That Time I Forgot To Bring a Camera!

If you’ve been paying attention you know I’ve been shouting to the rooftops about the free seminars I’m doing at the Henderson Libraries, Paseo Verde Library.

No?

It's okay. I know not everyone lives on the internet like I do. If you're in the area you can still drop in for parts 2 & 3 of my Story Craft seminar series.

But that's not why I'm posting today. Well, it is, sort of, but not in the way you're thinking. 

You see, I'm a bit of a Nervous Nellie when it comes to public speaking. Everything has to be perfect or I feel like a failure. I wasn't always this way, but somewhere between leaving my High School theater behind and entering the adult world I developed this horrible aversion to having to speak in public.  

As an author, that's kind of counter productive to the whole building a fan-base and doing public signings and the like. Silly me, did I think being an author was just writing books? Yeah, a little. 

As is the norm, reality is far from what was imagined, and putting myself out there became more and more a necessity as I learned the marketing side of authorship. 

What I found out through a great amount of trial and error is that I do my best public speaking when I am sharing knowledge and helping others rather than just shouting to the rooftops, "Hey Buy My Book!!!!!"

That's where Spilling Ink started. It was created not just as an author interview show, but as a way to get over the whole public speaking issue AND be helpful at the same time. That also spawned a bit of a speaking career, taking those authorly things learned through years of trial and error and mixing them with stories from the many authors I've spoken to. In the last two years I've begun to recapture that love of being center stage, not playing a part, but teaching others and sharing knowledge. 

So what does that have to do with pictures, you ask? Get to the point, Katie! 

Okay okay, so while I've done a great job of breaking through the initial fear of public speaking, I haven't yet grasped the concept of looking good while doing it. 

Case in point. I might plan my lessons over the course of months, agonizing over details and how much knowledge I can cram into a single session, but I always manage to forget one small detail.

What is that, you might ask?

Thanks, I was wondering when you would. 

Here it is.... Marketing myself as a speaker is part of that process. If I want to get more bookings, I need to show proof of goods, right? A few promotional images, maybe some video of the seminar, anything that showcases the great information your super hot presenter is delivering... Yeah, I suck at that part. 

I forgot my camera. And this wasn't the first time I did that. I seem to always forget a camera when I'm in need of some promotional photography. Have no fear. I had an assistant this time, so I asked her to take a few shots on her phone. My assistant by the way is my oldest daughter... That's a story for another day. 

Well folks, here's what I got. The super awesome promotional pictures from the seminar I spent months planning.... 

Oh yeah, that's selling it, right?

Totally nailed this photo shoot. 

Lesson learned. Next time we're bringing in a pro photographer. 

I hope you enjoyed though. Have a laugh at my expense. 

Hugs and Happy Reading!!