Portofino Dreamin'

Hi, fellow speakers... I'm Mark Oristano, an actor/photographer/writer/sportscaster from Dallas. And believe me, all those titles come in handy on my cruise talks! (One is about how to watch football, based on my book A SPORTSCASTER'S GUIDE TO WATCHING FOOTBALL. One is about scene study for film and theater, and one is about being a better writer. I'd love to do a photography talk, but the cruise ships don't want you competing with their photographers.)

My wife, Lynn and I were out on the Azamara Journey in May, cruising the western Med, and it was beautiful. We went from Rome, to Florence, Portofino, Monte Carlo, Bonifacio, Tunis and Barcelona on a gorgeous ship with a great crew.

And that great crew included Kelsey, our entertainment director, who made perfect contact with me the moment we boarded the ship via a lovely note waiting for us in our stateroom. Later that night we met with her and set up a basic schedule, and then got to meet John, the cruise director, who was equally great to work with.

Most all of what Daniel discusses in his speaker videos came true for us. Our one, interesting shift was that since we only had one full sea day, I did two of my three talks on port days, usually about an hour after we set sail again. The talks were well attended, but it probably would have been better on full sea days. Next cruise, I'm looking for one with lots of sea time.

The tech guy was superb, stringing up everything I needed in the three different rooms I worked in. My computer video always worked, and I never had a problem.

I can encourage you to make certain that you act as your own best PR person on board. Give out your card to everybody you meet, everybody you dine with, let them all know you're there, and you're there to speak. The blurb you get in the daily ship's news probably won't fully explain the brilliance of your talk!

All in all, it's a great way to travel.

And here are a few snaps we took. The shot of the Roman forum is by my wife. The others are mine. And the one of the harbor in Portofino has a special meaning. Not just because we both fell in love with Portofino, but because after I got back on the ship, I threw this shot into my computer, did it up the way I wanted it to look, and took it to the photo people, who made me two lovely 8x10 prints. I gave one each to Kelsey and John as a way of saying "thanks." People love getting beautiful photos, and, egotistically, I love giving them out.

Ciao,
Mark Oristano

(Note From Daniel: Thanks Mark for a great post. Mark had a great gift idea here. If you have a nice photo from your cruise, have it printed and give that away to the cruise director and activities manager.)

Dr. Nick - Tips from Caribbean Cruise

I’m Nick Lazaris and I just returned with my wife from a
fabulous cruise to Bermuda and the Caribbean. I have been a
speaker/coach for 30 years but this was my first FREE
cruise! Thanks to Daniel’s program and coaching I have 3
cruises booked within 6 months - all of this only months
after joining his Speaker Cruise Free Program.

I was the only enrichment speaker on board and presented 3
Destination talks. My sessions had between 80-275 attendees.



I thought I’d pass on some of my observations/tips from the
cruise.

~ I decided (last minute) to listen to Daniel’s Dashboard
Videos and I am so glad I did. There were little nuggets
interspersed throughout which were invaluable throughout my
cruise. Make sure to review them as everything he talks
about happened just as he said they would.

~ Make a list of EVERY question you can think of to ask
your contact during the first meeting you have on board (AV
issues, product sales, your preferred order of
presentations, etc.). That way you aren’t bugging them
throughout the trip. My contact was so appreciative I had
thought out most issues (thanks Daniel!).

~ If you are going to sell products or do a book signing,
stay persistent with the gift shop manager. My contact for
book sales didn’t appear very interested in helping me, so
it was up to me to gently ‘push’ to have my books on display
and arrange a book signing. If I had left it to her, I would
not have had the success I did.

~ Take an up to date laptop and USB Presenter for your Power
Point slides. The AV guy told me stories of old laptops not
being compatible with the ships equipment and of presenters
begging for a remote presenter.

~ Make your presentation titles succinct and enticing - you
may only get a brief listing in the daily newsletter.

~ Videotape your presentations. You will be so glad you did
when you return.

~ Clearly promote you next presentation - you are your best
promoter on the ship - build a loyal following!



~ Build in examples in your presentation of what you do
when you are not cruising - I had many great discussions
with passengers throughout the cruise about my work as a
Business Psychologist and Speaker back home.

~ If possible, take a thank you gift with you for your
cruise contact on the ship. I made the mistake of waiting
until the final port to find a special thank you gift and,
luckily, found something she loved. Next time I’ll be more
prepared.

Hope the above helps you on your next cruise. Thanks again,
Daniel, for your guidance and caring. Can’t wait to do it
again!


Happy Cruising!


Nick

www.FearlessforLife.com
DrNick@FearlessforLife.com

Mega Mini Tips

Hi Everyone --

Back from Mark Victor Hansen's Mega Book event in Orlando this past weekend (Yes, I was home exactly one day from my Baltic cruise before leaving again). If you missed Mega I have some great video from some of the speakers below. If you made it, you know how great it was.

Let's get started with our first tip from my friend and fellow Club member Bill Barnett. Bill is a great speaker and a big friend of Mark. In fact, it was Bill that was able to secure 10 Mega Book tickets for Club members. And I appreciate it very much. If you were one of the ten who received a ticket it would be appropriate if you thanked Bill and Mark Victor Hansen by leaving a comment for Bill and Mark on this post.



I also got Rick Frishman to give us another great tip whether you're a speaker or an author.



Also, fellow Club member Doug Bench was speaking at Mega about brain science and he had a great tip on how to augment your memory. Watch his tip now...



Next up was Joe Williams who did a splendid job MC'ing the event. Joe's tip was really great if you are having problems getting your book finished.



Also in attendance was book marketing expert and friend Warren Whitlock with yet another great tip...



Last but certainly not least is a tip from my friend James Malinchak.



OK... with all these great tips do you feel like you actually went to Mega or at least had a little taste about how great it was?

Good!

Now if you haven't already joined the Speakers Cruise Free Coaching Club community -- so you can cruise free -- then get on down to http://www.speakerscruisefree.com/cruise-free.html and get going. You say you don't understand what the Club is all about well you read the FAQ on it here: http://www.speakerscruisefree.com/clubfaq.html

Also, if you have not yet finished (or even started) your book and are having issues finding the time or the motivation, you really need to check out Rita Emmett's Procrastinator's Guide to Authorship Program -- http://www.helpwritingbook.com/

Just so you know -- Rita and I really try to take care of our members in that community too. We were able to give away five tickets Mega Book for members of this community again with the help of Bill Barnett and the generosity of Mark Victor Hansen.

Tip & Daniel Freakin' Out

Are you ready for your next cruise speaker tip?

It's an important one all about the power of gifting. Check out this video about it:



Wanna see me kinda freakin' out? Check out this video from the top spire of Our Savior Church in the Christianhavn district of downtown Copenhagen.



And if you have not yet signed up for my program, why not?

It's a glorious way to see the world -- in luxury, I may add -- and my Speak on Cruise Ships program shows you the exact step by step details...

http://www.speakerscruisefree.com/cruise-free.html

Here's more proof...

St. Petersburg, Russia | Cruise Speaker Tip and Thoughts

I would have never dreamed this possible.

What?

I grew up during the Cold War. I remember doing bomb raid
drills in school where we all hid under our desks in case of
a Russian nuclear attack -- as if your desk would protect
you!

Any of you remember this?

I remember hearing stories of how as a young airman my
father guarded grounded B-52's that sat at the ready, crews
onboard and jet's fired just waiting to retaliate during the
Cuban missile crisis.

During my formative years my culture communicated that
Soviet Russia was bad and should be feared.

The Berlin wall was torn down in 1989 but I was already a
young adult by then and my impressions of Russia and
Communism were fully formed.

That's why as I departed the ship yesterday in St.
Petersburg Russia I was 'uneasy'. I would never have
imagined actually visiting Russia as a child or even young
adult but yet here I was.

All because of my ability (which I want to impart to you) to
speak on cruise ships. The skills my program "Speak on
Cruise Ships: 8 Easy Steps to a Lifetime of FREE Luxury
Cruises" teaches can literally take you around the world --> http://www.speakerscruisefree.com/cruise-free.html

We had a great time in St. Petersburg and actually spent
most of the time touring the Hermitage. The Hermitage is a
world class art museum second only the Louvre. However, we
made side stops at St. Isaac's Cathedral, the war ship
Aurora (which fired the shot that signaled the beginning of
the Bolshevik Revolution), the church of the Spilled Blood
(see video) which is actually reminiscent of St. Basil's in
Moscow (the domed church they show on TV when the news
refers to the Kremlin).

In any event, I was impressed by how modern and frankly
European St. Petersburg is. This is in large part due to
post Soviet economic reforms and to the building edicts of
Peter the Great who imported most of the talent to build his
capital from Europe.

On the bus ride back to the ship yesterday I asked our tour
guide to compare and contrast life now as compared to the
Soviet days. BTW the Soviet regime only lasted 73 years of
Russia's long history, she reminded us.

She said in many ways life was much easier in the USSR. She
said everything was provided: your education, your job, your
apartment, your food, etc.. She also said you really did
not have to worry about anything.

On the other hand, she said, you had very little freedom.
You could not express your opinion about your government.
You could not worship in church or synagogue. You could not
really buy anything because there was nothing in the stores
to buy. But she said the biggest problem (and she thought
the problem most responsible for taking down the Soviet
system) was the fact that the system gave no incentive to
work.

In other words, workers got the benefits of the welfare
state whether or not they were a good workers. She implied
that workers went to great lengths to do as little work as
possible.

And why not? Everyone was paid about the same wage.

Economic theory is really a study of the incentives which
induce behavior. Consequently, a system such as that
described by our guide could not last very long.

The whole experience has been eye opening to say the least.
In fact, with each new port I experience (on this and every
cruise I take), my perspectives and attitudes change. And
truth be known, that is the real reason I love cruise ship
speaking so much. It allows me to see and experience so
many new and wonderful things. Each one enriches my life
and
opens new thoughts and new opportunities.

I hope you will give yourself this gift:
http://www.speakerscruisefree.com/cruise-free.html

We are spending two days in St. Petersburg and today we are
touring the canals and waterways.

I am less apprehensive today and my eyes, ears and mind are
open.

I will update you soon. In the meantime, let me help you
cruise the world just for flapping your jaws. There is no
guesswork and you can even get my help personally.

Lots of my students are doing it (just Google me for tons of
video testimonials) plus there are a bunch more on the sales
page (http://www.speakerscruisefree.com/cruise-free.html ).

Enjoy the videos...

Stockholm Sweden - A Day Made In Heaven

It was an idyllic day in Stockholm Sweden. I mean I was
planning on it being "brisk" like it was in Germany. But
the sun was out and the skies were blue and the temperature
was a perfect 77 degrees.

Anthony and I did two tours. One independently where we
took the excellent public transportation to the Vassa Museum
(see video tip) and the other through an organized tour to
the Royal Palace and the Old Town. See the video of our
most excellent tour guide, Carola, telling the story of the
statue of St. George and how he killed the dragon.

Enjoy the videos and remember if you want to see more,
you've got to leave a comment below...

Also, if you're not cruising free yet (like tons of my Club
members), why not?

Everything you need is right here ==>
http://www.speakerscruisefree.com/

Go now and sign up and come back and watch these videos...

Warnermuende, Germany: Our Next Port Of Call

Warnermuende, Germany

I have a new tip for you. This time from Warnermuende
Germany.

Warnermuende is the Baltic port city (actually a part of
Rostock Germany) that used to be a part of former East
Germany. For the cruise industry it is the port that
services Berlin. However, the train from Warnermuende to
Berlin is 3-hours one-way.

In any event, I applied one of the techniques I teach to
Speakers Cruise Free Club Members to get a free shore
excursion to Rostock and its surrounding area. I wanted to
go to Berlin but did not want to spend 6 hours of my day on
a train.

I will say we had a blast in Rostock. By the way, on this
cruise I have taken my 22 year old son, Anthony.

Why don't you join me in this lifestyle?

You know you'd like to travel the world as a speaker... when
and where and for however long you want. So why don't you
just do it?

I have the training all laid out at
http://www.speakerscruisefree.com/cruise-free.html

And for an investment of only $97 to get educated and $29.97
per month to get my ongoing help in which you literally get
to plug into my already existing network of cruise companies
what else do you need to know?

I'm also all about continuing to provide over the top value
to my Club members. Check out this tip applicable to any
and every speaking event including you talks onboard...



I hope you take the action that results in you getting free
cruises for the rest of you life.

Ya know ya wanna... go
http://www.speakerscruisefree.com/cruise-free.html

Roving report from the Red Light District in Amsterdam (of all places.)

I have another tip for you. This time its from the Red
Light District in Amsterdam. No, its not that kind of tip!

Like all speakers you will be expected to perform at your
maximum when you arrive at the engagement (on board the
ship) and if you have a long accross the pond flight this
can be challenging. Watch the video for tips on on to
arrive refreshed and ready to go.

Also, if you haven't yet become a Speakers Cruise Free
Coaching Club member go do it now, Why? Read below the
video for the details...



============================================================

Stop! Read this NOW!

Want to leverage your book to propel you to superstar
status?

Want to write a book that changes lives and also makes you
bushelfuls cash?

Yes? Then you must attend Mark Victor Hansons Mega Book
event June 5 -7 in Orlando... and (are you listening?) if
you act RIGHT NOW you can go for FREE.

I said it.

Zero

Zilch

Nada

Here's the deal...

If you act right now to get my Speak on Cruise Ships program
so you can cruise free (like I'm doing right now!) and you
are ONE of the FIRST FIVE people to do so you'll get ONE
FREE TICKET to Mark's June 5-7 Mega Book Event!

Go get this deal before someone else snatches it from you...

http://www.speakerscruisefree.com/cruise-free.html

Rumors are that this is going to be Mark's best MEGA BOOK
ever! This event will be all about drilling-down to deliver
an immediately actionable plan to explode the success of
your book (whether or not it is written yet)!

By the way, tickets to this event typically run over
$1,000.00 but if you are one of the first 5 to get my "Speak
on Cruise Ships: 8 Easy Steps to a Lifetime of FREE Luxury
Cruises" program you'll also get a MEGA BOOK ticket for the
June 5-7 event free!

Go here now...

http://www.speakerscruisefree.com/cruise-free.html

Is that a great deal or what?

Currently, the investment in the Speak on Cruise Ships
program is $97 (which is steal in and of itself) but when
you throw in a ticket to MEGA BOOK it becomes a complete no-
brainer!

This offer is too good to pass up.

My orders are all date & time stamped. So the next 5 of
them to come through will get Speak on Cruise Ships plus a
bonus ticket to Mark Victor Hanson's MEGA BOOK event.

Go! Now!

http://www.speakerscruisefree.com/cruise-free.html

Also, remember to leave me a comment along with a valuable
link back to your website if you have one.

P. S. Are you still reading this?

Go jump on this deal. Seriously, I only have 5 tickets
available for new clients and this deal WILL sell out.

http://www.speakerscruisefree.com/cruise-free.html