Here's how you can make strategic decisions for your public speaking business.

1 Identify Goals

Before diving into any strategic planning, it's crucial to clearly define your goals. What do you want to achieve with your public speaking business? Are you aiming to increase your bookings, expand your audience, or perhaps establish yourself as a thought leader in a specific niche? Your goals will guide every decision you make, so take the time to consider both short-term objectives and long-term aspirations. Remember, these goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) to ensure they are realistic and attainable.

2 Know Audience

To make strategic decisions that resonate with your potential clients, you must understand your audience. Who are the people that will benefit the most from your speaking topics? What are their pain points, interests, and preferences? This knowledge will not only help you tailor your content to their needs but also guide you in marketing your business effectively. By knowing your audience, you can choose the right channels and messaging to connect with them, ensuring that your public speaking business is always speaking their language.

3 Analyze Competition

In any business, knowing your competition is vital. Take the time to research other public speakers in your field. What are they doing well? Where are there gaps in their approach that you could fill? Analyzing your competition helps you understand the market landscape and identify opportunities for differentiation. This insight allows you to carve out a unique position for your public speaking business and offer something that sets you apart from the rest.

4 Refine Offering

Your services are the core of your public speaking business, so it's important to continually refine your offerings. What topics do you cover? How can you expand or adjust them to meet the changing needs of your audience? Consider developing new workshops, courses, or keynote topics that tap into current trends or address emerging issues. By keeping your offerings fresh and relevant, you'll not only attract new clients but also encourage repeat business from those who have seen you speak before.

5 Leverage Feedback

Feedback is a goldmine for strategic decision-making. Actively seek out reviews and constructive criticism from your audience, clients, and peers. What do they love about your speaking style? What could be improved? Use this feedback to refine your presentations, enhance your performance, and adjust your business strategies. This continuous loop of feedback and improvement will help you stay ahead of the curve and ensure that your public speaking business remains competitive and effective.

6 Invest Wisely

Lastly, strategic decisions about where to invest in your public speaking business can have long-term impacts. Consider both tangible and intangible investments. Tangible investments might include high-quality presentation equipment or professional branding materials. Intangible investments could be in your personal development, such as taking advanced public speaking courses or hiring a coach. The right investments can significantly enhance the quality of your services and the perception of your brand, leading to greater success.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?