Tag: Platform

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.

Did NSA Leaders Forget to Google “Platform” Before Stomping on Michael Hyatt’s Brand? – Resolved!

Join the conversation. Should a worldwide organization use the same name as a wildly popular book and programs by a famous speaker/author? Speak up now.
At its annual conference in San Diego this week, the National Speakers Association — which has been advancing the speaking profession since 1973 — announced that it was changing its name to “Platform.”
Huh?
Wait a minute!
As I sat in the audience at this year’s NSA conference — which was really fabulous, by the way — this name change completely confused me.
More accurately, I felt very sorry for Michael Hyatt, the wildly acclaimed blogger, speaker and New York Times bestselling author of the fabulous book, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World. which, incidentally, is a must read for any speaker or author.
I sympathized with Michael — former CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers — because for years, he has contributed his brilliance, mined his creativity and allocated his hard-earned resources to invigorate and popularize the word, “Platform.”
For those of you not in the know about platforms, having one is imperative these days if you have a book, product, or talk. Learn about it from Michael Hyatt. (I also recommend that you read Seth Godin’s brilliant book, Tribes.)
As you may have guessed by now, I am a BIG fan of Michael Hyatt, which is why I’m posting off topic today.
Not only do I follow Michael’s blog and posts on his Facebook page, but I also often consult and implement his ideas from Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World. I’ve even traveled across country to attend one of Michael’s conferences, and I plan to fly to another one later this year.
Now you can understand why I”m so appalled and dismayed by the National Speakers Association’s name change to “Platform.”
How can the NSA do this to Michael Hyatt, who is, in effect, The Platform Man?
To begin with, Michael has a big platform of very engaged, loyal followers like me. Those of us in his tribe avidly read his thoughts on Facebook; follow him on Twitter;, check out his emails; and travel to attend events where he’s keynoting.
And consider this: Michael’s platform — at least on Facebook (41,770) and Twitter (224,000) — is far bigger than that of the National Speakers Association, which has only 16,824 fans in its private Facebook group and only 11,600 followers on Twitter.
Meanwhile, Michael Hyatt also runs his fabulous Platform University, of which I’m a member.
Furthermore, he hosts the acclaimed Platform Conference.
Michael also offers services to help speakers, authors and people like you and me build our platforms. By the way, stay tuned for my new, classier look, which soon will be unveiled on my website and blog, thanks to Michael’s Get Noticed theme.
PlatformNSASo why the heck is the reputable National Speakers Association — which prides itself on authenticity, originality and even ingenuity — stomping on the toes of Michael Hyatt, who, as a sought-after speaker, is essentially one of their own?
Frankly, I’m disappointed and surprised by this questionable move by the National Speakers Association.
Platform-Infographic-5701Indeed, this ill-advised name change puts me in an extremely awkward position.
I’m not yet a full-fledged member of NSA, but I’m a member of the amazing NSA Academy so I can develop skills to become a better speaker, which, in turn, will help me build my platform.
Plus, I greatly respect the many talented, remarkable NSA speakers, some of whom are bestselling authors with remarkable platforms of their own.
Furthermore, I’ve been eagerly looking forward to getting my NSA speaker certification.
Meanwhile, I certainly appreciate the NSA conventions, which, as I witnessed this week and in previous years, are classy, professional events.
But none of this changes the fact that NSA taking the name “Platform” is NOT a classy move.
More to the point, this name-change is completely lacking in integrity, a trait that many NSA members seek to possess. (See Kathleen Ann Thompson’s clever blog post about this.)
Not only that, but the NSA name change violates the organization’s own code of ethics, as Stu McLaren observes.
In short, my loyalty lies with Michael Hyatt, who expressed his astonishment in a Facebook post.
By the way, I even urge you to see the helpful infographic (to your left) that Michael created to help people like us build our platforms.
Frankly, I’m barffled. Didn’t the NSA name- rebranding committee — whose members were praised in the video below — do their homework or due diligence, as platform builder and blogger Daniel Decker asks?
Didn’t at least one member of this illustrious name-change committee do a Google search on the word “Platform” before stomping on Michael Hyatt’s brand and look?
Dian’t at least one committee member hear of Michael Hyatt?
It’s super easy to discover, as Mike Kim so eloquently blogs,.that Michael Hyatt “owns” the word, “Platform.”
Go ahead. Do a Google search now for the words, “Platform and Michael Hyatt.”
As of today, you’ll get a whopping 157,000 hits!
Isn’t t the NSA name change, in fact, brand theft, as Andy Traub suggests?
As you can tell, a number of us in Michael’s tribe are up in arms.
Sure, the concept of a platform has been dicussed for years in publishing and speaking circles and books that predate Michael’s have addressed this subject — but of all people today, Michael Hyatt is the go-to guru about the value of building your platform.
In fact, Hay House, publisher of my most recent book, Beyond Sugar Shock, even recommends that ALL of its authors or wanna-be authors read Michael Hyatt’s book, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World.Likewise, my next publisher, Balboa Press, which has a partnership with Hay House, greatly respects Michael.
Of course, despite my background as an objective journalist, I make no claims to this being a measured post such as those by Ryan Avery or Stu McLaren.
What it comes down to is this: How can a speakers’ organization, which touts the value of crediblity and not stealing others’ material, in effect, create a name and logo that are uncannily similiar to one used for years by Michael Hyatt — whether they did so knowingly or not?
Now, I urge you: Put yourself in Michael Hyatt’s place. How would you feel if one day some organization took the name you’ve been spending years to brand?
I’d certainly be concerned if an organization with similiar goals to mine changed its name to Sugar Shock or Beyond Sugar Shock.
Therefore, as a Michael Hyatt fan, I urge the leadership of the National Speakers Association to:
Issue a formal apology to Michael Hyatt.
Totally abandon the name “Platform” as its new name.
Do due diligence and extensive research to ensure that it won’t again pick a brand that is already taken by another person or organization.
Make this entire name-change process more public and enlist feedback from ALL members of NSA and the Academy.
Please weigh in with your ideas. I’d love to hear what you think, but first, watch the video below where the name change (theft?) to Platform is announced at the recent National Speakers Association conference.
Join the conversation. So do you think the NSA name change is right or not? Speak up now. Also please share your comments with NSA leadership.

Do You Mindlessly Rush & Stress or Mindfully Relax? 7 Tips to Calm Down

Join the Conversation. Are you a Rusher or Relaxer? And have you ever hurt yourself mindlessly hurrying?
Last Sunday afternoon, mindlessly stressfully and rushing landed me in major trouble—specifically, major physical pain.
Despite my recent efforts to relish nature’s magnificence, appreciate my peaceful surroundings, and slow down my breathing, last week I temporarily forgot my mindful intentions.
Instead, I was was hurrying and scurrying as in an area I don’t know.
There I was, in the Downtown Disney® Marketplace in Orlando, Florida, speedwalking so I’d arrive on time for the opening keynote of the Launch conference, sponsored by intentional-leadership guru Michael Hyatt and motivational speaker Ken Davis.
I was very eager to attend this event, because I’m a huge fan of Michael Hyatt, author of the fabulous book, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World, a jewel I discovered, thanks to Hay House, publisher of my most recent book, Beyond Sugar Shock).
Anyhow, although I’d been savoring my meandering for about an hour (even finding some sweet-smelling bath salts), I’d simply lost track of time.
Photos 4-11-11 017So as I was rushing to the Launch conference opening talks, a curb came out of nowhere — well, that’s certainly what it felt like! — and I wrenched my knee. Ouch! Aargh! Eeeks!
I could actually feel my kneecap move around into places where it didn’t belong (although I was wearing a very thin protective brace, because I’d harmed this same knee before.)
In short, I hurt myself because I was in a rush, and I wasn’t fully present or consciously alert.
Otherwise, I would have seen that high-level curb and therefore easily avoided it.
For the next four days, while at the great Launch conference, I regularly iced my painful knee. (I chose not to take the hours it would take to find a doctor in Orlando, get X-rays, etc., because I didn’t want to miss the amazing event.)
Yesterday, after returning back home, I realized that I badly needed medical help.
After many desperate calls to orthopedic surgeons—who couldn’t see me until June or July!—I finally pleaded pitifully enough so that one doctor’s assistant kindly squeezed me in to see a top-notch doctor to whom I’d been recommended.
The Doctor’s Verdict
I have a medial collateral ligament strain, grade 2 (meaning that it wasn’t super-awful, but it wasn’t just a minor injury).
Healing Required
I need to wear a big, monstrous brace while walking (see photo above.
Plus, I have to see a physical therapist a couple of times a week.
And I need to ice 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off.
As for exercise, I can’t do any Zumba or high-intensity spinning or stair-blasting. Okay, I admit, that’s very frustrating!
I also can leisurely walk and in about a week, I may be able to start swimming (not my favorite sport) and I can do slow biking on a stationary bike.
I’ve Also Personalized My Healing Plan
Since I’m a health coach and life coach, I’ve come up with some more healing action steps.
As my awesome tapping consultant, Mary Ayers — who I had to cancel on to see the doctor — reminded me, I need to do lots of EFT on the pain and the feelings associated with my injury.
I also plan to get help from Nick Ortner, author of The Tapping Solution.
I also need to slow down. (See also my 7 Tips to Calm Down.)
My doctor predits that in about 8 weeks — I hope sooner, my knee should be fine.
I’ve Rushed for Years. What About You?
Contorting and twisting my knee while confronting that darn curb made me realize and admit that for years, I’ve excelled at rushing.
I’m a Rusher Par Excellence!
Apparently, I’ve even sought out places to live and a profession where scurrying is a plus—or, rather a must. Yikes!
Just consider:
Up until two years ago (when I moved across country to be with my then-terminally ill mom, who I later lost), I lived in Manhattan, the city where if you rush, you excel. (Okay, I’m exaggerating, but it often seems that everyone is dashing about and running late in The Big Apple.)
Not only that, but as a trained journalist, I’m used to frequent article deadlines. In fact, my editors often leaned on me, saying, “Connie, where is your story? We need it!” Back in my days as a daily reporter, I had to crank out several articles a day.
Now I”m forced to face that this I may have hurry sickness, which, in turn, has made me accident-prone.
The fact is this isn’t the first time that my stressing and rushing have made me accident-prone and then caused me serious physical pain.
While a daily journalist and pushing to meet constant deadlines, striking computer keys so quickly (I’m super-fast) and so often on an ergonomically unsound work station and not taking enough breaks, led to excruciatingly painful carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, tendonisovitis and dystonia. At the time, I could barely move my hands, but my doctor didn’t recommend surgery. Besides, I was was determined to find another route — thank you, acupuncture and B vitamins. Anyhow, I had to take many weeks off work, and and eventually I just quit my job so I could go freelance to protect my poor ailing wrists.
Another time, while racing to meet a deadline to finish my first book, Sugar Shock, I badly injured my back by sitting too long while on the keyboard and by not getting up to stretch often. My amazing acupuncturist helped me get through this time.
Then, once, while dashing for a cab in New York City, I severely sprained my ankle by stepping in a nasty pothole I hadn’t noticed.
Oh yeah, there was also the time, while rushing to get back to my sailing lesson that I rammed head-first into a glass window and suffered a concussion.
Beyond Sugar Shock Book CoverNow, let’s get to the sugar connection, which date to about 1998. While trying to cope with the ever-pressing deadlines of a journalist, I became addicted to sugar and processed carbs, which I call quickie carbs.
In fact, I relied on unnatural sugar and carb highs to give me a buzz, help me think straight and write quickly. (Ultimately, I beat my sugar and carb addiction while creating many easy-to-master tools, which I shared in my book Beyond Sugar Shock. FYI, my quit-sugar-iversary comes uup Tuesday so stay tuned for my upcoming post, “7 Ways Life Improved by Being Sugar-Free for 16 Years.”
Back to my hurry accident. The Universe — speaking through my aching, throbbing knee — is clearly telling me to Slow Down!
Plus, I need to get a handle on what some experts call “hurry sickness.”
As I’ll ll now I nurse my injured knee back to health, I’m more determined than ever to breathe deeply, mindfully relax, and consciously choose calm. Read on so you can join the No-Rush Challenge.
Of course, most of us know that scurrying and hurrying while under stress is just not healthy.
A plethora of research shows the many benefits of slowing down. When you’re mindful, you’re happier, you live longer, and (no surprise!) you’re less accident-prone.
Plus, when you eat more mindfully, you lose weight.
Will you join me in a campaign to Stop Rushing & Start Relaxing? Here are 7 tips to get you going.
7 Tips to Stop Rushing & Start Relaxing
1) Claim Calm.
Before you even get out of bed in the morning, breathe deep into your belly and then exhale. Do this for three to 7 minutes. As you do this, inwardly repeat, “I claim calm now. I claim calm now. I claim calm now.” (If you can’t last that long, just try 7 or 10 rounds.)
2) Stay Calm Even If You’re On Deadline.
Whenever you feel rushed for one reason or another, claim calm for at least three breaths. You can do this even when you’re working, driving, waiting for your kids, walking or preparing that pressing project.
3) Take Relaxing Time-Outs.
Throughout the day—at least three times a day—claim calm again for seven breaths; notice and enjoy the scenery around you.
4) Calm Down Before a Meal.
Every time you eat, take seven “I claim calm” breaths first. Research ven shows that you can even lose weight by eating mindfully.
5) Add time.
Whenever you have an appointment, give yourself an extra 45 minutes to an hour to get there. That way, you won’t get frazzled if you hit unexpected traffic, get lost or encounter other surprising challenges. (You certainly won’t mess up your knee as I did rushing to get there.)
6) Keep Track of Time.
Enjoy yourself, but if you have an appointment, keep an eye on the clock so you won’t have to rush at the last minute as I did.
7) Be Alert for Street and Sidewalk Ruts & Potholes.
What a no-brainer! Wish I’d taken my own advice here.
Join the Conversation. Do you rush instead of relax? Have you injured yourself (like me) because you were rushing?

Why I Was Anti-Social & Didn’t Shake Hands at Social Media Marketing World

For the past couple of days, I had no choice but be anti-social at the amazing Social Media Marketing World, where some oSocial-media-marketing-world-2014-19f the biggest names in social media participated in 80+ sessions, during which they shared tips and tools that can boost your social media platform.
In fact, I didn’t shake one person’s event at this great conference, sponsored by the Social Media Examiner.
For months, I’d been eagerly looking forward to being social and attending programs with wuch compelling speakers as Social Media Examiner founder Michael A. Stelzner, who I interviewed a while back on my Gab with the Gurus Show) after his book, Launch, was released; Copyblogger mastermaind Brian Clark; Facebook guru Mari Smith (who also appeared on my Gab with the Gurus Show), Chris Brogan (whom I’d also on Ginterveiwed); “Podcast Answer Man” Cliff Ravenscraft; “The Connector” Larry Benet, “hype-free marketing consultant” Jay Baer, author of YouTility; Michael Hyatt, author of Platform); and many more.
So why would I be anti-social, especally now that after two years, I’m re-emerging after My Dark Night of the Soul, including My Bittersweet Last Year with Mom?
I couldn’t in good conscience get up close or shake hands with anyone, because the day of the event, I was landslided by a nasty cold, complete with sore and scrathy throat, stuffy nose, awful headache, annoying congestion, and utter exhaustion. Of course, I just didn’t want to get anyone sick.
Although I t didn’t shake hands, I didn’t follow the great advice about what to do when you have a bad cold.I was smart enough to pass up the 6 am networking walks that I’d been eagerly awaiting.
Anyhow, I’m full of great ideas after attending this great Social Media Marketing World.
I just have to get better first before I can implement them. Off to go take a nap.
Join the conversation. Have you not shaken hands with a colleague so you wouldn’t get that person sick? Share your thoughts.

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Clever Book Marketing: “Be the Media” Author David Mathison’s Seeks to Squash Al Gore’s Record

As an author (SUGAR SHOCK!), I’m often awed and intrigued by the brilliant marketing moves of fellow authors.
To pay homage to my fellow Author-Preneurs (a word I coined to convey or entrepreneurial stance) — and to help these authors build a buzz — I plan to periodically feature the clever marketing gimmicks of savvy authors in a new feature here, on my Sugar Shock Blog.
Today, I invite you to learn about David Mathison, author of the hot-selling book, Be The Media, who has launched an outrageous campaign to beat former Vice President Al Gore’s book sales record at a particular northern California bookstore.
BeTheMedia_Cover_Animation3.jpg Currently, Gore holds the record for book sales at an author event at the popular Book Passage bookstore in Corte Madera, California. But this Sunday, March 28, 2010, Mathison is setting his sights on breaking Gore’s record.
“If George Bush could beat him, so can I,” declares a confident Mathison, who self-published Be The Media in 2009 to help teach the secrets of independent media to authors, musicians, filmmakers, bloggers, TV/radio hosts and vloggers so that they can inexpensively and widely distribute their message.
To create a buzz for just one book signing by seeking to rival a celebrity’s turnout is brilliant book marketing in action. Because, let’s face it, many authors dread or fret about book signings, because they never know how many fans will show up.
What’s especially clever about Mathison’s marketing ploy is that he’s also encouraging fans based outside of California to help. He invites anyone — from around the world — to buy Be the Media right at his website. He even promises to personally autograph each book. And if you buy a bunch of copies of Be the Media (i.e., be a contributing donor), you can even win lunch with the author, take a photo with a life-size Al Gore, or discuss the invention of the Internet.
According to Mathison, “Diehard Be The Media activists and special guests will rally from noon to 4 pm outside the bookstore. From 4 to 5 pm, Mathison will deliver the same keynotes he gave in December 2009 and January 2010 to the United Nations.”
As if that wasn’t original enough, Mathison is now live streaming the pre-book-signing goings-on at his website, BeTheMedia.org, so supporters from across the globe can cheer him on and support his cause. The author even “promises to eat, drink, sleep, talk, and filibuster until he beats Gore.” He even confidently proclaims: “Once Gore sees me closing in on the record,” he says, “I’m sure he’ll concede.”

Speakers, Authors, Coaches & Bloggers: Be a Mover & Shaker With Hay House

Do you have a powerful message that you’re yearning to share with millions in a book, through talks or even on your own radio show?
Are you convinced that you have transformative information that could really help people?
But are you completely stumped as to how to reach all those people so you can change their lives?
If you burning desires such as those I just cited, I strongly encourage you to attend one of the upcoming Movers & Shakers events sponsored by Hay House and emceed by bestselling author Cheryl Richardson and Hay House President & CEO Reid Tracy.
Back in December, I attended the first Movers & Shakers event, and I cannot rave about it enough! Over the years, I’ve attended about 20 wonderful events for authors, speakers, bloggers, social media experts and more, but this Movers & Shakers conference was a powerful event that really pulled it all together for me.
Here’s my heartfelt testimonial about this fabulous Movers & Shakers conference:
“If you feel a calling to serve people and help them transform their lives for the better, then you MUST attend the Hay House Movers & Shakers conference! This is a powerful, transformative, life-changing experience that gives you valuable tools, tips and insights, which empower you to be true to yourself and pursue your vision at the same time. As if that’s not enough, you also could make the most wonderful friends.” – “Smart Habits Girl” Connie Bennett, CPC, CHHC, Author, SUGAR SHOCK!
If you’re serious about becoming a Mover & Shaker, sign up now for one of these life-changing Hay House Movers & Shakers events. I invite you to tell them that Connie Bennett referred you.