Why Speak?
Susan Levin
excerpted from my workbook Market Yourself as a Speaker
As an International marketing consultant for speakers and authors and the owner of Speaker Services I work with professional folks (not necessarily professional speakers) to help them create a marketing strategies that will increase their business, service or products exponentially.
The first question I always ask is what are you passionate about? What will you speak about? Then we look at why they want to speak, who wants to hear their message and the various presentation possibilities..
I believe that speaking is the best way to market yourself and probably one of the best kept secrets. Speak for free locally this gives the audience an opportunity to get a taste of you.
Picture this-you are speaking to a group of 50-100 people and they are captivated by you and when you are finished speaking they ask how can we take you home with us or can you offer a full day workshop for our group or when can I book an appointment to see you privately? How does that feel? Don’t forget to create a rating form so that you can add these folks to your e-mail list too.
Ask yourself the the following questions and see if speaking is right for you.
WHY WILL YOU SPEAK?
Do you want to:
• Inspire
• Educate
• Lead people to take action
• Visibility
• Sell products (books, audio tapes or videos, workbooks)
Many speakers have been inspired by other speakers.
Great speakers motivate and communicate to the spirit.
Think of your talk as food for the audience.
It is your responsibility as a speaker to nourish your audience and fill them up.
The best speakers are successful because they involve their audience in the emotion and purpose of their presentation.
W. Mitchell said, “The very best part of being a speaker is afterwards. People coming up—what they say and what they don’t. Looking into their eyes and seeing that they used me as a mirror. Held me up as a mirror and looked inside themselves and tuned into some parts of themselves they had turned off for awhile discovered some things they hadn’t been in touch with. Perhaps they discover they no longer had any excuse to hide.”
WHO USES SPEAKERS?
Trade and Professional Associations, Service Clubs, Business Meetings Corporations, Trade shows, Libraries, Schools, Senior Centers, Fitness Centers, Colleges & Universities, Hospitals, Churches, Radio & TV Talk Shows, Women’s Groups, Cruise Ships, Special Interest Groups
KINDS OF SPEAKER FUNCTIONS
Keynote - Opening, Closing
Breakout Sessions
Seminar Leader
Workshop Leader
Corporate Leader
Panel Member/Leader
Master of Ceremonies
WHAT WILL YOU SPEAK ABOUT?
Speak about what you know.
Anyone can learn to speak with some practice just like anyone can learn to play the piano.
If you have a desire to speak, have a vision, purpose, passion and compassion and come from the heart you can’t lose. Just speak your truth.
“When you become determined, a thousand visible and invisible help mates are drawn to you to lend their energy and power”, Noella Evans
Remember to tell your own story, speak from the heart and become a passionate expert on your topic.
As Emerson said, “What you thunder so loud they’ll want to hear.”
• A psychotherapist talks about eating disorders.
• A massage therapist talks about the power of touch.
• An independent filmmaker talks about how to make documentary films.
• An attorney talks about trademarks, copyright and contracts.
• A speech coach talks about powerful presentation skills.
• A financial coach talks about how to be rich on any income, even if you’re in debt.
• A marketing consultant talks about how to make money in international business.
• A career consultant talks about how to land your dream job.
Got questions? I offer a 15-20 minute complimentary consulation. Fill out the assessment form and I will contact you.
