Your work isn't complete when you wrap up your talk. There is at least one more step to accomplish. Miss Manners would call it a "Bread & Butter" letter, Ann Landers might refer to it as a "Thank You" note. I think of it as an "Attagirl Acquisition". I have made available for you the same materials which were distributed after my breakout session at a transgender conference. Just click here: Generating Powerful Testimonial Letters It's a given in the speaking industry that you're only as good as your last date. Most speakers have learned to build a file of reference letters which they can use in promoting future engagements. However there are letters and there are good letters; knowing how to get the good ones is an art. Here's an example of how I ask for - and usually get - the desired result:       Dear Mr. Host, I'd like to offer my personal thanks to you and your organization for the opportunity to provide some outreach and enlightenment for your associates. It is through the efforts of leaders like you that we will succeed in making a difference within our society, one mind at a time. Any comments you'd care to share (and not just the good 'strokes' - the other kind of feedback can be equally benificial) are welcome. Sometimes I'm pretty close to these issues and have learned to depend on others who may have different perspectives to point out what should have been obvious. My goal is to be accurate, informative, interesting, and (as if you couldn't guess) entertaining. Toward that end, and with admitted self interest, I have a favor to ask. In order to advance my outreach efforts with other groups, it will be extremely helpful to have updated letters of reference in my personal file. If it wouldn't be a burden, would you please jot a few remarks regarding my presentation on your letterhead and send it to me at the address below? Especially valuable will be comments you may have overheard about how well the presentation was received and how people may have gained new insights. When future opportunities for talks on this subject present themselves, please don't hesitate to contact me for help. I am interested in spreading this message beyond the immediate area, so similar opportunities with other groups outside our locality are especially desirable. I am looking forward to receiving your very valuable comments. Thanks again for all the efforts you are expending in our behalf. Best personal regards, Lacey Leigh P.S. Sometimes it's helpful to see samples of the kind of letters which have proven to be especially helpful, so I've enclosed a couple for your reference. Send your courtesy note the very day you complete your talk, and follow up one or two days later with a telephone call. "Mr. Host, a letter alone cannot express how grateful I am for having had the opportunity to address your group, so I wanted to make sure I delivered my thanks to you directly. While I have you on the phone, can you think of other colleagues in your industry who might benefit from a similar presentation? Would you mind allowing me to contact them directly? May I use your name by way of introduction?" You get the idea. The difference between ordinary salesmen (you do realize, for all practical purposes, you're selling don't you?) and extraordinarily successful salesmen is that the latter ask for the sale, for referrals, for letters, and for more business. Most people will be delighted to help. It makes them feel good. Following a successful program, the host or sponsor is likely to say something like, "That's the best presention our group has had on your topic." That's when you respond with, "Will you put that in writing? Seriously. It would be a real feather in my cap to have comments like yours, on your group's letterhead, in my file." The reply will probably be, "Sure." But then other pressing concerns often lead to the host forgetting to follow through. When your letter arrives, it's a reminder of their promise. The samples you enclose give them an idea of what to say, in a brief and concise manner; comments which will serve as endorsements for future "pitches" to other groups and organizations. Don't have any letters to show? Then write one yourself and enclose it with your request. You aren't misrepresenting anything at all when you enclose the "kind of letter" which is helpful - a template, if you wish, for the type of response you'd like to get. After you have your first one, you're off and running. Here's my template:   Dear Ms. Leigh, You certainly made a positive impact on everyone in the audience with your talk on transgender and crossdressing for our associates. We had our eyes, and minds, opened on a subject most of us have scarcely considered until now. One person said, "I came in prepared to 'turn off' and came away with a much better understanding." Another remarked, "It's kind of amazing to learn that crossdressers aren't weirdos like I thought - they're just people like me." Perhaps the best comment was from someone who has been facing these issues personally and said something like, "After hearing Lacey's talk, I just wanted to run home and hug my little brother and tell him how much I love him. I had no idea..." Your program was polished, professional, and informative...and fun, too! I don't think anyone expected the sense of humor you showed about so sensitive a subject. People are already asking when we'll have you back again. Thanks again for doing such an incredible job. Sincerely, Earle Vernon H.R. Manager