The Six-Figure Speaker: Formula for a Six-Figure Income as a Professional Speaker

Cathleen Filmore knows her stuff. This is a business book, not a replacement for toastmasters. Like one of the other reviewers, I wish this was a bit more stepwise. Also, some of the information is dated. The absence of social networking sites is understandable, as they are rather new. On the other hand, one of the guest writers talks about searching with Archie, which was a pre-web search engine from the late '80's. This should be updated. Still, you will be able to learn from this book, and I highly recommend it!

This book uses the model of having short essays by or about certain speakers and their advice. Each essay focuses on a given subject and they're roughly grouped together. What this turns into is a very useful book where little is wasted - each essay is useful in its own way, and if there's something you can't use, it doesn't dominate the book. The advice itself is pure gold - practacal, spelled out, and focused. In fact, even if you're not a speaker, or only tangentally interested in speaking as part of a career, this book has a lot of good and solid business and personal advice. Once you read it, it's worth noting good advice for anyone else you know, because a lot of it applies to any situation. If there's a flaw, its that many of the essays are rah-rah types, pretty much what you'd expect from and about speakers. So I'd cut it some slack. Definitely a worthwhile read for any one even remotely involved in speaking.

To be totally honest I thought this book was going to be a total rip-off of Jane Atkinson's book The Wealthy Speaker. The cover, etc. looked a little too similar to me. I thought I'd order it to check it out to be sure and I'm THRILLED I did. Are you a speaker just starting out or a seasoned pro? I'm sure if you are in either group you'll enjoy this book. She covers putting your one sheet together, dealing with bureaus, etc. It's NOT a copy of Jane's book and a wonderful addition to any speaker's library. Jane's book offers more of a step by step plan to get from where you are to being the "Wealthy Speaker" but, I think Cathleen offers a lot of other useful information that's not in Jane's book. From websites to one sheets, bureaus to referrals, repeat clients to getting new clients, it's ALL in here. As another reviewer wrote "it has nothing to do with how to project your voice, how to organize a speech, or how to overcome shyness. " I do think it's a book that was designed for people that are already in the business BUT... I think it's also for those even thinking about getting into the business. Be the end of this book you'll know what a ride you are in for, how the business works, etc. It's good to have a jump start. This book is VERY under-priced. Buy it NOW before Cathleen comes to her senses and charges what it's really worth. It's time to read this book again with my highlighter in hand. John Pullum Corporate Entertainer, Motivational Keynote Speaker www.John-Pullum.com

In her new book "The Six Figure Speaker" Cathleen Fillmore writes with a remarkable depth and range of expertise in the area of professional speaking. She offers the reader a formula for success using interviews, through coaching, and using working models from top-earning speakers. Fillmore shares stories taken from her own successful and exciting career. She speaks from her own experience and from lessons learned through her own mistakes. She explains how to turn an occasional disaster into a workable solution. The valuable advice Cathleen gives the reader on building and maintaining prospect data is practical and workable. She provides comprehensive information on how to develop a fee structure, as well as providing a wealth of information on writing and negotiating a contract. Packed with insights into how to establish a pricing strategy, the book also provides inside knowledge unique to the industry. Fillmore includes a formula for revamping marketing strategies. She offers tips on public relations, and gives ideas for creating and selling products. Her coaching approach gives the reader hands on suggestions for building effective websites, and the importance of referrals. From her widespread contacts and her own personal observations Cathleen takes the reader behind the scenes to point out the changes taking place within the convention planning industry and new goals being reached for by industry leadership and management. Cathleen Fillmore is an incredible resource for the serious minded speaker at any stage of their career. Both established professional speakers and those just starting out will find the book motivating and highly informative. Fillmore challenges the reader to move to new levels of effectiveness by changing their thought patterns to those that will produce action. She encourages the reader to make "changing people's lives" a part of their personal mission statement. This can be done by inspiring greatness, and sharing personal gifts and talents with others. "The Six Figure Speaker" is a crash course on how to make big money as a professional speaker.

Reviewed by Tyler R. Tichelaar for Reader Views (12/07) First, let me say this book is not for beginners. It's not filled with tips on how to be an effective speaker. It has nothing to do with how to project your voice, how to organize a speech, or how to overcome shyness. This book is for the public speaker ready to take it to the next level, the speaker who is ready to go out and speak professionally to organizations and make large sums of money, starting at $2,500. If you're that person, read this book. If you're shy, read another book first. If you're still learning to be a public speaker, but you're passionate about it, read this book so you can take your career to the next level. This is the book every public speaker should use as a roadmap toward career success. That said--one fault of the book is it is not a how-to manual. It doesn't provide a step-by-step listing of how to create your public-speaking career. But it overcomes that small fault by the wide variety of information and viewpoints it provides. The book contains 31 short articles about speaking professionally. These articles are predominantly by Cathleen Fillmore, but she has several guest speakers who write articles or are the focus of the articles as well. The book is less about public speaking than about how to market yourself as a public speaker and how to get paid what you deserve. The individual chapters or essays cover everything from how to market yourself as a public speaker using a website, to figuring out how much to charge for your speeches, and turning down speaking engagements if they are not right for you. What I found most informative was the information about speaker bureaus that will help you find speaking engagements if you sign up with them. The book contains many examples of how to use speaker bureaus to your advantage, and also how to maintain a positive relationship with a bureau. As the president of the Speakers Gold bureau, Cathleen Fillmore is the type of authority you want to provide you this advice. Overall, "The Six-Figure Speaker" opened my eyes to the possibilities as a professional speaker. As an author myself who is often asked to give presentations, I found it extraordinarily helpful in providing motivation and direction for a speaking career. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in becoming a public speaker. The book is worth it just for all the resources to other websites and books. I also appreciated the section for notes in the back--I took plenty while reading. Go out and buy "The Six Figure Speaker." Don't be a public speaker without it!