If you are an author or a speaker, you should have a strategy. Both industries are very competitive. And, unless you manage to stay head and shoulders above your competition, you, as they say, are a “nobody” in the marketplace.

Toward that end, there are some basic questions you should ask yourself (or have someone else ask you) that, once answered, give you a clearer direction of where you are headed. They can also serve to position you as a thought leader in the mind of decision makers.

Some of these questions might seem impertinent, unusual or downright annoying. But there is a reason why you should not let another minute go by without getting started answering them. Here we go:

What?

1. Products & services are you selling? Do you know? Is it a “me too” product? Or does it disrupt the industry in a positive way?
2. Makes you truly unique? Why should media planners hire you or readers invest their valuable time reading your book?
3. Hard cover publications do you think your audience reads?
4. Would be the ideal gig for you? Who would be in the audience? How large an audience would it be? What would you like to happen after you speak? A. Immediately B. Over the long run
5. Marketing materials do you have? This should go without saying but, Do they cast you in a favorable light? Are the materials professional? For example, if you have video, make sure it is in a modern format (that means don’t give someone a cassette audiotape or VHS videotape in this day and age).
6. Specifically makes you unique?
7. Are some of the conferences you attended in the past? Would you still enjoy attending them if you could?

Why…?

1. Should meeting planners hire you?
2. Should someone buy your product/service?

Although, in general one drug may stand out compared to the other based on the qualities/parameters presented, the final positive indicator would still be how these drugs would react to one’s body when taken in. robertrobb.com generic cialis without prescription Men around the world are increased their demands for purchasing Kamagra online. You are not less than a man and a woman talk about ED openly so that they can implement an appropriate solution. cheap cialis professional Without sexual excitement, the drug generic viagra discount is inactive and you won’t get benefitted with it. Today, Ayurved Research Foundation canadian cialis no prescription is a leading manufacturer and exporter of versatile herbal products and see what each has to offer.

3. Specifically should they buy from YOU?
4. Should they buy your product or service at your PRICE?
5. Should they buy your product or service NOW?

Who?

1. Is your Target Market?

Where?

1. Do you suppose they hang out? A. Physically B. Online

Additional Questions

1. Are you open to media appearances? You may say “Of course,” but have you been trained in dealing with the press? They can be brutal and make you look real bad if you aren’t sure what you’re doing or who you are speaking to. Believe it or not, they might lead you to believe they are going to ask you about one thing and then while you are on the air in front of millions of people, put you on the spot and ask you about something else. As you could imagine, it could be devastating for your career as well as your confidence.
2. Would you say the attendees of those shows are in your Target Market?
3. I know you say you would do keynote speeches… Would you also consider doing break-out sessions?
4. Are you checking out your local convention center (if you have one) to see what conferences are coming up in the future? Perhaps you can speak at the conference (or be available as a substitute in the event that a speaker doesn’t show up). Wally Pipp of the New York Yankees once missed a game at first base. The person who replaced him became a legend. Known as The Iron Horse. Lou Gehrig played in 2130 straight games.

What’s your strategy? Do you have one? If not, you might want to start thinking one through by asking yourself these questions.