How to Market Yourself as a Speaker

You may be a great speaker, but if nobody but you knows that, you are going to struggle to achieve success as a professional public speaker. Love it or hate it, you are going to have to market yourself to earn respect and get known as an expert in your field.

You can promote yourself as a speaker in various ways, from using the capabilities of social media to taking advantage of online platforms to reach a larger audience. Here are some helpful tips for you to consider:

1. Identify Your Niche

One of the first things you need to do when it comes to marketing yourself as a speaker is to identify your niche. It will help you focus on the specific topics, industries, and audiences that are most interested in what you have to say.

The next step involves creating a marketing plan tailored specifically to your target audience. It includes things like:

• Creating an online presence;
• Preparing materials ahead of time;
• Developing relationships with influential people in your field.

Then, you should execute your plan by engaging with potential customers directly and promoting your events/speeches effectively.

2. Create a Website or Blog

To market yourself as a speaker, you first need to create a website or blog where you can share your latest speeches, articles, and updates. Be sure to include videos and photos of yourself speaking. You can use these channels to sell tickets to your upcoming events and promote your speaking services.

You can promote your website or blog through social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Finally, you should email leads (people who have expressed interest in booking you as a speaker) to ask them to sign up for your mailing list. In this way, you will be able to keep them updated on your latest events and speeches.

3. Write Articles or White Papers

Writing articles or white papers will allow you to share your knowledge with a wider audience and help you develop a reputation as an expert in your field. If you want to write articles or white papers, there are a few things that you should keep in mind:

• Your writing should be well-organized and easy to read;
• Ensure that every sentence has a purpose and is relevant to the overall argument;
• Make use of vivid images and examples to illustrate your points;
• Be concise but thorough;
• Keep your language simple and jargon-free so that anyone can understand what you want to communicate.

To get started with writing, do some research on the topics that interest you most. Then, start drafting ideas for articles or white papers, outlining the main points in an easy-to-read format and fleshing out each point with specific examples and explanations.

Finally, edit and proofread your work extensively before publishing it online or sharing it with potential clients. If you doubt the quality of your material, visit writing services websites such as TrustMyPaper to get help.

4. Get Involved with Speaking Organizations

Joining a speaking organization will provide you with the opportunity to network with other speakers and learn from them as well as improve your speaking skills.

It can also help you build your portfolio and increase your credibility in the eyes of others involved in the speaking business, including potential clients.

Getting involved with a speaking organization also brings great networking opportunities where you can draw on the experiences and contacts of fellow members and be put in touch with event organizers looking for speakers.

5. Speak at Free Events

Speaking is itself one of the best ways to market yourself as a speaker. Not only will it help you build your reputation and credibility, but it will also allow for direct interaction with potential clients.

Free events are a great way to get started. They not only provide you with exposure, but they also offer an excellent opportunity to network with other speakers and industry professionals.

6. Give Interviews

Being interviewed allows you to give and get great feedback and discover the topics that generate the most interest. When it comes to being interviewed, there are a few things that you should keep in mind:

• Be prepared and have all of your materials ready when you go for an interview;
• Anticipate difficult questions and follow-ups and make sure you are comfortable answering them;
• Be polite and respectful towards interviewers, no matter what their attitude may be.

You can also practice writing your thoughts on paper to learn how to express yourself logically on the subject. If you are having trouble organizing your thoughts, visit writing reviews websites such as Best Essays Education to fill in any gaps in your knowledge.

7. Get Involved with Online Communities

Online communities are great places to connect with like-minded people who share your interests. They are also a great place to learn about new marketing techniques and strategies and get advice on how to promote your speaking gigs more effectively. By participating in online communities, you will not only learn more about marketing yourself as a speaker but also make connections that can help you achieve your goals faster.

8. Get Involved with Meetups and Networking Events

Networking allows you to find potential clients and partners. There are many ways to get involved in networking:

• Attend industry-specific meetups and learn about new trends and developments in your related topics;
• Attend general speaking events to meet other speakers and learn from their experiences;
• Join social media groups related to your field of interest, and connect with like-minded individuals.

Conclusion

If you are looking to market yourself as a public speaker, start by creating a strong personal brand. Make sure your website and social media profiles are up-to-date and polished, and get involved online.

Once you have your branding sorted out, start reaching out to local organizations and businesses to see if they need speakers for events. Start small and work your way up the ladder — before you know it, you will be booking keynote speeches at major conferences.

This was originally posted on SpeakerHub Skillcamp.