I have three speaking engagements over the next two weeks. (More info on those below.) Though I’m getting paid for two of these gigs, I didn’t really accept any of these offers to speak for the money.
Speaking at conferences, meetings and other events is a great way to get the word out about who you are and what you do. Speaking engagements are a great way to build buzz about your blog, book, or personal brand.
If you want to delve into public speaking, but you’re not quite sure how, here are a few tips to get you started:
First, figure out what you could and should speak about at events. Do you have a compelling success story to share? Do you have a story of overcoming great adversity that could inspire others? Do you have a valuable skill that you know how to teach to others?
Next, be sure that your website shows off your expertise or shares a sneak peek into your story.
Then, offer to speak to a few local organizations for free so you can build up your speaking resume. Be sure to video record at least one of these engagements.
Finally, add a page to your website or blog specifically for speaking engagements. List the topics you’ve been asked to speak about and the organizations and events for which you’ve spoken. And include your contact information, of course, and a video that shows you in action speaking at an event. If you have testimonials from the organizers of events at which you have spoken, be sure to add those too.
But you’re not done yet.
Now you’ll need to get your name out. Start networking with the leaders of local and national organizations you’d like to speak to and seek out various conferences at which you could possibly speak and start drafting your pitches and proposals.
Another way to spread the word about you and what you have to offer is through television appearances. A segment on TV will give you a chance to share your story or show off your expertise while also demonstrating how personable, yet poised you are. Check out my blog posts on how to land a TV segment and how to rock your first TV appearance.
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I would love for you to join me at my upcoming speaking engagements.
On Friday, April 22, join me at the BJCC Arena Club as I moderate the Fearlessly Forward: Women in Business panel discussion as part of the Fusion Awards networking session.
The objective of the Fearlessly Forward panel is to celebrate the professional accomplishments of women in the Birmingham area, their paths to success, and the wisdom they have to share with others.
The Fearlessly Forward panel discussion will inspire women looking to move ahead in male-dominated fields, entrepreneurship, community leadership, and creative professional pursuits.
The panel will feature Kathleen Hamrick, Director of iLab at Innovation Depot (a partnership between the UAB Collat School of Business and Innovation Depot) and Natalie Bolling, a financial institutions litigator and employment lawyer with Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C. I will be leading the discussion.
This panel discussion is part of the networking and seminar session set to precede the Fusion Best in Minority Business Awards program. Though the awards ceremony is a ticketed event, the networking portion of the evening is free and open to the public.
The first 25 people to register for the Fearlessly Forward panel discussion will receive a gift bag from Schaeffer Eye Center.
*Networking starts at 4 p.m.
*Panel discussion begins at 4:30 p.m.
Get more details and register at fearlesslyforward.eventbrite.com.
And next week on Thursday, April 28, join me at the Birmingham Area Reading Council meeting where I will be speaking on the importance of building a writing community and establishing a writing practice.
This event is free and open to the public and will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Shades Cahaba Elementary School, 3001 Independence Drive.
Public speaking is one of seven ways you can make money with your words that I discuss in my e-course Lady Blogger to Boss Lady, which reopens for enrollment next week. Learn more here.