I forget where I learned it, probably from Dan Kennedy or someone in his orbit, but it has stuck with me. If you want to build something start with the sales letter. It doesn't matter if it is a product, a course, a book, or a workshop, write the sales letter first and make it as impactful and enticing as you can. This then becomes the blueprint for what you will build. -Especially if people respond well to the sales letter. I started this community with the goal of eventually building it up into something more, but initially it was to help the 14 speakers I was coaching for TEDxUoWaikato. Now that the TEDx event is done, I can get back to building this community. And I have written my sales letter. The community hasn't yet got all these things, but as I say it is the blueprint, so if the response is right I will build them. I am keen to see what your reaction to it is, so have a read and leave a comment: ----------------------------------------- WARNING: Do You Make This "Empty Room" Mistake When You Try to Change Minds? Your message is everything. It’s your legacy. It’s the seed of the change you want to see in this world. You’ve spent nights staring at the ceiling, your talk or pitch playing on a loop in your mind. You know it could be powerful. You know it could move people. So you practice. In the shower. In the car. You deliver your brilliant talk to the most critical audience imaginable: yourself. And it falls flat. It feels… hollow. Why? Because you’re practising in an empty room. There’s no feedback. No friction. No unexpected question from the back row that makes you see your own idea in a new light. No diverse perspective that sharpens your blunt argument into a razor-sharp point. You are trying to become a compelling communicator in a vacuum. And it’s killing your impact. Stop it. What If You Had a "Private Sounding Board" of Unlikely Allies and Cheerleaders? Imagine this: You’re workshopping your TEDx talk about sustainable aquaculture. In the room (the virtual room, that is) you have:

The Hamilton event was a spectacular success tonight. I was proud of all the speakers and the work your had obviously put in. In fact I was most impressed with a comment from Raymond who was in the audience. I have attended perhaps a dozen TEDx events that I have not been involved in organising, Raymond has attended at least twice that number and has always been a straight shooter in his feedback. After the event he said he turned up expecting an academic performance, and was pleased to find that this was a TEDx performance from every speaker! I take that as high praise! Not a lecture in sight! 😃 Well done everyone! I am looking forward to Tauranga on Thursday. 😎

If so, I have a favour to ask. (Not right now 😉). Please comment if you would be willing to have a Zoom with me and answer some questions about your experience going through the TEDx training with me. For example, I have included a video that I made with Lizzie about the pitching work I did with the Kokiri Startup Accelerator. Don't worry, you won't just be talking into a camera. It is a Zoom call where we will have a chat, and you will answer a few questions, and I will edit it later into a testimonial video. If you are up for it, please comment below, and we can arrange a time after the TEDx Events are done. Thanks! 😃

Updates on a couple of questions asked. Time in the Concert Chamber for Speakers: - Thursday morning this week is clear and speakers are welcome to drop in. The stage will not be set (as it's vocal exams happening this week) but the team can do a basic stage wash and face-light to give them a sense of being 'under lights'. Rehearsals: - Dress Rehearsals will be from 1pm on the day of the event and we will also be doing photography during this session (as we did last year). This is the same for both Hamilton and Tauranga. Each speaker will do a full run-through, but be aware that stage set up and lighting/audio will be tested and adjusted throughout. Also be sure to send me any slides you need this week.