You can grow your business speaking; it sets you up as a leader, it increases your professional network, and it ramps up your self-confidence which ultimately leads to more clients and revenue.
You are an expert at what you do. Let me repeat: You are an expert at what you do. Whether it’s your background teaching children or adults, working in corporate America, or staying at home raising your children… you have the knowledge. The question is are you ready to share it and why should you? Answer: Because your story resonates with someone like no one else’s story can and if you want more clients and increased revenue, professional speaking makes it happen.
Three of several benefits to speaking
Speaking to audiences, whether in person or via online avenues (podcasts, webinars, radio, etc.), has several benefits. Today, I’m going to focus on the rewards I know I’ve experienced when speaking and (guess what?) you can too:
- increased confidence
- increased awareness of authority
- increased professional network
Elevated self-confidence with each presentation
I am the first person to say even though I’ve been speaking for many years, no matter how many times I speak, whether on Facebook Live, on a podcast… my brain goes blank. In my blog, “Sharing Knowledge: Speaking on Stage is Both Exhilarating and Intimidating,” I provide tips on how to let go of intimidation and enjoy the moment. I’ve come a long way since I started professional speaking, but to this day I still have a bit of imposter syndrome whenever I speak. However, I have know for sure the more I put myself out there the more I improve my skills, my self-confidence, and my presentation!
Known as an authority
Sharing experience via speaking is a win-win situation for your audience and you. With each speaking gig when you’re addressing the needs of your ideal clients and providing great information from your knowledge, people are listening and want more from you. You also gain more and more experience when you speak which can help you feel you more comfortable. Like anything, practice makes perfect (or darn near it!). People are more likely to hire or buy from people who know what they’re talking about. Audiences are looking for someone they can trust. When speaking and sharing information and solving problems/needs for audiences we earn respect as an authority in our field.
I truly believe the more I speak to my ideal audience, the more people understand what we do, who we serve in our business, and they realize we’re experts in all things business startups such as your book. I’ve also been asked to speak at workshops and be a repeat guest on podcast shows, which leads to our business growth.
Professional networking opportunities
Years ago, I learned when you sponsor or speak at a conference it’s a great way to grow your professional network. Show up early, stay late. Speaking is great for business growth and not only for more clients and revenue, but for the like-minded people you want to connect with. When planning for where you want to speak, podcasts or live events, be strategic and look where your potential clients and professionals you want to create relationships with are going to hang. Network before, during, and after the event (when you aren’t preparing for your talk). You can’t and shouldn’t try to connect with every single person at the event. Find the people you are comfortable with and also step out of your comfort zone and say hi to someone you’ve followed online or seen at other events. I did this five years ago and the lady’s become a friend and coach/mentor!
Speaking gigs and how they can lead to client and revenue growth
When you’re speaking and you know your audience, and you speak to their needs by providing a solution (live or via podcast) most of the time you’ll be able to have a call to action by selling from the stage or providing a link to your site for a complimentary download, your book, or your coaching program. This is a great way to increase your list for raving fans and clients which can lead to increased revenue.
Last summer I dug in and joined a podcast MasterMind with Kathleen Gage. During the MasterMind, Kathleen provided outstanding guidance on how to land 100 podcast interviews. My goal is to be comfortable speaking while sharing my knowledge with my ideal audience. So far I’ve been a guest on six podcasts, all within five weeks; my goal is to hit 100 podcast interviews within a year.
From the podcasts I’ve been on so far, I’ve gained more and more self-confidence speaking, I’m more comfortable sharing my expertise without notes right in front of me, and I’ve met professionals I still network with both online and in person. Speaking is really about having a conversation; again, we’re experts at what we do!
If you’re looking to sell more books, take a gander at Kathleen’s new eBook, Virtual Book Tours for Indie Authors where she talks about an integrated approach to selling your books via blog and podcast tours. A Virtual Book Tour allows you to have a greater reach to a global market than virtually any other way of marketing a book. Combine a tour with other strategies and you become unstoppable.
What’s your vision for #2020Success? Do you want to speak or write your book? Join us for our Vision Board Workshop and see your vision become a reality.
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