How To Get Speaking Engagements

When I first started my business, I would schedule speaking engagements with any group that would listen. I would have spoken to the local garden club if they would have had me. Why? Because giving an informational talk helps you make personal connections, raises your profile and gives you an opportunity to make sales to a group whose defenses are down.

Some of you have responded that it’s all fine and dandy to recommend giving speeches, but they didn’t know the first thing about how to get bookings. So I’d like to share some tips for you to help you get your speaking -˜gigs’.

1. Start Small
My first suggestion is that if you’ve not had speaking engagements in the past, don’t start off on a grand scale. Most people assume they need to be speaking to a conference of hundreds of people. I recommend you start small, perhaps with an audience of 20 to 40 people. It’s a good size to get you comfortable whilst giving you the opportunity to test ideas and approaches.

2. Approach Networking Groups and Organizations

Your first step towards a booking is to take a look at any networking groups, ones to which you belong or groups in your area of expertise. Chances are they have monthly or quarterly meetings. Offer up your services to the meeting coordinator or organizer. When you offer to speak, make sure you explain why your topic is relevant and will be a good fit for the meeting.

Even if you’re not a member of a local networking organization, you can take steps to locate one. Check trade publication, magazines, even the Internet. Determine who in the organization is responsible for booking speakers and contact them by telephone and offer your services.

3. Tailor Your Talk
Make sure to tailor the speech to fit the needs of your particular audience. You may need to put a new spin on your speech.

4. Establish Yourself As The Expert
Once you get your first few speaking engagements, you’ll see bookings begin to snowball. As you establish yourself in the market, people will begin to contact you rather than vice versa. Typically after a speech, someone in the audience will approach you and ask you to speak to their group. So you’re not going to have to make calls to book each and every one of your speeches. In addition to that, by giving speeches, you are establishing yourself as the expert in your field. Once you’ve become the expert, people will contact you, you’ll get more bookings and make more sales.

So take the first step towards booking your first speaking -˜gig’, starting small is fine. You’ll find your bookings and your audiences will begin to grow with each and every speaking engagement.

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Bernadette Doyle is a small business marketing expert. You can read more of her articles on her blog at http://clientmagnetsblog.com