The Drawbacks of 'Calls for Speakers' and Better Approaches for Visionary Speakers
"EXTRA! EXTRA! Call for speakers opens today! Submit your abstracts if you want to be considered!"
Call for speakers sounds really easy, doesn't it? You probably see these a lot.
All you have to do is read their event description, submit your abstract… and POOF!
You get hired to speak at an event!
Simple, right?
Well… maybe not.
Today, I want to share a counter-argument to this whole notion of filling out call for speakers. Because, really, these applications end up taking way more time than their worth… with little results to show for it.
Big Idea:
Filling out 'Call for Speakers' forms may seem like an easy way to secure speaking engagements, but it often yields poor results and consumes a lot of time.
Why It Matters:
Visionary speakers may not fully benefit from 'Call for Speakers' opportunities, as these are often tailored to specific topics and industry-focused talks. But there's an alternative approach to connecting with event organizers, providing a more efficient use of time and effort.
Drawbacks of 'Call for Speakers':
- Keynote slots are rarely awarded through 'Call for Speakers' requests. Most are secured through referrals or past successful speakers.
- The specific nature of event topics means speakers are unlikely to be selected unless they perfectly align with the event's needs.
- The process is time-consuming, often requiring account creation, approval, and adapting to different formats.
Dive Deeper:
Is there a better approach to targeting new event organizers? In this SpeakingGigs.pro article, we explore leveraging the power of online publications and soliciting feedback on your session descriptions to create a higher chance of success, ultimately saving time and boosting your visibility in the industry. (** Free registration is required to read these super-secret ideas.)
Empowering Teams to More Nimbly Adapt to Change ?????? Fractional Chief Innovation Officer | Keynote Speaker | Harvard Instructor | Creative Thinking Expert
1 年Yep, a complete waste of time. My assistant keeps saying we should fill them out. I keep saying don't waste your (my) time.
$21.7B IN NEW REVENUE by getting companies to think differently ?? International Speaker?? Peripheral Thinkers???
1 年Yep, Andrew Davis. So true. I've received one keynote from a "Call for Speakers" application. And... It was by chance. One event planner saved my application and shared it with another planner for a different event. I'd like to think my app was saved because of my killer message, speaker reels, experience, and rugged good looks. It was just luck.
The Data Whisperer | Data Storytelling | Data Puppets | DataVengers | Keynoter | Brand Content | Event MC/Host | DataIQ100 | Onalytica Who’s Who | CDOMag Top Consultant | 5X Data Marathon Host | Dataversity Top10 Blogger
1 年This was so good!