Incredible Seminar

Today I had an incredible seminar. I had the Seminar at the Joan A. Male Family Support Center. Before going I had asked what the main concern would possibly be that I might want to discuss during the seminar on self-defense. The main concern was that most of the workers were needing to go into neighborhoods that weren't always safe.

I will post the comments that I received today on my other blog Seminar Comments

I addressed that concern through 1) being aware of ones environment, 2) listening to the inner voice, 3)de-escalating a situation, 4) planning an alternative means by which they visited their clients, 5) basic physical self defense moves, 6)teaching them that they had the right to defend themselves and never to give up.

Today was a great networking seminar also. One of the participants is going to call me to set up another seminar to give to a group of teen age girls. The director also spoke to me about a larger organization that their organization is a part of. She told me that when I was ready to sell my seminars that I should tell her because that larger organization pays for presenters to give seminars on a number of topics. She told me that I should keep in contact with her about the future seminar topics so she could tell the other organization---she would sell me to them.

How do you get business?

Most days that I am not giving seminars or working, I am calling businesses and offering them a free seminar. Angela Dayton, a very successful women business owner, suggested that I give 10-15 free seminars before I start charging people. I am fairly an unknown speak at this point, so Angela told me to be a known speaker I need to get out and show people what I'm made of---make a name for myself.

After giving my first seminar one of the other presenters that day asked me for my business information because she was interested in getting me to give a seminar at her place of business. She gave me her information also. This is what people call networking. After the seminar I called the other presenter and offered the same seminar to her company, which she was very pleased with. I sent her an outline so she could get it okayed with her company.

When any one requests information about this seminar I send out an email that outlines the basics of the seminar along with my background. When the women saw my back ground she invited me to come to her office and gave my resume to her boss. They asked me to fill out an application for an adjunct instructor. I filled out the application and there is probably going to be a position come open in April that I will take.

So the first seminar was very good for me for a number of different reasons; 1) I gave an excellent presentation and feel that I was able to empower a group of women that are vulnerable, 2) I was requested back in May to give a follow up seminar, 3) I networked and got another seminar day scheduled, 4) I may be working as an adjunct instructor at a good college where I maybe able to network more.

I am grateful for the wonderful guidance from Angela Dayton. I believe that I will be able to succeed due to her guidance as well as doing my part. My part? Calling, making appointments, following up, networking, and giving great seminars (always reflecting after each one).