Check out the 15SecondPitch Pitch Widget

We are very excited to announce the NEW 15SecondPitch Pitch Widget!! You can check it out by scrolling down slightly and looking to the right of this page.

Would love to hear your comments!

:)

laura

p.s. Please let me know if you put the Pitch Widget on your blog or website!

ARE YOU READY FOR SUCCESS? Join me on December 5th

If you had just one wish for the New Year, what would it be?

Would you get a new job? Would you take your business to the next level? Would you focus on creating substantial wealth so that you can have the freedom to do what you want? I keep hearing about how tough the economy is, and I know that it’s dire for a lot of people right now, and to be honest, it’s been a challenge for some of my clients too. However, it’s important to remember that people get new jobs, start businesses and make millions in EVERY economy—even this one.

I notice when I go to networking and social events, I’m drawn to the outgoing, positive, big thinkers. That’s just how I am. Maybe because I grew up as an extremely shy only child. (Yes, hard to imagine for anyone who knows me!!)

FIVE THINGS YOU CAN DO TODAY TO ENSURE SUCCESS IN 2009

1.Support the People (And Organizations) You Believe In.

This holiday season, if you are going to buy a few gifts for the important people in your life, think about buying a necklace from a local jewelry designer. That $80. purchase will make a huge difference to her this year and the person receiving will get a unique gift that they won’t get from anyone else.

2.Ask For The Sale

Yes, I know that this is a radical suggestion. But I’m going to let you in on a little secret. My clients are making sales right now, today, in this economy. Why? Because they have excellent products and services and they are asking for the sale. There are a lot of people who are going to “wait it out” until January to start pitching for their business. That means there is an opportunity for those who are pitching today.

3.Get Out of The House

The networking events I’ve been going to recently are PACKED!! Just getting up out of the house is a step in the right direction. You never know who you might meet. Make a point of talking about the possibilities that you see in the future and don’t waste time focusing on the economic crisis. We all know what’s going on. No need to rehash it.

4.Create a Budget:

Yes, I know. Most people would rather get a root canal than to think about creating a budget. And I’m at the top of that list. Here’s the empowering part though. I went through and looked at what I was spending and was able to eliminate $250. A MONTH in non-essential expenses. I’m actually embarrassed to admit that, however, I’m doing it because it might inspire you to take a look at your finances and see where you can reallocate some of your hard earned cash. I feel so much better knowing that money is now being invested in building my business!

5.Hire An Expert to Help you Achieve Your Goals.

There are a lot of super talented resume writers, business coaches, and web designers who are offering excellent deals right now. With part of the $250. I saved per month, I hired people to help me do the things that I’m not great at or never seem to get around to doing. It sounds counter intuitive, however, the small amount that I pay to a virtual assistant, (I use a company called http://www.LongerDays.com) pays huge returns because I can use that time to focus on working with my clients and growing my business.

For More Ways to Succeed in 2009

If you are in NYC, come to a fre* event that I’m co-hosting with two of my colleagues on the morning of December 5^th. RSVP instructions are on this fabulous flyer below. (And yes, we chipped in and paid an incredible graphic designer to create it!)

Meet at the NY Times event on Monday!

Last year I had a blast at the NY Times Small Business Summit, so I'm going again this year! Let me know if you will be there and we can meet-up!

http://nytsmallbusinessummit.com/

I'm proud to be a coach on Coachology

I'm very excited to be one of the featured coaches on Penelope Trunk's Coacholgy. Click here to see my profile and I'll also put up links to my posts soon!

http://www.brazencareerist.com/coachology/laura-allen/

Visionwiz: 15SecondPitch.com

Visionwiz: 15SecondPitch.com

ASJA panel gives LOTS of great advice!!

I had the honor of speaking at the ASJA (American Society of Journalists and Authors) over the weekend and had an absolute blast! The panel was moderated by best-selling author Victoria Moran (http://www.VictoriaMoran.com) (that's her first, l. to r.).
















Martin Rowe, publisher of Lantern Books (http://www.lanternbooks.com/), Daylle Deanna Schwartz (http://www.Daylle.com), Tom B. Martin (http://www.tommartinmedia.com), and Karen Kelly http://www.karenkellywriter.com/
were also on the panel!

We got rave reviews from many conference attendees and I'll post some of those as soon as I get the okay to do so!

"I am David Paterson and I am the Governor of New York State"

That was what an anchor on NY1 news coined the "money soundbite" of the speech.

It sent chills down my spine. Of course there were a lot of other great elements to his speech, not the least of which is that he had no notes and no teleprompter, and less than one week to prepare.

"I am David Paterson and I am the Governor of New York State." His words were clear, concise and compelling.

Now that we know David, WHO are YOU?

He's 20-something and his company has already been ACQUIRED, read HOW

Find out what it's like to drive cross country interviewing a bunch of interesting people and then get acquired by a company that's literally in your own back yard. Here's my interview with Brett Farmiloe founder of http://pursuethepassion.com/



Laura Allen: How did you come up with the idea for Pursue the Passion?

Brett Farmiloe: It was a combination of things. One was a discovery that I really liked to interview people, which I found out by interviewing for jobs during my senior year at the University of Arizona. I then was staring at my last summer before diving into the corporate world, and I wanted to make the most of my last few months of freedom. Plus, I was feeling lots of self-induced skepticism for going into a career as an auditor. So I wrote down the things I wanted to do in my last summer. I wanted to travel. I wanted to learn. I wanted to improve. I combined all of those "wants" with what I liked to do, and eventually came to the conclusion that I should hit the road with a couple buddies and interview people that had found a passion in their work.

LA: Did people ever tell you that you were crazy and should get a REAL job?

BRETT: Hell yeah. Who wouldn't think that traveling around the country in a RV to interview people at no pay isn't crazy. I think I'm crazy. But you know what? You have to be a little bit crazy to take risks. And its those risks that put you on a whole different level than those that remain complacent.

LA: What was the biggest challenge in getting PTP off the ground?

BRETT: Getting others to believe in your idea the way you do. I could see so clearly as to why Pursue the Passion would be beneficial to a company, how it would impact students, and where it could potentially lead if I had just one believer with some capital. But not too many saw it the way I did, and to tell you the truth, I don't think our title sponsor Jobing.com did either. I like to think they invested in my "passion" for the idea, and trusted that I could make this thing work.

LA: What was the most surprising thing you learned about yourself during your cross country trips with PTP?

BRETT:That I was previously living in a very constrained, small world. I guess that's what travel does to you. It opens your eyes to the other things life has to offer. It exposes you to the lifestyles people lead. And then it causes you to look at your life and say, "Hey, wait a minute. Why am I not living as freely as I can be?"

LA:How did you learn about Jobing?

BRETT: Jobing.com is everywhere in Phoenix. They have naming rights to a stadium. They have a fleet of wrapped cars that employees drive around with their logo on it. They have billboards, adopt-a-highway signs, huge career expos. Plus, they were headquartered a block away from my house. So here my buddy and I were frantically submitting proposals to corporations and companies across the United States, when really, all we had to do was look in our backyard to find an opportunity.

LA: What's it like to have your first company get acquired?

BRETT:I suppose its like the mothers nest syndrome. You know its best for your child to go on and grow in the world, but part of you wants to hold on. Its tough to let go of the baby that you put the life into and created, but exciting at the same time because of all the things that will transpire.

Hopeful entrepreneurs often dream of making big money and retiring. Does this acquisition allow you to retire or give you the freedom to not have to work for someone else?

Nope... I'm still a hopeful. But what this move does do is it allows me to operate with lots of autonomy and with lots of resources available. And that's sexy.

LA:Did you handle all aspects of the deal with Jobing or did you have lawyers and advisors to help?

BRETT:It was pretty straightforward stuff because there had been such a trusting relationship that we had established over six months. So it was just me.

LA: Did you ever think PTP would get acquired?

BRETT:Nope.

LA:Have you read The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss? What do you think of this book? He seems like a guy who would like what PTP stands for.

I have heard so much about the 4 hour work week book. I haven't read it. I'm working on Atlas Shrugged right now, written by Ayn Rand. It's an undertaking considering I've never read a book over 1,000 pages, but I'm enjoying it.

LA: When is your book scheduled to come out?

BRETT:It hasn't been announced yet, but I am hoping June 23rd of this summer. I'm also hoping that the book will bring us back out on the road to do some promo speaking around the country. We'll have to see.

LA:What's next for you and PTP?

BRETT:I have to have the first draft of the book done in sixty days. Yikes. Zach Hubbell, who came along on the trip and is working with PTP right now, will be the documentarian responsible for compiling an award worthy film to go along with the book. We will also be speaking to tons of high schools, colleges, and companies about what we found on the road. Then we'll see where the journey takes us next.

I'll be speaking on a webinar panel this Thursday at 2:30 pm. You can join it by going here:


http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/12907

You will need to download the Talkshoe application in order to join in. Talkshoe is an interesting platform that allows you to create an internet radio show, record it, turn it into a podcast and also intereact with others via phone, Skype, etc.

Learn from a panel of experts how to use technology and content to get visitors to your website to become actual paying customers. We cover strategies from start to finish, for beginners to experienced site owners,

Moderator: Anita Campbell is the CEO of her own business, Small Business Trends LLC, a media and information company.

Panelists include: Douglas Shuman Senior Vice President, Customer Marketing, Register.com, Shawn Holt, VP of Biz Dev for SitePal , and me!

Small Biz Tech Summit on Feb. 11th

hello all!

I wanted to recommend an event I've been going to for the past few years. It's the Small Business Tech. Summit and it is a fun, informative, all day event on Feb. 11th.

I'll be speaking on one of the panels.

And, laurel touby of MediaBistro fame, will be on another panel.

http://www.smallbiztechsummit.com/

It's really a bargain, just $99. if you sign up by Feb. 1st, so definitely hurry!!

Click here to register.
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/77143739

It's one of the only all day events I plan to attend this year.

:)

laura

Laura Allen at Banco Popular

Laura Allen at Banco Popular, originally uploaded by laura15secondpitch.

I'm sharing my "Secrets of the 15SecondPitch" at a recent networking event hosted by Banco Popular. I also believe that you need to focus on ONE key idea for each pitch that you create. For example, say that you are a high end fashion photographer by day and you bake incredible biscotti at night. You'd have TWO pitches. One that focuses on biscotti and the other focuses on photography. People are great at understanding one thing at a time. If you throw too many ideas at them, they get confused and don't know what it most important to focus on. It's like trying to find cereal in the grocery store. Too many choices, so you decide to go get a bagel instead.

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Web 2.0 event at Slate tomorrow night

One of my favorite networking events out there is the one that my friend Brett Petersel http://entrepreneur.meetup.com/894/members/2921484/ is running over at slate from 6:30-9:00pm. I will be there! Hope you will be too. See who else is going and to sign up here:
http://entrepreneur.meetup.com/894/

15SecondPitch Networking Event tues Nov. 13 6-8pm

Laura Allen's 15SecondPitch Networking and Fun Group November Meetup at BANCO POPULAR

When:
Tuesday, November 13, 2007, 6:00--8:00 PM 2007
Where:

BANCO POPULAR
441 Second Ave at 25th St New York , NY 10016

Description:
Laura Allen, co-founder of 15SecondPitch.com cordially invites you to a special workshop that is being hosted by BANCO POPULAR! They will be providing yummy snacks and from what I hear maybe even some nice wine!

Generate More Business NOW With your 15SecondPitch!

Ideal for Small Business Owners, Accountants, Lawyers, Consultants and anyone who needs to network more effectively to generate more leads and close sales.
You?re at a networking event and someone asks you, ?So, what do YOU do?? Do you have a great response that gets people excited to learn more or do you have trouble answering this eternal networking question?
Banco Popular is proud to welcome 15SecondPitch.com co-founder Laura Allen. She will deliver her signature 20 minute speed training workshop where she'll show you how to:

Choose One Thing to focus on for your pitch

The 4 key steps to create the perfect 15SecondPitch

How to network more effectively by using your 15SecondPitch

You'll have a great pitch you can start using immediately!

Laura has helped over 5,000 people introduce themselves more effectively since co-founding 15SecondPitch.com in 2002. You'll then have a chance to test drive your new pitch at the networking portion of this event.

Date: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 Time: 6:00pm--8:00pm

Place: Banco Popular 441 Second Avenue @ 25th Street New York, NY 10010

Hosted by: Fausto Vazquez-Sosa, Branch Manager

I'll be at these MUST ATTEND OCTOBER events in NYC

New York Times Small Business Summit

http://www.nytimesbusinesssummit.com/

High Profile SpeakersPanel Discussions and Q&ABreakout SessionsSmall Business Resource Cafe and Help CenterLuncheon with Keynote SpeakerAfternoon Second Keynote SpeakerNetworking OpportunitiesVendor FairCocktail Reception
The NY Times Small Business Summit. Gather. Network. Grow.
Wednesday October 10, 2007 8:00AM - 6:30PMSheraton New York Hotel and Towers, New York
Register Now
General Admission is $99
Wednesday October 10, 2007 8:00AM - 6:30PMSheraton New York Hotel and Towers, New York
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Victoria Moran: Fat, Broke and Lonely No More
http://www.92y.org/shop/event_detail.asp?productid=T%2DLP3ES02

Bestselling author and spiritual-life coach Victoria Moran has been fat, broke & lonely and knows that making peace with food, money, and relationships comes from filling the emptiness we feel on the inside. This presentation, rich in content, humor and heart, is based on her latest book Fat, Broke & Lonely No More: Your Personal Solution to Overeating, Overspending, and Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places.


Date & Time: Thu, Oct 11, 2007, 7:00pm
Location: Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street Directions
Code: T-LP3ES02-01
Price: $25.00
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VALERIE and LAURA’s MEET-UP networking social--MONDAY OCTOBER 15th--

When:
Monday, October 15, 2007, 6:30 PM
Where:
Overlook Lounge225 E. 44th b/w 2nd and 3rdNew York , NY 10016212-682-7266
Info/Map
Description:
Valerie Gurka and I are combining our meet-up groups for one big, fun mixer on MONDAY OCTOBER 15th, 6:30pm
Our networking social is an opportunity to meet other business owners, network, share ideas and enjoy some healthy conversation. It is a casual setting in a private room, conducive to introductions and pitching yourself. Your hosts Valerie Gurka and Laura Allen will help to introduce you to everyone.
There will be $5 Apple Martinis and $5 Cosmos available if you'd like.
The event is free but there is a suggested donation of $5 to help pay for some nibbles.
Great event for entrepreneurs, career changers, salespeople, freelancers, consultants, upwardly-mobile professionals and anyone who sees value in networking.
See you at the event!
**Go to http://www.meetup.com/ for more details and to RSVP** Join Laura’s 15SecondPitch Networking and Fun Group and Valerie’s Fearless Networkers group to hear about more events like this one**
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Lunch 2.0 @ TheLadders.com
« back to calendar view
When:
Tuesday, October 16, 2007, 12:30 PM 2007
Where:
The Ladders137 Varick Street , NY 10013
Info/Map
Description:
TheLadders.com will host the first official Lunch 2.0 in New York City on Tuesday, October 16th. The lunch, which will be at their office on 137 Varick Street, runs from 12:30-2:00pm.
In the true tradition of Lunch 2.0, there will be lots of complimentary goodies! They?re serving Chinese food with TheLadders.com?s own branded chopsticks (yes, you read that right!) and customized fortune cookies, as well as offering a variety of prizes and long-sleeved t-shirts for everyone. In the market for a new job? A recruitment table will be available for those bringing resumes. Please RSVP through the Web 2.0 Meetup or by emailing info@lunchnyc.com with your contact information.
TheLadders.com is a privately-held, New York-based company offering online recruiting resources to recruiters and job seekers in the $100k+
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"Demystifying Media & Entertainment Investment Opportunities"

Sponsored by GE Commercial Finance
Media, Communications & EntertainmentWhat are the investment opportunities in the media/entertainmentsector over the next five or ten years? When you strip away all thehype, how is this business similar to and different from others? Howdo you look at a movie hedge fund similar to different investments?What is a SPAC (a/k/a "a blank check company")?
Our panel of experts will consider such other topics as: What doinvestors look for in a potential media and entertainment investment? How do they balance their usual "due diligence" mentality with the creative perspectives typically associated with an M&E project? What are some longer-term projections of how the M&E world will change in 2008 and beyond.Our Panel will include:(Moderator) Michael Kelley: Partner at PriceWaterhouseCoopersEntertainment and Media practiceAndrew Cleland: Executive Director Alliances and Technology atTimeWarner InvestmentsPeter Foley: Senior Managing Director & Global Sales Leader at GE Commercial Finance – Media, Communications & Entertainment

Lydia Loizides: Vice President, Interactive Media Division, NYC atParadigm
Bruce Maggin: Managing Partner at The HAM Media Group LLC and EVP at MEHI, Media & Entertainment Holdings Inc.

Speaker Biographies coming soon.EVENT INFO:DATE:Wednesday, October 17, 20077:30am - 10amLOCATION:SobelMedia World Headquarters4 West 43rd Street/Main Ballroom (just West of 5th Avenue)FOR REGISTRATION INFO http://www.nymieg.org/
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Ladies Who Launch LIVE-New York, NY
Already registered? Click here for your Welcome Package

New York, NYOCTOBER 18, 20078:45am to 5:00pm$165.00 to pre-register (must be reserved by October 18, 2007)$200.00 at the door
Contact: kmudrick@ladieswholaunch.comReceive a Launch Pad Posting in the Ladies Who Launch Classified Listings with your Registration
Event Information

ABOUT THE DAY
Every busy woman loves to multi-task; you know, catch up with a friend while jogging, a pedicure with a business partner. Accomplishing two things at once is natural for a woman. But the Ladies Who Launch LIVE event is not only one big multi-task, it's so much fun you'll forget it's good for business and your life! Come to this day and get totally, unabashedly inspired and motivated by listening to women who have launched a cable network, a lifestyle brand, the bible of restaurant guides and a balanced, joy infused life. Don't be surprised if you leave with referrals, new friends, a new hand bag, a great marketing tip, a connection, a surprise run in with a long lost friend and incredible opportunities to learn, enjoy and move forward in your life or business. This day is unlike anything you've ever attended; so check your expectations at the door.
Take a day for YOURSELF (and tell your best friend to do the same.) Ladies Who Launch LIVE is worth dedicating an entire day for.
The day will include:
Inspiring speakers will share their stories of launching, living and dreaming. Speakers include
Geraldine Laybourne: Founder of Oxygen Media
Nina S. Zagat: Co-Founder, Co-Chair Zagat Survey
Mariel Hemingway: Actress, Author "Mariel Hemingway's Healthy Living From The Inside Out"
Christy Turlington Burns: Entrepreneur, Cover Model, and Author of "Living Yoga: Creating a Life Practice"
Deb Neuman: Senior Vice President of External Relations for CARE
Danyel Smith: Editor in Chief Vibe Magazine
Amy Swift: Editor in Chief Ladies Who Launch
Victoria Colligan and Beth Schoenfeldt: Founders of Ladies Who Launch
Educational workshops and information gathering
Invaluable exchanges, introductions, business contacts and referrals
Exclusive discounts, free consultations and access to original products and services
Lunch and spa services
An opportunity to become a "Featured Lady" on Ladies Who Launch
Valuable GIFT BAG guaranteed with pre-registration
Enjoy shopping from amazing vendors and women in the Ladies Who Launch Incubator...all in one place. Consultations with one of dozens of experts in PR, marketing, communications, packaging, design, finance, pitching, script doctoring, beauty, start-up 101, trade show navigation, brand strategy and so much more!A percentage of the vendors sales will be donated to No Doubt Inc. and all proceeds from the silent auction will go to CARE USA. Christy Turlington Burns is an ambassador for CARE USA.http://www.care.org/ http://www.nodoubtinc.org/ABOUT THE PRODUCERS Ladies Who Launch is an innovative platform for women interested in broadening their vision in any capacity. Our Incubators and events combine information, community, style, fun and passion and channel those into action. Through these Incubators, weekly emails, online startup survival kit, virtual network and events in different cities, Ladies Who Launch provides both a virtual and in-person event forum for women to share products and services, resources, ideas, creativity and networking.
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Laura Allen 15SecondPitch Workshop--highlights

Click to Play

Laura Allen teaches women to pitch at her 15SecondPitch workshop.

Formats available: Quicktime (.mov), Flash Video (.flv)

New York Networking Expo is Sat. April 28th

Click to Play

The New York Networking Expo will be a fun, friendly place to meet 1,000 single professionals. Whether you are looking for a new job or a new date, this is the place to be!! Event will be held Sat. April 28th, 7-10pm at Columbus 72, which is at, you guessed it! Columbus Ave and 72nd St. 15SecondPitch will be one of the sponsors of the event.

PodcampNyc Pitch Party at Slate

Click to Play

Laura Allen from 15SecondPitch.com gives a quick presentation on How to Create a perfect pitch at the podcampnyc kick-off party at SLATE. With Featured Pitches from podcampnyc participants Brother Love, Naive London Girl and Anything But Monday. Lovely intro from podcampnyc Lead Organizer John C. Havens.

podcampnyc roundup so far

Howard Greenstein from Social Media Club http://www.socialmediaclub.org alerted me to this:

http://www.davideckoff.com/2007/04/podcamp_nyc_roundup.html has posted a great roundup of all our “coverage” so far

podcampnyc

podcampnyc was amazing and I am proud to be a co-organizer of such a great event!
I have much more to say, but wanted to share this fun interview:

http://secretsofthejobhunt.blogspot.com/2007/04/interview-with-laura-allen-of.html

:)

laura