Unlocking the Power of Speaking Engagements: Insider Tips from Ms. Biz Podcast
Ready to step into the spotlight? This week on the Ms Biz Podcast, hosts Brooke Boltz and Rachel Boltz dive into the transformative world of speaking engagements. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting, episode 53 is packed with actionable tips to help you find and land speaking opportunities that can elevate your profile and amplify your message. Tune in and discover how to turn your passion for speaking into a powerful platform for success.
The Power of Speaking Engagements
Participating in speaking engagements can significantly enhance your reputation as a thought leader in your field. The impact of these opportunities is profound, offering a chance to directly connect with your target audience, share your expertise, and build valuable relationships. But how do you find these speaking gigs? Here’s a breakdown:
Finding Local Opportunities
1. Local Organizations and Groups: Start with your local community. Look for professional associations, networking groups, business clubs, and community organizations. These groups often host events and are eager for guest speakers. For instance, Brooke had success with the Rotary Club, which has chapters worldwide and regularly seeks speakers for their meetings.
2. Chambers of Commerce: These are gold mines for speaking opportunities, particularly if your target audience includes local business owners. Brooke highlighted her fruitful engagement with the Oviedo Winter Springs Chamber of Commerce.
3. Professional Associations: Depending on your industry, there are numerous associations that host events requiring expert speakers. For Brooke, lawyer groups provided many opportunities to share her insights.
4. Networking Groups: Organizations like BNI (Business Network International) offer regular speaking opportunities to their members. These presentations help in building connections and showcasing expertise.
5. Educational Institutions and Non-profits: Colleges, universities, and non-profits often invite guest speakers. Brooke shared her experiences speaking at Rollins College and Palmer Chiropractic College, which opened doors to further engagements.
Crafting a Compelling Speaker Resume
Your speaker resume is crucial in pitching yourself for speaking opportunities. Brooke and Rachel recommend having two versions:
1. Long Version:
- Name and Business Title: Make it clear and prominent.
- Topics: List 3-5 topics you can speak on.
- Fun Facts: Include a few interesting tidbits about yourself.
- Videos: Links to videos of your previous speaking engagements.
- Photos: A mix of professional and personal photos to humanize you.
- Media Appearances and Testimonials: Highlight your experience and credibility.
- Links: Provide links to your website, social media, and other relevant platforms.
2. Abbreviated Version:
- A one-page summary suitable for social media, emphasizing your speaking topics, past engagements, a short bio, and essential links. Make it colorful and eye-catching to stand out in posts.
Leveraging Online Platforms
1. Facebook Groups: Groups like “Need a Guest” are excellent for finding podcast speaking opportunities. These groups connect podcast hosts with potential guests. Brooke’s tip: respond to posts with a brief introduction and your abbreviated speaker resume to increase your chances of being selected.
2. PodMatch: This paid service matches speakers with podcast hosts, similar to a matchmaking service but for podcasters. It’s a highly recommended tool for finding more targeted opportunities.
Enhancing Your Engagements
To maximize the impact of your speaking engagements, Brooke suggests bringing a raffle item, like a gift card, to collect email addresses from your audience. This strategy helps in building a contact list for future outreach.
1. Sign-in Sheets and Business Cards: Ensure you have a method to collect attendees’ information, either through sign-in sheets or by gathering business cards.
2. Engaging Content: When presenting, bring engaging content and even small gifts to leave a positive impression on your audience.
Final Thoughts
With the right strategies, finding and excelling in speaking engagements is achievable and immensely rewarding. Whether you’re aiming to grow your business or boost your personal brand, these opportunities can be game-changers.
So, kick off your high heels, sit back, and ignite that passion. Subscribe to the Ms. Biz Podcast to learn more and take your speaking career to the next level. And don’t forget to check out Ms Biz Connectz for further support and advice!
Hebrews 11:1 – “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.”