7 Lessons Highly Successful Speakers Master

Article Highlights:

*The quality of your marketing materials are key to your success.

*What you need to know about event planners and the stress they face.

*Strive to become this 'one thing' and be extraordinary.

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This article is filled with essential tips and reminders for aspiring and established speakers. As a mental health and resilience speaker for over 17 years, these are seven lessons I’ve needed to learn and master along the way to grow a successful business as a speaker.?I wish I had learned a few of these gems sooner!

Here it goes:

1.??????? Event planning is stressful- Event planning is among the most stressful industries on the planet. Event planners want to work with reliable and talented speakers who take away stress, not add to it. Think from the event planners perspective. Make travel arrangements to arrive at the event venue one or two days early (if the event is at a distance) so that the event planner is comfortable knowing you’re in place, etc. Let the event planner know all the ways you can decrease stress for them.

2.??????? No one believes you! Cultivate sharp and compelling marketing materials- It doesn't matter how terrific ‘you say you are’, event planners and coordinators, need to see your awesomeness reflected in your marketing materials. This means verifiable testimonials and speaker video clips. Take the time and energy to represent yourself well and accurately through your marketing materials.

3.??????? Don’t be a prince or prima donna. Be easy to work with it- The true star of the show for any event is ‘the audience’. A great speaker is always working to ensure the audience has a value-added experience. This can be achieved by ensuring your message is compelling and engaging. If the event planner needs a hand with getting place settings on the table, roll your sleeves up to do so. I love it when event planners say, “You’re so easy to work with Sheila!” ?Being easy to work with is a part of exceptional service. Consider bringing copies of your book as part of a gift giveaway during your keynote to add to the engagement and excitement around your talk. ?

4.??????? Strive to be an extraordinary speaker above all else- I recently had an exchange with a colleague who is working toward becoming a celebrity speaker so he can increase his speaker fees- it’s something to shoot for if you desire it. My advice is to work toward being an extraordinary speaker with a highly compelling message to share with the world. As a general rule cream rises to the top. In the words of Jeff Hoffman, an ?entrepreneur, I greatly respect, “money ?follows excellence.” ?Please also understand that there will always be venues and events that insist on having a ‘celebrity name’ to speak at an event. This is the nature of the business. There are an abundance of events featured yearly that solely focus on showcasing powerfully talented speakers who can ‘rock the house’, regardless of celebrity status.

5.??????? Know what your time and talent is worth- Your job as a speaker is to be educated about what your work is worth so that you can educate others if necessary. A few years ago, a CFO inquired about my pricing for a programming initiative. From her perspective, the event was held over a few hours and the price could be adjusted. In the great works of Robin Thompson, a top coach and mentor for speakers in the healthcare industry, “You’re not paying for the hour, you’re paying for the transformation the thousands of people receive in the audience.” If you are not clear on the value of the service you provide you can be easily talked out it. The lack of confidence and clarity is also confusing for prospective clients.

6.??????? Get your head in the game- Speakers must commit to a regimen of rigorous self-care with mental health and mindset maintenance. As speakers we are hustling in very competitive markets as we nurture our business. Take care of yourself daily and cultivate core mental messaging that propels your business forward. I firmly believe that it is a disservice to the community if I’m not building relationships to reach a wider audience on a yearly basis.? The more people who hear the elevating messages I share the healthier communities and workplaces will be. I don’t make sales calls I offer opportunities for more balance and joy in life.

7.??????? Be yourself- One of the most expensive pieces of art is a painting called, “Card Players” by Paul Cezzane. Prints and copies are available, yet art lovers covet the original work for obvious reasons. There is great value in discovering your authentic voice and sharing it inside a compelling message.

Being a speaker is a deeply rewarding and exciting career choice. The world needs your message. Keep moving into greater levels of mastery.

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