Do you want to get speaking gigs? Are you a new author who’s looking for exposure and thought leadership opportunities? The key is to use your book as a platform. Get clear on your message, then share it everywhere. How do authors land speaking gigs? They boost visibility and thought leadership by using their book as the springboard! Public speaking is the perfect opportunity to get exposure and demonstrate expertise in your industry. In this blog post, I want to share ideas on how to increase your chances of getting an invitation to speak. But before that.
Why Consider Public Speaking in the First Place?
Although most speaking engagements are unpaid, they can open up doors to a successful author career. That is why new authors need to consider speaking opportunities when they come available, especially if the topic of your book syncs well with their needs and goals.
The chance to expose your book to appropriate audiences is a crucial milestone towards building future income.
It’s a way to sell your book and build your speaking career simultaneously.
Speaking engagements also provide you with the opportunity to promote an aspect of your book that is relevant to schools or helpful information for professionals who are looking for new ways to engage their audiences. It is a surefire method of reaching your target audience with the information they need.
Whether it’s speaking on stage at a conference, giving lectures at universities, presenting at a business workshop, speaking at an event, speaking on a podcast or video series – the opportunities are endless. You can leverage these moments to generate leads, identify customers for your other services, and brand yourself as a thought leader by having your name appear on other companies’ online platforms.
That all sounds great, but how do you position yourself?
Here’s What You Should be Doing to Get on Speaking Platforms
Many authors do not know where to start when it comes to speaking engagements and can be discouraged by how competitive it is to get on events that matter.
The truth is that speaking engagements are scarce for most people (even famous ones), so you’ll need to work extra hard. That’s why I have put together my favorite tricks to make the process easier for you. Consider the following tips:
Always Create High-Value Presentations
Presentations are one of the most important parts of speaking engagements. They provide insight for listeners who then go out and purchase your book or plan future opportunities with you. People want to listen to subject matter experts, so prepare informative content that is practical and actionable. Make sure to include valuable takeaways from your book. Also, remember not to sound ‘salesy’. Presentations that turn out to be sales pitches drastically lower your standing with the audience.
Prepare for Multiple Speaking Engagements at Once
The speaking space is competitive, and many people are vying for speaking gigs regularly. It’s not uncommon to get booked out years ahead of time. You can do this by developing a speaker placement program. Identify relevant opportunities, connect with event organizers, and then submit your speaker proposals.
Target the Right Audience
Know yourself and make sure you have an authentic message that resonates with the audience you’re speaking in front of–you can’t fake authenticity. The audience you pick should represent the people you want to reach. Some ideal avenues to start looking at are local organizations, associations, industry groups, etc. And still, you can choose to be a solo presenter or a panelist on an industry-related topic discussion.
Understand the Process of Speaker Proposal Submission
Sometimes there are usually calls for speakers. In this case, you can submit a formal application for consideration. But if not, don’t wait around for an invitation- connect with event organizers: reach out via email or LinkedIn. Submit your speaker proposals and take care to follow the protocol; include a presentation abstract, speaking experience, any specialties, and a short bio.
These are a few practical tips to get your book out there through speaking events.
Conclusion
Public speaking is an excellent way to build your authority and credibility as an author. You will get the chance to interact with people personally, which will help you grow an audience for future book sales or other creative endeavors.
If you haven’t considered public speaking, it’s time to rethink! I’ve provided some tips in this post that may be helpful if you are thinking of incorporating this into your business book strategy. Have any other insights? You can share them in the comments section!
If you are not yet a confident speaker, taking a short public speaking online course can help jumpstart your career. Check out our one-on-one coaching for building a profitable venture with your business idea. Still not sure, book a free consultation to explore your options.
