Get Your Twinkie On: The 2007 Twinkie Awards
By Encouragement Speaker Derrick Hayes
To Twinkie or not to Twinkie?
That is the question that you have to answer in 2008. I decided to Twinkie in 2007 as I entered into the Best Motivational Speaker category for the 2007 Twinkie Awards.
I’m inspired by the events that took place before, during and after the 2007 Twinkie Awards. I’m here to tell my story so that one day The Twinkie Awards can tell yours.
The exposure that I received from the Twinkie Awards is priceless and I highly recommend this program to anyone that has a product or service. Read on as I share my experiences step by step with you so you can turn your vision into victory and tap into this mega marketing event.
Meeting:
I was networking on
www.connectingblack.com searching for opportunities and I came across the profile of Letitia Owens. I read about her marketing and advertising expertise. I sent her a message asking her if she was connected to decision makers that hire speakers for meetings and events. Letitia said “yes, and that she thought I would be a good fit for her upcoming 2007 Twinkie Awards show.”
I asked myself what is a Twinkie Award? Ms Owens explained the concept that a Twinkie was something that you can do to make $20 or more each day. I was then guided me to her website so that I could choose the appropriate categories for me to enter.
Choosing a Category:
Once I visited the website I knew I belonged in the Best Motivational Speaker category. You can enter as many categories as you like. The fee to enter each category is only $50.00. The other categories that you can enter are Best Sales Pitch, Best Product Branding, Best Marketing Strategy, Best Use of a Flyer or Postcard, Best Original Product Idea for Inventors, Best Business Proposal, Best Marketing on a Shoe Budget, Best Publicity Campaign and best Signage. I’m sure in 2008 there will be other categories added.
The Pre Show Luncheon:
No matter what category you were in, all the contestants, judges, friends and family were invited to an exquisite luncheon to kick off the 2007 Twinkie Awards. The people in the Motivational Speaker category were given two minutes during the luncheon to introduce themselves and encourage the audience with words of wisdom. The Luncheon brought out celebrities, authors and business professionals.
The Competition:
Once we finished the luncheon we were given the days and times for the judging of each category. The Five guidelines for judging criteria were content, structure, visual design, call to action, and overall engagement of an offer. Each category had judges that were elite in the professional fields. The judges in the Motivational Speaker category included Otis Nixon who played many years with the Atlanta Braves and Sir Markadoo who hosts his own weekly business talk show in the Metro Atlanta area. The competition in my category was fierce as there were over 10 speakers entered to win.
The Awards Show:
This is night that everyone waits for. This is where they announce the winners in each category. When I first pulled into the parking lot I was mesmerized by the beauty of the occasion. My wife was my special guest as we walked down the red carpet. On the red carpet we took photos and gave on the spot interviews like natural celebrities.
The Twinkie Awards sold out this year as it showed the people in attendance that this show is here to stay. Air Train and Washington Mutual were two of the major sponsors that put their money where there mouth is by supporting this vision.
I was not chosen as a winner as Best Motivational Speaker but I was given a chance to speak. My topic was about My Wife, the one who inspired me. The crowd loved my message as I dedicated my evening to her.
Once the 2007 Twinkie Awards was over everyone remained and went to the After Party. The after party gave everyone a chance to network and provide each other with positive feedback.
I got my Twinkie on this year and you can do the same next year by going to
www.thetwinkieawards.com Derrick Hayes is the author of Derricknyms From A to Z and is available to speak at Meetings, Conferences and Events. Derrick Hayes can be reached at info@encouragementspeaker.com or
www.EncouragementSpeaker.com , (706) 615-1662. *Ask about the $500 Reward Program?*
Posted By: Derrick Hayes
Thursday, June 21st 2007 at 3:25PM
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