The Platform Debate: Author/Speaker Michael Hyatt versus the NSA – Resolved!

In the wake of the National Speakers Association announcement at its annual convention a few days ago that it was renaming the organization “Platform,” some of us, who are passionate fans of Michael Hyatt — the New York Times bestselling author of Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World — have become quite vocal about this poorly researched, dubious decision.
For my part, as I shared earlier (and maybe ranted a little) on this Sugar Shock Blog, when I witnessed this brand roll-out, I became both appalled and saddened.
Michael HyattAlthough I greatly respect the National Speakers Association and its many remarkable members, I cannot fathom how a talented brand-name-search committee — which allegedly spent “two years” on this — could have been so in the dark about the amazing Michael Hyatt, who has branded “Platform” in a big way. Or, worse, if they knew about Michael and still proceeded with this move, it’s simply galling.
Not only has Michael penned his fabulous book Platform — which is, incidentally, a must read for all speakers — but he has created a wonderful Platform University and fabulous Platform Conference.
Although I had initially planned to dedicate much of this holiday weekend to making major inroads on my next book, I felt it important to take time out to stress via comments in the private National Speakers Association Facebook group and in two blogs posts here that Michael Hyatt is the undisputed brand holder of “Platform.”
Please join me to support bestselling author and speaker Michael Hyatt:
Urge the National Speakers Association leadership to ditch the name change by writing to CEO Stacy Tetschner, who invites your comments about it.
Recommend that the NSA apologize to Michael Hyatt.
Do better Google searches and more substantive research before picking another brand name that may already be taken.
And don’t stomp on the toes of someone, who is, after all, one of your own! Indeed, Michael Hyatt is not only a New York Times bestselling author with a huge platform, but he’s a sought-after, world-renowned speaker, who has done so much to help speakers, authors, bloggers, etc. get their messages out to a wider audience.
Also, please post comments on blogs by Daniel Decker, Stu McLaren, Kathleen Ann Thompson, Mike Kim, and Andy Traub, and thank them for coming to Michael’s support.
I also encourage you to read these thoughtful posts about this matter from Ryan Avery and Skip Prichard.
FYI, you can see the explanation here as to why the well-branded National Speakers Association was ditching its name and now calling itself “Platform.”
Now, let the fabulous Michael Hyatt teach you about building your own platform.
Again, please join me in urging the NSA leadership to reconsider this name change, because Michael Hyatt is already the preeminent holder of the brand, Platform. Please share your comments now.

Become a Mover & Shaker with Hay House

f you are an author, speaker, coach, health advocate or healer with empowering messages that you’d like to share with the world, I heartily urge you to go to the upcoming Movers and Shakers conference in Toronto.
The Hay House Movers & Shakers conference is an amazing event designed to offer valuable tips and guidance to authors, speakers and others, who yearn to bring their important messages to the world. I heartily recommend this conference to anyone, who would like help to reach a broader platform with their programs and services.
Louise Hay At this fabulous event, you have the pleasure of meeting and getting taught by the amazing bestselling author and life coach Cheryl Richardson and Reid Tracy, CEO and president of Hay House, the largest and most influential self-empowerment publishing company in the world.
Plus, you may have the rare chance to be inspired by the influential, life-changing, bestseling author Louise Hay (seen left), who has been dubbed as “the closest thing to a living saint” by a member of the Australian press.
By the way, you can listen to a recent Gab with the Gurus Radio Show today, where I interviewed several accomplished, inspiring guests, who I had the pleasure of meeting and befriending at the Hay House Movers & Shakers Conference in New York City in December.
Please let me know if you go to the Movers & Shakers event in Toronto, and share how this amazing event influence you.

Cast Your Vote: WriteABookBeforeYouDie.com or HelpForAuthors.com

hanks to book marketing guru John Kremer, author of 1001 Ways to Market Your Book and founder of TenMillionEyeBalls.com, for inviting you to vote for the preferred title of my new blog.
Cast your vote here or further below:
http://twtpoll.com/mdx2ny
John also invites you to join with the other 5,500 book authors on the Book Marketing Network at http://bookmarket.ning.com, where he shares lots of great tips.
Please tell John that Connie sent you.
And authors or aspiring authors, please make sure to visit my new blog for authors at www.WriteABookBeforeYouDie.com or www.HelpForAuthors.com — you can get there using either URL.

Connie’s Confession: I’m a Health Hypocrite! Help Each Other

Normally, I don’t reveal my vulnerabilities here, on this Sugar Shock Blog. Nor do I share a personal plight, but today, I feel a need to confess to you that I feel like the ultimate Health Hypocrite.
Sure, I eat healthy, wholesome, real foods. Yes, I religiously avoid sugary foods and carbs — and have since 1998 with only a handful of very minor infractions. I don’t even smoke anymore. (Inhaling two packs of cigarettes is a thing of the past.) What’s more, I’ve been shunning caffeine since a doctor suggested I do so more than a decade ago. And I don’t even chew sugar-less gum or eat candies with artificial sweeteners anymore. In addition, I’ve triumphed over my diet soda slugging. Plus, I’m huge exercise aficionado. But feeding my body well and moving just aren’t nearly enough.
Sleep My body craves — as does yours — ample sleep. We desperately need those zzzzzz’s.Otherwise, I’m headed for sniffles, sneezing, coughing and congestion.
Well, lately — especially in the last week — I haven’t walked my talk. Despite the fact that I know about the wonders of a good night’s sleep and I’m even mentioning it as a “Smart Diet Habit” in my next book, I skimped on sleep myself last week. Now that I’m a health coach, I’m not going to indulge in self-blame. Rather, I’m going to use this realization as an opportunity.
The irony is that lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about and striving to do excellent self-care, because of my training as a health counselor and life coach and because I’ve been completing Cheryl Richardson’s fabulous book, Take Time for Your Life, which was required reading for my life coaching program through iPEC.
I even just bought Cheryl Richardson’s latest book, The Art of Extreme Self-Care, this weekend at this remarkable Hay House ouse Movers & Shakers conference. Both books have motivated me to think a lot about how we all will benefit if we devote ourselves wholeheartedly to treating ourselves with respect and reverence, even it it means we have to let go of current projects and disappoint people.
Well, despite my commitment to treating myself right, last week, I neglected my needs when it came to snoozing. You see, I felt compelled to help you you a lot this month.

Authors: Learn How to Promote in the 21st Century at Amazing Event on Oct. 10 and 11

Authors, would you like to learn up-to-date information on how to sell your book and build your platform?
If so, I HIGHLY recommend going to the upcoming 21st Century Book Marketing Event on October 10th and 11th at Catamaran Resort in San Diego. (I’m going, and I’m very excited.)
The co-presenter is one of the biggest names in book promotion. Her name is Arielle Ford, and she’s behind the success of such big-name authors as Deepak Chopra, etc.
You will learn VERY VALUABLE information at this event, but you need to act fast to get in. Register now Register now at http://mixiv.com/vp/60394/19382/ and you’ll get $50 off the ticket price!
At this Exclusive Event for Authors, which has Strictly Limited Seating, you’ll this event, you’ll ll learn the most up to date information for marketing and selling your book!
Topics Covered include:
* Publishing and Distribution Options: What’s Best For Your Book
* Secrets for Attracting Traffic and Building your List
* How PR is Changing in the 21st Century
* How to Use Internet Search Engines to Market Your Book
* Marketing Venues Beyond the Bookstore: Teleseminars, Webinars, Virtual Book Tours, Web TV Shows and More
* Hi Tech Marketing- Using Blogs, Podcasts and Video blogs
* Social Networking: How to Use Social Networking Sites to Sell Books: YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn your Way to New Customers!
* Make Money Marketing and Selling Products: CDs, DVDs, Workbooks, Continuity Programs, Consulting and More
* Book Trailers
* Selling Your Book Through Amazon (SNP, Buy X get Y, and more)
* And Much, Much more!
This event will sell out! Only 200 seats are available so register today
Register now at http://mixiv.com/vp/60394/19382/ and you’ll get $50 off the ticket price!
Hope to see you October 10th and 11th in sunny San Diego!