How can you determine if a speaking opportunity is right for you?

Knowing your purpose is essential as it helps to communicate effectively and efficiently. When your purpose is to inform,you aim to share knowledge,facts or updates with your audience. When your purpose is to inspire you aim to motivate and uplift others. This could be by motivational speeches, sharing personal stories of success. Speaking can also serve the purpose of connecting with the others on a deeper level through meaningful conversation,sharing experiences,etc.

Accepting a speaking engagement is more than just taking the stage; it's about aligning it with your core as a speaker: Identify Your Speaking Purpose: Whether it’s to educate, entertain, persuade, or inspire, knowing this shapes the entire narrative of your talk. Align with Personal Values: Make sure your speaking engagements resonate with your personal values, vision, and mission. This harmony enhances authenticity and passion in your delivery. Set Clear Goals: Be it building credibility, expanding your network, or boosting income, having clear goals for each speaking opportunity helps in delivering a focused and impactful message. every speaking opportunity should be a step towards fulfilling your objectives as a speaker.

This is extremely important, I remember being approached by a junior who was authorised to connect, confirm and finalise the speaker, I insisting on speaking with his higher authority, only then came to know they were looking for a speaker on a totally different subject!

I believe, it's really simple If you feel like doing it. Accept it and do it. If you don't feel like doing it. Just consider the side effects of not doing it.

The statement here on the left is exemplary for experienced speakers who know what they want. But do you always know? And for beginning speakers, just seize the opportunity. Stick to your values though.

?Está alineado con tus valores? ?Va a sumar? ?Compartes cartel con ponentes interesantes o te va a devaluar? No todo vale ni hay que estar en todas partes y a todas horas. No te dejes seducir por los cantos de sirena "esto es un gran escaparate" (donde, por supuesto tú no vas a cobrar un duro, pero los demás probablemente sí)

Researching the audience is the crucial as to connect with them on a deeper level. 1.Determine who your intended audience is for your message or content. 2.Look into the demographic characteristics of the audience such as age,gender, etc. 3.Use social media apps such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for providing valuable insights. 4.Stay up to date with the latest information. 5.Put yourself in the shoes of your audience

There are two schools of thought here: 1. Know who you are speaking to so that you can tailor your message directly to them. 2. If you are not getting paid to speak and need to determine if it's worth it, knowing who you are speaking to will help you evaluate if the people in the audience could possibly hire you in the future. That may add value to an unpaid speaking gig.

To determine if a speaking opportunity is right for you, consider audience relevance, event alignment, time commitment, networking potential, visibility, financial aspects, long-term benefits, and personal comfort. My favorite though is , are you passionate about the topic.

Si estás empezando, cualquier oportunidad de poder enfrentarse al público es rodaje que vas adquiriendo, siempre y cuando, por supuesto, no sea un evento que reste más que sume.

1.A good organizer in speaking ensures that their message is clear and easy to understand. 2.An effective organizer organizes their thoughts in a logical and coherent manner. 3.A skilled organizer engages the audience by using various techniques such as storytelling, humor, or interactive elements. 4.Confidence plays a crucial role in speaking. 5.A organizer is adaptable and can adjust their speaking. 6.Time management is essential in speaking engagements

When considering speaking opportunities, evaluating the organizer is crucial: Assess Their Reputation: I delve into the organizer's credibility and history. A reputable organizer often means a well-managed event. Evaluate Communication: How they interact with me - their responsiveness, clarity, and cooperation - is a key determinant. Speaker and Audience Treatment: Observing how they treat their speakers and audience gives insights into their values and operational ethics. Working with the right organizer can significantly impact the experience and success of your speaking engagement. It's about choosing partnerships that align with professionalism and respect.

An opportunity is right for me when the subject is within my area of interest. I'm a film producer, so I don't think I'd agree to speak at a doctor's or lawyer's conference. I know nothing about their professions. And even in the production field, I'd only accept presentations from people with less than 10 years' experience. Also, I can only make a good intervention in a language I know well. To sum up, I'd say that the target audience, the level of mastery of the theme and the language are the key elements to observe in order to identify an intervention that's right for me.

Evaluating the benefits of a speaking opportunity involves a strategic approach: Identify the Gains: I look at what I'll gain - exposure, feedback, referrals, or even direct financial benefits. Each speaking opportunity has its unique set of rewards. Assess Audience Impact: The benefits for the audience are just as important. Will they gain new insights, skills, or motivation? Weigh Against Investment: I consider if the returns justify the time, energy, and expertise I'll invest. Choosing the right speaking opportunities means finding those that offer the greatest mutual benefit. It's about smart choices, not just more engagements.

Sentido común. No todo vale y no todo será un gran escaparate como te querrán vender para que acudas gratis a rellenar… sobre todo, porque ya te adelanto que habrá ponentes en el mismo evento que sí cobren ( y muy bien ) No te abarates y valora tu trabajo: si el organizador, otros ponentes, proveedores…cobran por su trabajo, tú también. Pero fórmate y profesionalízate antes, por supuesto.

We follow our heart..speaking & speaker always chooses each other by being motivated and passionate about the subject they want to talk or address..A speaker will not randomly talk without preparation.. So you understand it's not superficial..it's the depth of the subject and also the research on the topic

Si no te sientes cómodo porque no es tu ambiente, tu público, tu tema o la empresa no está alineada con tus valores, no lo hagas. Desde Helpers Speakers siempre trabajamos desde la honestidad

Weighing the costs of a speaking opportunity is just as important as assessing the benefits: Calculate Financial Expenses: I factor in expenses like travel, accommodation, and any required materials. Consider Opportunity Costs: It's about understanding what I might be giving up – could I be investing this time and energy elsewhere more productively? Seek a Balanced ROI: My aim is to ensure that the return on investment, both in terms of finances and professional growth, outweighs the costs involved. This approach helps me choose opportunities that are not just financially viable but also beneficial for my growth and goals.

For experienced speakers, once in a while you get into the dilemma of controversial topics (e.g. politics). This is of course depending on the culture and the audience. But you don't want to be chased because you thought it was necessary to share your wisdom for the benefit of society. This is also considered a form of cost.

Determine if you are using this opportunity for “speak to get paid “or are you looking for an opportunity to “ get paid to speak”. A good speaker will always be strategic as to which events they will speak. It’s a good idea to present at events to showcase your skill set in order to show credibility with your customers. If you main business is speaking, then, obviously, you wouldn’t want to gravitate to more events that are paying. Every speaker wants to get paid when on stage, but if someone wants you to volunteer your time on stage, make sure you dive deeper and find out how, you can make the most of the opportunity

Even if the speaking opportunity is right for you, ask your wife if the speaking opportunity is OK with her. It is not good if you are away too often.