Learn From An 86-Year-Old Entrepreneur Who Has Sold 100,000 Knitting Books

Hi Everyone, I read an interview today from Mom Invented®'s Tamara Monosoff, who we featured last month for her new book, Your Million Dollar Dream (affiliate link).

Tamara talked to 86-year-old Betty Lampen who is a knitting pro and who has sold 100,000 copies of her books since 1991. 

We could learn a lot from Betty.  For example:

1. If you have an idea, give it a go!

2. "Never give up. There is always somebody out there who is interested. You just have to find them."

3. You do not need 60 - 100 thousand words to publish a best-selling book. Nor do you need to be the world's leading expert. Betty's books were only 18 pages long (!) and I have a feeling she is not the (only) world expert on knitting.

Questions for You: Do you have an idea for a book?  If you are not writing your book, why not? 

Andrea

Do You Dread Delivering Presentations?

In a blog post two months ago, I recommended a great website called LeadStar, designed for anyone who "influences outcomes and inspires others". Here is another powerful snippet from Angie Morgan and Courtney Lynch, which arrived in my Inbox this week:

"You have been assigned to prepare a presentation for your next staff meeting or company-wide event. You can feel your anxiety level rising already. This is not surprising as public speaking tops many professionals' list of activities in which they would rather not engage. However, often it is a necessity and a job requirement.

So, how do you overcome your fear and develop solid presentation skills? Here are three ways to ensure that your next presentation is a success:

1. Develop exceptional content.

The content, after all, is the heart of the presentation. Make sure that it is direct and to the point, that it is organized and that any information that must be retained by your audience is also provided to them in written form;

Practice, practice, practice. The only thing that is going to make you more confident in your abilities as a public speaker is practice. Grab any co-worker who is willing to listen and talk through your presentation with them. Practice in the shower, in the car on the way to work and while walking your dog. The better you know your material, the better you will be able to overcome your nerves and relax during the real thing; and

Realize that it's not about you. Although you may feel the glare of the spotlight, your presentation is not about you - it is about educating your audience. A simple shift in perspective and a few deep breaths prior to taking the podium can make a world of difference.

As leaders it is imperative that we enhance all of our communication skills - presentation skills among them. With a lot of preparation and the right perspective, your will lead your presentation to success!"