Tuesday, December 31, 2024

2024 Reading List

What ChatGPT thinks I look like when I read...

My goal in 2023 was to read FEWER books than the 80 I read in 2022, with a greater diversity than my typical steady diet of self-help, marketing, and speaking books I've spent the majority of the last 25 years reading. I succeeded, as you can read here: https://speakanddeliver.blogspot.com/2024/01/books-read-in-2023.html.

In 2024, I was again less concerned with volume, but still wanting to increase diversity. The list is below - just 37 - all on Kindle. As for diversity, you can be the judge. 

Kindle

101 Podcast Episode Templates - David Hooper - 242
Big Podcast - David Hooper - 436
Sell From the Stage - Sam Crowley - 70
Star Trek: Brave & the Bold: Book One - Keith DeCandido - 288
Star Trek: Brave & the Bold: Book Two - Keith DeCandido - 278
Humanities Cry for Change - Kate Heartsong - 278
Star Trek: The Captain's Daughter - Peter David - 303
Art Matters - Neil Gaiman - 112
Attract & Keep Customers for Life - Terry Begue - 174
Pure Vulnerability - Kevin Snyder - 63
Think Differently - Kevin Snyder - 172
Paid to Speak - Kevin Snyder - 224
Star Trek: Cold Equations Book I: The Persistence of Memory - David Mack - 390
Star Trek: Cold Equations Book II: Silent Weapons - David Mack - 342
Star Trek: Cold Equations Book III: The Body Electric - David Mack - 342
Star Trek: Coda Book I: Moments Asunder - Dayton Ward - 351
Star Trek: Coda Book II: The Ashes of Tomorrow - James Swallow - 356
Star Trek: Coda Book III: Oblivions Gate - David Mack - 432
Stop Procrastinating Tomorrow - Mary C. Kelly - 97
Success Unleashed: Mastering Your Life's Purpose - JP Bachmann - 141
Adventures of a Telegraph Boy - Horatio Alger - 242
Digging For Gold - Horatio Alger - 230
Make 'em Laugh and Take Their Money - Dan Kennedy - 236
The Science of Motivation - Brian Tracy - 248

24 - 6047 pages

Clearly, I got onto a bit of a Star Trek Kick, and I have about 10 more sitting in my Kindle right now. Easy reads, and usually quite fun. My college professor introduced me to Ragged Dick from Horatio Alger 37 years ago, and I found a compilation of all of his writing for .99 cents on Kindle, so I'm treating myself to those as well - fictional stories that are somewhat self-help oriented, and always uplifting.

Audible

My Name is Barbra - Barbra Streisand - 48:17
Willpower - Roy F. Baumeister & John Tierney - 9:17
A Disability History of the United States - Kim E. Neilsen - 7:35
Psycho-Cybernetics - Maxwell Maltz - 12:16
Peak Mind - Amishi P. Jha - 8:38
Change - Damon Centola - 9:50
The Motivation Master Coach - Earl Nightingale, Jim Rohn, etc - 11:57
The Obesity Code - Dr. Jason Fung - 10:09
$100M Leads - Alex Hormozi - 6:00
Selling to the Affluent - Matt Oxley - 6:19
Day Trading Attention - Gary Vaynerchuck - 8:24
Thinking Big - Ziglar, Brown, Iverson and more - 13:06
Champion Minded - Alistair McCaw - 7:00

13 158:48 hours

My Name is Barbra was easily my favorite listen, even as long as it was - she narrated it herself, and the recording included bits of songs here and there. Really in-depth - and made me want to watch more of her movies. Which I really haven't done this year, outside of Funny Girl, which I had never seen. 

I also read 11 comic omnibus compilations on Kindle - Silver Age Green Lantern I-IV, Bronze Age Swamp Thing I-VI, Thor Visionaries Vol III, and X-Men, the Phoenix Saga.

I didn't read an entire real, tangible book, however. I'm about 30 percent through Einstein by Walter Isaacson, though. It's a tough read, since I really know nothing about physics, even as he tries to dumb it down for the reader. 

There were plenty of tangible books on my reading list that kept getting bumped, which I want to get to in 2025 - 27 of them, in fact, though many are quite long, including a Benjamin Franklin biography. We'll see how I do. 

Any recommendation from y'all? 

Monday, December 30, 2024

Up-Level your 2025 Speaking Business NOW.


Are you willing to do the work?
Offers end soon! Links to grab your spot are below the article.

I've worked with a bunch of speakers in 2024, helping them build their keynote, enhance their brands, and find paid stages.

Out of that bunch, one particular client stands out.

We've worked together the last 18 months. We built his keynote. We worked on outreach. He had over 350 email outreaches, and ended up with a number of Chamber opportunities, all paid. They wanted training talks on everything from delegation to social media to resiliency – together we built two-hour talks complete with heavy audience involvement and professional slide decks.

We found the right humor moments, and jettisoned some that might have gotten him in hot water. We found story after story from his personal and professional life to relate to his audiences. He sold books and made a good sum over and above the speaking fees. Ultimately, his chamber audience linked him to big time stages, and big time speaking fees.

His quote to me last week? "Rich – you 10x'd my speaking business" – over 30K in booked presentations – many with repeat customers. He did the work. He listened, he argued, he stood his ground, he compromised, he KEPT listening. And he kept doing the work. Imagine if you were this client? How far do you want to go in 2025?

I never guarantee financial results – but I know I can take your speech and your business to a higher level than it is now – if you too are willing to do the work.

Below are links to connect with me - get in NOW before this sale is OVER.

One Month Intensive - 749 https://tidycal.com/richhopkins/one-month-intensive

Three Month Comprehensive - 1799 https://tidycal.com/richhopkins/3mocomp

Six Month - All Inclusive - 2749 https://tidycal.com/richhopkins/6moai

Want to talk about it? Let's build a custom plan just for you!

https://tidycal.com/richhopkins/strategy-session

You can also email me at rich.hopkins@gmail.com!

Don't need an coaching for yourself? Recommend someone, and I'll pay you 10%!

Work for a big company? Bring me in to coach for teams and ask me for the LinkedIn discount!

Monday, December 16, 2024

Discover, Develop, and Deliver Your Signature Message in 2025!

 


Twenty years ago, I unexpectedly became a speaking coach.

At my weekly Toastmasters meeting in Salt Lake City, a guest came in, asking for help crafting his father-of-the-bride toast. Fellow members recommended me, calling me (according to him) the best speaker in the club.

Over the next two and a half months, we met weekly, uncovering heartfelt stories, humorous pranks, and moments of fatherly devotion. Together, we crafted a five-minute, personal and poignant toast. He practiced with purpose, refining every gesture and word. Little did I know the wedding was taking place in Vienna, Austria, on the roof of a local castle!

When he returned, he let me know he and the toast were a hit with his friends, family, and especially, his daughter.

At that moment, I realized two things:

  1. I could be a great coach.
  2. I loved doing it.

Since then, I’ve coached hundreds of speakers—from professionals in finance, robotics, and real estate, to stay-at-home moms finding their voice. Whether it’s a wedding toast, a business pitch, or a keynote address, I’ve helped clients craft messages that inspire, persuade, and deliver results.

I Have 7 Spots Available!

With 2025 just days away, I want to help you take your message to the next level in my Create and Market Your Signature Message 3-month intensive program.

  • You have a story burning to be shared!
  • It's time to present your best self to your best audience
  • Start promoting your products, services, or ideas with confidence and impact

Here’s What’s Included:

  • 13 weekly, 1-hour Zoom coaching sessions
  • Unlimited email access for questions, feedback, and support
  • Emergency calls for those last-minute tweaks
  • Video and live rehearsal reviews to fine-tune your delivery

You’ll leave the program with:

  • A polished Signature Message tailored to your ideal audience
  • The skills to confidently deliver it
  • A proven formula to adapt your message for future audiences
  • A customized marketing plan to book speaking engagements that align with your goals

We’ll cover everything from outreach and setting rates to contracts and best practices—giving you the tools to succeed in the professional speaking world.

It's Almost 2025 Special - 7 Spots Available!

Normally, this program is $4,997—a value you could easily recoup within the next year, and likely faster! But as an It's Almost 2025 Special, I’m offering it at 25% off, bringing your total investment to just $3,747.

Payment plans are available! Start in January or choose any 3-month period between January and August 2025.

Reserve your spot today! We'll pop on zoom, make sure we're a match, set the dates, and hit the ground running! https://tidycal.com/richhopkins/strategy-session

Don’t let another year go by with your message stuck in your head. Let’s bring it to life—and to the stage!

This offer ends December 31st. Reserve your spot now and make 2025 the year you inspire, connect, and succeed!

What My Clients Have Said:

Maria Dastur, MBA

I had the pleasure of working with Rich over the month of July to create my keynote speech. His rich, calm, and encouraging style enabled me to not only create the speech but to practice two run-throughs with detailed feedback. In just one month, I went from having a vague idea to delivering a polished, one-hour speech. Rich provided tough, honest feedback but always paired it with constructive suggestions, ensuring I felt supported and motivated throughout the process. His genius edits to the script were so clever, and his tough but honest insights that helped me refine my message.

Kory May, Professional Storyteller

Rich Hopkins is an incredible coach for three fundamentally sound reasons. First, Rich asks questions of you to get to know you. The friendly banter is sincere and, simultaneously, probing to get to the core of who you are. There can be no genuine coaching without authenticity. What he asks of you, he models in his answers to you and your questioning. Second, Rich LISTENS. Rich listens to your tone, cadence, rhythm, everything vocalized. Rich listens to all that is unspoken as well. This is where the relationship you have created together as speaker and coach gets deeper. If there is a gap in your speech, Rich may ask you a firm, direct, yet polite question to bring the answer forward. Once brought to light, you will see the immediate value in that hidden piece of your speech. Finally, Rich delivers. Rich delivers in coaching you up to meet the moment with his availability, with his editorial skills when asked, and his honesty in giving feedback.

Shelley Rahe Gordon, Senior IT Leader

Rich served as my speaking coach in preparation for a 40-minute industry conference session. As an introvert I was feeling unskilled and terrified. Working with Rich was the fastest way to proficiency. I walked away from my work with Rich ready. I had the practice, confidence, and understanding of what it takes to engage an audience with story, interact with an audience and provide a clear message. Even today, years later, I don’t consider myself a “good” speaker but I am forever better at standing up and talking to people in front of a room because I worked with Rich. His patience and diligence were unmatched - and it took a LOT to get me ready! As an added bonus, I received high scores on speaker feedback for my session and additional invitations were extended to me as a result.

Don't wait - Schedule a free strategy session: https://tidycal.com/richhopkins/strategy-session TODAY!

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