Sparks

Thank you all again for the advice - including the importance of having video clips! I'm putting together a demo video with what I have, which isn't much. <div><br></div><div>The video footage I have to work with isn't professional quality, so I'd like to ask for your thoughts on whether this draft video will help or hurt me: https://vimeo.com/169741410/d2880fecb5 </div><div><br></div><div>I just signed a speaking engagement that I hope to be able to get good video of, so I will eventually be able to replace some of these clips.</div>

I'm honored to receive so many responses! Thank you all for your insight. Izzy and Dan - I'll definitely take you up on your gracious offers to chat. I know enough to try to absorb everything I can from experts who have being doing this for a long time.  <div><br></div><div>Another fact to add to the mix is that my topics and audiences are pretty specific at this point (my topics are related to government social media and audiences are either government agencies/organizations, or technology companies selling to government). Should I work on broadening my audience? Drop the government aspect and just speak on social media topics? Thing is, my specific area of expertise is government...<div><br></div><div>Debra, I'm not sure if a speakers bureau is right for me then, as I already have someone to handle travel and logistics. </div><div><br></div><div>Thank you all for your comments about the importance of video. I'm working on editing various clips together - I only have a few to work with at this point, but I'll post it on this thread for your thoughts when done. Thank you!  </div><div><br></div></div>

<p>As someone who created a membership network with most of the features you mentioned using WordPress as the backbone, my thoughts are 1) WP is usable for a small number of users (we have fewer than 300) and 2) WP is probably not the best solution for a larger number of users.</p>
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<p>Although WP is working for us at the moment, it is not without headaches. We're using integrations with WooCommerce/Stripe to process purchases, Ultimate Member for membership level management, searchable user database, direct messaging, bbpress for a forum and several other integrations.</p>
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<p>One challenge with our WP environment is the unreliability of plugin updates, or if plugin authors discontinue support. Another challenge? The backend interface for admins isn't the most helpful without a combination of plugins to manage permissions and make reports available.</p>
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<p>Please let us know what platform you choose, because I'm at the point where I need to consider another solution as well!</p>
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<p>I appreciate everyone weighing in and sharing your advice! To answer the question raised a couple of times, we have been actively solicited by interested parties, which is what prompted my original question.</p>

I'm the CEO of a start-up that earns revenue via government consulting and web-based training. I have an idea for a cloud software product that will solve a challenge for state and local government agencies (my background is in city government, and I would have loved this product). I'm the expert in how the software should function, and I have ideas for the user interface - but I'm not a developer. What should I do first? My initial thought is that I need to learn about processes for software architecture and prototyping (from a leadership approach). But I'm also concerned about wasting time learning aspects I don't need to.

What's the first step in developing a software product, if you're not a developer?

I have delivered over 50 keynote speeches. About 30 of these engagements were through a previous company I worked for, and about 20 of them were paid gigs booked by me through my startup. I love public speaking and I'm good at it! I even taught it at the college level, so I understand the mechanics behind delivering an entertaining presentation. <div><br></div><div>I have a speaking packet with some testimonials, but I don't have any video clips. All of my keynote inquiries have found me from my website (http://GovernmentSocialMedia.com) or heard about me from someone else. I took a break from speaking to have a baby, but she's 3 months old now and I'm ready to get back in the game!</div><div><br></div><div>I've never had anyone market me. <b>How do you get represented by a speaker's bureau or company that will market you for a cut of the booked earnings? </b>My goal is to establish higher speaking fees and to book 2 engagements per month. </div>

How can you get represented by a speaker bureau?

<p>If your eventual exit plan involves getting acquired or merging with a larger company, what steps should you take now? As a follow-up, what questions should you ask potential acquirers or purchasers? We've never needed to take on debt, but should we obtain business credit simply to have a good credit record?</p>

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