What a gift

by Andrew Johnson

When Kathy and I started CRUISING FREE we offered a true “two for the price of one” deal, where both of us were speaking. We needed only one cabin,  meaning that the cruise companies had an extra revenue earning cabin to put on sale.

This was a sweet deal for them and it really got us established as able and popular CRUISE  SPEAKERS.

Now that we are both established we no longer both need to work. Did I say “work”? You must understand that cruising the SPEAKERSCRUISEFREE.COM  way we speak for less than an hour and usually only on sea days. So just 3 or 4 times a cruise is typical.

As I was saying – now that we are established we no longer both need to work. Typically now we travel on my “ticket”.

So Kathy’s gift to me is some of the research on my topics and to find new royalty free images for my PowerPoint presentations.

And my gift to Kathy is to prepare outstanding talks – and of course the free cruise that results.

What a gift!

If you are not already signed up to SPEAKERSCRUISEFREE.COM click HERE now!

Happy cruising – FREE.

Andrew

Bearing Gifts

By Andrew Johnson

It doesn’t need to be much – but it’s surprising what a small gesture can do.

When I first met DANIEL HALL of SPEAKERSCRUISEFREE.COM he told me that he always takes a small gift for the contacts on board.

Since then we have taken coasters, bookmarks, copies of one of my books etc. as a way of marking our arrival. At the welcome on board meeting I hand over some small gift to our contact and usually it becomes a talking point throughout the cruise. I’ve seen our coffee mug or fridge magnet prominently displayed in the cruise staff office.

And it gets remembered. I have occasionally sent a signed copy of one of my books to the Cruise Director and to the Captain. We’ve been invited to the bridge, to the Captain’s table for dinner, to exclusive cocktail parties (make sure you have your best dinner suit with you!). And on  one ship the Captain who we had met on an earlier cruise on another ship noticed my name and mentioned me in his welcome on board address, encouraging passengers to come to my talks, which he “always thoroughly enjoyed”.

It costs so little to make an impact.

Are you CRUISING  FREE  yet? If not click HERE  now to find out more.

Happy cruising FREE.

Andrew

Don’t believe everything you read!

Just a tip … as we all know in our hearts, not everything we read on Wikipedia is true. Yes! Yes! I know – it may sound like a calumny. But even with the founder’s very best effort not everything can be verified.

I only say this because I know that some speakers have been tempted to work word for word from a single source. Whatever your source, do check – unless you truly are the expert to whom everyone else would turn for the most reliable version.

Check a few different sources. Make sure it stacks up. There could be little more embarrassing than finding out that folks in the audience don’t just know more than you – but consider you a fraud.

I once saw a cruise speaker tie himself in knots following a question from one of the audience who clearly knew far more about the Counts of Barcelona than he did. Why pretend to be an expert if you are not. He could easily have chosen so many other Catalan topics where safe and reliable facts are easily available.

At SPEAKERS CRUISE FREE. COM we are part of a very strong network. Don’t let yourself down. Don’t let the team down. Just a little effort, well directed and you will be one of the best.

To join us all CRUISING FREE click HERE.

Happy cruising FREE,

 

 

Reap what you Sow

I am rather persistent I have to admit. And that determination has helped me so often in my business life – and as we CRUISE FREE with SPEAKERS CRUISE FREE.COM.

6 months ago I contacted one of the “6 star” cruise lines on the books of DANIEL HALL to request a May sailing. The coordinator there told me, very politely, that this departure was already allocated, but that he would contact me if there was another opportunity. That might have been code for an outright rejection.

Never one to give up I sent the contact one of our charming Christmas cards and thought no more about it. On Tuesday evening we were hosting a superb dinner party here and I popped into my office to check the diary. As I did so an email came in from the contact there offering me any of 3 amazing itineraries. And – get this – air, gratuities and on-board drinks are included! Plus discounts on other purchases on board.

We selected the one that we could make and I already have the contract and air travel details.

So naturally I thanked them for remembering me, to be told that with such an impressive presentation, DVD and follow up he knew he was onto a good thing!

The presentation is based on the DANIEL HALL model at SPEAKERS CRUISE FREE.COM. I just personalised it and followed through.

Thank you DANIEL!

If you are not already cruising for FREE then click HERE NOW!

Happy cruising --- FREE!!

Andrew

Ride Into Real Fast Book

You can be well on your way to getting your book published by the end of this rollercoaster ride if you use www.realfastbook.com.

Banana Boat

In one of my cruise ship presentations I tell audiences that many sailors consider it unlucky to have bananas aboard, but that would be surprising news to DelMonte and other producers who ship millions of pounds of bananas from Costa Rica each year.

Seeing the DelMonte banana plantation and processing plant was a bonus on our just completed Royal Caribbean cruise aboard Jewel of the Seas. We found out how fast these one-time producing trees grow, why the banana flower is cut off as the fruit begins to develop, how growers keep the top bunch of bananas from ripening before those lower are ready to pick, and most amazingly, how they know when to pick the green bananas so they'll be ready to eat just when they hit the grocery store shelves.

Years ago when I was involved with a significant ground tour of a small country in S.E. Asia, we picked green bananas and couldn't understand why they never ripened. Well, duh, we didn't know the exact number of days from initial growth to ripening. If we had carried the bananas long enough in our back packs, they would have turned yellow and attracted fruit flies.

If you're looking for topic ideas, you might consider researching the agricultural products of your destinations. An entire program could be developed from the Wiki page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana

Get in touch with Daniel Hall today to find out how Speakers Cruise Free.

Who’s your most honest critic?

I’m just finishing a few new talks for our Pacific adventure in the spring.

I’ve found some wonderful material out there – including ready made presentation elements in the public domain.

As always I pass each PowerPoint presentation to my most honest critic, Kathy, my wife! She tells me what she really thinks – “a bit serious”, or maybe even “10 slides beyond my tolerance threshold”. Or sometimes just “that slide just doesn’t fit”.

Who critiques your talks for you? Unless you get a fresh set of eyes and ears to look them over any inbuilt errors are unlikely to get picked up.

And when we are CRUISING for FREE surely we want to give our best?

Are you CRUISING FREE yet? SPEAKERS CRUISE FREE is the place to get yourself signed up.

What on earth is holding you back?

Click HERE to find out more.

Happy cruising – FREE

Andrew

Flying High

Of course some folks will CRUISE FREE because they prefer not to fly. Many of us have to fly to reach some of the amazing trips available thanks to SPEAKERS CRUISE FREE.

If you are on a FREE cruise deal where you have to book your own flights beware.

Several airlines are currently in dispute with the online booking engines. Both American and Delta for example have withdrawn their seats from some of these booking engines. Over in Europe Ryanair and Easyjet have done the same thing.

So next time you’re looking for flights to catch a FREE CRUISE make sure you check out the airlines booking sites as well as the big on-line booking services. And include some of the new boys too – like www.travelsupermarket.com for example.

If you’re not yet cruising free I wonder why? Click HERE now to find out more.

Happy cruising - FREE!!!

Andrew

[webinar] Sell Your Books in Stores

Here's a fact...

Tons of books are still sold (through) retail outlets and (to) the 140,000 plus libraries.

The message: You should be selling your books both online AND off.

And there are lots of places in addition to traditional bookstores where your book will sell.

That's why you should register for this brand new webinar entitled...

**** Writing Emails That Get Retail Outlets (Including Bookstores) To Buy Your Book ****

This is an A to Z training and it's completely complimentary.

Grab your spot here...
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/458207921

In this profit-packed webinar you'll discover how to...

* Include the vital not-so-obvious information retail store buyers want (and need) to see

* How to find the retail store buyers and get their email addresses

* What to say (and what not to say) in your emails to arouse the most interest in your book

* The best times to send and target your emails

* Adapt your email campaign to sell your book to public libraries (of which there are over 140k)

* Plus much, much more.

Register now here...
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/458207921

Details -
Tue, Jan 18, 2011 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM CST
(1pm EST, 11am MST, 10am PST)


I mean this is some of the best free training I've ever put together.

Why am I hosting this new webinar?

To help launch a brand new training called "Real Fast Book Distribution" (RFBD) which is designed to help you sell tons of books in all types of retail and online outlets (not just book stores).

Here's the story...

Recently I teamed with Hay House author Elaine Wilkes PhD author of "Natures Secret Messages: Hidden in Plain Sight".

Of course, being published by a major publisher like Hay House, Elaine expected great things for her book. One of her expectations was that her publisher would place her book in retail stores nationwide.

It never happened... even after multiple requests and extensive poking and prodding.

But Elaine did not give up. She took matters into her own hands.

But because there was little in the way of resources for authors who wanted to sell their books through retailers, Elaine resorted to trial and error and more trial until she figured out how to get any good book into retail stores across the country (even print on demand books).

That's when Elaine realized that other authors surely faced the same problem and she decided to create an extensive training program designed specifically for both self-published and trade-published authors.

Although most of the RFBD program is Elaine's work product (and excellent quality I may add - you can certainly see her PhD talents in play) I have included
a few modules myself.

In any event, you don't want to miss this excellent webinar where Elaine and I take you through the exact steps for writing emails that get retail outlet buyers to buy your book.

Get your place here:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/458207921

Details -
Tue, Jan 18, 2011 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM CST
(1pm EST, 11am MST, 10am PST)

Yes, of course, we will make an offer for the RFBD program but only after we fully deliver on our promise.

Whether you intend to invest in RFBD or not you do not want to miss this great webinar.

Keeping up with the Joneses

At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (CES 2011), it has been estimated there are over 100 tablet computers on display. The iPad is no longer the only option – although it may still be outstanding.

There are dozens of amazing 3D TV displays and Logitech is showcasing its Revue device which operates the new Google TV system. It seems like no time since Apple launched their Apple TV.

My point is that we, like Apple, cannot rest on our laurels.

Once we are each approved as cruise line speakers we must keep on top of our game. The SPEAKERS CRUISE FREE network, set up by DANIEL HALL is made up of many of the most able and exciting speakers on the high seas.

Let’s make sure we all keep our topics refreshed and our style enthusiastic. That way SPEAKERS CRUISE FREE will remain the pre-eminent speaker team – the one that the enrichment officers work with from choice.

If you are not yet cruising FREE click HERE now.

Happy cruising – FREE.

Andrew

 

New Year–New Cruises

A very happy New Year to DANIEL HALL at SPEAKERS CRUISE FREE. 

And a very Happy New Year to you too.

May this coming year be filled with happiness, success and FREE CRUISES!!!

If you are not already cruising FREE click HERE now to find out how.

Happy FREE CRUISING in 2011,

Andrew

They tried to tell us we’re too young ……..

Donny & Marie may well have been too young, but on so many of our cruises as fare paying passengers (in the old days) the speakers all seemed to be much older than their audiences. We realised that what the cruise companies need is variety, to relate to their very varied passenger profiles.

I greatly admire the wisdom and experience of the great speakers that I’ve had the privilege to travel with – and I also welcome the enthusiasm and fresh thinking of younger speakers. My point is that in the world of cruise speaking there is space – and a genuine welcome – for speakers of all ages, profiles and backgrounds.

Got a good story to share in an informative and confident way? Then there is room for you – and the best part of it is you get a FREE cruise!!

Thanks to DANIEL  HALL  at SPEAKERS  CRUISE  FREE  you can cruise free – yes FREE just in exchange for an hour a day on sea days. That is only on sea days – so usually no more than 2 or 3 times a week.

Just click HERE  to join us now. In no time at all you could be cruising FREE   too!!!

Happy CRUISING  FREE!!

Andrew

Joy, Peace & Happiness at Christmas

May you find peace this holiday season.

And may you find many FREE  CRUISES at SPEAKERS  CRUISE  FREE.

Click HERE to get started. 

Happy holidays

Andrew

Trust

I suppose it rather goes without saying that we should trust the cruise companies. They are the ones who let us CRUISE FREE.

They provide clear contracts that explain what they will provide and what they expect from us in return.

I also learned early on trust DANIEL  HALL at SPEAKERS CRUISE FREE. Well of course I did. He did what he said he would do – he got us CRUISING FREE ! Just as he said he would.

Have a great holiday season and get CRUISING FREE  in a very happy New Year.

Just click HERE  to get started.

Happy Christmas and happy cruising --- FREE !

Sharing

On a cruise earlier this year a fellow speaker asked if I would mind sharing some of my sources with him, as he so enjoyed one of my talks. At first I was both flattered and a little put out – well just think about it, he would get the material that I had labored to produce for no effort.

Then I thought this thro a bit more. I had also enjoyed his talks. He had a great presentation on emerging markets. And I realised that we could help each other. So we did! I gained great material – and so did he (no point being modest! )

And that principle of learning and sharing is what makes this network of our so good. (Well that and the FREE cruising! )

Through Daniel Hall and  SPEAKERS CRUISE FREE we have met some wonderful people, shared great experiences, learned so much – AND cruised all around the world.

If you are not already cruising free click  HERE now!!

 SPEAKERS really do  CRUISE FREE.

Happy cruising FREE

Andrew

Techno Wizardry

I never cease to be amazed at how easy it can be to impress. I’ve just had feedback from a recent cruise, in which the activities manager reported “outstanding use of technology”!

Apparently the fact that I have insert video clips in my PowerPoint presentations is a bit “cutting edge”. But it is so, so simple to do. Using the insert/movie clip buttons, and choosing the automatic option means it just runs when I click the next slide. As I use a wireless hand held slide changer it may look good to the audience – but it seems even the staff were impressed.

Well I learned to keep upping my game. I’ve done it all my business life, I’ve encouraged folks I mentor to do the same – and one of the reasons that I warmed so quickly to DANIEL  HALL at SPEAKERS CRUISE FREE was the obviously natural style of his innovation – and the expectation that we, his network, will constantly strive to improve.

So if you are an improver and yet you’re still not cruising free do yourself a favour – NOW – and click HERE  to join us cruising the seven seas for free with SPEAKERS CRUISE FREE.

What have you got to loose?

Click HERE now!

Happy cruising FREE!

Andrew

Heading off to the publishers office!

If you want to be known as an expert in your field one of the best ways to get there is to publish your own book. And you can get it done quick and find out how to sell it at www.realfastbook.com!

Affordable Luxury

Generally speaking we have accepted free cruises in exchange for speaking – just one hour a day; and ONLY on sea days.

On the basis that we pay our own airfares this is an amazingly inexpensive way to cruise the seven seas. But by establishing ourselves with Daniel Hall’s  Speakers Cruise  Free network and through Daniel with the cruise companies we have bookings for next year where air fares, hotels, even transfer to and from the ship are included.

These do not come along all the time, but keep your eyes open and, once you are established, work with the cruise company contacts to know just what they need on particular itineraries.

Next year, thanks to Daniel Hall and Speakers Cruise Free we have a wonderful collection of cruises that will form the major part of a 2 month round the world trip to celebrate a big birthday – and the whole cost of the trip – everything included – is about the normal discounted fare for a two week cruise. That includes side trips to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, 3 days in a top hotel in Sydney, 3 days in Vancouver, hotel in New York – and en route we cruise the South Pacific (Fiji, French Polynesia, Hawaii) and the Atlantic, Martha’s Vineyard, The Azores, Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Not bad eh?

Thank you Daniel. We couldn’t have done this without Speakers Cruise Free.

If you are not already cruising FREE click HERE now! Why waste any more time.

Happy cruising FREE!!

Andrew & Kathy

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