8/13/2019 7 Ways Speaking Events Can Help You Build Your Business
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Speaking Events & Your Business
It doesn't matter whether you're a guest speaker at someone else's
event or at your hosting your own: Speaking events can separateyour business from your competitors and put you in the driving seat
with amazing speed.
Yet most people delay involvement in speaking events for far too long.
They are intimidated by:
• Standing out and being noticed
• aving all eyes on them
• !ear of technical glitches
• !ear of "looking stupid"
• !ear of not being perfect
#nd a whole host more phobias and bogeymen.
ere's a revolutionary concept$ however: Instead of focusing on your
fears$ focus on the value speaking at events can bring to:
• Your niche members
• %otential clients
• %otential employers
• Your reputation
• Your branding
ere are seven ways that speaking events can help build your
business. If even one appeals to you and leaves you saying "I can do
it& you'll be way ahead of your peers&
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1. Lead Generation
%utting on a live or online event can generate leads and (uickly buildyour subscriber list.
Free or Paid? )) *any people put on a free event$ when going for
lead generation... but this isn't always the best practice.
If you are brand new to appearing in public$ you may feel more
comfortable offering a free event )) especially as a sign up incentive.
+efore you rush to do this$ however$ think about what you are really
saying )) both to your potential audience and to your self.
Potential message to your audience: "I'm not sure if I'm any
good$ so here it is for free. +e casual about it. Take it or leave it."
Potential message to yourself : "I'm not worth anything$ so if I
make it for free$ they might come.
!ree events tend to generate a greater number of "no shows" than
people who literally invest in your event.
They also don't give you an accurate)enough snapshot of who your
paying audience is likely to be.
,ven if you only charge - or -/ for your event$ people who actually
sign up have already demonstrated they'll buy from you. #nd they'll
buy from you again if:
a. You offer something they needb. The price is right
0hether or not they'll pay more than the amount you charged for your
webinar will be up to you&
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Making Them Take Action )) 1o matter how great your event 2and
no matter whether it's free or paid3$ you won't generate a single lead if
you don't obtain contact information.
It's easy enough to do online: Simply use s(ueeze pages and webforms on your blog to capture sign ups for your webinar.
ere are some techni(ues you can use for both offline and online
events:
• #fter the event$ email your subscribers asking them to take a
short survey or poll providing you with feedback.
• 4ffer a "reward" )) a free report$ template or tip sheet$ for
e5ample
• ,ven if you don't reward$ be sure to show your new
subscriber "what's in it" for them$ if they take the time to
answer
+ut how do you capture that email address in the first place$ if yours
was an offline event6
1. ell your audience about your ne!t event while you're
waiting for late stragglers to arrive. #sk a couple of
"volunteers" to pass round a sign)up form. #rrange with them
to pass around the form 2on a clipboard$ with a pen attached by
a string3 at break time$ if yours is a long event$ or after the
event.
Include a line that says: "If you'd like to be informed about
other seminars given by 7Your 1ame8$ enter your email address
here: 9999999999999999999 "
". Pass round a feedback form at the end of the presentation ))
very short$ with half)a)dozen or less "tick)off)the)bo5es"
(uestions. Sweeten the pot by offering to email a special
report$ daytimerplanner$ coupon or other incentive to those
who fill in their email addresses.
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ere's an e5ample from a recent writing workshop:
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". Positions You for #ord$of$%out 'ecommendations
+oth online and offline events can help you grow your reputation more
rapidly than you might suspect )) especially if you ask your subscribers
to spread the word about your ne5t one.
• #sk them to spread the word on your !acebook page
• #sk them to spread the word on your +log
• #sk them to spread the word on Twitter
• *ake it easy for them )) provide the links&
# simple "please repost&" will do 2though it helps to add "if you know
someone who would love this seminar."3
If you've really targeted your audience well and delivered what they
e5pected 2and perhaps a little more3 you can look forward to also
seeing them post about you spontaneously.
(. )llo* you to Gater estimonials and 'eferrals as a Speaker
;emember those feedback forms6 Include a little bo5 2online or
offline3 that says:
If someone leaves a particularly <uicy and specific comment: 2,.=.
"#fter this workshop$ I feel I finally understand conflict resolution. #nd
the handout alone was better than any book&"3 then contact them and
ask if you can use it on your website.
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#sk if they'd be willing to provide a snapshot and city$ last name
andor website details. 2I1T: *ost people say "yes".3
2If they've written something highly personal$ be sure to reassure
them that you only want to use a specific paragraph or sentence thatdeals with your workshop> and that the personal material won't be
used.3
+. Provides Proof tat you,re te Person ey -eed to ollo*
0hile all your friends and peers are sitting around thinking about
putting on an event$ go ahead and do it.
You'll be there with your apron on 2metaphorically speaking )) unless
you're a chef3$ ready to help your target customer or client with their
biggest needs$ wishes$ problems )) and goals.
/. 0reates nstant E!pert Status
"She must be good$" said the woman signing up beside me: "She's
putting on this workshop$ so I guess she's somebody." 2It's amazing
how instantly presenting or speaking at an even endows one with
e5pert status.3
4f course$ that's no time to rest on your laurels: That's when you get
to prove to them$ in person$ that you're everything they e5pect )) and
more&
2. )lerts You to -e* 3pportunities for Your Business
4ften (uestions$ problems$ and complaints that people voice in your
?uestion)and)#nswer period provide light bulb ",ureka&" moments$ as
you suddenly realize you've got your ne5t product )) handed to you by
your own new subscribers$ on a platter$ with a big$ shiny bow.
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You can also gauge their reaction to segments of your presentation to
see:
0here you need to improve your communication
0hat they seem most interested in
4. Sets You in Line for %ore Speaking Engagements
If you give a great presentation 2or even a competent one3$ you'll
automatically bring yourself to the attention of people who may want
to hire you to speak for their organization or company& That includes
potential @oint Aenture partners$ as well as those who strictly want to
hire you.
!inally$ let me leave you with this little conundrum...
56 ive frogs are sitting on a log. our decide to 7ump off. How
many are left 8
): There are still five ) because there's a difference between
deciding... and doing."
0here on the log will you be6
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