“Today I am here to tell you about my 9 Steps to Achieving Success and Happiness. But I’m afraid we only have time for me to share three of those steps. If you’d like to hear about the other six — that I guarantee will change your life forever — please go online to purchase my webinar, workbook, best-selling book, private coaching, two in-depth phone calls with me, my inspirational thought of the day package, and my 26-disc audiobook collection.”
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in a room where a speaker has made some lame excuse about why they can’t deliver what they’ve promised. In my mind, if you are being paid to deliver quality information, and you get up on the stage and make up a reason why you can’t deliver that information in order to upsell more of your other products, that’s called stealing.
That’s why I’ve never sold from the stage. I never have, and I never will, and the fact that some speakers insist on doing so gives speakers everywhere a bad name. I mention my book on stage because I give one away for free and I want my audiences to know it is available as a resource. But I will never, ever tell them to go buy it.
When someone hires me to give my keynote speech, I focus all of my energy on the people who have given their time and money to have me in the room. I want to deliver the amazing content I’ve promised that they can apply in their careers as well as their personal lives and development starting that day — not after they visit my online store.
If I don’t think I can deliver the information I’ve promised in the time allotted, then I inform the event coordinator. It’s far better to discuss the keynote length beforehand, rather than waiting until I get on stage to complain that I wasn’t given enough time, making the very people who have worked so hard to get me in the room look terrible.
It’s not that I don’t understand the impact of my books, my continuity program, and my leadership retreats. Quite the contrary, actually. I believe that my message is so valuable that I don’t have to trick people into buying it. My books sell themselves because I honestly provide quality information, and people always want more from an honest, trusted speaker.
What do you think about people that upsell you products and services that you don’t really need? How does it make you feel? Hit reply or comment below and share your opinion and experiences – I’d love to hear from you!
As a speaker and author, Curtis Zimmerman has impacted over one million people with his life-changing messages and award-winning programs. Curtis is an expert at transforming organizations by inspiring individuals to live their lives at performance level.
Want to be inspired? Check out his podcast The Next 24 Hours.
