Terri Sjodin

Biography

Terri Sjodin is the principal and founder of Sjodin Communications.

She is one of America`s most highly sought after female speakers and has trained and motivated thousands of people from all over the world. Her unique specialization is advancing the persuasive presentation skills of professionals. She is the author of the national bestselling book, Small Message, Big Impact: How to Put the Power of the Elevator Speech Effect to Work for You, which hit the New York Times` Hardcover Advice & Misc. bestseller list, Wall Street Journal Hardcover Business bestseller list, and USA Today Money bestseller list.

She is also the author of the highly acclaimed books, "NEW SALES SPEAK - The 9 Biggest Sales Presentation Mistakes and How To Avoid Them" published by John Wiley & Sons, New York and co-author of Mentoring - A Success Guide for Mentors and Proteges, co-written with Floyd Wickman, and published by McGraw-Hill.

Over 20 years ago, Terri went into business for herself, building Sjodin Communications in Orange County, CA from a spare room in her home. Today, Terri`s clients include an impressive list of Fortune 500 companies, industry associations, and academic conferences. Her consulting practice has taken her from her house, to the US House of Representatives, where she has served as a keynote speaker for the US House of Representatives GOP Retreat addressing approximately 235 Congressmen and Women. This has led to additional invitations to present and coach leadership on The Hill including the House Republican Press Secretary Conference, the prestigious Heritage Foundation Resource Bank event, and encore performances at the House GOP Retreat in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011.

In June of 2007, Terri was named one of the top five Women in Business by the Orange County Business Journal at the distinguished WIB awards. This award is presented in recognition of exceptional professional accomplishments, including business success, contributions to industry, and the Orange County community.

Beyond her success as an entrepreneur and author, Terri is a frequent guest on radio and television talk shows throughout the country appearing on CNN, CNBC, and many major network affiliates from ABC, CBS, and NBC, FOX, cable and radio.

In August of 1999, Terri received the prestigious CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) designation. Less than 7% of the 5,000 speakers who belong to the International Federation for Professional Speakers hold this professional designation.

Terri serves on the Orange County Board of Trustees for Olive Crest. Olive Crest is dedicated to preventing child abuse, to treating and educating at-risk children and to preserving the family one life at a time.

Terri graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Speech Communication. Before forming her own company, Terri was a top sales producer with both The Achievement Group and Resource Dynamics.

Her combination of academic communication theory, field research, and practical street sales experience collected during thousands of coast-to-coast business presentations cast Terri in the leading role of advising today`s professionals on becoming more polished, persuasive presenters and adapting to the changing marketplace.

Terri is a "high content" speaker - Her approach is fresh, real-world, and her style is sassy and practical. Each presentation is loaded with street-worthy ideas, methods, and tips that men and women can use immediately to get results. Many consider Terri to be today`s sales professionals` speech coach.

Publications

Small Message, Big Impact : How to Put the Power of the Elevator Speech Effect to Work for You

"Don`t just think of an elevator speech as a generic tool you use in chance moments-consider the concept as a strategy to manage multiple talking points and to communicate more complex ideas as well."

Terri L. Sjodin`s new work, Small Message, Big Impact : How to Put the Power of the Elevator Speech Effect to Work for You, provides an entertaining, straightforward, and practical how-to guide on effectively communicating a critical message in a short period of time. She gives readers an inspiring new perspective on the power of what she calls the Elevator Speech Effect and shows them how to employ this amazing little tool to create influence in today`s market.
Perhaps you want to promote an idea, a project, or a concept. Maybe you are looking to create a more compelling message to sells a product or service that will help you access challenging decision makers. Whatever your purpose-be it professional, academic, political, philanthropic, or personal-you can learn to craft a fresh, brief, and persuasive message that generates tangible results!

In This Book You Will Learn:

- How to incorporate new creative illustrations and bring your message to life.
- How to build a compelling and persuasive case using six of the most consistently effective arguments in today`s market.
- How to morph your elevator speech content and employ your best material in a variety of presentation opportunities, including the internet and social media platforms.
- How to speak in your own authentic voice-it`s not only what you say, it`s how you say it.
- This book includes outlines to help you craft your next talk, worksheets, a complete sample elevator speech, evaluation forms ... and much more!

Titles

New Sales Speak

The 9 Biggest Sales Presentation Mistakes and How To Avoid Them
(This program can be delivered in a keynote, short program, half-day or breakout session.)

What are the 9 Biggest Sales Presentation Mistakes People Make and How Do You Avoid Them? In this "must-attend" session, Terri will show you how to build and deliver a more polished and effective sales presentation - one that is persuasive rather than just informative. The focus will be on developing verbal communication skills for greater impact with clients, including how to develop a more creative style and hot tips on visual aids, body language, closing and more. Terri will share ideas and tips from her latest book New Sales Speak.

The audience will gain an understanding of:
- The 9 biggest mistakes people make when presenting and how to avoid them
- How to make your presentations persuasive rather than just informative
- How to sell yourself through building and delivering a strong "case" for your message
- How to present more effectively, whether one-on-one or one-on one hundred
- How to develop and maintain credibility and a dynamic, memorable presentation style
- How to avoid "strange" body language and gesturing
- How to channel fear and anxiety to work for you vs. against you when public speaking and presenting
- How to craft an intriguing "3-minute elevator speech"

Small Message, Big Impact: How to Put the Power of the Elevator Speech Effect to Work for You
(This is can be a stand-alone special general session, breakout, or long program to follow the New Sales Speak keynote)

Dont just think of an elevator speech as a generic tool you use in chance moments-consider the concept as a strategy to manage multiple talking points and to communicate more complex ideas as well.

Perhaps you want to promote an idea, a project or a concept. Maybe you are looking to create a more intriguing presentation to sell a product or service that will help you access more challenging decision makers.

How do you sell, persuade or move people to action? What actually makes you a person of influence? A vital element in moving people to action and creating influence is your ability to build and deliver a thought provoking presentation.

From elevator speeches to formal sales presentations you can craft a more compelling message. One that is persuasive rather than just informative.

Mentoring - For Success
(This is a stand-alone breakout session or can follow the New Sales Speak keynote.)

In this program Terri will show you the powerful rewards and value of developing a personal mentoring program. This session includes a "how to" road map for success for both mentors and proteges which will cover The Proof, The Rules, The Laws, The Benefits and The Most Commonly Asked Questions about how to make it work! Terri will share wonderful pearls of wisdom from her book MENTORING published by McGraw-Hill, co-written with Floyd Wickman.

How to Build Your Persuasive Case
(This is a breakout session to follow the New Sales Speak keynote.)

Has your sales presentation become far too informative versus persuasive? In this breakout session, Terri will show you specific how-to`s for developing logical persuasive arguments in the body of your sales presentations, including strategies for handling objections. This is a roll-up-your-shirt-sleeves interactive session.