Use These Public Speaking Tips to Expand Your Visibility

​In addition to networking, one strategy that has been really beneficial for me and my business is public speaking. If I can get in front of a group of people and talk about something that’s in my genius zone, I can almost always get at least one prospect if it’s a small group, and several prospects if it’s a larger group. Public speaking is like networking taken to the next level: instead of a 30-second elevator pitch, you get 20-30 minutes (or even longer) to talk about a topic that demonstrates your expertise. When done right, public speaking can be a great way to get more prospects, which should lead to more clients, so let’s go over some public speaking tips you can use to expand your visibility and grow your business.

​Public Speaking Tip #1: List Your Topics

​The first of my public speaking tips is to come up with a list of topics you can present to a group of people. Before you can approach anyone about speaking to their group, you need to have a list of topics you would feel comfortable speaking on. It doesn’t have to be a long list, and you don’t need to have the presentation fleshed out right away, but you need to have an idea of the kinds of topics you can cover in a presentation that would be valuable to others because that’s the first thing anyone will ask when you approach them about speaking to your group.

​You don’t necessarily need a speaker sheet right away, but there is a reason speaker sheets tend to have a section listing some of your topics: it’s because people want to make sure you can speak on a topic that will be relevant to their group before they invite you to speak.

Public Speaking Tip #2: Identify Speaking Gigs

​The second of my public speaking tips is to start looking for places and organizations where you can do public speaking. Just like you need to be strategic about where you network and the prospects you call so you don’t waste time trying to convert people who will never be your ideal client, you need to be equally strategic about where you speak. Where does your ideal client hang out? What kinds of presentations would draw them in and encourage them to attend?

​The best way to get into public speaking is to give free presentations to different networking groups. Your local chamber of commerce could probably use some speakers for events, and SCORE and Rotary Club are always looking for people to present thoughtful topics at their meetings.

​Libraries can also be a great resource, and they usually pay for presentations, so that can be another great place to gain some recognition for yourself and your company while providing value to your community. Once you’ve done some public speaking, you’re ready to expand your visibility by speaking for larger groups and even getting paid to speak.

​Keep in mind you can also host your own event, such as a webinar or workshop, and “hire” yourself as the speaker.

Public Speaking Tip #3: Practice Makes Perfect

​The third of my public speaking tips is to practice your presentation by yourself or with someone you trust before presenting it in front of a crowd … even a small crowd. You don’t need to write out and rehearse your presentation word for word, but you should at least have a list of bullet points you want to cover in the course of the presentation. You can absolutely use notes during the presentation to make sure you don’t forget anything, but remember to keep it to bullet points, not a script.

You might also want to try practicing your presentation ahead of time, either with a friend or family member who can provide tips, or record yourself with a camera so you can see for yourself how you sound. You’ll be surprised how many “ums” and “uhs” you use throughout one presentation at first, but the more you practice and become aware of those things, the better you’ll get at public speaking.

​Public Speaking Tip #4: Have a Call to Action

​My fourth and final public speaking tip is to remember that it’s basically marketing for your business, especially if you’re not getting paid for your presentation, and getting in front of all those prospects won’t do you any good if you don’t know how to convert them into customers, which is why you need a call to action. It should not be to buy something from you, but rather an invitation to learn more about you, such as signing up for your newsletter. Maybe you have a blog post or a checklist to go with the presentation you just did and people can go to your website to learn more. Think about the action they could take after the presentation that would make the most sense given the nature of the presentation and your buyer journey, then think of ways to encourage them to take that action.

​As a business coach, I love helping my clients identify strategies for getting in front of their ideal clients and turning those prospects into sales. Whether you need someone to help you leverage your public speaking skills, or you’re struggling with other challenges in your business, I would love to have a conversation to see if coaching would be right for you. You can schedule your FREE clarity call now to see how I can help you leverage the right strategies to move forward in your business.