How can you use networking for public speaking or thought leadership opportunities?

1 Identify your goals and niche

Before you start reaching out to your network, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and what you can offer. Do you want to speak at a specific event, podcast, or webinar? Do you want to write a guest post, article, or book? Do you want to build your personal brand, generate leads, or establish credibility? Once you have your goals in mind, you also need to define your niche. What is your unique value proposition, expertise, or perspective? What problems can you solve, what questions can you answer, or what insights can you share? Having a focused and relevant niche will help you stand out and attract the right audience.

2 Research your network and opportunities

The next step is to find out who in your network can help you reach your goals and niche. You can start by looking at your existing contacts, such as colleagues, clients, mentors, alumni, or friends. Who do you know that is already involved in public speaking or thought leadership activities? Who do you know that has access to the platforms, channels, or audiences that you are interested in? Who do you know that can introduce you to other influencers, decision-makers, or gatekeepers? You can also research potential opportunities online, such as events, podcasts, blogs, magazines, or forums that are relevant to your niche. You can use tools like LinkedIn, Eventbrite, Medium, or Google Alerts to find and follow them.

3 Reach out and pitch

Once you have a list of contacts and opportunities, you need to reach out and pitch yourself. The key is to be genuine, respectful, and value-oriented. Don't just ask for favors or spam your network with generic requests. Instead, show interest in their work, offer compliments or feedback, and explain how you can add value to their audience or platform. You can also share some examples of your previous or current public speaking or thought leadership projects, such as slides, videos, articles, or testimonials. Make sure your pitch is concise, clear, and customized to each contact and opportunity. You can use email, social media, phone, or video calls to communicate, depending on your preference and relationship.

4 Follow up and deliver

The final step is to follow up and deliver on your promises. If you don't get a response from your initial outreach, you can follow up after a reasonable time, such as a week or two. You can also try different methods or channels to get their attention. However, don't be pushy or annoying. If you get a positive response, you need to confirm the details and expectations of the opportunity, such as the date, time, format, topic, audience, and goals. You also need to prepare and practice your public speaking or thought leadership content, making sure it is relevant, engaging, and impactful. Finally, you need to deliver your content with confidence, enthusiasm, and professionalism, and thank your network for their support and feedback.