Generate More Speaking Opportunities While You're Speaking

by Cathy Fyock @CathyFyock

When you speak, what can you do to generate more speaking assignments?

There are many ways you can generate more speaking engagements while you speak! 

During your keynote, workshop, seminar, or webinar, you might include some phrases that let the audience know that you are a speaker and that you regularly provide programs on this and similar topics. While it may seem obvious to you that you would like to do more speaking, the audience may not be aware and are only given this idea when you mention in your presentation that you do other presentations. Do this by including phrases such as the following:

• When I was in Dallas last week speaking for XYZ organization...
• In one of my workshops, someone asked me...
• One of the problems faced by your industry was voiced when I last spoke with...
• Here’s a great example that was shared as a recent program...

Also, be sure your introduction identifies you as a speaker, and perhaps even mentions some similar audiences for which you’ve spoken. Don’t assume that your audience will know that this is one of your primary revenue streams!

Be sure your introduction identifies you as a speaker, and perhaps even mentions some similar audiences for which you’ve spoken. 

In your handouts, include a short bio that identified you as a speaker. Include contact information on each page. Once Cathy attended a program and wanted to follow up with the speaker some months later, but was not able to find the speaker’s contact information (and had forgotten the speaker’s name). If only the speaker had made it easier for the audience members to find her!

Another strategy for being asked back by decision-makers is to ask your audiences what information and programs they need to be successful, what their major pain points are, or what they’d most like to learn in follow-up sessions. Survey your audience members (you can use your response cards or a survey), and then share that information with the decision-makers as a next step. It’s your job to make sure the decision-maker is aware of everything you do. 

Activity: What can you do to be more intentional about generating more business when you speak?

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Generate More Speaking Opportunities While You're #Speaking - @CathyFyock on @EdieMelson #SpeaktoSell #writing 

Cathy Fyock is The Business Book Strategist, and works with professionals and thought leaders who want to write as a business development strategy. She is the author of nine books, including her most recent with coauthor Lois Creamer, The Speaker Author: Sell More Books and Book More Speeches. Since starting her business in 2014 she's helped more than 150 professionals become published authors. You can reach her at Cathy@CathyFyock.com.