At the recent PRSA Conference in Washington DC there were over 30 sessions on Social Media.

I was intrigued to hear what the PR professionals at the conference thought of the impact of social media on public relations, so I asked a random collection of people I met in the halls what the thought.

Take a listen to what they told me by clicking on the podcast icon below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 6:19 — 1.5MB)

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At the resent PRSA Conference in Washington DC I attended a presentation by James Walker on Diversity and Social Media. He’s a Gen-Y Communications professional interested in Public Relations, Diversity, Marketing and Social Media. In 2010, James combined two major interests to launch Socially Diverse , a six month online journey seeking out diverse conversations, discussion leaders and ways to connect through social media channels.

Socially Diverse: Engaging With Diverse Communities Online

Embark on a journey through social media — both the blogosphere and social networks. Explore the findings of the presenter’s six-month journey through social media, during which he engaged with active members from several online communities. Gain understanding of how to identify, analyze and engage with active participants of diverse communities and social interactions, and also learn how to create a social media home base from which all online activities can operate. Find out how to create a sustained online presence, and continue to develop relationships. The knowledge and insight gained from this session will prove invaluable as you move through the process of brainstorming, pitching and execution.

Following the talk I asked James to share some insights on diversity in social media. To hear what he told me, click on the podcast icon below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 6:19 — 1.5MB)

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Thursday evening at the Silicon Valley Computer History Museum saw the launch of Nancy Duarte’s new book Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences.

A couple of hundred guests celebrated a book that author Garr Reynolds says “takes you on a beautiful journey illustrating how to construct and deliver the kind of presentations that are truly remarkable, memorable … and may even change the world.”

Hear what some of the guests had to say by clicking on the podcast icon below.

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Harold Lustig is the Founder and CEO of the California Estate and Elder Planning Center and Managing Member of Lustig Financial Services LLC.

After the distressing experience of hearing his father saying he had outlived his assets, Lustig began a life-long journey to assist seniors increase income and protect their assets, enjoy a higher quality of life and reduce their tax obligations, thus leaving more wealth for their spouses, children and grandchildren. With over 30 years of financial planning experience, his focus and passion is to help seniors and their families with retirement and estate planning as well as long term care planning.

Lustig obtained a business degree in accounting and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Drexel University in Philadelphia.

Currently, he holds the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), the California Life and Health Insurance license as well as the Series 65 Investment Advisor’s License.

Lustig is the author of the first financial and estate planning book for lesbian and gay couples. The book, 4 Steps to Financial Security for Lesbian and Gay Couples was published by Random House. In the Spring of 2011, Lustig will launch his second book Naked in the Nursing Home: The Women’s Guide to Paying for Long Term HealthCare Without Going Broke.

The mission of the California Estate and Elder Planning Center is to help seniors and their families protect their lifestyle through estate planning, long-term care planning and wealth transfer. Harold works closely with an Elder Law Attorney and his wife who is an Elder Care Advocate and RN.

Pro-Track Profile

Harold is another long-time member of the Northern California Chapter of the National Speakers Association who has signed up for the Pro-Track training. To hear an update on his business and what he thinks of Pro-Track, click on the podcast icon below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 4:47 — 1.1MB)

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Diane gives talks about living with bipolar disorder. Her husband, David (profiled in this series back in March) had to overcome his own struggles with bipolar. It’s estimated that 1 in 50 people in the USA have this disorder.

It is also estimated that 20% of people with bipolar disorder will commit suicide either on purpose or by reckless behavior during depressive or manic episodes. Biploar causes more deaths than aids and most forms of cancer. Bipolar disorder is believed to be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and is treatable with many different medications.

However, medication alone is not enough to effectively control this illness. She and David share what else is necessary to live a healthy happy life in spite of having this devastating illness in their book Surviving Bipolar’s Fatal Grip – The Journey to Hell and Back.

Diane’s presentations describe her own story about living with this illness in her family and offers practical advice to others. She shares a success model and encourages the audience to use strategies such as mood tracking; getting adequate sleep; discovering their own triggers and learning how to lessen those triggers; taking their medicines at the same time every day; and other important strategies that will help them avoid depression, mania, and mixed bipolar states.

Pro-Track Profile

David and Diane are the only husband and wife team in the 2010 National Speakers Association of Northern California Pro-Track class.

I asked Diane what motivated her to get into the speaking business. To hear what she told me, click on the podcast icon below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 8:02 — 1.8MB)

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Guy Kawasaki is a Silicon Valley legend. The erstwhile Apple software evangelist, now a successful VC, has written a string of best sellers from the 1990 The MacIntosh Way to the 2009 The Art of the Start.

He’s currently working on a new book Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions. On Thursday he gave an entertaining presentation to an internal sales group at Cisco – where I’m employed in executive communications – based on his new book. From tips on how to smile with sincerity, to ways to enchant the influencers in a group, Kawasaki shared insights on ways to understand and influence change.

I caught up with him after his presentation and asked him to share something about his approach to public speaking and life as a professional speaker.

Click on the podcast icon below to hear Guy reveal:

• what he looks for in an audience to see if his message is connecting with them;
• the reason he likes speeches built around Top 10 lists;
• what he thinks of people tweeting while he’s speaking;
• what speakers can learn from The Grateful Dead.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 5:36 — 1.3MB)

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Museum artist Allison Massari found peace, purpose and happiness after overcoming two extraordinary personal tragedies. In 1998, Massari survived a near fatal 60 mph car crash where she was trapped and burned severely. Just three years later, she was hit again at 60 mph and sustained a brain injury. The level of betrayal she felt from life seemed insurmountable. She became determined to create an amazing life.

Taking a long, steep climb from ashes into recovery, she learned very clearly how to navigate her way to true healing and to a life beyond anything she could have dreamed possible. The award-winning painter and sculptor added a new medium to her inventive work—the written and spoken word. Her rededicated mission is to share her story of transformation and revitalization to activate visionary change in people and the organizations that nurture and inspire them.

Allison Massari is passionate about igniting the human spirit—the core of her message is courage, heart, happiness and redefining the impossible. “I’ve come to a place where my heart pounds with excitement instead of fear. If I could do this with my own life and under such extreme circumstances—imagine what you can do with yours.”

As a member of the National Speakers Association, Massari’s message is expertly relayed through inspirational keynotes, workshops, audio programs and coaching. Massari effectively weaves awe-inspiring stories and her compelling art images as metaphors for her most powerful insights.

Her professional career is rich with diverse achievements. In 1998 Massari founded programs for teens with severe burn injuries which continue at the Adaptive Sports Center in Crested Butte, Colorado. For over 15 years she has been creating, selling and placing fine art with international collectors and Fortune 500 clients such as General Mills, US Airways and Lockheed Martin. She holds a Masters of Arts degree from School of Visual Arts in New York City and a Bachelor of Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design. The Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, Florida displays her collage work in its permanent collection.

Look for her in the forthcoming international documentary film ReSolve—teaching solutions for those coming through post-traumatic stress.

Pro-Track Profile

Allison carefully researched the National Speakers Association of Northern California before deciding to join. It was the reputation of Pro-Track which convinced her that her already thriving speaking business would benefit from the tips and techniques she learns in the monthly meetings.

To hear Allison’s discuss her speaking business and the way in which she’s finding ways of expressing the essential messages she expressed as an artist in words, click on the podcast icon below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:58 — 938.8KB)

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Celebrated keynoter, facilitator, author and ICF-certified business leader coach, Marsha Egan is on a quest to help others save thousands of hours and reclaim their lives due to email mismanagement. She has been a featured guest on ABC Nightly News, FOX and Friends, and NBC talking about the 12 steps to curing email addiction now outlined in her best selling book Inbox Detox – a guide to shifting your e-mail habits that shows you how to take charge of your inbox, your workday, and your life.

Marsha rocketed to national prominence after publishing a simple e-book on curing email addiction. Requests for media appearances flooded in from around the world, as she shared her insights on changing our email culture, one inbox at a time.

I sat down with Marsha at the recent National Speakers Association Convention in Orlando and asked her the details about what she tells audiences about the steps to free up and time and attention from email. In the podcast (click on the icon below) you’ll hear Marsha:

• Share shocking stats on how much time an average employee wastes on email – and what this translates to in terms of the bottom line.
• How much is wasted annually by needless email interruptions (hint: it’s greater than the GDP of 38 nations in the world).
• Suggest one effective tip on reclaiming your life from email addiction.
• Let us in on the secret as to how many emails she reads a day!

Now, if only there was a similar book for Twitter and Blogging addiction!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 8:12 — 1.9MB)

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Rory Vaden is a Self-Discipline Strategist who relates profound truths coupled with humorous anecdotes empowering professionals to conquer their fears and take immediate action in their businesses and their lives. Consulting with organizations, companies and individuals on leveraging self-discipline to create extraordinary performance, he has shared the stage with John Maxwell and conducted special programs for both Dave Ramsey and Zig Ziglar’s companies.

His insights on overcoming procrastination, creative avoidance and personal setbacks have been shared on shows such as Oprah radio with Dr. Oz and featured in print media such as SUCCESS™ Magazine. As the Co-Founder of the multi-million dollar public training company, Southwestern Consulting®, his pragmatic advice has been field tested by thousands of professionals from all different industries and he has personally coached clients such as Chad Goldwasser, the former #1 Keller Williams Real Estate Agent Worldwide.

In 2007, Rory became the World Champion of Public Speaking first runner-up for Toastmasters International out of 25,000 entries worldwide. He is the author of the book No Laughs Know Laughs How to Be Funny to Make More Money, and the audio series entitled, “The Audience is NOT in their Underwear: How to Craft Truly Compelling Presentations and Deliver them Like a Champ”. His groundbreaking book “Take The Stairs – Success Means Doing Things You Don’t Want to Do” is set for tentative release in within a year.

Today in addition to being an author, speaker, and entrepreneur, Rory is leading a rapidly growing international social movement called the Take The Stairs World Tour in which he is raising money for charity by climbing the 10 tallest buildings in the world. Combining a hilarious and compelling delivery with unprecedented expertise, Rory energizes audiences into action with his signature program: Take the Stairs – Success Means Doing Things You Don’t Want To Do.

Selling with Social Media

Rory’s presentation at the 2010 NSA Convention was titled Selling with Social Media – Nine Techniques for Using Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to Get Coaching Clients, Book Deals and Keynotes.

Now that the social media craze and rush to popularity is here, the question remains, how do you actually make any cash from all this hoopla? Rory shares practical advice, pragmatic techniques and straightforward methods for maximizing your time online. He shows clients how to get referral business on LinkedIn and how to use Facebook to turn fans into coaching clients.

In this podcast interview I asked Rory where he sees social media going over the next year or two, what it means to generation X/Y and, finally, why anyone in their right mind would want to climb the 10 tallest buildings in the world. To find out why, click on the podcast icon below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 7:56 — 1.8MB)

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Michelle Cullison is a social media speaker and an expert in web technology. Together with her colleagues Myra Corrello, PhD and Jennifer Ledet she presented at the 2010 National Speakers Association Convention on How Social Media Can Help You Successfully Co-Produce a Major Public Event.

Michelle successfully uses social media and technology tools to organize and plan events, secure strategic partners and sponsors, generate product, gain long-term publicity and attract attendees. Michelle knows what it takes to recognize and understand how these virtually free communication tools can help you coordinate, collaborate, promote, connect, publicize, recognize and, ultimately, monetize your time and investment.

As she tells it, it all comes down to the numbers. Social media allows, as never before, event planners to demonstrate in clear quantitative terms the reach a sponsor will have for each level of sponsorship.

In this podcast interview I asked Michelle to outline the precise advantages of social media to gain event sponsorship, how she employed the tools, and what she would do differently if she had to do it all over again.

She tells me about the one indispensable tool she now recommends as the key to success in social media. To find out what this is, click on the podcast icon below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 5:59 — 1.4MB)

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