A month ago, I submitted a proposal to speak at the 2011 Blog World & New Media Expo in Los Angeles later this year.
Last week, I learned that my proposal was accepted!!!
Sometime between the 3rd and 5th of November at the LA Convention Center, I’ll be conducting a presentation and I can’t even describe how excited I am!
It’s weird to think that exactly 3 years ago I was still employed as a Job Captain in the architecture industry, and now here I am, about to speak at an event along side many of the bloggers and online entrepreneurs who I’ve always looked up to, who have been a major source of inspiration for me since I started my journey online.
I’m deeply, deeply honored.
I’m speaking in the monetization track, so I definitely have a lot of exciting examples from my personal experience to reference.
Speaking Experience
In the blogging and online business world, my only experience as a speaker, so far, has been through my podcast. I’m not even sure if that counts, but I know the skills I’ve learned while podcasting this past year will definitely be put to good use during my presentation.
I will also be speaking in Chicago at the first ever Financial Blogger’s Conference in early October (which I’m super stoked about too! I highly recommend you check out the homepage so you can see what it’s all about). So technically, Blog World will not be my first speaking gig – but either way I’m fairly new to the live presentation world, and I can’t wait to dive in.
That said, I do have prior experience being in front of large crowds outside of this industry.
In college, I was the Student Director of the University of California Marching Band and had the privilege to speak and teach 250+ students music almost every day of the week, and also perform in front of crowds of nearly 100,000 people at times, so I’m not worried about being in front of a crowd.
My only worry is that there will be about 300 other speakers at this event, and I really want my presentation to stand out and be memorable.
Doing something different and standing out from the crowd is exactly how I got to where I’m at , and I hope my presentation will reflect that. Of course, my story and content will be unique on its own, but how am I going to stand out from 300 experienced speakers?
We shall see 
Below is my referral link for Blog World Expo 2011 in case you are attending and wanted to buy a ticket through me. Please note that I do earn a small commission if you do, and if you have any questions about the event before purchasing please let me know!
If you purchase before September 21st, you will save 30% – so don’t waste money like I did last year and buy a ticket a week before.
Pat’s Blog World Expo 2011 Referral Link
To finish off, I just wanted to say thanks. This is truly a dream come true and it would not have been possible without you – the SPI fans – who have always been so supportive of me and my methodologies right from the start.
If you’re attending, I can’t wait to meet you in person!
I’ll keep updating this post and sending notifications on Twitter and Facebook once I learn more about exactly when and where I’ll be speaking at the event.
Thanks again, and look out for the next session of the SPI podcast going live this Wednesday, which includes 4 more success stories from those who are making a living online outside of the make money online niche!
Cheers!
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{ 98 comments (Click Here to Leave a Comment Below) }
Yo!
Congratulations, buddy.
I’m looking forward to supporting your session!
Cheers,
Chris
Thanks Chris! I appreciate the love buddy!
Hi Pat, I really congratulate you for this feat and still hoping you go very much higher than this.
About the conference, your speech will surely stands above other speakers there because you have what it takes to be the people’s choice.
Have a nice day.
Wisdom for speaking: show personality and don’t worry about others will think. Go in to just win the attention. Best of luck Pat!
Thanks Derek – great advice. All the best to you!
Don’t speak like you’re reciting a speech.
Speak conversationally, speak to the person in the audience, not a crowd of random people! You want each one to feel like you’re talking to them individually!
Damn, I’m jealous. Nothing better than the connections you can make offline
Good luck with the presentation, I know you’ll knock it out of the park. Get some videos if you can.
(And just saw your email haha)
Something I definitely learned while attending BWE last year Glen. Now if only we could meet in person.
Thanks buddy!
Congrats Pat! I’ll see you there.
Glen you should come to BlogWorld too!
That way we could all meet up and take all these crazy internet connections into the real world. 
Next year, hopefully
I second Nathalie’s suggestion!
Congrats Pat,
You rock. All the best for your speech.
Thank you Naveen!
Pat
It’s the other 299 who need to start getting worried.
Marion x
Congrats Pat! I’m looking forward to hearing you speak and meeting you at the Financial Bloggers Conference in October. It’s really shaping up to be a great conference.
Congratulations, Pat!
Congratulations, I’m sure you’ll be great. Be sure to keep us apprised of when and where you’ll be speaking. If I make it out there I’ll be sure to say hi.
Well Done Pat,
I have only recently discovered your blog and have literally spent hours absorbing all your fantastic content, including your podcasts. I am positive that your presence as a speaker at this event will only benefit those that have the opportunity to listen to your words of wisdom on the subject.
Best of luck from Sunny South Africa
Terrick
Congratulations Pat!!! That’s awesome news. I’ll carve out the time to see you speak. I’m in the LA area, have time to meet up?
Congrats again Pat!
Hey Pat!
Great stuff, congratulations!
Please be sure to RECORD all of this and post it later on as some of us (myself included) can’t afford to go to USA.
Best wishes,
Chris
BTW is that a plugin you use or something to show “Please send me your free eBook, eBooks The Smart Way! ” in the comments section? What is your current newsletter distribution system?
Thanks Chris!
The plugin is a premium plugin called Subscriber’s Magnet – and it’s just one of the features of the plugin. In fact, it’s the only feature of the plugin that I use. I have a post coming out in September about my subscription distribution system – where it all happens and what converts the best.
Congrats Pat! You must feel great!
Hey Pat,
That’s great news and well deserved. I’ll try to make it out there for it, I’m over in Utah so within driving distance. Keep up the great work and look forward to seeing more of it.
Sam
Congrats, Pat! I won’t be attending, but I’m sure you’re going to kill it
Keep us posted on how it goes!
Excellent, Pat! It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. Congratulations on your superb and well-deserved success!
-j.
Awesome, Pat…congratulations! You should elicit some ideas from your readers…they might be able to bring something fresh to the table. At worst, you could give a few topics and they could help you research!
Congradulation Pat!
This is a great success 4 u. I hope and pray that ur presentation will stand out of other 300 presentor, bcöz of ur sincere efförts. And I belive when sömeone work sincerely, he will surely succeed.
Great and thanks for giving us such a huge knowlege free of cost
Pat, WHO BETTER THAN YOU? (Don’t worry, it’s a friendly shout!) I cannot be more excited about this than I am now – you are the most deserving, the most generous, the most amazing kind-hearted and savvy businessman I know and I am delighted that you will be on stage. I hope you have a huge turnout – and you will and I am so sad to be missing this 3rd blogworld! (would’ve been 3rd for me). All the best!!!!
Well done Pat! Glad you’re getting the recognition you deserve! Do you know if there will be transcripts available or any live streams of your presentation?
Congratulations Pat! I’m proud to have “known you when”
Awesome! I’m looking forward to your presentation. I applied to be a speaker myself but I’m guessing I’ll be going as an attendee since I haven’t heard anything yet.
Congrats Pat! Wish you all the best. I m sure u ‘ll be the best among the 300:)
Congrats my friend. I’m looking forward to sharing the stage with you ::)
Of course, I already knew this.
Just the same, congrats, dude and I look forward to seeing you again.
Yeah its almost like you set up the monetization track
Congrats Pat! Your diligence and willingness to serve others in your industry has paid off.
I know you will do great!
Congratulations Pat – I’m really excited for you!
Congrats Pat!!
I know you’re going to pack the house when you speak!
Congrats! Just to echo other people, is there any chance of this being recorded for those of us who can’t make it?
Congrats Pat,
If I was not a million miles away I would try and go to such events!
Just wonderful Pat! It’s like watching a baby go through his stages. First you crawl: Learning all you can from your online mentors. Then you stand: Started SPI and gave this blogging thing a try. Then you walk: Venturing into new opportunities and challenges. I’m proud of you. I’m sure by the time you get to Blog World you’ll be running!
I wish I could be there. Great news!
- Seleema
Wow, I was planning to go to LA a couple weeks before that to visit the west coast for the first time, but maybe now I’ll put it off for the expo. I’ve learned a lot from your blog, so I’ll work out my schedule to show some support.
They couldn’t have chose a better person to speak at Blog World. I’m looking forward to the session and looking forward to meeting Pat. Congrats!
Congrats Pat!! perhaps ill make the drive up to attend (I hate driving distances and hate LA so thats saying a lot) I like my little cocoon that is San Diego
Congratulations Pat!
Congrats Pat. Like David Risley, I already knew this anyway, it was a shoe-in. Also agree with the others – make sure to get some footage, seeing as it’s a little far to go for some of us…!
Congratulations Pat, that’s fantastic news
Grainne
Pat, you’ll be great. I’d recommend getting hold of the book The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs if you really want to stand out. Excellent book, and it goes counter to a lot of common wisdom.
Great news, Pat … hope the presentation is gangbusters … and I have every reason to believe it will be.
Wow, I am blown away by the comments you\ve already received and the people who left them … what was the theme of you last post? Something about being human and connecting with your readers? ha ha ha. Godspeed, my friend.
Hey Pat congratulations on your speaking gig confirmation!
Your blog is a great source of inspiration so I’m sure your speaking will be even more inspiring. Take care and best wishes.
Cheers
James
Congrats Pat!
I’ve been reading you for a year now, and I can tell you, honestly, you deserve it!
That’s great news Pat. Wish I could be there. Just tell your story and you will stand out. There are not to many people who have done what you have done in such a short time. Just tell your story and pepper it with marketing insight.
May the force be with you…..
(had to say that)
Super Congrats Pat !! You already speak to thousands of people daily with your blog, podcast, etc.. so you will have no problem knocking it out of the park. You know your material and genuinely care…that is all you will need to deliver a most memorable speech….you have worked hard and deserve this opportunity.
Pat, i’ll be one of the lucky few at the financial blogger conference to get a preview of your public speaking – i’d be lying if I said I wasn’t super excited when I heard you were speaking at FinBlogCon. Hearing your story has been inspirational to those of us who aspire to create a full time income online, so I look forward to hearing more at the conference, and hopefully getting a chance to meet you!
Congratulations! That’s awesome! I’ve recently joined Toastmasters in hopes of doing some more speaking. While you have some experience doing this you might benefit from showing up to a few meetings.
Congrats Pat! This is so exciting and well deserved. I’m sure you will stand out from the crowd even if there are 300 other people speaking. Your content stands out so much along with everything else you do I’m sure your presentation will also because it’s so inspirational.
Awesome Pat, make sure you give them all you got.
CONGRATULATIONS Pat,
You definitely deserve it. I wish I could make it to this one, but my family and I are just getting settled into our new home and we’re working on getting our budget together.
Once my passive income starts coming in, I’ll DEFINITELY catch the next one you go to. You’d be the first person I’d want to meet.
Again, congrats Pat, well deserved.
congratulations Pat. have the DJ play one of your SPI podcast intros as you walk up the stage…
Congrats Pat!
And welcome to our neighborhood!
Just because of you I’m actually leaning towards going……Need to research the difference between all the options available.
Good luck, and hopefully I’ll see you there.
Congratulations Pat! I’ve been following you for over a year and I’ve really enjoyed witnessing your business’ steady growth … you had the guts to reach out and apply for these speaking engagements!
Fran
Congratulations! That’s’ really cool. I’m glad to have found your blog. It is a huge inspiration for me.
Cheers.
Wow, Pat! Congratulations! Your steady significant growth is inspiring! Your successes keep building upon themselves. Enjoy your speaking engagement. We will be looking forward to hearing about the preparations and the results in the months ahead.
Greg
Congrats Pat…I love seeing people at the top of the online game taking these steps into speaking, publishing, etc. Slowly taking over the world!! Love it!
Sweet! Congrats, Pat! Hey, does anyone have any BWE experience with the virtual ticket? Are all the sessions recorded?
Great job!
That’s one way of getting yourself a free pass… go and speak at the conference… lol
You made it!
So, now you can definitely be labeled as a top-notch blogger.
Congratulations!
Pat, just be yourself and you’ll wow them. You have a lovely easy going style and are so generous sharing your strategies and tips. Well done, and enjoy the well-deserved profile increase you’ll get from such high profile events. Hope to meet you at an event one day.
Cassie.
I really agree with you Cassie, Pat desrve it and this shows that it pays good to do what you love with all your heart…:)
WOW, Congrats Pat. Really this is a dream come true. All the best and I know you will make an impact… Go show them…
You’ll be awesome Pat. Will it all be recorded?
Ahh man, I wish I had the money to hop by… Have fun Pat!
Congrats Pat, a great chance to get even more followers to your great blog and improve your branding.
Congrats Pat, I think u deserved it
I would like to add my congratulations to the ones above. You deserve it for your hard work and all that you share. Enjoy, I am very happy for you.
Felicidades (Congratulations) Pat!!
Hi Pat!
Really excited to hear that you’ll be speaking at BlogWorld LA. I’ll be there, so I’ll be looking forward to it and hope to meet you in-person!
Nice!
Wish I could be there.. But I’ve got my studies to take care of, and I’m halfway around the world.
Best of luck!
Congratulations Pat!
Remember if you get nervous, picture everybody in their underwear
Good luck at blog world
Look forward to seeing you at the PF blogger conference. Got a ton of questions to ask – which I am sure others will as well.
Another goal acomplished, I don’t know if you noticed Pat:
http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/2011-goal-post/
Congratulations and Good Luck!
Congratulations Pat !! You deserve it!
Congratulations, and wish I could be there. Will there be video recordings?
I am not at all surprised by the fact that your proposal was accepted. The amount that you have contributed to the blogosphere is truly amazing, Pat.
I can remember stumbling across your podcast about a year ago and immediately became a fan of it and your blog. I find much more value in your content (even though I HATE YOUR MONTHLY EARNINGS POSTS!!!!) than I do in most of the guru’s content.
I think that you and those who you promote on your blog are the next generation of online marketers. And I am sure that those folks over at Blog World Expo recognize it.
Sorry I won’t be able to attend but I know you’re going to have a blast.
Keep up the good work and excellent content.
Hi Pat,
Congratulation! Your certainly deserve this great opportunity. You have been a source of inspiration to the blogging community. I mentioned this because I am motivated by your contribution. I look forward to listen to the video should there be one based on the fact that I will not be able to make the trip. Great job!!
Pat
That’s what I LOVE about people like you: you have a goal, you concentrate on it and you do everything possible to make that come true. Congrats, Pat! I remember that after the last Blog World (I think it was Blog World) you wrote that you hope to be a speaker next year yourself. And there you are now, about to speak at Blog World Great stuff, you deserve it since you wanted it so much. Talk about ‘The Law of Attraction’, eh?
Regards from Greece,
David
Congratulations! I know this is going to bring your blog on the whole new level and give you opportunity to expand your audience beyond imaginable levels.
Best of luck!
Thank you for the kind words and encouragement everybody! I’m really excited, as you can tell!
I’m not so sure about a recording because I know BWE will be using the content for their own thing, but maybe a few clips or something – I’ll see what I can do.
Thanks again, and if you’re there please come up to me sometime and introduce yourself!!
Congratulations Pat! I’ve been following your blog for last few months.There’s something that is special about this blog.And I know you deserve this great opportunity.
Wish you all the best!
Congratulations! You deserve it, your work is incredible. Thanks for being an inspiration to all of us working our way up the blogging ladder.
Congratulations Pat!
I’ve been following your blog for the past 6 months and am enjoying every piece of it you simple have a lot to offer.
you deserve it MAN
Congratulations! I hope I can be there to show my support and meet you.
Congratulations!
Your blog give a lot of very useful information keep up the good work.
Heh Pat, congrats on your presentation and hope you stand out at the top. your blog is very interractive and i much prefer.
Hey Pat, I can’t wait to see you speak at Blogworld… are you planning any meetup with your tribe? I would love to say hi…
Absolutely crazy that they’ll be over 275 speakers on this event, talking about rich content and choices.
Dwight Anthony
FinanciallyEliteBlog.com