8 Ways to Become a Conference Speaker

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, public speaking ??? can boost your business. Getting on stage may be your main goal, but once you’re there, you’ve got a checklist ? of items to take care of. Connect with your audience. Build credibility. Gain trust. Position yourself as an expert. Ask the audience to subscribe, follow you, download your freebie. Yikes. There’s so much to learn!

So, how do you get started? Let’s break it down.

The Power of Speaking for Your Small Biz

As an expert, you know the power of commanding a room. You walk on stage, cool, calm, and collected, and look and feel great. In front of you, there’s an audience of potential prospects, clients, and partners waiting to hear your brilliance. It can be an electrifying feeling – or downright terrifying ??.

Conference speaking isn't just about the temporary thrill of being in the spotlight, though. It's about how to build your reputation as THE go-to expert in your niche.

I know you’re not a mentalist, but imagine someone in the audience thinking, "Wow, they really know their stuff. I need to work with them!" That's the power of public speaking -- it builds instant credibility and trust in a way that's tough to replicate. Plus, the networking opportunities are off the charts ??. It’s the optimum scenario; you're surrounded by your peers, prospects, and potential collaborators all in one place and you have their full attention.

The best part? That recognition and those connections can pay dividends for years to come as you continue to grow your brand and business and widen your network ??.

So now that I've (hopefully) convinced you of the awesome benefits of public speaking, let's dive into exactly how a small business owner – like you – can go from speech-shy to showstopper.

8 Steps to Become a Conference Speaking Superstar

1. Identify Your Unique Expertise Niche

The very first step is to tap into what makes you and your business truly one-of-a-kind. What specific skills, experiences, or perspectives do you bring to the table that no one else can? Maybe you're a social media marketing maven or you've mastered the art of client experience. Perhaps you’ve discovered a revolutionary process in your industry or a way to improve the lifetime value of a customer?

Whatever it is, get crystal clear on your superpower – that's going to be the foundation of your speaking niche and the value you'll deliver to audiences. No sense in being just another “generalist George or Ginny” rehashing the same-old same-old from the stage.

2. Create a Compelling Personal Brand

Once you've honed in on your niche, it's time to build a personal brand that never sleeps. Create a website, social media, and a constant stream of thought leadership that works 24/7 – even though you don’t! The goal is to establish yourself as the go-to resource in your field, your neck of the woods, your community. That way, when conference or event organizers check out your digital assets, they'll know you are an authority. That you mean business.

You don’t need to go overboard here. It could be a one-page or three-page site (or more) that captures their attention the second you land on it. Crisp visuals, a demo reel of past speaking highlights, rave reviews from clients and colleagues. You want event organizers to see you on stage and envision you commanding their stage. That’s what’s going to win you an interview!

3. Network Like There’s No Tomorrow

Connections, connections, connections. The speaking world is tightly-knit, so take it from someone who’s done a bunch of speaking. Meet and greet with all the right people. Here are some quick tips to get you there:

• Join relevant industry associations and Facebook ?? groups where your audience hangs out.
• Attend the must-go-to conferences locally, regionally – and nationally, if that’s what you want; (even before you're a speaker).
• Reach out to organizers, speakers, and other key players to respectfully ask questions, no stalking or monologues, please ??.
• Participate in online groups and conversations to get your name out there in your particular niche; just remember there is a difference between bragging and self-promotion.

Don't be afraid to be a little gutsy here! Many of these same people were once in your shoes and may happily offer advice. They may recommend smaller local gigs to help you build your speaking career and confidence. Be ok with that, ok?

The more you engage in the speaking scene, the more you'll find yourself getting looped into new opportunities. Be clear on what you want!

4. Master the Art of the Speaker Proposal

To score those coveted speaking slots, you’ll need to craft ?? an irresistible proposal. This is your chance to pitch why you're the ideal speaker for that particular conference/audience and what unique value you'll deliver.

An incredible proposal covers key components, like:

?? Your specific proposed topic(s) and why they're a perfect fit.

?? What tangible takeaways and "aha" moments attendees can expect.

?? Your speaker bio, accomplishments, and credibility-boosting factors.

?? Multimedia samples that give organizers a look, taste, or feel of your speaking skills.

Here’s the key >> customization. You aren't sending some generic boring copy and paste template to every single conference. Each proposal should showcase your in-depth understanding of that particular event's audience, theme, vibe, etc.

5. Start Local to Build Your Speaker Portfolio

None of us just burst onto the scene delivering TED Talks right off the bat. Unless you’re that TED speaker, we all usually start small to gain experience and build proof that we're awesome on stage.

My advice? Seek out local industry groups, professional associations, Chamber of Commerce events, or opportunities for presentations – even if they’re last minute. Don’t turn your nose up anywhere you can potentially speak or join a panel discussion for free. This allows you to work on your storytelling and stage presence. And the upside is you can record your talk, take some photos ??, and start building your speaker portfolio and highlight reel.

6. Become a Testimonial Hustler

Speaking of social proof, reviews do matter as you build your speaking ??? business. Mindfully yet relentlessly (those words go together, right?) ask for testimonials from anyone and everyone who catches one of your talks – just not your mom unless she has a different last name. Rave reviews from past audiences and event organizers provide powerful third-party validation that can make or break future speaking decisions.

7. Do Your Event Research Homework

Not all conferences are created equal, so invest a moderate to serious amount of time to vet the events you want to speak at. Study up on which are the true standouts in your industry that attract your ideal audiences. Maybe it's a notable annual convention, or a series of buzzworthy regional events. Even the ‘meh’ events might serve a purpose, too.

Also think about the vibe and format preferences of each speaking gig. Is the audience looking more for motivational big-picture sessions, or do they crave ultra-tactical nitty-gritty breakouts? Get a sense of the overall programming to see if there’s a fit with your proposed topics and takeaways.

8. Create a Structured Outreach Framework

Once you've identified some bucket-list events, it's time to go into hustler mode with your outreach and proposals ???. Don't just send a few blind emails and call it a day -- develop an organized outreach cadence!

To start, make a list of all conferences/organizers and their submission deadlines ???. Then send out personalized pitches 2-3 months ahead of any deadlines. Be sure to follow up ??politely every few weeks if you don't hear back.

Don't forget to connect with any contacts you have at the event companies, organizations, or associations. As you send out proposals and get responses, retool your proposals based on feedback and resubmit for future events. ??

Work on Being an Audience Butterfly

Booking the gig is only step one -- you'll want to make the most of any speaking opportunity by working the room like a butterfly ??! That means – promote yourself as a speaker in advance of the event, be accessible during networking activities, and stay glued to the conversation on the organization's preferred social channels – including knowing the right event hashtags.

You aren't just showing up to yap into a mic -- you're there to be a friendly, approachable thought leader who dazzles (and informs, educates, entertains) audiences with your expertise. Engage with people before, during, and after your talk to make lasting connections and nurture business opportunities that grow and grow ??.

Take it From Me – You Got This!

As you can probably tell, becoming a distinguished conference speaker isn't something that happens overnight. You need to strategically build your authority and credentials over time through smart self-promotion, networking, and good old-fashioned hustle.

But, it is rewarding! I can't think of many other tactics that establish you as a respected expert in front of a room with your ideal prospects. There are so many growth benefits and business opportunities available. Snag those first few speaking wins under your belt, and a whole new world of possibilities opens up. Plus, your confidence will soar! ??

When is THE Best Time to Post on Social Media?

I’m here to tell you… it depends. ??♀?

That’s right. I wish there was a magical spell ?? to find the perfect time to post on social media, but the truth is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer.The real magic happens when you take a peek ?? behind the curtain at your own data! ??

Each social media platform offers insights that tell you not just who your audience is, but when they’re scrolling, liking, and engaging. If you want to know when and how often you should post, experiment, and then check out your own data. What works for you and your business might be different than someone else. Why? Because our target audiences are different! Which is why it’s super important to get to know your audience and your customers, in every way possible.

Let’s say you run a local bakery ??. After you put on your apron and check your Instagram Insights, you might see that your followers are most active around 10 AM (hello, coffee break scrolls ?) and again at 3 PM when the afternoon sugar craving hits ??. That’s your cue to post when they’re already thinking about which sweet treat they’d like to indulge in next!

The key isn’t just to know when they’re online, but understanding what makes them click ‘like’ or ‘share’. Are they looking for consistent posts that greet them every morning? Or do they engage more with your fun weekend specials? Remember, the real magic in marketing is learning and adapting to what your audience loves. So, whip out those Insights, do a little experimenting, and let the data guide your way.

Cheers to 25 Years

I’m a Boston gal, and marketing and PR consultant with over 20 years of experience>> this year I am celebrating 25 years to be exact! Marketing plans and no-cost marketing strategies are my specialty, but I make pretty good Greek meatballs, too. My passions are family, helping others, small business grants, dogs, islands, and travel. My bucket list is always filled, just like your sales bucket should be.

Want to chat? I’d love that.

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