How to Start Speaking and Find Speaking Engagements

Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga

Would you like to expand your platform and reach through speaking? There are many factors to consider when expanding your influence in this manner. How do you get speaking engagements and what should you charge? The following points are a few of the questions you need to answer before you begin speaking.

These days, online speaking events are more prevalent. Online summits are a great way to start speaking. If someone approaches you to speak at one, and you are allowed to promote your products, say yes. As this can start your speaking career and it is a great way to promote your brand.

Begin Your Speaking Career

• First, you need to determine your speaking topics. How can you help your audience? Have you struggled with an issue and made it to the other side? If yes, you can guide others through what you learned. If you are serious about speaking, create a speaking page on your website. Include your topics and a brief description of each one. Produce a two-to-ten minute professionally edited and designed video of you speaking. This video allows event hosts to observe your speaking style, which helps them choose you as a speaker for their event. 

• Next, create a speaking assessment form that includes information from the host about the event. You need to know the date, desired topic, and length of time you will be speaking. A speaker fee will also need to be determined, so ask for their speaking budget. Your fee will be based on the length of the talk and whether you are starting out or a seasoned speaker. 

• A speaker contract is another vital component of your speaker kit. You need to make sure all the components of speaking are covered from travel arrangements to speaker expectations after the event. Speaking is exhausting. If you are speaking for an hour and are then required to be a focal point of a reception, that needs to be known up front and included in the speaker fee. 

• You also want to make sure that everything you need is provided for your talk, such as an overhead projector, confidence monitor, and lapel microphone. A hand-held or stand-up microphone is more difficult to manage. Also, it is beneficial for you to have back-table sales after your speak and this needs to be discussed before the event. Authors can make up to $10/book through these sales, which can add up quickly. How many people are expected to attend? How many books should you bring? Get these questions answered.

• Some speakers like to book their travel arrangements themselves. Early or late flights may not work well for some. Also, safety with lodging at hotels in nice areas of a city should be considered. Some event planners have volunteers pick you up at the airport, but they may not be the best drivers. You may want to rent your own car. All of these issues need to be discussed and included in the contract, so you are not surprised. 

• Speaking event hosts are influential. When you arrive for the event, consider bringing the host a gift. Be polite and accommodating within the limits of your contract as you would love to be invited back in the future. After a speaking event send the host a hand-written thank you note. Also, ask if they know of any other event that may be interested in your talk, and could they refer them to you through making email introductions? 

This is a list of the components of a Speaker Kit:

• Determine speaking topics
• Design a speaker’s website page (include a video)
• Create a speaker assessment form
• Decide on a speaker fee
• Make a speaker contract

Now that you created all the components of your speaker kit, it’s time to find speaking engagements. You could subscribe to speaker listings, speaker bureaus, or pitch to speaker events. The Christian Indie Publishing Association Guide: Speaker Kit and Speaking Opportunities List provides a list of events and bureaus for you to pitch to. It also includes more details, including the average price for faith-based speaker fees. May God bless your speaking ministry. 

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How to Start Speaking & Find Speaking Engagements from Susan U. Neal, @SusanNealYoga on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Susan U. Neal, RN, MBA, MHS: Susan’s mission is to improve the health of the body of Christ. She has her RN and MBA degrees, as well as a master’s in health science. She is a CERTIFIED HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHwith the American Association of Christian Counselors. She published five books, the Selah award winner 7 STEPS TO GET OFF SUGAR AND CARBOHYDRATES, CHRISTIAN STUDY GUIDE FOR 7 STEPS TO GET OFF SUGAR AND CARBOHYDRATES, HEALTHY LIVING JOURNAL, SCRIPTURE YOGAa #1 Amazon best-selling yoga book, and YOGA FOR BEGINNERS which ranked #3. She published two sets of Christian Yoga Card Decks and two Christian Yoga DVDs that are available at CHRISTINAYOGA.COM. Her digital product HOW TO PREVENT, IMPROVE, AND REVERSE ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA is a great resource. To learn more about Susan visit her website SUSANUNEAL.COM You can also connect with Susan on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and INSTAGRAM.