Thread: Speaking of Women's Health

I tried to do a search on this topic....I could swear a Bhuzzer had taught at a "Speaking of Women's Health" convention at one point. Anyways, I was asked to speak at the local event in August. They want me to speak about "belly dancing for fun & fitness" and then they want me to teach a class on basic movements. They are expecting over 1000 women but I just want to make sure I get the best points across. Do you think notecards are an awful thing to use? I want to make sure I get the BEST points across to the women. I don't know how long I have to speak yet but they are getting my headshot to put in their booklet. Eeek! I'm used to talking to a group of like 10 women each week. I've had some public speaking stuff at college but yikes - never for a group that big!!! ,r:; I think it will be a blast and look awesome on my resume, but I'm not sure where to even begin about belly dance! The organizer said I could put out flyers and biz cards but how many do I need? Printing 1000 things out could be pretty costly!

Lena

If note cards will be helpful to you in making the points you want to make, I'd say it's fine to use them. Jot down just 4-5 words on each point you want to make, just enough to remind you of the point, and then speak from the heart. (Ie, please don't read narrative from the cards.)

The number of flyers or business cards to print would depend partly on how they are distributed. Will they be on a table where interested parties can just take one? If so, I'd suggest a quantity that is 20% of the expected crowd size. If instead they'll be handed out by ushers to everyone in the room, you'll need more.

Originally Posted by lenaregina

I tried to do a search on this topic....I could swear a Bhuzzer had taught at a "Speaking of Women's Health" convention at one point. Anyways, I was asked to speak at the local event in August. They want me to speak about "belly dancing for fun & fitness" and then they want me to teach a class on basic movements. They are expecting over 1000 women but I just want to make sure I get the best points across. Do you think notecards are an awful thing to use? I want to make sure I get the BEST points across to the women. I don't know how long I have to speak yet but they are getting my headshot to put in their booklet. Eeek! I'm used to talking to a group of like 10 women each week. I've had some public speaking stuff at college but yikes - never for a group that big!!! ,r:; I think it will be a blast and look awesome on my resume, but I'm not sure where to even begin about belly dance! The organizer said I could put out flyers and biz cards but how many do I need? Printing 1000 things out could be pretty costly!

Lena

That's a great opportunity! You can have fun with this one - pretend it's just ten people in the room, and through the magic of CGI, the same ten people have been multiplied to fill the room.

But seriously, I have found when showing and explaining movement to such a large group, it can be helpful to have a couple of partners/assistants. How it would work depends on the logistics of the venue. If you are on a large stage, stay in the middle and have the assistants on either end. That way paticipants can follow one of the assistants if sight lines to you are blocked.

Another solution works if portable stages are available. If they are, station each assistant one-third to one-half of the way back on either side. They need to be higher than the participants for this to work.

These ideas may not work for your venue, but as long as you are higher than the participants and have a microphone, you should be fine. Good luck!

Originally Posted by lenaregina

Printing 1000 things out could be pretty costly!

I'd have thought that getting 1000 business cards printed wouldn't be outrageously expensive, and then at least you'd have them available for future use...

Good luck with the talk- note cards seem absolutely fine to me- are they expecting a big PowerPoint presentation or something?

Good idea on the assistants. I will be getting more information on this very soon. It's not a paid gig but I figured I'd probably get more students and generate some buzz around town about belly dance. It seems like a really fun opportunity.

I could do a powerpoint presentation if I wanted. She sent me a form to fill out about what equipment I need like microphone, CD player, screen projector, etc. I'm definitely asking for a microphone headset so it will be easier to speak and demonstrate. I can't wait to speak for a huge crowd. I could totally get into it, the more the merrier! I've always loved public speaking but I wasn't sure about having the index cards with words on them so I could be reminded of what to speak about next. Just wanted to make sure it was "kosher" to use index cards.

I will ask some of my girls if they want to assist me in demonstrating moves. I think it would be good to have 2-3 of my girls at different ages, heights, and weights to show the crowd that any woman can belly dance and that you don't have to look like a bulimic model. Do you all think that is a good idea ?? or ??

Originally Posted by lenaregina

I will ask some of my girls if they want to assist me in demonstrating moves. I think it would be good to have 2-3 of my girls at different ages, heights, and weights to show the crowd that any woman can belly dance and that you don't have to look like a bulimic model. Do you all think that is a good idea ?? or ??

I think it's a wonderful idea to have a variety of ages and body types!

Hi Lena,

Have you checked out VistaPrint online? They are very cheap, (15.00 for 500 cards), You do the card design,but the printing is cheap, nice work and prompt delivery. I've used them for a while now. Let me know if you need help. I should be sane after the 20th.

Hope to see you at ShimmyFest 07!

KittieSparkle

Kittie! I will be at shimmyfest with twinkle toes on! I can't wait to see your performance this year. I know it will rock! It will be like my "1 year wedding anniversary" - just earlier! Gotta celebrate!

I will go check out vista print and make something in photoshop.

Oooo and I just got the thumbs up that I can sell stuff at the event. I am going to get a wholesale lot of coin scarves. Probably 30 of them (I don't want to be stuck with scarves) but I'll sell them for like 20 bucks. Any ideas on what else to sell cheaply? CD's? I don't have tons of money to spend on wholesale.

I just got an email from Vista Print with their sale discounts (they have a sale like every 2 days) email me at eshe@eshebellydancer.com and I'll forward it to you.

Business cards and postcards among other things are free...