Three Tips to Get More Speaking Engagements
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Want to increase your win rate for speaking engagements? Go pro.
No, I don’t mean that you have to hire your own PR rep or speaker marketer to pitch you as a speaker for groups or events. You can increase your chances of being selected – and make it easier on yourself – by copying these techniques used by professional speakers’ bureaus.
1. Stack the odds in your favor.
Before you submit a proposal to an organization, do your homework. Read about the organization’s membership and mission. This will give you insight into the information its members would value and what the hot topics might be.
(Stumped at where to start? Here’s a list of 17 ways to find speaking engagements.)
2. Make the conference planner or education committee chairperson’s job as painless as possible.
Provide all the information the program chair or selection committee needs to choose you. Here’s what goes into your package:
- Your contact information. This includes website, email, phone, cell phone, Facebook page, Twitter handle, and Google + ID. (Bonus points for you if you’ve got a large social media following. Any conference organizer or group education director will love it if you can help promote the event, too!)
- Professional headshot.
- Brief bio.
- Clear statement about the topics you cover in your talks (i.e. productivity for entrepreneurs, money negotiations for women.)
- List of topics (with catchy titles) and what attendees will learn with a short (2-4 sentence) abstract about each session.
- Video demo of you, live and in action. YouTube or Vimeo is a perfect place to host this. Your speaker sheet should include a user friendly link to the video.
- Testimonials and evaluations from organizations that the potential client can relate to.
- List of companies/organization you’ve spoken to previously.
Because this is meant to be concise, all the content should fit on a single page.
3. Use The Secret
There is a secret to getting more presentation opportunities. (It’s one that few entrepreneurs and professionals practice. Not because they’re dumb – they just don’t know about it.)
Ask.
Don’t wait for a Call for Speakers for that small handful of conferences in your industry. Take action to expand your reach and influence!
Research groups and organizations where your ideal clients hang out. (Most groups host regular meetings, lunch & learns, webinars and conferences. They are starving for valuable content for their members.)
Reach out and propose a presentation with a timely topic. Include three to five bullets of reasons that it is of interest to the audience and include your speaker sheet.
Speaking is powerful tool for positioning you as an authority and leveraging your valuable time. You can put it to work for you!
Your fame boosting assignment:
This week, create your own speaker sheet. Then, do a little research to find five organizations and use the secret – ASK!
Perfect Timing for me as I am embarking on the goal of having at least one a month in 2013!!! Thanks for some outstanding tips 🙂 🙂 🙂
Having a speaking goal that you’re striving for is so important, Laura. It keeps you on track with your efforts so that you reap the results.
So love this. I’m bookmarking this page. Speaking is my 2013 focus. Your tips are like a yellow brick road 🙂
Go Laurie, go Laurie! Bring your wellness wisdom to the world, mama!
I LOVE this! Another keeper! I too am going to be getting myself out there by speaking more in 2013!
Thanks so much Lori!
Oh Sarada! I’ve seen your videos and frankly, I’d watch you read the phone book. Your charm surrounds you like an aura.
Hi Lori! I love your blog. I’ve been doing what you said and scored 2 speaking engagements last month (woo hoo!). I find that most people are afraid of public speaking and are afraid to step up to the plate. They cancel the last minute, leaving group leadership scrambling for a new speaker. This is a great opportunity to step in. If 19 out of 20 people are scared of public speaking, that’s a true shame. But if you’re the 1 that isn’t scared…that’s an excellent opportunity for you to get the word out. Awesome. Thanks Lori! Janet
Janet! I always say that, too: professionals who will speak have a huge advantage just because so many people remove themselves from consideration because of their fear. Congratulations on your two gigs in a month – way to go!
And Catherine makes three. I too am aiming for at least one speaking gig per month in 2013. All great pointers with the most important undoubtedly being to ASK! I am approaching every local group I know (only now after your requisite research). Thanks Lori for great tips.
Good luck, Catherine. You are on your way, sister!
Lori…this content is great! Thanks so much for sharing! I have been asked in the past to do a few speaking gigs…brief but content filled. Do you have any great tips for getting over the fear?
Congrats on being invited, Kelly. That’s terrific! My tip for getting over the fear is simple (but it may not be easy!) Get out and speak as much as possible. Toastmasters is a terrific organization with clubs all over the world – the goal is to offer a super supportive environment where individuals can hone their speaking skills. Look around your community for a Toastmasters club!
great information. I love how you outlined how to make it easy for the chairman/organization. I will be sharing this post on my fb page.
Oh, I appreciate that Roshanda!
Three Tips to Get More Speaking Engagements…
Want to increase your win rate for speaking engagements? Go pro. No, I don’t mean that you have to hire your own PR rep to pitch you as a speaker. You can increase your chances of being selected – and make it easier on yourself – by copying these techn…
[…] Speak now. Another way to build authority while marketing your business has nothing to do with the Internet…at least not for the most part. Obtaining speaking engagements in your area of expertise can be a great way to boost visibility for your business, and it may be easier than you think. This post from business coach Lori Nash Byron looks at how to snag those choice speaking engagements that will let your expertise shine. Famous in Your Field […]
[…] Speak now. Another way to build authority while marketing your business has nothing to do with the Internet…at least not for the most part. Obtaining speaking engagements in your area of expertise can be a great way to boost visibility for your business, and it may be easier than you think. This post from business coach Lori Nash Byron looks at how to snag those choice speaking engagements that will let your expertise shine. Famous in Your Field […]
[…] Speak now. Another way to build authority while marketing your business has nothing to do with the Internet…at least not for the most part. Obtaining speaking engagements in your area of expertise can be a great way to boost visibility for your business, and it may be easier than you think. This post from business coach Lori Nash Byron looks at how to snag those choice speaking engagements that will let your expertise shine. Famous in Your Field […]
Lori,
Such a wonderful article to jump start a career or refine the points to getting into a new venue.
You have a gift of genuine support for these who commented on your information.
I have been a preacher for forty years and want to take my passion onto the corporate arena.
I help husbands understand and communicate more effectively with their wife. However, its the wife who most often will first try new concepts for her marriage.
My book and newsletter is written for husbands. The wife is where I want to target first since they are sensitive to information.
Any specific places to begin such as “MOPS”?
I am all in to help.
I just want to say thank you. I was looking up ways to get my client to expand with public speaking and this is perfect. Thank you so much for the wisdom.