be launched soon, and once again will be an overload of information on how to create multiple sources of income Take a look at my interview with Mehdi

Monday, August 14, 2006

Sales and Technology - The Vital Connection

What are you doing today that is better and different to your competitors? How do you find and attract new clients? If you are not doing anything that differentiates you from the competition, you could be losing out on a huge amount of potential business.
One of the easiest methods to differentiate your practice/organisation is to embrace technology. It is easy and can save you time, money and headaches. Let's take a look at the latest technology and what it can do for you:

Digital Recorders - are now tiny and can store up to 44 hours of professional recording. Once you have completed a meeting with a client, dictate the notes into the recorder connect it to your computer and download the sound file. This can then be used as a dictating machine and the information typed or prior to your next meeting with this client, just take a listen to the recording on your computer. I have also used the digital recorder to record client testimonials and put these on my website, record interviews with business leaders on leadership and entrepreneurship and shared these with my existing clients and recorded my new book for transcription.

Voice Recognition - I first used voice recognition software 5 years ago and with my accent, I would dictate in English and it would transcribe in gobbledygook. Now with the latest recognition (Dragon 8 Professional) I can put on my headset, speak at a fast pace and it will type automatically into Microsoft word at about 95% accuracy. The biggest secret with voice recognition is that you need to take some tome to train the software to your accent and jargon. You can even use it to answer your email. Best of all, you can link your digital recorder with the voice recognition. Imagine dictating into your digital recorder, linking to your computer and then just sitting back watching as the recorder downloads the sound files. This automatically links with the voice recognition, opens it and transcribes into word. How much time and money could you save (don't let your secretary read this)
You now have the time for that extra game of golf (called marketing)

Card scanners - We all need to be constantly attending networking meetings to meet new potential clients. We normally return with a mountain of business cards that we hope to input into the database but never get around to doing. The latest Cardscanners are tiny and can scan with 100% accuracy and then export to outlook or whatever database you use. The secret with networking is to get in touch with these new contacts as soon as possible. Take a look at http://www.businesscardscanner.co.uk/

Ezines - Develop a 10 touch plan for all your existing clients (making contact at least 10 times a year). You can email, phone them, meet face to face or the easiest way is to have a newsletter. Whether it is a hard copy or online newsletter, this is a great way to keep in touch. I use www.constantcontact.com to produce my online newsletter. It comes with templates and is simple enough for anyone to use. It also gives me exact statistics on who opens the mail, unsubscribes (no more free lunches for them) the click through rate to my website and plenty more.

Marketing with Articles - The easiest and most inexpensive method to get, expose and build your brand is by marketing with articles. We're living in the information age and everyone is looking for free information on the internet. How much free information are you putting on your website to attract potential clients (you must encourage them to sign up for your Ezine when they download the information). You can also submit these articles to article directories (Contact me at frank@frankfurness.com for information on software programmes that can automate this for you). When people download them and put these onto their sites, this now creates links back to your website which in turn ranks higher on the search engines.

Headlines - How do you convert casual readers of your marketing brochures and websites without pulling your hair out with the time-sucking chore of producing a winning headline? I discovered a great piece of software that automates the process for you, take a look at http://www.headlinecreator.co.uk
The easiest way to use technology wisely is to make use of the useful software at our disposal.

Websites - Gone are the days when websites were about flashing logos and animations. Of course, good design still counts for a lot, but good design is really about making your site easy and effective, a standard tool for increasing your business, improving service and reducing costs. Flash movies, cute though they are, hardly achieve this. I have found from experience that there are three different types of people involved with developing websites - the first can design efficient and effective good looking sites - the second has marketing experience and can turn the website into a marketing mechanism to attract new clients and the third knows how to get your website seen. Rarely is it the same person that can do all of these. You can have the best website in the world, but if no-one sees it you are just throwing away money.
Also, remember to make it easy for people to contact you so that within two clicks they can get any information they need.

Blogs - What are these weird things called blogs? A Blog or Web LOG is a journal kept on the internet. This journal is often updated daily and contains all information that the person maintaining the BLOG (Blogger) wishes to share with the world. Also applies to websites dedicated to a particular topic and being updated with the latest news, views and trends. This is perfect for any professional practice. Set up your own blog for free at http://www.blogger.com

Videomail - How would you like it if you have a meeting with an important client and can send him an immediate email with a small video thanking him for the meeting or highlighting what was covered? Once again, with no technology experience anyone can do this in minutes. Remember, in this information age clients appreciate instant response and something that differentiates you from your competitors. I address and consult with CEOs in 47 countries and they like to do business with innovative, forward thinking partners.

Video and Audio on the web - there is so much software that allows almost anyone to add audio and video to websites. My favourite is a piece of software called Camtasia.
Teaching and demonstrating visually is much more powerful than using words alone. But, getting the right group of people together for a training or demonstration can be expensive and inconvenient.
Camtasia Studio lets you easily create compelling training and presentations for Web and CD-ROM delivery and you can do it without ever leaving your office. It is the only product versatile enough to record live PowerPoint presentations, personalized technical training sessions, and rich software demonstrations.
Just think of all the applications:
Explaining how to complete a difficult form or paperwork
Demonstrating your latest products or services
A live PowerPoint recording with voice (at least you can hit the stop button if this is too boring)
Having a Frequently Asked Questions section of your website where clients can watch videos of complicated questions....and plenty more

CD Brochures - What happens when you get sent a brochure? I know that 90% of the time mine goes straight into the bin and some company has spent thousands producing these. What about rather sending an interactive CD to clients which could include:
Video
Audio
Testimonials
Brochures
Contracts (and videos to explain how to complete them)
Meet the team
Client List (and plenty more)
These cost less than full colour brochures and normally will be passed from person to person to watch. We're living in a multimedia society, so give clients the choice.

Infomercials - A couple of years ago, it would cost a small fortune to go to television studios to make a professional infomercial. Now you can use software like 'Serious Magic' to produce professional infomercials at your office for minimal cost. When could you use these:
To explain the implications of the budget
Inheritance tax Planning (and the list continues)
I send my Ezine subscribers a short 30 second marketing video mail each week using this software. It differentiates me from my competitors and adds value.

Teleseminars and webinars - How about having a teleseminar or webinars for your clients once a quarter. They dial a number that you send them in advance and you can then present a one hour teleseminar from the comfort of your office and they can phone in from anywhere. You can even have a Q & A session at the end of the seminar, once again adding value. Your clients can choose whether to partake or not.

Free International Telephoning - If you are using broadband, you can download www.skype.com which will allow you to telephone anyone else with broadband anywhere in the world for FREE (I love that word). You can also have a conference call with three other people. I recently conducted a conference call for two hours from my office in London with CEOs in Dubai, Indonesia and Hong Kong, all for free. Calls can also be recorded. Even better, if you both have a webcam you can also see each other.

Resources - Take a look at my resources page with free downloads, videos and Ebooks that demonstrate some of the concepts that I have covered in the article at http://www.motivational-speaker.co.uk/resources/

Frank Furness CSP CFP is an International Speaker and Trainer specialising in Sales & Technology. To book Frank for your next conference or training, find out more about his sales and technology seminars or to sign up for his free newsletter, please email frank@frankfurness.com or phone 44 (0) 1923 248200, Skype frankfurness. www.frankfurness.com