Mission Accomplished – Networking for A Bold, Audacious, Powerful Woman

Posted on August 10, 2015 by MarleneMB

The phone rang and I glanced over to see who was interrupting my busy day. It was Dawnna St. Louis, one of my mentors. I happily took her call because she always has nuggets of wisdom to share. This time it was different. It was a business offer.

Dawnna asked if I wanted to go with her to New Orleans to the Promotional Products Association International Women Leadership Conference. She was the closing keynote speaker. She wanted me to network for her during the conference. I would intermingle with the attendees, share information about Dawnna, and collect information that the attendees want to learn. Our mission was to secure at least two solid speaking engagements for Dawnna after the conference.

Of course I said “Yes.” Someone is going to fly me out to New Orleans, pay for my hotel, air and for what I love doing: networking and meeting new people? Absolutely, I was going.

The first night of the conference we attended the welcoming cocktail party. While Dawnna chatted with one of the other speakers, I floated around to meet the women. These women were quite friendly and welcomed me into their circle. I told them that I worked with Dawnna and she wanted to know what it is that they wanted to learn at the conference. Dawnna’s desired to ensure she delivered the most impactful speech and teach them “The Audacious Acts of Powerful Women Leaders,” her keynote speech title.

The workshops and networking sessions started on Monday and concluded on Wednesday with Dawnna’s keynote speech. Throughout that time, I mingled with the attendees. As I learned about the women’s interests and career concerns, I shared the information with Dawnna. She incorporated this information in her speech to make it more effective for the audience. I also told the women they shouldn’t miss Dawnna’s speech. She would be sharing valuable tips for them to be more successful in their industry. I informed these women that Dawnna was one of my mentors that have given me the confidence to start and grow my business.

By the time Dawnna to take the stage, the women’s expectation and curiosity had grown. Dawnna entered the room with a lot of energy, boldness and music playing to engage the audience. She threw out a challenge for four of them to get up on stage; if they thought they were audacious enough. The room exploded with excitement. The women rushed to the stage. I was in position to allow only four of them on stage. These women overcame whatever shyness they had and performed whatever acts Dawnna asked of them up on that stage. Here is an image of them having fun and the audience laughing along with them.

Next Dawnna shared her powerful story about going from being homeless to being the CIO of a multi-million-dollar company. She shared the challenges she faced in a male-dominated industry. This story resonated with the audience. Next she taught them how they can use audacious acts to become powerful women leaders in their careers. Finally, she concluded with questions from the audience that gave them an opportunity to get answers to burning questions they had. The event was a great success!

Here are things I learned from networking for Dawnna:

Care about what the audience needs/wants and not what you think they want to know.
Take the time to get to know them by listening more and talking less.
Be open and genuine when you approach them, you will be accepted more readily.
Offer to be of assistance to the event organizer. This goes a long way in getting access to your audience.
It is not about you, the networker, it is about the person your are networking for and his/her audience.
Perform your best for your client by going the extra mile.

The organizer requested that Dawnna and I attend the final dinner party in order for the women to speak with Dawnna in an informal setting. At the event, some of the women chatted with Dawnna while I got testimonials from the others on a cell phone. They were too happy to share that they thought Dawnna was the best speaker at the conference. They also told Dawnna what I great job I did for her. Our goal was to secure two new speaking engagements after the conference. We secured five! Mission Accomplished!

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Thank you for reading my post. Please hit the “follow” button at the top of the page to allow me to share more Purposeful thoughts, ideas and experiences with you. Feel free to leave a comment or share the article with others.

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Marlene M. Bryan is a Distinguished Toastmaster, DTM. She is a certified speaker and leader by Toastmasters International. She is currently the District 47 Public Relations Officer, and leader of the Public Relations Team. She provides her services to over 3800 members throughout the district. Marlene is the owner of Marlene M. Bryan, Corp and Small Biz Evolution, LLC. She is a Speaker, an Author and a Business Coach.

Magic in Manhattan

Posted on June 18, 2015 by MarleneMB

Buckets of rain kept pouring down as we drove through the streets of Manhattan. My nephew maneuvered in and around the traffic to get me to my book signing event at Sister’s Uptown Bookstore. He was determined to get me there on-time for my “Special Event” as he called it.

The torrential rain was just another obstacle I had to face on Tuesday. The day started with me arriving at the airport only to be told that my flight. This was cancelled due to some difficulties at the arriving airport. My heart almost stopped! I told the valet that there is no way I will miss getting to New York that day. I had my book signing after all. He instructed me to go to the main reservation desk.

Wheeling my bags frantically and praying unceasingly, I found one of the JetBlue personnel who directed me to the front of a line. She told me someone would be able to help me. When I approached the counter the young man said there is a seat available at the same time to JFK instead of Westchester, my original destination. I told him I would take it. A little over an hour later I was on my way to New York.

Knowing that I made it to NYC on-time gave me the strength I needed to be optimistic that folks will turn out for the book signing despite the rain. This faith proved to be true. When we walked into the store, I was greeted by one of my sorority sisters. She came all the way from Sheepshead Bay to support me. This was more than an hours ride on the train.

Not long after, others turned out for the event. My heart was filled with joy as my friends and family came out to support me. I saw folks I hadn’t seen in years, including my brother that lives in the United Kingdom. This will be one of my favorite moments in this journey called “Life!”

If you are faced with obstacles today, here is what I recommend:

Don’t give up.
Take a deep breath and believe that it will work out.
Have faith in yourself that you are strong enough to handle it.
Enlist the aid of others that will take some of the burden off you.
Push forward and see the magic unfold.

It was a thrill to be able to conduct one of my book signing in one of the few books stores left in Harlem. I am so grateful to the owner, Jenifar (I even like the way she spells her name), and her assistant in being such wonderful hosts. If you are in Harlem, check them out at 1942 Amsterdam Ave. They were a part of my Magic in Manhattan.

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So You Want to Be a Paid Speaker – Get the Blueprint

Posted on June 3, 2015 by MarleneMB

After delivering a speech, oftentimes some people will approach me about doing what I do. That is public speaking. When they tell me that they are interested in becoming a public speaker, I often ask: “What is your message?” “Do you know the group that will be willing to listen to your message?” “Do you know how to market yourself?” “Do you know how to put a value on the delivery of your message?”

The responses may vary from: the deer in the headlights look, to some attempt at explaining how they can deliver any topic to any audience. This usually indicates to me that they have not done their homework and may be in for a rude awakening.

The speaking business is just that: a business. Some people may view it as something simple to do. It is not. If you do not have a plan, you will experience more failure than success. It is not an easy business to get going. But if you learn what to do and act on it, it can become a great business.

1) First, start with defining your message. If you say you can talk about any subject. You are wrong. If you are not an expert in a particular area or have no experience in some areas, you will not be a credible speaker. You don’t want to get in front of an audience and flop.

2) Define your target audience. Not everyone is going to listen to your message. Nor should you try to speak with everyone about your message. Be smart about it. Find your target audience and spend time speaking in front of them to get the most results.

3) Identify how you would deliver your messages to your audience. Is it through books, webinars, DVDs, online videos, workshops, etc. Learning the different methods and media to reach your audience is important.

4) What is your rate? I find that most people don’t know how to put a price value on the delivery of their messages…Really this is the price value of yourself! What experience do you have? How long did it take you to get it? How much will someone pay you for it? These are just a few of the questions that one has to determine to really put a true value on your intellectual property/knowledge.

Becoming a successful Public Speaker takes some work. One of my mentors, Dawnna St. Louis, will be conducting a workshop, The Platform Expert’s Speakers Mastermind Class, on June 13, 2015 (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) at the Hampton Inn located at 1900 NW 150th Ave, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33028. You can link to register here: http://theplatformexpert.com/.

Here is some of what she will be covering:

Pick Your Profitable Topic
Position Yourself in the market for big money
Build multiple streams of income while you sleep
Market yourself Powerfully and Profitably
Break 6 figures in the first year
Set your speaking fees and earn more than you expected
Create Books and Publications your audience crave
And much more!

If you truly want to be a Paid Public Speaker, sign up to learn from Dawnna. I certainly did.

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You Are Worth It!

Posted on May 11, 2015 by MarleneMB

“People are always asking me to help them, but I don’t know how much to charge.” Does this sound familiar?

You have the knowledge. You have the experience. Yet, when someone asks you to help them on a project or take them on as a client, you don’t know what to charge. You become frustrated and either don’t charge and you do the work for free. Or you don’t do it at all.

This seems to be a common occurrence for people who want to start their own business. At first, I encountered this issue when I started my speaking business. Then I went back to my experience as a product manager when I had to develop products. Here are some of the steps I took to set the product or service rates:

Benefit and Value: I had to think about the benefit to the client and whether are not they will see the value of the product. If the client cannot see how the item or service will benefit him or her, they will have a hard time understanding its value.
Cost: I had to determine the cost of providing the product. Think about the raw material, the manufacturing and shipping costs; if it’s a tangible product. Or if you are offering your service, assess the time it takes to offer that service. This includes the time for researching, writing, etc. Your time is valuable.
Competition: What are others charging for the same item or service in your marketplace. Keep in mind that the rate sometimes vary by region. You don’t want to be the most expensive in the area unless you can demonstrate that your product or service can command that rate. Yet don’t be the cheapest on the block. Your clients may not appreciate you; if you cheapen yourself. Your product or service becomes a commodity at that point. This lessens its value.
Return on Investment (ROI): When you present your product or service, you have to learn to show the client, his or her return on investing in it and in you. Show your clients the outcome of utilizing your product or service. Give them the before and after picture. This will help them in their purchasing decision. Make it a compelling one that leaves them without doubts that it’s best to sign up with you.
Value Your Knowledge: If you don’t value your knowledge how would you expect someone else to do so? Value what you know and keep building on what you know. By keeping up-to-date you increase your value.

Next time someone asks you to help out and they are willing to pay you, take the time to determine your worth. This person asked you, because they believe you have something that they need. Set the rate and value. Know that You are Worth It!

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Marlene M. Bryan is a Distinguished Toastmaster, DTM. She is a certified speaker and leader by Toastmasters International. She is currently the District 47 Public Relations Officer, and leader of the Public Relations Team. She provides her services to over 3800 members throughout the district. Marlene is the owner of Marlene M. Bryan, Corp and Small Biz Evolution, LLC. She is a speaker, an author, and a coach. Pick up the latest copy of her book:

Live a Diamond Life, A Life of Purpose: Diamond Cutters

3 Lessons I Learned About Leadership at the Toastmasters District 47 Conference

Posted on April 28, 2015 by MarleneMB

He stood up before a room filled with over 200 of his Toastmasters peers. With confidence in his voice, he made his pitch to us, the leaders within the District. Elvis shared why we should vote for him as the new Division F Director. He only had two minutes to convince us to trust him with this important position to oversee over 400 people in Division F.

After Elvis’ well outlined speech, he sat down to listen to his opponent do the same. Once they were both done, the District Governor gave the go ahead for the leaders to cast their ballots. The ballot count took about 20 minutes to complete. During this time, the candidates sat nervously awaiting their fate. The election official came in and handed the results to the District Governor.

The winner was announced. Elvis had successful won over the confidence of his peers to entrust the role of Division F Director. A loud cheer went out across the audience. The emotion on his face said it all. This victory was a sweet one for him.

This was not Elvis’ first attempt in his pursuit for the Division leadership role. It was his third! His first attempt was a bruiser. He lost handily to his opponent. In my observation, Elvis was a young leader in his Toastmasters career. The group of leaders felt he had more to learn. Normally, a lot of folks would walk away dejected by this defeat.

Not Elvis, he came back the second year. Again he was defeated. I believe this time his speech was not a winning one. Elvis did not logically state his case: what did he learn in the previous year as a leader, or how he intend to help his Division grow. His opponent did and she won.

Instead of going to the corner and licking his wounds, Elvis did something that make leaders great. He went back to the drawing board. Here are some of the things that I learned from observing Elvis:

Reflect: Elvis took time to reflect on what went wrong. He reflected on what actions he needed to take to demonstrate his commitment to the organization and to improve his leadership skills.
Refresh: Elvis refreshed his attitude and volunteered to be one of the District’s Club Coaches. He went around the division assisting clubs that were struggling in membership growth or needed guidance in conducting successful meetings for their members.
Resilience: Elvis did not give up. He knew he had it in him to be a leader over his Division. He did not quit when he experienced two losses. Instead he committed himself to prove to the District Leaders that he was deserving of their trust.

Some of the greatest leaders known have faced defeat in one form or another. Yet they did not give up. They reflected, refreshed and were resilient. Elvis’ journey to the Division F Director position reminded me of these three points. This was one of the most memorable leadership moment for me that I had to share it with you all.

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Marlene M. Bryan is a Distinguished Toastmaster, DTM. She is a certified speaker and leader by Toastmasters International. She is currently the District 47 Public Relations Officer, and leader of the Public Relations Team. She provides her services to over 3800 members throughout the district. Marlene is the owner of Marlene M. Bryan, Corp and Small Biz Evolution, LLC. She is a speaker, an author, and a coach. Pick up the latest copy of her book:

Live a Diamond Life, A Life of Purpose: Diamond Cutters