A few weeks ago, Gail and I attended the Dynamic Communicators Workshop (DCW) at the WinShape Retreat Center in Mt. Berry, Georgia. Even though I have been speaking publicly for 30 years, I was ready to take my speaking to the next level. I wasn’t disappointed.

DCW was one of the best learning experiences I have ever had. My friend, Ken Davis, along with a world-class faculty presented extraordinary content. That alone would have been worth the tuition. But the most helpful sessions were with our small groups. In these sessions, we each had to prepare and deliver three speeches. We were then video-taped, critiqued, and individually coached.

In today’s environment, to be an effective leader you must be an effective communicator. The two go hand-in-hand. Whether you are the CEO of a company, the director of a division, or the pastor of a church, you must be able to write and speak well if you are going to maximize your influence.

More than ten years ago, when I was a marketing executive, I attended a week-long, “Copywriters Bootcamp” in Del Ray, Florida. The experience was invaluable. We listened to lectures, wrote headlines and advertising copy, and then read our work aloud to the group.

Last week, I spoke at the Re:create 2011 Conference in Franklin, Tennessee. This is an annual conference for Christian “creatives” (e.g., worship leaders, recording artists, book authors, actors, etc.). I talked about the #1 challenge these creatives face: becoming bitter over unwarranted criticism.

A few days after the conference, my friend Ken Davis, who was also a speaker at the conference, gave me some valuable feedback on my speech. In addition to being an enormously gifted speaker himself, Ken is a speech coach. He also hosts the Dynamic Communicators Summit and the Professional Communicators Summit, two conferences designed for professional speakers.

Why do books have “running heads”? This is where publishers put the title of the book on every other page, usually alternating with the chapter title. Comedian Brian Regan asks, “Why?”

Gail and I are going to see Brian live on Sunday night. I can’t wait! Second only to Ken Davis, he is my favorite comedian.

I am really excited about our Caribbean Cruise for Creatives on April 2–7, 2011. We still have a few slots available, and I would love for you to join us. At the bottom of this post, I will tell you how to sign up and get the opportunity to pitch your book to Alice Sullivan, a savvy book editor with extensive experience.

The cruise is hosted by Randy Elrod and his wife, Chris, two of my best friends and a true “Christian creative.” What is a creative? Anyone who creates—or wants to create—art. This includes book authors, recording artists, graphic artists, bloggers, worship leaders, photographers, culinary artists, and more.

What if you had 30 minutes to pitch your book idea to me in person? At the bottom of this post, I will tell you how to sign up for this Caribbean Cruise for Creatives and automatically have your name entered into a contest to win the opportunity to pitch your book. But first, watch this video, then continue reading for details.

Randy Elrod is one of my best friends and a true “Christian creative”—someone who loves beauty, creates it, and knows the Source of it. He hosts the annual Recreate Conference, a gathering of Christian creatives, including worship leaders, book authors, recording artists, graphic artists, and bloggers. I have attended now for three years in a row and have loved the experience.

Public speaking? The very words scare most people. But if you are an author—or want to become one—you need to get serious about your speaking. It can directly impact your success as a writer.

Last spring I attended the Professional Communicators Summit in Nashville, Tennessee. The conference is designed to assist leaders in either starting a professional speaking career or taking it to the next level. This is a fantastic resource, and one I want to encourage you to make plans now to attend. The next conference is March 18-20, 2010.