Dear Renee:
You're one in a million. Most people would rather walk over hot coals than
speak in public, and you plan to make a living at it. What I've usually
recommended to clients who wanted to create speaking opportunities is to
create a speaker's bureau. A speaker's bureau is simply a panel of speakers
available to speak on specific topics. To promote the speaker's bureau, I
often recommend a brochure, possibly with photos, short bios and a list of
topics that each speaker can address. This brochure is then sent to likely
venues.
There's just you, and you have a topic in mind, so creating a brochure
should be fairly straightforward. However, motivational speaking is a general
rather than specific focus. That's more difficult, because it's hard to be the
expert on a general topic; it's much easier to be recognized as an expert on a
specific topic. To overcome this hurdle (i.e., to prove you are the expert to
speak on the topic), you'll want to include with your brochure a sample
cassette tape or CD of your speech. Make it your best effort.
Now, as for whom to contact: Try approaching associations first (Rotary
Club, City Clubs, Small Business Administration). Find out the name of the
person in each organization responsible for scheduling speakers. Send them
your brochure and tape/CD combo, and follow up with a phone call. A speaking
slot at an association function can get you exposure to a lot of other
businesses and organizations. Bring your brochure or business card to hand out
at each function, and you'll create a snowball effect of speaking
opportunities.
The Net also provides a great opportunity for you to showcase your talents.
Consider creating a web page with a brief snippet of your motivational talk.
Include the URL for this page on all of your correspondence, your business
cards, your e-mail signature, etc. Also check the Internet for speaker listing
services. One general site is www.publicitydepot.com
You can do this, Renee. In the words of motivational speakers everywhere,
“Go for it!”
About the PowerHomeBiz.com Guide:
Yvonne Buchanan
has
been a public relations writer, editor and freelancer for more than 20 years.
She is an instructor at The PR Academy www.learnpr.com
, a professional development institution that provides public relations
instruction and information. She enjoys teaching people how to use low-cost
public relations methods to increase the market visibility for their
businesses
The opinions expressed in this column are those of the
author, not of PowerHomeBiz.com. Users should not treat the Guide's response as
legal, accounting, or professional advice as all answers are intended to be
general in nature. Such advice can only be properly given by qualified
professionals who are fully aware of a user's specific geographical areas or
circumstances, such as an attorney or accountant.
