What are the biggest challenges speakers face when building their network?

One of the biggest challenges speakers face is NOT following up after speaking an organization. The relationship should never be one-sided! Stay in touch, keep sharpening your gifts and be willing to give away your time! It'll come back 10 fold with the right opportunities.

A lack of clarity can possibly occur due to a speaker possessing multiple areas of expertise and wanting to keep all those areas accessible to a wider clientele. However market research has shown that without a defined brand and unique message, scaling can be difficult or near impossible. Clarity will benefit the customer, the business and the speaker in the long run.

I was in a masterclass with John Maxwell, he is a master speaker. He made it very simple for all of us.. He said the biggest mistake speakers make is when they speak, they are not selfless..!! It's never about the one who is delivering the message, it's always about the listeners. Speakers need to ensure the sole objective of being there is to make it valuable for the recipient.

Clarity is the most important and the first challenge that a public speaker must work on. Before building the personal brand, they should identify the purpose of their influence. The purpose and the main message of the influence will help the speaker to build the strategy of their work. If they know exactly what they want to deliver, the strategy and the marketing elements will be very easy to achieve. Then they can build the personal brand and prepare the stories that they are going to share with their audience. Acsually, this is what inspired me to write my book "It's your time to shine", available on Amazon. With a complete formula for personal brans success.

I think the biggest challenges speakers face when building their networks often include overcoming stage fright or fear of public speaking, finding relevant speaking opportunities, establishing a unique personal brand, and consistently delivering engaging and valuable content. Additionally, building a network requires effective communication and relationship-building skills, which can be hindered by time constraints and the need for strategic networking efforts. Overcoming these challenges involves continuous practice, leveraging digital platforms, and actively seeking diverse speaking engagements.

Why people will believe in you is the first challenge that pops in our mind. You have to be very clear about how many lives you are impacting through your speaking. One is enough to start with because it compounds. You are not meant for everyone so remember to approach with confidence and to boost that, share your real life experiences which will give you moments of truth to reflect on and we will be passionate enough to share it.

Once you engage with people in your field and you understand your role,respond to questions and if you don't know the answer, tell them, find out and ensure that you email the response. That shows you are confident in what you do.

Networking often involves putting oneself out there, initiating conversations, and showcasing expertise. When confidence is lacking, speakers may hesitate to approach potential connections, share their ideas, or participate in networking events. Overcoming this challenge involves recognizing one's strengths, practicing self-affirmation, and gradually stepping out of the comfort zone. Confidence grows with experience, and each successful interaction contributes to building a robust and supportive network in the speaking community.

The fear of not being perceived as knowledgeable or competent can create a barrier, preventing speakers from proactively engaging with others. This hesitancy may stem from concerns about how their ideas will be received or if they possess the necessary expertise to contribute meaningfully to conversations. Firstly, speakers can focus on recognizing and celebrating their achievements and expertise, acknowledging the value they bring to the table. Building confidence involves embracing one's strengths and understanding that continuous learning is a natural part of professional growth.

It is clear that a motivational speaker has to appear confident in order to convince any other person of anything. A motivational speaker should be passionate about their talks.

A notable obstacle for speakers navigating the networking landscape is the lack of a clear strategy. Without a well-defined plan, speakers may find themselves engaging in random or inconsistent networking efforts. Developing a strategy involves setting specific goals, identifying target audiences, and selecting appropriate platforms or events. Speakers can overcome this challenge by taking the time to establish a thoughtful approach, ensuring that each networking endeavor aligns with their overall objectives.

One big lacuna is pack of homework. No matter how skilled you are, how adept you are while designing strategies, if you do not figure out the whats and hows of your audiences , you would never be able to exploit your potential. Besides, in depth knowledge of your topics can not be compromised with, ever.

Without a well-defined plan, speakers may find themselves navigating the networking landscape without a compass, leading to missed opportunities and potential frustration. The lack of a strategic approach can result in speakers reaching out to individuals or groups haphazardly, without a targeted focus on those who align with their goals or could benefit from their expertise. This scattergun approach may dilute the impact of their networking efforts and make it challenging to establish meaningful connections.

Lack of strategy is a big obstacle for motivational speakers. A motivational speaker should plan their topics and events weeks in advance. They should practice their talks until they become masters of their topics.

Strategy is a common challenge for most speakers because they speak a lot and do not forget to be conscious of timing, connect ideas together, coherence, usage of the right terminologies that suit the topic of discussion and communicating effectively to the right level of the audience.

My experience has been that some speakers may lack the skills or confidence to use online platforms and tools effectively, or to adapt to the changing trends and preferences of their audience. These include social media, websites, blogs, podcasts, webinars, video conferencing, and online courses. This can limit their reach and impact, and make them miss out on valuable opportunities to connect and collaborate with other speakers, clients, and learners. To overcome this challenge, speakers need to invest in learning and improving their digital skills, and to seek feedback and guidance from experts or peers. They can also use online platforms and tools that are user-friendly, reliable, and secure, and that suit their goals and style.

A notable challenge faced by speakers when building their network is often a lack of skills in effectively communicating, influencing, and building rapport with different types of people. While expertise in a specific subject matter is crucial, the ability to connect and engage with diverse audiences is equally important for building a robust and supportive professional network. Build meaningful relationship with people who genuinely care about your growth and are in it for the similar reason as you.

Lack of skills can indeed pose a significant challenge for speakers, and addressing it involves a commitment to continuous learning and improvement. Speakers can enroll in training programs, attend workshops, seek mentorship, and actively seek feedback to enhance their skill set. Recognizing areas of improvement and proactively working on skill development is essential for long-term success in the speaking industry.

Just like any business there's a learning curve. Starting out you won't know how the business works, what to charge for your time, who the players are, etc. Reaching out and having a community of other speakers and companies that support speakers could be the most beneficial thing you do entering the business.

Support is for the poor. For the one who is strong from within, external support hardly matters. A speaker holds the huge responsibility of interfering with the way of thinking of the audiences. He has to be confident, self-assured, self-reliant. Seeking support is never the attribute of a speaker actually.

Lack of consistency might impact on motivational speakers. This might frustrate their efforts and there is a big challenge of finding the appropriate network if there is lack of consistency.

Speakers encounter numerous challenges when building their network, including establishing credibility in a saturated market, navigating diverse audience preferences, and consistently delivering engaging content. Overcoming fear of public speaking, fostering genuine connections, and adapting to virtual platforms further complicate networking efforts. Crafting a compelling personal brand, staying current with industry trends, and balancing self-promotion with authentic engagement are vital. Successfully addressing these challenges requires resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous improvement, fostering meaningful connections that enhance both personal and professional growth.

Story telling, Self Branding and using the 'We' approach shall help the prospective motivational speakers to deliver good speeches. There will always be challenges in establishing oneself in any field, however as a motivational speaker following things can help grab social media attention: 1. The Person and her own values. 2. How relatable one can be 3. Sharing more about the journey and the learnings than the result.

Navigating these challenges requires a combination of persistence, strategic planning, continuous learning, and the ability to adapt to the dynamic landscape of the speaking industry. Building a successful network is a gradual process that involves overcoming obstacles and seizing opportunities.