How do you get on "the circuit"

I just posted this on fetlife... figured why not share... there is the argument that I am "giving away trade secrets," but I'd rather share as the secrets require time, energy, skill etc to put into practice- and I *want* the skill level to rise in the kink community... and I am currently going back to square 2 or 3 in the pagan community and doing it again, this time with the knowledge below and more...http://fetlife.com/groups/108/group_posts/24865Heya!I teach internationally, and am definately part of that crazy thing folks refer to as "the circuit"- which exists because I, Jay Wiseman and others have found that if you teach in the same area more than once every 9 months, you go from being a "guest star", someone folks will pay full price to see, to being a local (some regions vary- SF and Phoenix I can do every 6 months for example with no issue, while in Sydney it was like pulling teeth for once a year). Event producers know this too, so will rarely hire folks in the same region for the same type of con as another event of their same topic.That said, the route I took:-Teach locally. Get known in your area for knowing your stuff, and knowing it well.-Play locally. make friends with lots of folks.-Produce your own events that people like (totally optional).-Attend big events and scmooze with event producers in a non-slimy way, or just play big in the dungeon while someone nearby mentions that you teach on this stuff too.-Dress for success- be someone who shines with confidence and pizazz in some way, a way that is *authentic* to your journey.-Write articles and essays online that people enjoy.-Shoot porn that people watch (totally optional)-Write a book, get it published, and take it *everywhere* with you. Everywhere. Sell it out of your suitcase if you need to.-Get that book reviewed and talked about, and in turn, you reviewed and talked about.-Appear on podcasts, in magazines, in the newspaper, or have your own podcast/magazine/newspaper etc.-Have a promotional website that plugs you and plugs you well.-Get people who will talk about you for you so you don't look like an egotistical git.-Perform in stage shows or other interesting acts so people can hire you for more than teaching.-Have a mailing list, blog, or other way people can keep up with you without having to search for you.-Have a core set of classes you can do with your eyes closed while tied up upside down in front of a room of 400+ (TES 2005 I think it was).-Design new classes, on a variety of topics, coming out with a minimum of 2 new classes a year to stay fresh. (I design about 10 a year right now as this is my full time living, sometimes more).-Have a variety of teaching styles if you can. IE hands on ropework *and* discussions on dealing with our taboos *and* lectures on the academic background of fiber magics or body modification.-Be willing to pimp yourself and contact events. If you wait for them, you'll likely be waiting a long time.-Have a slice of humility while *knowing* in your core that your time is important.-If you make a deal to teach, do not break it unless you dislocate your wrists (bondage classes BC) or are hospitalized with pneumonia (Desire California). If you have to cancel, offer to cover the cost of the flight yourself, etc, so they don't loose money on you.-If you make a deal to teach, do not allow folks to talk you down from your fee/rates/agreement, whatever it was. If they offered to cover your gas, require it. If you don't, word *will* get out that you are a pushover and easy to take advantage of.-Learn new skills all the time. Do not rest on your laurels, it will show.-Stay connected with humans. The other option I did not take was to become an untouchable celebrity who goes offsite for every meal. Don't get me wrong- it is *crazy making* to be interrupted every single meal to be asked questions, can I have just 5 minutes of your time, etc... but I am given feedback that those who are high godlike celebs in any field get a different kind of following... and its not my style of following.-Leave them hungry for more. I tend to leave teasers of "gosh, I wish we had more time, I could talk about X for 20 more hours"- folks will ask you the next year to talk for another 20hrs on X. It really works.-Learn NLP or other teaching improvement techniques. This includes learning how to use the technology of education (handouts, books, visual aids, lecturing, music, power point, flip charts, lighting, seating styles, group participation, asking questions, etc) properly, not just to have them.-Be patient. I taught my first class in 1998 in the scene, and I didn't get asked to teach somewhere until 2003, and wasn't paid until 2004. How did I stay financially solvent when touring? I shot porn in the same cities to afford the airfare, did burlesque and shows, and was willing to do 2 events in 1 weekend when starting... other folks I know pay out of pocket the first year or 3 presenting nationally.People will ask you to teach when they perceive adding you to the roster will bring in more $ than it will take to afford you.But the key to all of the above.Authenticity.Skill.Enthusiasm.Integrity.Follow your bliss, and bright blessings on the journey, hope the rambling helped :)-Lee Harringtonhttp://www.PassionAndSoul.com