Derek Sivers

Kiruba Shankar

Met 2023-02-13 09:00 at Taj Connemara, Binny Road, Anna Salai, Chennai, Chennai, India.

We met 12 years ago at INK.

He founded the Professional Speakers Association of India focuses on the business side of public speaking, whereas Toastmasters focuses on the craft of speech.

Speakers and rappers who can dissect what they’re doing as they’re doing it.

When doing a paid talk, (versus a free talk), the speaker has to do their homework, know the audience and their objective, write the script, and practice hard.

He has taught digital marketing for 21 years, and runs a marketing company called Breathe Digital.

Everyone who takes his course must have their own website by the time the course finishes. Many students have been accepted to colleges and jobs because having their own website set them apart.

Instead of waiting to be invited to a super-achievers event, just create and organize a super-achievers event. Better to be the host than a guest.

His meet-up is called Cerebrate.

Instead of hiring strangers through a help-wanted ad, speak/write/teach in public, then hire the people that approach you afterwards. Natural filter. You don’t try to attract people. These people are already attracted.

His first speaking gig was to a girl’s college. His boss was supposed to speak but couldn’t make it, so sent Kiruba instead.

His 90-year-old grandmother runs a farm stay, and could use a database for their guests, to know them better. 13 acres of organic farm. So many people come stay collectively, bonding, isolated away from distractions, so they really interact with each other, staying in one building. All booked word-of-mouth. No AirBNB or other portals.

The 3rd-most-popular bucket list wish is to own a farm. People long for the rural life.

Kiruba Shankar URLs