Is speaking part of your business model?
If it isn’t, you might want to consider speaking about your area of expertise.
Speaking can add additional revenue streams to your business.
In fact, speaking can help you personally connect with prime prospects who are ready to become paying customers.
It’s up to you to decide how you’re going to incorporate speaking into your business model (or if it even makes sense for you). You’ll also want to consider the type of speaking engagement that best fits your delivery style. Do you like to deliver keynotes, breakout sessions, interactive presentations, workshops, seminars or something else?
More importantly, what do people respond to when you deliver your message?
It doesn’t matter if you’re presenting to a local organization, doing a media interview, a paid speaking gig or a telesummit, there are basic business boundaries and etiquette you’ll want to keep in mind.
When you start speaking you’ll want to develop your criteria (i.e. what kind of gigs will you accept).
You’ll also want to be clear about how to best collaborate.
I’ve had the honor of presenting via a variety of platforms including
- Guest expert interviews for media outlets including radio, print and Internet broadcasts via video
- Women Entrepreneurs of Southern Oregon transformative, interactive marketing presentation
- Chamber of Commerce luncheons
- Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero’s She Factor marketing to women event
- Ali Brown’s live marketing event in front of 500 people
- Oregon Women’s Conference Executive Director Keri Murphy’s private Dream Team mastermind where I shared the stage with Michelle Patterson, Executive Director of the California Women’s Conference
- Business Mastery Breakout Sessions at Jane Deuber’s event
- Business panels (live and live cast broadcast via video on the Internet)
- Training development and delivery for the Idaho Small Business Development Center
- More telesummits, teleseminars and podcasts than I can count (and I’m sure I’m forgetting something)
Each of these engagements increased my business because I’m strategic about who I align myself with. I’ve said “NO” to some big opportunities because they didn’t fit into the vision and strategy of what I want to create in this world (or I was being asked to jump through unnecessary hoops). I’ve also created a clear criteria for my speaking engagements.
When to say YES or NO to #speaking gigs Click To TweetRegardless of the platform, there has to be mutual respect and you need to determine your criteria for a clear YES or a clear NO when accepting speaking opportunities. There also needs to be a CLEAR strategy (more on this here).
I’ve learned a lot of tips along the way and I’m curious to know what determines a clear YES or NO for you when it comes to speaking gigs?
For me, there needs to be a mutually beneficial agreement that moves my business forward by delivering valuable tips for the audience to help them grow their own businesses. Often, thinking bigger and setting clear intentions will help.
WHY did I say YES to the California Women’s Conference virtual stage opportunity? There were several reasons.
1) It’s a reputable event (I believe in the message and the people involved)
2) I know Michelle Patterson, the Executive Director of The California Women’s Conference and I trust her vision (I’ve seen her in action at the California Women’s Conference and I’ve shared the stage with her at Keri Murphy’s private Dream Team Mastermind event)
3) We really are better together. Collaboration is IN and Competition is OUT
Be sure to leave your comments HERE about what determines a clear YES or NO for your speaking platforms. And here are the exact steps I took to secure my spot at The California Women’s Conference which led to receiving the People’s Choice Award.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts. AND if you’re not yet a member of the Write On Creative Community, grab your FREE goodies here.
A clear yes is when the opportunity means that I get in front of my ideal audience and have the opportunity to share my message of transformation
Trudy,
The right venue and audience are key.
Write on!~
Lisa
Thanks for the tips, Lisa.
You are welcome, Sue. What are your triggers for a clear YES or NO?
Write on!~
Lisa
I have to concur with Trudy. A no, is usually reserved for a group that is not well organized. My experience is they never turn out well, so if I sense a group is not well organized, I offer to do a teleseminar for them first and see how the process goes.
Jessica,
Organization is a big part of it for sure. 🙂
Write on!~
Lisa
A yes for me is a focused opportunity. Recently I helped an organization clarify the purpose and schedule of their event. At first they were very scattered and too broad in their approach. Defining what they wanted/needed for this three day event made it clear that it was a good fit for me to present one of the sections.
Mira,
I love your perspective. I’m a BIG fan of turning obstacles into opportunities.
Write on!~
Lisa Manyon
Great tip Jessica 🙂 If they aren’t organized, it is likely not worth our time. Trudy also shared great insight. If a large percentage of the audience is not your ideal client(s), you will be unlikely to benefit much from the gig.
Face to face gigs are great, but virtual events can be very powerful as well if they are promoted properly.
Honoring you all,
Janelle
Janelle,
Yes, organization is KEY. I’ve initially agreed to speaking gigs and then realized they were operating in chaos or asking me to jump through hoops. That’s a CLEAR NO for me.
Write on!~
Lisa Manyon
I personally LOVE speaking to audiences who are open and ready to receive my message. I say yes when I can speak about a topic I am passionate about that is relevant to the audience. I have a speaking page on my website which clearly outlines the number of topics I speak about – I say yes to these http://www.uqpower.com.au/speaking
Cheers
Heidi Alexandra
Heidi,
I love how organized you are. I focus on ONE speaking topic right now and feature that in my online media kit. The other topics (PR, Branding, Planning etc.) are reserved for breakout sessions and custom gigs. Keeps everything clean and clear.
Write on!~
Lisa Manyon
For the last few years public speaking, professional speaking and virtually all speaking opportunities have been a major focus for me. This has presented opportunities to speak Internationally and across the USA. A No would be reserved for any group which does not represent my values.
Mitch,
Yes — VALUES are key. I admire that you stick to that.
Write on!~
Lisa Manyon
I ask myself the following questions when choosing speaking opportunities: Is the organizer reliable and aligned with my values? Is the audience full of my ideal clients? Will I have an opportunity to deepen my relationship with the audience (ex. make some kind of offer, either free or paid)?