Speaking tips

Keep Your Speaking Engagements Organized (And Don’t Miss an Opportunity)

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Photo courtesy Estee Janssens, Unsplash

Good news! You’ve lined up ten speaking engagements over the next few months.

You did the hard work – researching speaking opportunities, submitting a solid proposal, connecting with meeting organizers and finally securing the gig. You’re primed to increase your visibility, connect with hundreds or thousands of people and perhaps, sell a few books.

Now, it’s time to kick back and relax, right?

Not so fast.

If speaking is not your full-time profession, managing your speaking schedule in addition to running your business or career, can get overwhelming rather quickly.

Here are a few tips to keep you streamline the process and stay organized:

Create a form on your website

Set up a Google document or contact form directly on your website to manage incoming speaking requests. Include questions about details for the speaking engagement and event such as:

  • Name of organization
  • Contact person
  • Date and location of the event
  • Length and format of presentation
  • Fee or budget for the speaking engagement

Having this form in place will reduce time emailing or calling the meeting organizers to get the information. With all the requests in one place (as opposed to sifting through emails) you can review them at once and respond accordingly.

Create a calendar just for your speaking engagements

Mark the dates of each speaking event on the calendar so you can see everything in one place. Additionally, map out any planning meetings with the event organizers, deadlines to submit slides or materials, promotional or marketing campaigns and most importantly when you will write and rehearse each talk.

Create a file for each event

Create a paper or digital folder with important details for each event including: date, location, on-site contact person, time of the talk, transportation and travel details. This will save you time and energy in the days before a speaking engagement, so you can focus on the content of the presentation.

Plan your follow-up strategy

There are always details to take care of once the talk is over. Have a system set up for invoicing and collecting payments for any speaking fees or travel reimbursements. Also, plan to follow up with the audience by sending a survey or email to thank the audience for attending and share any resources you may have mentioned during your talk.

Creating these systems may take some time in the beginning. However, once they are in place you’ll be able to accept requests and manage speaking engagements more efficiently. That way you direct your attention where it really matters – creating and delivering a powerful talk that makes an impact.

 Ready to ramp-up your speaking strategy? Book your complimentary 30-minute strategy session.

Deliver a Knock-Out Presentation from the Comfort of Your Home

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Photo courtesy Neil Godding, Unsplash

Virtual events like webinars, teleconferences and online classes are a great way to connect with new audiences and build your list. One of the biggest advantages of virtual events is that you can reach an unlimited number of people because you are not restricted by location or seat capacity.

The downside to virtual events is that you cannot see how the audience is reacting.

Have you ever wondered if your audience is sleeping, watching cat videos, or folding laundry while listening to your virtual program?

It’s difficult to know how your message is being received when you can’t see the audience.

There are several ways to make your virtual event a success:

Prepare as if it is an in-person presentation

Virtual event has many moving parts including conference call technology, slides, fielding questions and, of course, the presentation. By learning and rehearing the material, you firm up one piece of the puzzle so you can be focused on delivering an amazing talk.

Prepare an outline

Prepare notes or an outline of  talking points to use as a guide during the presentation. Avoid writing a script. Your audience is smart and can tell when you’re reading word for word.
Bonus tip – print out your notes and/or slides. Technology is great when it’s working, but it can, and often does fail. Have a back up copy so you don’t have to rely on your computer screen.

Change up the format

If you’re concerned about losing your audience during your presentation, invite guest speakers to join the conversation. The guests can include a former of current client to share their experience or a colleague who is an expert in the topic you’re discussing. Mixing up the format and making it a dialogue will keep the conversation lively.

Stand Up

When you sit at a desk or in front of a computer you tend to slouch forward, reducing your energy and inhibiting your breath. Standing instantly opens your breathing capacity and raise your energy which will be reflected in the tone of your voice. If you are enthusiastic and energetic, your audience can’t help but be engaged.

Smile

In my early career I worked as a reporter for a local radio station. A co-worker recommended “smiling” while on-air because the audience can hear the energy in your voice. I felt silly at first, but I quickly realized how the energy increased in my voice. Many retail companies train their employees to smile when speaking with customers over the phone and resolving customer service issues.

Want support with delivering your next virtual presentation? I’d love to help! Begin by scheduling your complimentary consultation.

10 Questions to Ask Before Booking Your Next Speaking Gig

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photo courtesy Neil Godding, Unsplash

If you are new to public speaking, or trying to ramp up the number of speaking engagements you book, it can be tempting to say “Yes!” to every opportunity.

There are thousands of speaking opportunities from conferences to corporate training to podcasts and livestreams. These events provide a platform for you to speak to a new audience, share your message and build your visibility.

Once you have a few talks under your belt, and you’ve establish your expertise on a topic or in an industry, you will no longer have to seek out speaking engagements. The invitations will come to you!

Invitations to be a guest on a podcast, speak to a networking group or association, or to present at a large scale conference.

When an invitation comes your way, how do you know if it’s an opportunity you want to go after?

There are a few things you should consider before confirming your next speaking event. Gathering details about the event, audience and presentation can help you decide which opportunities to accept and which to decline.

Audience

First and foremost, find out who will be in the audience. Learn as much as you can about the participants: Are they senior level executives or newbies? Are they from small businesses or Fortune 1000 brands? What is their knowledge level of the topic? Finally, how many attendees are expected?

Goal of the program

What is the mission the event organizers are trying to achieve? What are the attendees hoping to learn and how will the content meet those expectations?

Event history and program

If it is an annual program, learning more about the content and audience from previous events will provide insight into the upcoming event. If it is a new program you may want to review a draft of the agenda and find out which speakers have signed on at that point.

Speaker budget

Is this a paid speaking opportunity? Determine what type of fee or stipend will be provided and if that fee includes travel expenses.

Theme of presentation

Understand what topic the event organizers want you to discuss, and more importantly if there is a specific angle or example they would like you to share.

Format of the presentation

It’s important to understand how much time you will have to present, but also find out if you’ll be presenting alone or as part of a panel? If it is a large-scale event, ask if you will be speaking to the entire audience or to a smaller group in a break-out session.

Media

Will the media be in attendance, and if so, which outlets will be represented? This is important for corporate executives as you may need to get permission from your organization to participate.

Will the program be recorded?

Having a copy of your talk can be a great resource to add to your website and speaker kit. If you work for a corporation you may need to get clearance to have your session filmed.

Networking opportunities

Large conferences and trade shows often include welcome receptions, speaker dinners and other networking events. Find out when they will be held and whether they are mandatory for speakers. This is important to consider as it may impact your travel schedule.

Vendor opportunities

If you are an author, there may be an opportunity to have a table or booth to sell your book during the program. Better yet, try to negotiate with the event organizers to buy copies of your book for all of the attendees.

Need support with booking your next gig? Begin by scheduling your complimentary session.

Create a Story with Impact

Do you remember that classic scene from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off in which Ben Stein gives a dry lecture to a class of high school students? With a monotone voice and information that doesn’t interest his students, it’s easy to see why his students fall asleep.

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photo courtesy Kyle Glenn, unsplash

Creating a story that has makes an impact is one of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face when trying to connect with an audience. It’s a fear that prevents authors, coaches, consultants and others from public speaking.

Can you relate?

Maybe you lack clarity around your message or want to fine tune your presentation before you book speaking engagements.

You wonder how to take your knowledge and message and create a conversation that creates connection?

What story is one that will resonate most with my clients?

Anyone, anyone?

What happens when you have interesting content, an engaging delivery and your message still misses the mark?

You get great feedback on your presentation, but you don’t walk away with any leads or sales.

You get very little engagement from the audience.

Or worse…You hear crickets.

If you’ve experienced any of the above, it’s time to revisit your content. Here are three ways you can craft a talk that will make an impact:

Begin with the end in mind

Writing a talk can be intimidating. You want it to be powerful and to make an impression. You want to provide valuable information that serves others. How do you take all of your knowledge and experience and narrow it down to an hour long presentation?

To lessen the pressure, begin with the end in mind. Think about this question:

What do you want the audience to talk away with?

If the audience remembers only one thing from your presentation, what would you like that message to be?

What are the key points or lessons you’d like them to remember?

What information does the audience need most to solve their biggest challenge?

Once you’ve uncovered those few bullet points, you can use those as a framework to build your talk.

Get clear on your target audience

If the audience isn’t connecting with your material, perhaps you are speaking to the wrong group.

When you’re just getting started as a speaker it’s natural to present to any organization that invites you to speak. It’s important to make sure the audience, and organization, is aligned with the audience you want to serve.

For example, let’s say you are a financial planner who helps women over 50 manage and plan for retirement. If you give a presentation to a young professionals organization, your message is going to miss the mark. Can they benefit from financial advice about retirement? Yes.

However, if you wrote the talk for a 50+ person approaching retirement, that message may not be as relevant and won’t create connection. It’s important to get clear on who it is you are trying to reach and make sure you speak at events that are geared towards that target audience.

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photo courtesy of William White, Unsplash

Share a personal story

If you’re like most business owners, you started your business because of a passion or a desire to create something you needed. Think back to why you began your business and share a story about what inspired you on your path or a challenge you faced and the solution you created as a result.

Did you start your organization for overwhelmed mothers because you craved support when you were raising your children?

Did you become a life coach to help others silence the inner critic because learning how to manage your mindset changed your life?

Sharing stories like this creates authenticity and connection will make your message memorable.

Ready to create a powerful message? Attend the Rock Your Story workshop on April 19.

Transform your Storytelling from Boring to Binge Worthy

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I’ve been binge-watching Friday Night Lights. Have you seen it? I missed the series when it originally aired, so I’m catching up on all the popular television drama. On the surface it is the story of a high school football coach, and his team, in a small town in Texas. But it is so much more than that!

I’m not a football fan, but I was immediately captivated by Coach Taylor (played by the fabulous Kyle Chandler) and the Dillon Panthers. Each episode dives deep into the lives of the high school team members both on and off the football field. Unlike most high school teen dramas it’s complex, heart-warming, and inspiring. Whether you’re a football fan or not, you can’t help but cheer on the Panthers when they take the field!

Like any binge-worthy series, each episode draws you in, takes you on an emotional journey and leaves you wanting more.

When one episode ends, I watch another.

And then another…

Suddenly it’s 1 a.m. and I don’t know what’s happened to the last 3 hours!

That’s the power of great storytelling.

Have you ever wondered what makes a great story? How to craft a compelling story that will captivate your audience?

Whether you are writing a keynote speech, a sales page or a blog post, there are core elements that make up a great story.

Evoke emotion

Have you ever watched an episode of This is Us and not cried your eyes out? There’s a reason why the series is so popular! The series take viewers on an emotional journey by switching between the character’s present, past and future life experiences. Each character has a compelling story that highlights their best moments, while also showing their flaws. This display of the human experience draws you in and keeps you watching each week.

You can relate to the story

If I were to ask you what your favorite movie, book or TV show is, what would you say?

I recently asked my Facebook community this question and was overwhelmed by the response! The group lit up as they talked about their favorite characters in books, television and film.

One participant spoke about her love of the TV series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She was a fan of the series for many reasons, but in particular that its title character was a strong female. She was inspired by, and saw herself, in Buffy.

That series ended 15 years ago, but it still stands out in her mind because she connected with Buffy’s presence. She identified with the character making it resonate in the present date.

Compelling characters

All great stories need characters to bring that story to life. Whether hero or anti-hero, they inspire us, captivate us, make us laugh and cry. The best characters are those that are compelling. They are not perfect. In fact, they are often flawed. The flaws draw in the audience as they identify with the human experience.

Inspire

Great storytelling inspires you to take action, make a change or simply to know what is possible. In one of my favorite TED talks, Nancy Duarte breaks down the elements of famous speeches such as Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” and Steve Jobs iPhone product launch. She explains stories have an arc that shifts between discussing what is and what is possible or what could be. Storytellers that bridge the gap between what is and what could be make the greatest impact. They are able to inspire their audiences to know what is possible and to make a change to move towards the new idea.

Now it’s your turn! What is your favorite storytelling secret? Try using one of the secrets above in your storytelling and see what impact it makes!

If you’d like support with creating a compelling story, book your complimentary session.