Professional Documents
Culture Documents
© 2015 Karen R. Power and Christian Speakers Services. All rights reserved.
Karen R. Power
Florissant, MO
KarenPower.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
For this list of tips, we went to one of the leading industry photographers.
She knows, sometimes better than the speaker what they need, what
poses to use, and what the person will be using these photos for business
cards, websites, CD/DVD covers, banners, and even billboards. We have
also added to her suggestions based on our experience in trying to get
“professional” head shots from those we work with in various capacities.
8. Find a photographer who puts you at ease. They are the professional in
this area. If you are shooting at their studio, make sure you feel
comfortable being there. If you are relaxed and comfortable, your photos
will be much better and your true inner self will shine through!
9. Have a conversation before the first photo is taken to ensure you and
the photographer are on the same page. For example, a head shot
session with one or two outfit changes is much different from a full
length body shoot with multiple outfit changes. Is your session going to
be shot in the studio (usually less expensive) or on location (more
expensive).
10.Ask to see the photographer's work. They may do weddings and
graduations; however, if they don't have experience with the type of
photos you need, you may pay more in the long run trying to get what
you want.
11.Lay out your outfit(s) the night before. Make sure you have everything
you need. Murphy's Law will kick in if you wait until the last minute. I
know this from my personal experience when on the morning of the
photo shoot, the white shirt I was going to wear had orange spots all
over it when I pulled out of the dryer. No time to rewash and I had to
quickly form Plan B. YIKES!
12.I have polled speakers, agents, and other industry professionals, and
found the consensus is to plan on getting new head shots every 18-24
months. Don't wait until you think you don't look like your picture any
longer.
13.If your website is based on a certain pose and you don't want to
redesign your website because it's time for new photos, take that picture
with you to your photo shoot session and update it.
The following tips are from Cindi Starr, Owner of Shooting Starr
Photography:
When preparing for your professional head shot session you may be
tempted to wear your new cute shirt you just bought, but think twice. It
doesn't mean it will photograph well. Here are some general guidelines,
not that they can't be broken, but you do so at your own risk!
Be aware of your body type. You know what you consider your flaws and
your assets, dress accordingly. Baggy clothing does not cover up. It only
makes us look bigger than we really are. Well-fitted clothing works best.
Do Wear:
Don’t Wear:
Women:
Men:
Many times a speaker will use someone else’s speaker promo sheet as a
guide. This can be risky as it can lead to sounding more like the other
speaker than yourself. Use it for ideas about layout and overall content;
however, more importantly, your speaker promo sheet should be about
YOU. It should reflect your passion, personality, and professional qualities.
There are several sections to a speaker promo sheet. Let's look at each
one.
Your Name
• Your name should be large, clear, and at the top of the front side. You
might even want to tastefully incorporate it into the design on the back.
• What words have participants from your past speaking engagement and
others who know you used to describe you? If you are happy with this
image—great! If not, maybe you should rethink how you present
yourself. The font used for your name should match the feeling of how
you others see yourself.
• Do not use your ministry/business/organization name as the
header. Your first and last name should be prominent and easy to see
at a quick glance. Event planners are booking a speaker … not a
ministry or other organization.
• Again, your name should be big and bold at the top.
• The reality is “Speaker, Author, Singer” under your name doesn’t tell the
event planner why they would want to book you. They are asking,
“What’s in it for me and my group?” Let your tag line make a statement
about what the audience will receive.
• This becomes part of your overall branding.
A tagline should tell what you do from the perspective of the person
receiving your services. What's in it for them?
After a week of talking with speakers who are interested in joining the
Christian Speakers Services roster and sharing what I do through Karen
Power, I heard what I repeated over and over ... in each conversation.
"So wherever you go in the world, tell everyone the Good News." Mark
16:15 GWT
You'll find training, resources, and services to help YOU take your message
into ALL the world at KarenPower.com!
The look and feel of your speaker promotional sheet is as important as the
content. It is that first opportunity to catch the event planner's interest, keep
it and then have them read more about who you are and what you do.
Through the past decade, computers and software put graphic design at
the finger tips of the speaker. So this tip could be the most important of
them all.
• The overall look of your speaker sheet should match your personality
and speaking style.
• The words used to describe you should match your personality and
speaking style.
• Choose a watermark, borders, boxes, columns, or other creative
elements to enhance that first impression opportunity.
• Choose colors you like and that match your personality and
presentation style. Also match these with your photo and other
graphic elements.
• Use graphic elements which tie-in with your overall concept, tag line,
and/or presentation topics (i.e. as being energetic, fun, professional)
• Is your information sheet designed strictly for a Christian audience or
is it for a crossover audience?
The look and feel of your speaker promo sheet should reflect YOU, your
purpose, mission, and personality! It should be consistent with the overall
look and feel of your website and other marketing materials for a strong
impact on branding your message to your audience.
• You are qualified as a Christian speaker because of what God has done
in your life. Be sure your background information includes an
abbreviated version of your personal testimony as it relates to what you
speak about.
• Keep the information current; do not put “has been speaking for 20
years.” Instead, say, “has been speaking since 1985.” This also applies
to stating how long you have been married, or ages/grades of your
children. You do not want to have to update your promo sheet every
year … although, that's not a bad idea. In any event … keep it current!
• Information about yourself should give the event planner background
which would enable them to understand who you are as a person, and
what experiences that make you uniquely qualified to deliver the
message you have to their group.
• Professional and education credentials are good, but include them only
if they pertain to you as a speaker or writer and support your
presentations.
• This section of background information should be written in third person.
If you are uncomfortable writing about yourself, ask someone who
knows you well to help you get started.
• This section is typically on the front of your sheet.
Write tight and crisp. You can have a longer bio on your web site. Often the
bio area becomes the information the event planner will read from when
they introduce you at the event.
Your Photo(s)
If you’ve ever flown through the Atlanta airport or been in it’s baggage
claim area after a flight arrives, you can imagine that it was very
crowded. This day was no exception.
I stood there scanning the group of arriving travelers but I didn’t spot
her. I kept looking and looking. I knew from speaking with her
husband on the phone that she had made it. So I kept looking. I
finally called her husband again because she didn’t have a cell phone
with her. Yep, she was there. So I looked some more. [Side note:
ALWAYS give your cell phone number to the person who is to meet
you at the airport AND be sure to get their cell phone number too!]
The final tip has to do with your professional head shot. A head shot is just
one of many poses that you will have taken during your photo session. It is
very specific and yet, I’ve seen speakers and authors with head shots that
are anything but professional.
During your photo session you can have poses that are taken outside or
with something in the background such as sitting at a table, leaning against
a pillar, with a bookshelf behind you, etc. When it comes to your
professional head shot, it should be taken with a solid, preferably white,
background with NOTHING behind you. It’s from your bust/shoulders up.
THAT’S IT! I actually had a speaker send me her new “professional” head
shot with a white Christmas tree in the background. No, I didn't use it!
One bonus of the solid, plain white background is that it can be changed in
PhotoShop to be any color or background you want. But for professional
purposes, such as working with a speaker bureau, your speaker promo
sheet, or business cards … it needs to be this one shot.
The other poses you have taken during your photo session can be used on
your web site, billboards, etc. They can be whatever you wish. Be sure
though that you have at least one great professional head shot in your
portfolio … and that you keep it updated. Every two years is a good rule of
thumb. Remember, this photo should not be stiff — see the second bullet
below.
The crowd began to thin. I looked more but still couldn’t find her.
Finally, everyone was gone from baggage claim except for one lady
in a red dress. She had the same hair color as the speaker I was
trying to find, otherwise, she didn’t look like the lady in the speaker's
The speaker’s head shot as it turned out was a glamour shot and
made her look at least 10 years older than what she looked like in
real life. A couple of years later, I was able to share this story with this
speaker and she promptly got new head shot photos taken and
updated her speaker promo sheet.
If you take the time to get a great professional head shot, you will be head
and shoulders … pun intended … above most speakers and authors. As a
speaker bureau owner and booking agent, I have speakers who just don’t
get this one very easy concept. No matter how many times I suggest this,
they still send in pictures with all sorts of things in the background of their
not-so-professional head shots. By heeding this one tip, you will increase
the possibility of being perceived as a true professional. With it, you may
increase your opportunities to be taken seriously by an event planner who
is looking for a professional speaker for their event. Without it, you
strongly increase your chances of staying in the ranks of the amateurs. In
this instance, it doesn’t cost you any more to have it done right. It will cost
you if you don’t.
The old saying, “You only get one chance to make a first impression,” is
TRUE! I worked as support staff for a large church. I would watch the
various ministry staff check their mailboxes, and within seconds, make a
Which brings me to the last point: mailing out materials to event planners
has merit. Yet, mailing items is expensive with the cost of a nice copy or
print job and postage. Make an attempt to contact event planners and
establish a connection via social media or the telephone and then follow up
with a letter, postcard (with your picture on it), or press kit.
4. Be sure the first few seconds or first couple of minutes catch the
viewer’s attention. If you don’t create an interest in the topic within in
the first few seconds, the event planner will probably not watch any
further.
6. Keep your message clear and simple. One of the most common
mistakes is too much content for one presentation. Many times a
speaker will have enough points for a whole weekend retreat in a
one-hour message.
8. Run a microphone line to the camera from the soundboard. Also mic
the room to pick up audience laughter and clapping. This also
removes that hollow/echo sound on some less professional quality
video when the audio is picked up straight from the built-in
microphone on the camera.
9. Avoid distracting noises such as cell phone ringing (be sure yours is
turned off!), crying babies, clothes rubbing against the microphone,
gaps of silence, jingle-bell earrings, jangling jewelry, buttons, jingling
coins in pockets, pounding or tapping on lectern, rustling papers,
sneezing or clearing your throat, or other offensive sounds.
10.Avoid walking back and forth, back and forth across the stage.
12.If you are using a PowerPoint presentation, don't worry about the
shot including it. This video is about being able to clearly see the
SPEAKER. If it is absolutely necessary to include the PowerPoint
slide, it can be edited in later. (Note: Do not turn and read your notes
13.If you have any audience participation, have them speak into a
microphone and on camera. Otherwise, repeat their comments or
questions for the recording.
14.Let’s talk about the outfit you will be wearing. Avoid wearing solid
black or dark colors as it will look like one dark blob on camera. Black
is fine but mix it with another color (i.e. black skirt or slacks and a
different color shirt). Avoid busy patterns.
15.Listen for filler words such as: you know, so, um, well, and, okay or
now. The use of a few of them is okay; however, it becomes
distracting if there are too many. If, when you listen, there are too
many fillers, record again at your next opportunity.
18.Get the very best quality possible. Can’t say that enough!
19.Edit your video. Don’t let unprofessional shots slide because it will
cost more in the long term.
20.If you are paying someone to record or edit for you, remember: this is
your video so make sure in your agreement that you have final say.
Get what you need and want. It’s best to work with someone who is
familiar with working with speakers and can show you their video
portfolio. Inexpensive isn’t always better.
21.Check the stage area before you start. If it looks cluttered or dull, it
will look worse on camera. Consider using a backdrop, lighting as
needed, plants, a banner, etc. to create a vibrant space that looks
good on camera.
23.Put the final edited version of your video on various websites, such
as: YouTube, GodTube, Vimeo, Facebook, etc. Remember, once it’s
out on the Internet, you can never completely get it off ... so
again ... only upload the best professional quality video possible.
For an expanded list and tips for making a killer promo video, check out
READY. SET. ACTION! at KarenPower.com.
Find out how a killer video can get you booked events ... instead of killing
your opportunities before they develop!
What’s Next?
You’ve been promoting your book,
speaking presentations, program, or
other product but you’re not getting
the results you expected. What should
you do?
Karen has 40+ years experience in the Christian communication industry. She
started at the age of 11 as a drummer and later served as a bass guitar player
for Christian music bands and church praise teams. She has been on virtually
every side of events and the stage as a musician, songwriter, speaker, author,
event planner, concert promoter, coach, book tour manager, speaker bureau
owner, and booking agent. Her marketing, technology, and curriculum
development experience has helped her develop and launch a national support
group, develop and produce hundreds on live webinars, develop websites, and
design promotional and other support materials for internationally-known
Christian speakers, authors, and teachers.
While Karen has been focused on helping speakers and authors take their
messages to the world, she has also written several stories that appear in the
following books: Your Spiritual Personality by Marita Littauer, Making the Blue
Plate Special by Florence Littauer, Marita Littauer, and Lauren Littauer Briggs,
and The Authentic You by Anita C. Lee. She has also managed virtual book
promotion tours for New York Times best-selling authors such as Francine
Rivers and Cecil Murphey and for other top authors in the CBA market such as
Carol Kent, Thelma Wells, Kathi Macias and more.
Training Programs
• Graphic Design: Banners or headers for websites and social media, Event
Posters, Social Media Graphics, Infographics, Book Covers, Lead Magnets
• Website Development & Maintenance
• Speaker/Writer Conference Speaker
• Speaker Representation
Visit KarenPower.com