SHOW NOTES
Welcome, you can go back and watch the training video. You have already created your show-stopping bio, which includes your values and the value you can bring to the audience, along with three signature talks. If you're struggling to create your talk or bio, please reach out to us because we have a service that can be perfect for you.
Now that you have everything together, what's next? I did some quick research online about the various speaking opportunities available.
At 00:37, you can go back and watch the training video. You have already created your show-stopping bio, which includes your values and the value you can bring to the audience, along with three signature talks. If you're struggling to create your talk or bio, please reach out to us because we have a service that can be perfect for you.
Now that you have everything together, what's next? I did some quick research online about the various speaking opportunities available. It can be overwhelming as there are limitless options. However, I recommend starting with the people in your network who already know you. In my initial research, I found 40 places, both on and offline, but I just scratched the surface. Later, I will share some of these places and put the rest on my website, so you can access them.
01:15
There are countless speaking opportunities available to you, which can be overwhelming. However, I always advise starting with the people in your network who already know you. In my initial research, I found 40 places both online and offline, but I barely scratched the surface. I'll share some of them later and put the rest on my website for you to access.
01:53 I'll put the link below which will name all the other resources as well. It's where you can reach out to get speaking engagements. So, I want to start with a professional speaker's checklist before we get into today's challenge or, more importantly, before you start reaching out to people. Firstly, make sure that the person or organization you're reaching out to is relevant for you and that you're relevant to their audience.
02:37 Needs and wants you want to make sure that you understand their pain points and that you're able to offer solutions or insights to help them. Another point is to check the timing and logistics, ensure that you're available to speak at the given date and time, and also make sure that you understand any logistics involved such as travel arrangements or technical requirements. Finally, consider the budget and compensation, make sure that you're clear on what the compensation is and that it aligns with your expectations and the value that you're providing. With all of these points considered, you can now start to look for speaking opportunities that are a good fit for you and your expertise.
03:12 Is that you can tailor it to fit different formats and different time frames so that's something to consider as well. And then you want to think about the logistics, so things like the location, the date and time, and any travel arrangements that you may need to make. And then finally, you want to think about the value that you're going to bring to the event. What is it that you're going to offer to the audience? What are they going to take away from your talk or your workshop or your panel discussion? So those are some things to consider before you start reaching out to potential speaking opportunities.
Now, in terms of actually finding those opportunities, like I mentioned earlier, start with your network. Think about the people you already know who are in your industry or who have connections to events or organizations that could benefit from your expertise. And then, of course, there are online resources like speaker directories, event listings, and industry associations that you can reach out to. And I'll share some of those resources on my website for you to check out.
So that's it for today's challenge. Your task is to do some research and make a list of at least five potential speaking opportunities that you could reach out to. And remember to consider the relevance, the audience, the format, the logistics, and the value that you can bring. Good luck, and I'll see you in the next video.
04:28 issues with you but also the audience will feel like their time is not being respected so make sure that you stick to your time slot. Next, you want to consider the location and the setup. Will you be speaking in person or virtually? Will there be a stage, podium, or mic available? These are all important factors to consider so that you can prepare accordingly. And finally, you want to think about your goals. What is your purpose for speaking at this event? Is it to promote your business or brand, educate the audience, or inspire them? Make sure that your goals align with the event and that you have a clear message to convey. By following this checklist, you can ensure that you are well-prepared for any speaking opportunity that comes your way.
05:37 It's important to negotiate with the event organizers if you're speaking for free, to ensure that you are getting something out of it, such as the ability to do a call to action or promote yourself. Additionally, you should ask if there will be opportunities for networking and continuing conversations with attendees. When crafting your talk, consider including a call to action that takes attendees to a website or encourages them to book a call with you. After the event, it's important to follow up with attendees and continue building relationships with them.
06:13 the networking portion of the event, where you will have the opportunity to mingle with the audience. This is a great chance to connect with people and exchange phone numbers to continue conversations later. However, it's important to keep in mind how you craft your talk and what type of call to action you include. Remember, I taught you about two different types of call to actions to use in your mini signature talk. One could be directing them to a website page, which is what we discussed previously. Keep in mind that the networking portion is a valuable opportunity to make connections and continue conversations.
06:49 Earlier, I mentioned that there are numerous resources available to help you find speaking opportunities. In fact, I have compiled a list of 40 different places where you can look for these opportunities. The second type of call to action that I discussed involves booking a call with you so that you can have a conversation about the topic you presented. This is a crucial step that many people forget, including myself at times. Following up after the event is important in order to continue the conversation and build relationships with potential collaborators or clients. Don't forget to take advantage of this opportunity and make the most of it!
07:19 It's important to not only follow up after the event, but also when you are reaching out to people and they don't respond. Don't assume that they are not interested or that it's because of you. They may simply be busy and need a reminder. Always make sure to send a follow-up email or message.
As an example, I am currently researching for a new book that I am writing about signature programs. I reach out to around 30 people each week, but only 10 people respond. It's important to not take it personally and to remember that people have busy lives and schedules. A friendly follow-up can often make all the difference in getting a response.
07:50 Out of those 10 people who respond, only 5 end up booking a call with me for research. In this situation, I make sure to reach out to everyone again and remind them to book a call if they haven't done so yet. For those who haven't responded, I follow up again and a percentage of them usually end up getting back to me.
I apologize if I am speaking quickly, as there is a lot of information to cover. Feel free to pause and replay the video as needed. Additionally, the show notes will be available on my website, so you can refer to them later.
08:32 If you prefer not to follow the video, you can always visit the website and read the show notes. I appreciate you taking the time to be here because public speaking and sharing our message is a privilege. We are fortunate to live in an age where we can reach people all over the world and connect with them in meaningful ways.
As I mentioned earlier, there are numerous opportunities available for public speaking. I have highlighted just a few of them, but there are many more out there waiting for you to discover. So take advantage of these opportunities and don't be afraid to share your message with the world!
09:09 Here are a couple of ideas to get your brain thinking about potential opportunities for public speaking. I have tried a variety of offline and online combinations, and I find that all of these options are relevant. There is one option that may not be as applicable, but we'll get to that in a moment.
One idea is to join professional associations related to your field of interest. For example, if you are interested in mental health, you could join the Association of British Psychologists. This can provide opportunities to network with other professionals and potentially speak at events or conferences.
Another option is to attend networking events and conferences in your industry. This can help you meet other professionals and potentially speak at future events.
You could also consider reaching out to local schools or community organizations and offer to speak on a topic related to your expertise.
09:44 The Association of British Psychologists holds yearly events and invites speakers to attend. They usually host events during the week and invite speakers to present. It's a great idea to find out where events and conferences are happening in your industry so that you can attend them. Joining a professional association in your niche can be helpful in this regard.
Conferences and trade shows that are relevant to your field of interest are also great opportunities to explore. You can reach out to the organizers and see if you can be added to their plan for the year or for the following year. Attending professional association conferences and trade shows can be very beneficial as there will be numerous opportunities to network and potentially speak at events.
10:25 Researching on Google can be a great way to find out about relevant conferences, events, and organizations. Faith-based organizations can also be a great platform for speakers, as they often hold events and are interested in featuring speakers who align with their mission. Additionally, attending networking events can also help you get in front of your target audience. So, do some research and find networking.
10:58 Corporate events can be a great place to speak as well. You can reach out to companies that are related to your niche and see if they have any upcoming events where they're looking for speakers. This can be a great opportunity to get in front of a targeted audience and potentially even get paid for your speaking services. So, those are just a few ideas to get you started with finding speaking opportunities. Remember, it's important to be proactive and reach out to organizations and event planners to see if you can get on their radar. And always be prepared with your signature talk and call to action to make the most out of every opportunity.
11:34 Sure, let's talk about speaking opportunities online. There are many options for speaking online, and as you mentioned earlier, one of them is webinars. You can host your own webinars or be a guest on someone else's webinar. Podcasts are another great option, either as a host or as a guest. YouTube is also a fantastic platform for reaching a large audience, either through creating your own channel or being a guest on someone else's channel. Virtual summits and online conferences are also becoming more popular, and you can reach a global audience through these events. And of course, social media is an excellent tool for sharing your message and connecting with your audience.
12:12 That's a great tip! Setting up a Google alert with specific keywords related to your area of expertise can keep you updated on conferences, events, and articles related to your field. It's a proactive way to stay informed and to potentially find opportunities to speak or share your message.
12:47 It's important to stay updated on relevant events and conferences in your area of expertise. Eventbrite is another platform to explore upcoming events and even potentially reach out to organizers for speaking opportunity.
13:16 A directory of conferences, trade shows, and other events around the world. You can browse the website to see what events are coming up and reach out to organizers to see if there are any possible speaking opportunities. In addition, you can also utilize social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to join groups and connect with event organizers and other professional speakers to explore potential opportunities. The possibilities are endless, and it ultimately depends on how much time and effort you are willing to invest in researching and pursuing speaking gigs.
14:05 You have to be highly motivated and genuinely interested in speaking, as it is a competitive field. That's why I recommend starting with creating your mini signature talk and bio before reaching out to people in your wider network. In a previous session, we discussed making a list of potential contacts and organizing it in an Excel or Google spreadsheet to keep track of your progress.
14:46 Previously, I suggested that you include the date, name, and source of where you found a potential contact, whether it was on LinkedIn, a conference website, Eventbrite, Meetup, or elsewhere. Additionally, it's important to note their email, relevant topics for their audience, and how you can add value to that audience. In the last session, I recommended adding some details about what you can speak on for that audience in a separate column. Now, I suggest going back through the list and thinking about additional topics that would be relevant for each contact.
15:20 Take note of the places I mentioned earlier and add any new ones to the list. Research Meetup to see if it's a viable option for finding potential contacts. Additionally, look for relevant Facebook groups where organizers frequently ask for speakers. Explore other opportunities and possibilities that may be available to you. Once you've compiled a comprehensive list, you can begin reaching out to potential contacts. However, before doing so, it's important to..
15:54 Before reaching out to potential contacts, make sure to do your research. It's important to approach them in a way that is highly relevant to their audience. Personalize your message when sending emails, or better yet, pick up the phone and have a conversation with them. This is a more effective way to capture their attention than simply sending an email. Email should always be the first point of contact, but if possible, try to build a relationship with the organizer or host by speaking with them directly. Focus on cultivating this relationship to increase your chances of securing a speaking opportunity.
16:34 When reaching out to potential contacts, show a genuine interest in their topic and ask how you can provide value for their audience. Be specific in your request and clearly state that you're seeking a speaking opportunity and how you can contribute to the success of their event. Follow up multiple times, not just with those who have already booked you as a speaker, but also with those you've reached out to but haven't yet secured an opportunity with. Remember, persistence is key!
17:12 It's also important to follow up with people in the audience if you have the opportunity to do so. Now that you have your speaker blueprint, including your mini 20-minute signature talk, winning signature bio, value statements, and three mini signature talks, it's time to start reaching out to potential contacts and asking if you can speak at their events. If you're having trouble putting together your signature talk, bio, or value statements, don't hesitate to seek help from a coach or mentor.
17:48 In addition, I've created a signature talk bio writing service that can assist you in creating your speaker topic and signature topics, as well as your value statements. If you're interested in learning more about this service, please reach out to me. Now that you have everything you need, it's time to reach out to potential contacts and start booking speaking engagements. Please let me know how it goes and if you have any questions that I can answer. If you're unsure about something, feel free to post your questions below
18:27 If you have any questions about the homework, feel free to post them below and I will provide personalized feedback. Also, please remember to click the notification bell for upcoming free training sessions and click the like and subscribe buttons if you've enjoyed my content. I'm excited to hear about how you're reaching out to potential contacts and what type of response you're receiving from them. Until next time!
