How can you use your speaker network to find new opportunities?

Building your speaker network requires to do the basics right. This surely includes... - Being open to learning from others - Keep enhancing your game by drawing inputs from the experiences of others - Connecting with others with an intent to give and not just to draw - Be part of various events that can not just add to you but also opens up the corridors of opportunities for you - Keep sharing your thoughts which can encourage others to consider you for such opportunities

In building my network, what really amazed me was that everyone I asked, no matter how popular a speaker they are, or what level, was more than willing to connect. If you see someone speak that you like, just ask them for a call, conversation or meeting. I have connected with speakers I would have thought were out of my league and now we have close collaborations.

I always found to build a strong speaker network, you first need a strong community who understands your core values, zone of genius, style, topics, and experience. Speaker groups gravitate toward an exchange of active and engaging audiences to tag team ideas, promote things, collaborate, and so forth. From there, it can expand through the channel and medium that is speaking. And then it’s running in parallel the building of rapport of event coordinators and speaker colleagues whether by location, topic, industry, or kindred speaking. Speakers will recommend other speakers for opportunities just by building and maintaining a solid relationship. That helps keep you top of mind in a very subtle way.

When you meet them, be focused on what you can do for them, not what they can do for you. Do give value first, without expectation of a return. Givers gain.

OWH? Who & How! I think the appearance of the same 3 letters is emphatic. With whom we network & how we network can greatly increase the strength of & benefits derived from our speaker's circle of influence. We wouldn't give the best fishing lures, rod and reel to the most skilled fisherman and ask him to catch a tuna or tarpon from a tea cup. So my aim is to tactically network with accomplished speakers, booking agents and affinity groups. I am learning that there are at least 8 ways to add value to them. I go beyond merely serving my clients' personal fitness and well-being needs I also function as mentor, family advisor, purchasing agent and advocate. My goal is to serve those in the network via one of the 4 aforementioned roles.

Speakers, typically, are excellent connectors and understand the value of developing referral relationships. As with any networking arrangement, you must give before you get. Some of the most successful (and lucrative) speaking engagements I have received through the years have come through networking with my speaking colleagues. Through my affiliations with association executives and meeting organizers, I have secured speaking opportunities for others. As the live event industry continues to rebound post-COVID, more networking organizations (communities) dedicated to connecting speakers with stages are emerging. Increasingly, speakers will lean on other speakers for support, information, and introductions.

It is often said that it's not "what" you know, it's "who" you know. As someone new or young in any field you choose, it is extremely intimidating to ask for referrals. Alas, be courageous, what's the worst that can happen? They say no?

Referrals are social proof, and a great way to stand out from the crowd. I used the linkedin recommendation feature so this shows up straight on my linkedin page

Timing is crucial when seeking referrals. Wait for the opportune moment when you have recently delivered a successful presentation or received positive feedback. This is when your credibility is at its peak. When you do ask for a referral, be clear and specific about what you're looking for. Mention the type of event or organization you're targeting, the topic you're passionate about, and any relevant details, such as the date or location. A specific request is easier to fulfill. Always express gratitude when someone in your network provides a referral. Send a personalized thank-you note or a small token of appreciation. Gratitude strengthens relationships and encourages continued support.

Make sure you build a relationship and that they have some idea of your work, before asking for a referral. And be very specific for what you ask for. Don't just ask for a referral, ask for a referral to a specific person, or for a specific type of opportunity. Make it easy to be reffered/

Collaboration works great. You can plan an event and invite others to participate and it makes it a better event. Also consider JV Partnerships where you share some of your profits if they refer you. This works great if you are upselling during a presentation.

When you collaborate with other speakers, you gain access to fresh perspectives, experiences, and insights. This can significantly enrich your own understanding and enhance the quality of your presentations. Collaborations open the door to a wider range of speaking opportunities and formats. You can explore webinars, panel discussions, workshops, and co-authored publications, allowing you to diversify your offerings. Partnering with speakers who have different audience demographics or niches can help you tap into entirely new markets and expand your reach beyond your typical audience.

Recently, I joined forces with two talented speakers for a media interview covering a range of news topics. The synergy was palpable! By leveraging our collective networks, we engaged diverse audiences like never before, resulting in unprecedented engagement. What stood out was the richness of perspectives each speaker contributed. This was not just about expanding our reach; it was a profound learning journey for every one of us. Indeed, collaborations are a treasure trove of growth and newfound insights!

Serve on a panel discussion when you have the opportunity. I have always had success in additional speaking engagements from the audience after doing a panel discussion.

This has been one of my favourites since I've implemented this aspect on collaboration in ways that have been highly meaningful. One of the classic case has been my LinkedIn Audio LIVE which I've been running for over a year now. Having taken multiple other initiatives through podcasting, video and physical engagements ...I firmly believe that building trust and supporting each other is extremely important. I've been a beneficiary of this and anyone desiring to grow can surely move in that direction...

Feedback is important, especially from someone with expertise in the area. Ask specific questions, so that you can get feedback that is actionable.

Public speakers often encounter a wide range of audiences with varying expectations and preferences. Feedback from diverse sources helps you adapt your style and content to resonate with different listener demographics. While feedback highlights areas for improvement, it also reaffirms your strengths as a speaker. Recognizing your unique talents allows you to leverage them effectively in future presentations. Feedback is not limited to criticism; it can also spark fresh ideas and perspectives. Your network may provide suggestions or insights that inspire innovative approaches to your content or delivery.

One of the most important aspect to grow in your career as a 'Public Speaker' is to be open towards receiving feedbacks from other peers, seniors and professionals. Little things can make a lot of difference right from the words you use, voice tonality, pauses, when to stop, how to handle crisis, how to engage with the audience in an effective manner and many more.

Feedback comes in different forms: -Live - is your audience engaging, taking notes, nodding along, laughing, etc.? -Direct - people telling you what they thought, to your face or inbox. This may tend to be less critical. -Indirect - surveys. This is where people might get more critical, especially if it’s anonymous. Know how to weed out what’s important and not. -Self Review- athletes watch game tape, you should too! The point is always look for ways to improve and note the things you do well! Be great, and humble so it’s easier for your network to recommend you and have the desire to collaborate.

Maybe so, but I neither solicit feedback, and rarely take it. I do what I do, and I do it well. I’ll listen politely, and sure who couldn’t use some improvement, and I’m a standup comic by trade, so if you have a suggestion on a punchline I overlooked, great, but having done comedy clubs on the road, no home for 2,629 nights in a row, I’ve got more stage time than a half dozen speaker put together.

Mentorship is important in any area, but particularly in a smaller market such as public speaking. A few tips: (1) You don't necessarily need a mentor who does exactly what you plan to do. (2) It could be effective to have several mentors who provide differing perspectives. (3) Finding a mentor is usually not something to be forced, as the best ones are found organically.

Having played the role as a 'Mentor'...I know the kind of impact that my mentees have seen over a period of time. At some time in my career...I also was on the other side of the table however with commitment, perseverance and continued efforts...I've progressed to empowering many others. While my journey had a prolific speaker who supported me as my mentor... everyone should progress to find one for themselves. For a Speaker to be effective...it is important to look at little things that can keep improving their speaking skills on a consistent basis.

Drawing from my own journey, crossing paths with Phil was a turning point in my venture into public speaking. Whether it was adeptly navigating unexpected interruptions or spontaneously adjusting his content to resonate better with listeners, each anecdote he shared became a lesson in resilience and adaptability. Phil taught me that mastering public speaking was not just about technique, but also about embracing its inherent unpredictability. Because of his invaluable guidance, I've not only honed my skills but have also found the confidence to face speaking challenges.

Yes, and for goodness sake, don’t ask, “Can I take you to lunch and pick your brain?” Because the answer is, “No.” You can have a half hour on Zoom free, but after that we go on the clock, and I charge $10K to coach speakers to make money on cruises, at colleges, for corporations and associations.

Interestingly, bringing innovation in public speaking and experimenting with new platforms can immensely help you build your network. Public speaking as a skill, has recently entered the digital space. Seek participation in webinars, online workshops and virtual events. Learning from observing is important. Such experts can exhibit how to retain the attention of audiences online. Engaging with the speaker and other audience members in such events can add to your network. Ensure to show your skills as an active audience in such events.

Speakers are frequently asked to be guests on podcasts, and podcast hosts always ask for recommendations for future guests. My advice here is to be prepared when you are next on a podcast, and have a list of 3 (diverse and non-obvious) people you're recommending. Over time this will have a knock-on karma effect, where people hear that you recommended them, and they'll often return the favor. I say "non-obvious" because the more thought you put into your recommendations, the more appreciative the host will be because you recommended outside of the typical industry famous names.

??FOLLOW UP- After meeting someone in your network or attending an event,follow up with a personalized message or email to maintain the connection and express your interest in potential opportunities.

Using empathy and emotional intelligence is a great way to connect with your audience, be memorable and connect with others for future projects. I’ve worked with many neurodivergent individuals and I adjust my communication style to match the audience’s needs. Having worked in the humanitarian sector it’s also important to manage expectations when embarking on a project. Realistic expectations should be communicated. Working with vulnerable populations has been the most rewarding part of my career thus far.